Açaí (aa-sigh-EE) is a grape-sized, deep-purple berry that grows atop palm trees in the Amazon region of Brazil. Açaí berry is loaded with antioxidants, (especially anthocyanins), amino acids, essential omega fatty acids, fiber and protein, making it perhaps one of nature's most complete and healthy foods.

Alfalfa Leaf is a very mild, food-like nutritive plant in the pea family, which has been used in herbal medicine for over 1,500 years. It is a rich, natural source of protein, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D and more. Alfalfa is also high in insoluble fiber that aids in digestive elimination.

Amla Fruit, or Emblic Fruit (Amalaki), is one of the most commonly used herbs in Ayurveda. A strong rejuvenative, amla is source of antioxidants and supports digestive tract functions. Amla is also the basis for the Ayurvedic rejuvenative jam, chyavanprash, and the widely-used combination herbal blend, triphala.

See Amla Fruit

Anise Seed is a tasty culinary herb from the parsley family. In the herbalist's world, anise seed is known mainly for supporting the digestive system, helping to reduce gas and support efficient digestion. Today, throughout Asia and Europe, anise seed is used to help support respiratory and throat function.

Asian ginseng root (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng root (Panax quinquefolius) are almost identical species that happen to grow on different continents. They are essentially equivalent in their health-promoting features. Both have been used traditionally as broad spectrum tonics that promote stamina and support the immune system. Ginseng also helps improve short-term stamina.

Assam is a black tea named after the region of its production: Assam, India. Assam tea is created specifically from the plant Camellia sinensis var. assamica. This tea, most of which is grown at or near sea level, is known for its body, briskness, malty flavor, and strong, bright color.

Astragalus Root, or milk vetch root, is considered a superior herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is known as Huang Qi. A member of the legume family, Chinese families regularly add astragalus to the family stewpot. Japanese herbalists use astragalus, which they call "ogi," to support a variety of functions, including energy, digestion and elimination. Unlike many Chinese herbs, astragalus is surprisingly tasty as a tea, with a velvety texture and a sweet, buttery taste.

Barley Malt is a natural sweetener made by malting barley grains. During the malting process, the grains produce maltose, a unique type of sugar. The sweetener has a distinctive flavor and a distinguishing rich, dark color.

Basil Leaf is a well-known culinary herb with a delicious pungent bite. But basil also has a role in supporting good health. From an herbal perspective, basil is a warming herb. It promotes healthy digestion and reduced gas, and when used regularly, is thought to help balance the lungs and sinuses.

Belleric Myrobalan Fruit (Bibhitaki) is another famous fruit of Ayurveda, and one of three herbs in the widely-used Ayurvedic remedy, triphala (the other two herbs are Amalaki and Haritaki). It is used primarily to support digestive functions. Bibhitaki also helps support proper water balance, and cleansing the digestive tract as well as the urinary and respiratory tracts.

The bilberry plant, also known as huckleberry and whortleberry, is a shrubby plant that grows in the moderate climates of Eurasia. Bilberry Leaf contains powerful antioxidants, called anthocyanosides, that help prevent free radical damage.

Not only is Black Pepper one of the most widely used culinary spices in the world, it also has a long history of use in herbal medicine. Even today, black pepper is considered the foremost detoxifier in Asia. A warming digestive remedy, it helps relieve gas and supports proper absorption of nutrients. It is antioxidant, which helps to reduce free radicals. It also helps to support respiratory mucous, thus helping to promote sinus function. As a diuretic, black pepper balances water in the body.

Since ancient times, the leaves of the blackberry plant have been used to promote health, especially throughout Europe and Asia, used traditionally to soothe the throat and the skin.

Burdock Root - a member of the daisy family that originated in Eurasia - is now firmly established as a naturalized plant in North America. Herbalists value burdock for helping to detoxify the liver. The root is served as a food in Japan, where it is known as gobo. Resembling a long brown carrot, burdock can be prepared in the same way you might enjoy a carrot, such as fresh juice or in a stir-fry dish.

