Specimen
Open the monographPublish a herb to populate the garden.
The living index
Medicinal
Herbs,
explore
Mother
Earth’s
natural remedies
Each node is a monograph. The spiral uses the same golden angle plants use to pack seeds—so the index is not a grid, it is a garden you can search.
Try
Interactive map of published herb monographs.
The herbarium
The most recommended herbs
Pressed, labelled, and ranked by how many of our concern guides reach for them. These are the plants that keep turning up, whatever the problem.
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Chamomile is a small, apple-scented daisy whose dried flower heads make one of the world’s most popular herbal teas. In most tea bags and herbal medicines the name means German cha...
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Holy BasilIn 5 guides
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LicoriceIn 5 guides
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Black SeedIn 4 guides
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CinnamonIn 4 guides
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GinsengIn 4 guides
Concern guides
The apothecary drawers
Every guide is a drawer, sorted by the part of life it helps with. Pull one open to see the herbs inside and how strong the evidence is for each.
Mind and sleep
Digestion
Pain and inflammation
Women’s and men’s health
Everyday health
Mind and sleep
Herbs for Sleep
Gentle herbs that may help you unwind and sleep better, from ashwagandha to chamomile, with what the research shows.
Open the guide-
Ashwagandha Promising clinical evidence -
Passionflower Promising clinical evidence -
Valerian Early or mixed evidence -
Lavender Early or mixed evidence -
Chamomile Long traditional use -
Hops Long traditional use -
Lemon Balm Long traditional use
Mind and sleep
Herbs for Anxiety and Stress
Calming herbs that may help ease everyday stress and worry, with what the research shows and how to use them safely.
Open the guide-
Lavender Good clinical evidence
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Ashwagandha Promising clinical evidence
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Lemon Balm Promising clinical evidence
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Passionflower Promising clinical evidence
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Holy Basil Promising clinical evidence
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Kava Early or mixed evidence -
Chamomile Early or mixed evidence
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Rhodiola Early or mixed evidence -
Bacopa Early or mixed evidence
Mind and sleep
Herbs for Low Mood and Depression
Herbs that may support mild low mood, from St. John’s wort and saffron to lemon balm, with what the research shows and how to stay safe.
Open the guide-
St. John’s Wort Good clinical evidence -
Saffron Promising clinical evidence -
Lavender Promising clinical evidence
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Ashwagandha Early or mixed evidence
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Rhodiola Early or mixed evidence
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Lemon Balm Early or mixed evidence
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Holy Basil Long traditional use
Mind and sleep
Herbs for Memory and Focus
Herbs that may support memory and focus, from bacopa’s encouraging trials to time-honored sage and rosemary.
Open the guideMind and sleep
Herbs for ADHD
What research shows about herbs for ADHD, from saffron and ginkgo’s small trials to calming herbs, and how to use them safely.
Open the guide-
Saffron Early or mixed evidence
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Ginkgo Early or mixed evidence -
Bacopa Early or mixed evidence
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Passionflower Early or mixed evidence
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Lemon Balm Early or mixed evidence
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Valerian Early or mixed evidence
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Ginseng Early or mixed evidence
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Chamomile Long traditional use
Mind and sleep
Herbs for Energy and Fatigue
Herbs that may help when you feel run down, from ginseng to rhodiola, with what the research shows and when to get checked.
Open the guide-
Ginseng Promising clinical evidence
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Rhodiola Early or mixed evidence
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Ashwagandha Early or mixed evidence
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Holy Basil Early or mixed evidence
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Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) Early or mixed evidence -
Maca Long traditional use -
Astragalus Long traditional use
Digestion
Herbs for Digestion and Bloating
Herbs that may ease indigestion, gas and bloating, from peppermint to chamomile, with what the research shows.
Open the guide-
Peppermint Good clinical evidence -
Ginger Promising clinical evidence -
Licorice Early or mixed evidence
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Artichoke Early or mixed evidence -
Chamomile Long traditional use
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Lemon Balm Long traditional use
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Cinnamon Long traditional use
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Dandelion Long traditional use -
Rosemary Long traditional use
Digestion
Herbs for Heartburn and Acid Reflux
Soothing herbs traditionally used for heartburn and reflux, from DGL licorice to slippery elm, with what the research shows.