Cardamom seed is a uniquely flavored culinary herb in the ginger family. But cardamom seed is more than its delicious flavor. This herb is warming and has been traditionally used to support healthy stomach function, balance urination, promote normal respiratory mucous and soothe indigestion and gas.

Carob is a species of flowering evergreen shrub or tree in the pea family that is native to the Mediterranean region. Cultivated for its edible seed pods, carob contains up to 8% protein and is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Carob Pod tastes a lot like chocolate, and being free from the stimulants caffeine and theobromine contained in chocolate, is a popular chocolate substitute.

Cat's Claw is a tropical vine that grows in the rainforest and jungle areas of South America, the bark of which has been used as a general stamina-supporting herb by indigenous people there for hundreds of years. More recently, Cat's Claw Bark has been used by herbalists to support the immune system. This valuable herb also helps maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels already within the normal range, and open up peripheral circulation, making it helpful for the skin and joints. Cat's Claw Bark is also believed to support the health of the digestive tract lining.

Cayenne Pepper is a stimulating herb made from the dried pods of a certain variety of chili pepper. Well known for its fiery heat and pungent smell, cayenne is not only a popular culinary herb in many cuisines, but has also been used medicinally for thousands of years. Cayenne and other chilies, especially the red varieties, supports the production of endorphins, the mood elevating brain chemicals responsible for the "chili eater's high;" hence cayenne is used to support balanced mood. In addition, cayenne helps promote circulation.

Celery Seed, a member of the parsley family, is a widely used food herb. Ayurveda uses celery seed to support kidney and bladder function. In folk medicine, celery seeds are reputed to support digestion, respiratory, menstrual and !@&*# functions.

Chamomile is a flowering plant in the daisy family that is native to Europe and Asia. The flower is a mild relaxant that supports balanced mood; hence a cup of tea made with chamomile is a time-honored remedy for inducing sleep.

Chaste tree is a large shrub (up to twenty-two feet tall) native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe, where it flourishes along riverbanks and nearby foothills. The tree produces a dark brown, peppercorn-size fruit that has a pleasant peppermint-like odor. Chaste tree berry was used medicinally by ancient Greeks and Romans to encourage chastity, but in the first years of the common era, the Greek physician Dioscorides recommended chaste tree berry specifically for support of the womb and to encourage milk flow shortly after birth. Today, herbalists use chaste tree berry primarily to support the health of the female reproductive system, such as helping to reduce the symptoms of PMS.

Chebulic Myrobalan Fruit (Haritaki) is considered by some to be the single most important Ayurvedic herb, and is one of the three herbs in the famous Ayurvedic remedy triphala. Widely used in Tibetan medicine, it is called the "king of herbs," and in Ayurveda, haritaki is known as "the mother." Haritaki is strongly astringent, and is used to promote skin function, as well as to support digestion and elimination. Haritaki is also mildly laxative.

Chinese Amur Cork Tree Bark, called Huang Bai in China, is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs. It includes berberine, a natural chemical that makes the herb appear yellow. Used primarily to reduce "heat energy" in the body, this herb is also used to support proper bowel, vaginal and urinary tract function, and healthy joints in the knees and feet.

Chinese Goldenthread Root is one of the coldest and bitterest herbs used in Chinese medicine. Goldenthread is a close relative of an extremely bitter and very useful American herb, the well-known goldenseal. In Chinese medicine, goldenthread is used to promote a calm mood and to support sleep.

Chrysanthemums were first cultivated in China as a flowering herb as far back as the 15th century B.C.E. Chrysanthemum is a "cooling" herb traditionally used to help support the lungs and soothe the head. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, chrysanthemum is often combined with honeysuckle for a delicious drink that is especially useful for cooling the body.

Cinnamon Bark comes from a small evergreen tree that is native to Sri Lanka. Cinnamon is a pungent, sweet and hot spice that warms and energizes the body as a whole and supports normal function of the respiratory and digestive tracts. It helps to promote circulation to the joints and supports immune function.

Citric acid is a mild acid that occurs in citrus fruits, such as lemons and limes. It is added to tea to impart a light and pleasant sour taste.