Open the guide-
Licorice Early or mixed evidence
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Slippery Elm Long traditional use -
Marshmallow Root Long traditional use -
Chamomile Long traditional use
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Sage Long traditional use
Digestion
Herbs for IBS
Herbs that may ease IBS pain, bloating and bowel changes, from peppermint oil to chamomile, with what the research shows.
Open the guide-
Peppermint Good clinical evidence
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Psyllium Good clinical evidence -
Flaxseed Early or mixed evidence -
Artichoke Long traditional use
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Chamomile Long traditional use
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Fennel Long traditional use -
Slippery Elm Long traditional use
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Lemon Balm Long traditional use
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Cinnamon Long traditional use
Digestion
Herbs for Nausea
Herbs that may help settle nausea, from ginger to lemon balm, with what the research shows and when to get help.
Open the guide-
Ginger Good clinical evidence
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Peppermint Early or mixed evidence
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Spearmint Early or mixed evidence -
Chamomile Long traditional use
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Lemon Balm Long traditional use
Digestion
Herbs for Constipation
Fiber and herbal laxatives for constipation, from psyllium and senna to flaxseed, with what the research shows and when to get help.
Open the guide-
Psyllium Good clinical evidence
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Senna Good clinical evidence -
Flaxseed Promising clinical evidence
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Aloe Vera Early or mixed evidence -
Slippery Elm Long traditional use
Digestion
Herbs for Liver Health
Herbs traditionally used for liver health, from milk thistle to dandelion, what research shows, and which herbs to avoid.
Open the guide-
Milk Thistle Early or mixed evidence -
Black Seed Early or mixed evidence
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Dandelion Long traditional use
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Burdock Long traditional use -
Licorice Long traditional use
Pain and inflammation
Herbs for Headaches and Migraine
Feverfew, peppermint oil and other herbs that may ease headaches or help prevent migraine, with what research shows and when to get care.
Open the guide-
Feverfew Promising clinical evidence -
Butterbur Promising clinical evidence -
Peppermint Promising clinical evidence
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Lavender Early or mixed evidence
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White Willow Long traditional use
Pain and inflammation
Herbs for Joint Pain and Arthritis
Herbs that may ease aching, stiff joints, from turmeric to capsaicin cream, with what the research shows for arthritis.
Open the guide-
Turmeric Promising clinical evidence -
Cayenne Promising clinical evidence -
Boswellia Promising clinical evidence -
Ginger Promising clinical evidence
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Evening Primrose Promising clinical evidence -
Devil’s Claw Early or mixed evidence -
White Willow Early or mixed evidence
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Comfrey Early or mixed evidence -
Arnica Early or mixed evidence
Pain and inflammation
Herbs for Back and Muscle Pain
Herbs that may ease an aching back and sore muscles, from capsicum plasters to willow bark, with what the research shows.
Open the guide-
Cayenne Promising clinical evidence
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White Willow Promising clinical evidence
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Devil’s Claw Early or mixed evidence
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Comfrey Early or mixed evidence
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Arnica Long traditional use
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Peppermint Long traditional use
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Rosemary Long traditional use
Pain and inflammation
Herbs for Inflammation
Herbs that may help calm chronic inflammation, from boswellia to turmeric and ginger, with what the research shows.
Open the guide-
Boswellia Promising clinical evidence
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Turmeric Early or mixed evidence
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Ginger Early or mixed evidence
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Black Seed Early or mixed evidence
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White Willow Early or mixed evidence
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Cinnamon Early or mixed evidence
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Burdock Early or mixed evidence
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Devil’s Claw Long traditional use
Women’s and men’s health
Herbs for Menopause and Hot Flashes
Herbs many women try for hot flashes and night sweats, from black cohosh to sage, with what research shows and how to use them safely.
Open the guide-
Black Cohosh Early or mixed evidence -
Red Clover Early or mixed evidence -
Sage Early or mixed evidence
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Maca Early or mixed evidence
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Hops Early or mixed evidence
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Evening Primrose Early or mixed evidence
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St. John’s Wort Early or mixed evidence
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Valerian Early or mixed evidence
Women’s and men’s health
Herbs for Period Pain and PMS
Herbs that may ease period cramps and PMS, from chasteberry to chamomile, with what the research shows.
Open the guide-
Chasteberry Promising clinical evidence -
Ginger Promising clinical evidence
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Saffron Early or mixed evidence
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Fennel Early or mixed evidence
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St. John’s Wort Early or mixed evidence
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Valerian Early or mixed evidence
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Yarrow Early or mixed evidence -
Fenugreek Early or mixed evidence -
Chamomile Long traditional use
Women’s and men’s health
Herbs for Libido and Sexual Health
Herbs that may support desire and sexual health, from ginseng to maca, with what the research shows.