Clove Buds are the aromatic dried flower buds of a tree in the Myrtle family. The English name clove derives from Latin clavus (nail), as the shape of the buds resembles small nails. Clove bud is widely used as a healthy spice in Asian herbal traditions. With a warming quality, clove promotes circulation in the stomach, promoting digestion and helping to reduce gas.

Cocoa Powder is created from the separation of the cocoa butter from cocoa beans. Cocoa powder is used as a flavor and has recently gained attention as a source of antioxidants.

The shells of the cocoa bean, cocoa shells are a source of chocolate, and more recently have been receiving attention as a natural source of antioxidants.

CoffeeBerry®, the outer layer of the coffee fruit, is a rich source of antioxidants. It contains polyphenols, which act to help reduce free oxygen radicals in the body. Chlorogenic acid is the compound present in coffee which has been long known for its beneficial antioxidant properties.

Coriander seed is not just a delicious spice used in cooking. According to Ayurveda, the seeds support urinary tract health and helps to soothe stomach upset, indigestion and gas.

Cornsilk, the yellowish thread-like strands inside the husks of corn, is a traditional remedy for promoting urinary tract health. A soothing diuretic that promotes easy urination, cornsilk helps balance water in the body.

The root of a plant that many see as a pesky yard weed is a celebrated liver cleanser in the world of herbal medicine. Dandelion root is one of the best remedies to support liver health, which in turn supports the health of the skin. Dandelion root can help support bile flow, causing the liver to produce the proper amount of bile to send to the gall bladder.

See Green Tea Leaf

Native to southern Africa, Devil's Claw is a shrub that has lush foliage and red flowers. The plant gets its name from its fruits, which look like a hooked, gnarled claw. Historically, African people have used this root in many ways - from digestive to joint support. Since its introduction to Europe in the early 1900s, the use of devil's claw root has spread throughout the world, and continues to be used primarily to help support the joints.

Dong Quai Root is the most respected woman's herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). An herb in the celery family native to China, Japan, and Korea, women have used it for centuries to support their reproductive organs, help regulate the menstrual cycle and support a healthy menopause. TCM also uses this herb for maintaining blood pressure levels already within a normal range and for supporting healthy lung function.

Echinacea is a genus of nine species of herbaceous plants, all of which are native to the United States and southern Canada. One species, Echinacea angustifolia, was widely used by the North American Plains Indians for its general medicinal qualities. Today herbalists use the root to support the body's immune system. Echinacea is a also helps detoxify the tissues that stimulate digestion and act to promote perspiration to sweat out toxins. Three Echinacea roots - purpurea, pallida and angustifolia - are used in herbal medicine and are considered to be clinically identical and interchangeable.

Native to Europe, elderberry has been used in European folk medicine since antiquity. Elderberries supply anthocyanidins - powerful purple pigment compounds that act as potent antioxidants. The berry's anthocyanidins are useful in a range of applications; elderberry helps ease the joints, detoxify tissues and supports digestion. Elderberry also supports respiratory function, and is used by herbalists to soothe the throat.

See Elderberry

Elecampane is a beautiful tall-growing herb, the flowers of which resemble sunflowers. The plant grows wild throughout Europe, and has been used medicinally for centuries. Today, this herb is widely used to support respiratory health among European herbalists. Ayurveda reveres it as a rejuvenative tonic for the lungs.

English Hawthorn Berry comes from a small, spiny tree that is indigenous to all of Europe and the Mediterranean region.

Essential oils are natural oils extracted from plants by distillation.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) is a tall evergreen tree native to Australia and Tasmania. Herbalists believe that eucalyptus is also broadly immune supportive, benefiting a wide variety of functions, including those of the digestive and urinary tracts.

Botanically-speaking, fennel seeds are not seeds, but are the fruits of the sweet fennel plant, an herb that has been cultivated for culinary and medicinal use for thousands of years. In India, fennel seeds are routinely chewed after meals to support digestion and to act as an herbal mouth freshener.

Fenugreek Seed, an ancient herbal medicine, is a legume found in southeastern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia. Fenugreek seeds contain iron, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin C and phosphates. The seed is also high in fiber and protein. Historically, fenugreek has been used for many kinds of digestive complaints such as gas, and has also been used to soothe the throat and help support breast milk production.