Open the guide-
Ginseng Promising clinical evidence
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Maca Early or mixed evidence
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Ashwagandha Early or mixed evidence
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Fenugreek Early or mixed evidence
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Saffron Early or mixed evidence
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Yohimbe Early or mixed evidence -
Holy Basil Long traditional use
Women’s and men’s health
Herbs for Urinary Tract Health
Cranberry for repeat UTIs, plus herbs for urine flow and prostate symptoms, with what the research shows and when to see a doctor.
Open the guide-
Cranberry Promising clinical evidence -
Saw Palmetto Early or mixed evidence -
Pumpkin Seed Early or mixed evidence -
Uva Ursi (Bearberry) Long traditional use -
Stinging Nettle Long traditional use -
Dandelion Long traditional use
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Burdock Long traditional use
Everyday health
Herbs for Colds, Flu and Immunity
Herbs traditionally used through cold and flu season to soothe sore throats and coughs, what research shows, and when to see a doctor.
Open the guide-
Thyme Promising clinical evidence -
Echinacea Promising clinical evidence -
Elderberry Early or mixed evidence -
Garlic Early or mixed evidence -
Marshmallow Root Long traditional use
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Licorice Long traditional use
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Eucalyptus Long traditional use -
Astragalus Long traditional use
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Goldenseal Long traditional use
Everyday health
Herbs for Cough and Sore Throat
Soothing herbs for coughs and sore throats, from thyme to mullein, with what the research shows and when to get help.
Open the guide-
Thyme Promising clinical evidence
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Pelargonium Promising clinical evidence -
Sage Early or mixed evidence
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Marshmallow Root Long traditional use
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Slippery Elm Long traditional use
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Licorice Long traditional use
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Eucalyptus Long traditional use
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Peppermint Long traditional use
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Mullein Long traditional use
Everyday health
Herbs for Skin and Wound Care
Gentle herbs for minor burns, scrapes and irritated skin, from aloe and calendula to tea tree, with what the research shows.
Open the guide-
Tea Tree Promising clinical evidence -
Comfrey Promising clinical evidence
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Aloe Vera Early or mixed evidence
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Calendula Early or mixed evidence -
Arnica Early or mixed evidence
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Gotu Kola Early or mixed evidence -
Yarrow Early or mixed evidence
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Chamomile Long traditional use
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St. John’s Wort Long traditional use
Everyday health
Herbs for Heart and Circulation
Psyllium, horse chestnut, garlic, hawthorn and more as support for a heart-healthy lifestyle, with what research shows.
Open the guide-
Psyllium Good clinical evidence
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Horse Chestnut Good clinical evidence -
Garlic Promising clinical evidence
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Hibiscus Promising clinical evidence -
Green Tea Promising clinical evidence -
Black Seed Promising clinical evidence
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Butcher's Broom Promising clinical evidence -
Hawthorn Early or mixed evidence -
Ginkgo Early or mixed evidence
Everyday health
Herbs for Blood Sugar
Herbs that may support healthy blood sugar alongside medical care, from psyllium to cinnamon, with what the research shows.
Open the guide-
Psyllium Promising clinical evidence
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Fenugreek Promising clinical evidence
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Cinnamon Early or mixed evidence
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Ginseng Early or mixed evidence
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Milk Thistle Early or mixed evidence
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Black Seed Early or mixed evidence
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Holy Basil Early or mixed evidence
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Stinging Nettle Early or mixed evidence
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Astragalus Early or mixed evidence
Fresh from the field
New in the index
The latest monographs to join the library, logged like entries in a field journal.
Browse all 75 herbs →-
Arnica
Arnica montana
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Spearmint
Mentha spicata
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Pumpkin Seed
Cucurbita pepo
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Uva Ursi (Bearberry)
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
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Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng)
Eleutherococcus senticosus
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Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
How to read a monograph
Every herb gets the same careful treatment, so you can compare one plant with the next: where it comes from, how it works, how people use it, and who should leave it alone.
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History
Who used it, and what the aspirin-from-willow story actually means.
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How it works
Named constituents without pretending milligrams of bark equal a drug.
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Uses
Tradition beside the size of the evidence, including empty claims.
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Safety
Who should not take it, and which medicines do not mix.