Fo-Ti is the American name for the herb Polygonum multiflorum. Native to China, Taiwan and Japan, fo-ti Root is one of the most popular herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Once it has been boiled in a special black bean liquid, it is considered a superior herbal tonic food. TCM uses fo-ti to support healthy aging, stamina, hair and !@&*# health.

Forsythia fruit is the dried seed pod of Forsythia suspensa, a lovely bright yellow flowering bush that is among the first spring blooms in many northern climates. Native to China, forsythia fruit is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for detoxifying. Because of its detoxifying qualities, forsythia fruit often finds its way into TCM formulas to support the kidneys and skin.

Garcinia cambogia fruit, an exotic fruit from South India that is used to help reduce fatigue and promotes suppressed appetite.

Gardenia Flowers were originally found only in China and Japan, but today there are over 200 different species of gardenia, mostly hybrids, throughout the world. Gardenia is used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is known as zhi zi. TCM uses gardenia primarily to promote calm, but it is also used to support bladder and urinary tract health.

Ginger Root, the underground stem, or rhizome, of the plant Zingiber officinale, has been used in many herbal traditions since ancient times. In Ayurveda, ginger is known as the wondeer herb, and it's no wonder, since Ayurveda uses ginger for a wide variety of conditions, such as aiding digestion, relieving occasional nausea and menstrual cramps and supporting healthy menstruation. Historically, ginger root was one of the most respected herbs for promoting joint health. Ginger has also been used to support healthy peripheral circulation, so it helps warms up cold hands and feet, and will also promote sweating when that is needed.

Ginkgo Leaf is one of the oldest living tree species, dating back some 270 million years. Primarily, ginkgo helps support increased blood flow to the brain and central nervous system and promotes peripheral circulation. It is also an antioxidant that helps protect nerve cells. Herbalists have traditionally used ginkgo leaf to help soothe PMS symptoms.

See Ginkgo Leaf

See Asian (Panax) Ginseng Root

See Siberian Ginseng.

Goji berries grow on an evergreen shrub found in temperate and subtropical regions in China, Mongolia and Tibet. The Goji Berry is found in more than 40 different varieties and is considered one of the most nutritionally rich fruits on the planet. Long revered in Traditional Chinese Medicine, these berries contain vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, and E, plus beta carotene and antioxidants. The flavor of goji has been described as a cross between a cranberry and a cherry.

Gotu Kola, known as "brahmi," which means "godlike" in the Ayurvedic tradition, it is used as an aid to meditation. It helps to balances circulation to the blood vessels of the skin, mucous membranes, nerves and brain. This herb helps stimulate proper growth of hair and nails, and supports increased blood supply to connective tissue.

Grapeseed Extract is rich in procyanidins and resveratrol- antioxidants that combine to scavenge free radical and help protect proteins and DNA from damage.

See Green Tea Leaf

Green tea is made from the unfermented leaves of Camellia sinensis, the same plant that gives us black and oolong teas. All teas from Camellia sinensis are rich in antioxidants, but because green tea is the least processed, it contains the most antioxidant polyphenols, which are responsible for its many health benefits.

See Green Tea Leaf

Hibiscus is a large genus of about 200 flowering plants native to warm, temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Used as a primary ingredient in many herbal beverages, hibiscus flower is also used by herbalists to support bowel function and urination. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, hibiscus is used to support skin health.

Honeybush is indigenous to the cape area of South Africa, where it has been used for centuries to make a beverage and a medicinal tea. Similar to the famous rooibos, also native to South Africa, honeybush brews into a delicious tea with a pleasant, mildly sweet taste and aroma, somewhat like honey. Honeybush tea is caffeine free and contains antioxidants.

Traditionally used as one of the herbs that gives the delicious taste to root beer, Indian Sarsaparilla Root has also been used medicinally as a "spring tonic" for its detoxifying features. Sarsaparilla contains plant hormones that help to normalize "heat" in the body.

Irish Moss is a seaweed commonly found on the Atlantic coast of Europe and North America. Irish Moss contains large carbohydrates that absorb water and become slimy. This quality makes it soothing to the lungs and digestive tract.

Japanese Honeysuckle is a species of honeysuckle native to eastern Asia. Highly valued in Traditional Chinese medicine, where it is known as ren dong teng ("winter enduring vine") this cooling herb is used to help balance excessive heat in the throat and support healthy lungs. It is also used as an overall support to the immune system.

Jasmine is a large genus of flowering shrubs in the Olive family. In herbal medicine, it is used to help to soothe the nerves. Jasmine flowers are often brewed as an herbal infusion, but are more often combined with green tea or sometimes an oolong tea. Jasmine's mystic properties include bringing luck in wealth and love.

A juniper berry is not a true berry, but is a seed cone with unusually fleshy and merged scales that give it a berry-like appearance. Used as a spice in European cuisine, juniper berry has been used in herbal medicine to support healthy kidney and urinary tract function, and to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range. The essential oil is stimulating to the kidneys. The warming and bitter properties aid digestion and ease intestinal gas. Juniper berry is also warming for the joints.

See Juniper Berry

Kava Root (Piper methysticum) has been used for centuries in the South Pacific as a relaxing herbal beverage. This mild, effective herb helps with daily tension and supports a calm mind to promote sleep at bedtime.

Kombucha comes from north central Asia. It is a strain of one bacterium and three or four different yeasts. When grown properly, the culture produces glucuronic acid, acetic acid, and many vitamins and amino acids that help support the immune system. It is valued for its ability to stimulate intestinal action, provide nutrients to promote balanced intestinal flora and its ability to help enhance and circulate the energy in the body. It is detoxifying to the entire body, helping to support elimination and promote metabolic harmony.

Lavenders belong to the Mint family of plants, which includes many herbs such as sages, thymes, rosemary, savory, oregano, balms and mints. English Lavender Flower, so-called because it formed the basis of England's lavender oil industry in the 18th century, is a beautiful, delightfully fragrant herb. Lavender has been used to support elevated mood, help with occasional stress and help promote sleep.

Lemon Myrtle is a flowering plant native to Australia. The leaves have a very strong lemon fragrance making lemon myrtle a common flavoring essence.

Lemon Peel is used in herbal medicine as a digestive aid. It has traditionally been used to soothe occasional abdominal bloating and minor upset stomach. Traditionally, citrus peel was used to help support normal function in the chest and diaphragmatic region. Citrus peel is pungent, bitter and warm.

Lemongrass is a tropical herb that is popular in Thai cooking. Its warming properties support mucous membrane function, and it is used to promote sweating. Traditionally, is has been associated with promoting normal respiratory function. Lemongrass tastes great and is a warming herb that promotes healthy digestion and helps to reduce occasional gas and stomach upset.

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a flavorful herb that has been used for thousands of years and is still one of the most widely used herbs in all herbal systems. Licorice supports skin health and helps protects the liver. It also helps to soothe indigestion and soothes the throat.

Long Pepper Berry (Sanskrit pippali) is a peppercorn approximately one to two inches in length that is used in Ayurvedic and Chinese herbalism. Ayurveda considers pippali to help cleanse the blood. It is also renowned as a beneficial herb for supporting the digestive and respiratory systems.

A common wildflower native to Europe and Asia, mullein has a long history of use in herbal medicine as a soothing herb. Herbalists also use mullein to support the immune system and promote healthy respiratory function. Mullein is most effective when combined with herbs with similar qualities, such as slippery elm bark and elecampane root.

Natural flavors are derived from natural sources such as spices, fruit, herbs, roots, or many other plants or foods, whose significant function in food is flavoring.

Nettle Leaf is a food-like herb used as a general tonic and nutrition source. Herbalists use it for overall support of the mucous membranes, including the digestive tract, the respiratory system and the urinary system.

Nutmeg is an evergreen tree native to Indonesia and is the only plant that is the source of two different spices. Nutmeg is actually the seed of the tree, while the dried "lacy" reddish covering or aril of the seed gives us mace. Nutmeg has a sweet, nutty aroma and slightly sweet taste. Medicinally, it has a warming action that helps to support digestion.

Orange peel, as with all citrus peels, is used in herbal medicine to support the digestive system. Traditionally, citrus peel was used to support normal function in the chest and diaphragmatic region. Citrus peel is pungent, bitter and warm.

Oregano Leaf is a close botanical and chemical cousin to thyme and savory, which are all in the mint family. Traditionally, oregano was used to help soothe indigestion and to promote lung and sinus support.

Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) is a deciduous evergreen shrub, which gets its name from the clusters of purple berries that resemble grapes. Rich in berberine, the root is used by herbalists to help cool the body and support the immune system.

Parsley Leaf is a bright green biennial herb with a long history of culinary use in the Middle East, Europe and North America. It also has a long history of use in herbal medicine to support the urinary system. Parsley is diuretic, and so has been used to support the bladder and help generally with proper water balance in the body.

Passion flower is a vine known for its beautiful white flowers with purple, blue, or pink calyx crown blooms. Native to the Americas, the plant is primarily tropical, but some of its 400 species can grow in colder climates. In herbal medicine, passion flower has a relaxing effect on central nervous system activity. The leaves are used to relax mood, ease stress and tension and to support proper sleep. The relaxing effects help to maintain blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range and to help support heart rhythm.

Peppermint is a perennial plant that produces light purple flowers and green leaves with serrated edges. Commonly used as a flavoring in products such as candy, chewing gum, toothpaste, and ice cream, peppermint also offers a wide range of uses in herbal medicine. It cools the body by promoting sweating, which helps support the respiratory system. Peppermint is also widely used to support digestion and to eases an occasional minor upset stomach.

The leaves of the raspberry plant have been used as a medicinal herb for centuries and is traditionally recommended to support the uterus.

Red clover is a member of the Pea family, which includes not only peas, but also beans and peanuts. In herbal medicine, red clover flower is used as a general detoxifying herb. It has a pleasant sweet taste.

For centuries, Siberians have been using Russian rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), also known as golden root or arctic root, to thrive in their cold climate. A traditional folk medicine in China, Serbia, and the Carpathian Mountains of the Ukraine, the golden-yellow tea made from the root of rhodiola helps people deal with physical stresses. According to folk use and modern reports, it helps support the nervous system, immune system and energy levels.

Rhubarb Root (Rheum palmatum) is a cold herb that is traditionally used to promotes proper bowel elimination. It is detoxifying for the entire body.

Chicory is a bushy perennial herb with blue, lavender, or occasionally white flowers. The roasted root has a robust, earthy flavor, and is used in herbal medicine to support liver health. Roasted chicory root is also added to coffee or used as a coffee substitute in many parts of the world.

Rooibos Leaf is a shrubby African legume that is a bedtime favorite among South African herbalists, consumers and even physicians. This sweet, relaxing tea helps to support the immune system.

The rose hip is the pomaceous (similar to an apple) fruit of the rose plant. Very high in vitamin C, rose hip has a delicious tart taste and astringent action. In herbal medicine, rose hip is antioxidant and used to support immune function.

Rose Petal is a popular food and herbal supplement in the Middle East and India. In herbal traditions rose petal was used for reducing heat in the body and soothing mucous surfaces. Rose petal also helps to cool and soothe the skin, and is a popular ingredient in many topical skin preparations.

Safflower Flower is an herbaceous annual with many long sharp spines on the leaves. Safflower has been used in herbalism as a !@&*# and diuretic.

Sage leaf (Salvia officinalis) is regarded by Ayurveda as specific for promoting a sense of calm.

Senna Leaf is a strong anthraquinone-containing purgative that is used to help relieve occasional constipation. Long a favorite in Europe, this East Indian leaf promotes bile flow in the liver which in turn helps promote a bowel movement.

Siberian ginseng, the common name for Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), is not a true ginseng, but a cousin of Asian ginseng. It has gained that nickname due to the fact that Siberian natives use it as a broad spectrum health enhancer, much the way ginseng is used. It has been traditionally used as a long-term stamina promoting herb.

See also Asian (Panax) Ginseng Root