Phytochemistry

Crush a fresh blossom of Saint John's wort. You will see a ruddy, almost bruise colored liquid stain your fingers....

The key, as far as modern science is concerned, may lay within a chemical structure known as Withanolides. Ashwagandha roots...

Calendula is full of healing flavonoids. Although this term is thrown around a lot in scientific circles, it is an...

Hawthorn (Crataegus species) has a bounty of active constituents to help heal the circulatory system. Among the list of antioxidants...

Bugs aren't the only creatures that notice linalool. This monterpene is a broad spectrum antimicrobial. Both Gram positive and Gram...

What do wound healing, neuropathy, improved circulation, and long-life have in common? They’re all potential effects of Gotu Kola’s Triterpenoid...

Oregon grape (Mahonia aquafolium) is famous as a powerful antimicrobial herb. It is often featured in the same list with...

Geranial is one of the primary chemical components of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). It is one of the many volatile...

Inulin is a starchy, soluble dietary fiber found in many fruits and vegetables. It is a chain of carbohydrates (called...

These pigments are not just responsible for granting elderberry their deep blue color. They make their mark in human health...

Herbal Nerd Society Exclusive Article Spearmint leaf (Mentha spicata) is an underutilized herb in the natural medicine field. It is...

The rosmarinic acid in sage serves as an antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent.

Herbal Nerd Society Exclusive Article Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has a bounty of healing properties but also sold without it's...

Nettle is commonly harvested for its leaves in the spring but advanced herbalists know it as a harvestable herb well...

Pickles are foods, like cucumbers or red onions, that have been submerged in an acid solution, usually vinegar in Western...

Herbalists often rely on the acetic acid in vinegar to improve their formulas by making the compounds more digestible.

Yarrow is full of delightful smelling volatile oils including the beautiful blue azulene. This is a treasure that has been...

Deep within the tissues of the starchy bulb is an enzyme that turns into the well known compound, allicin, when...

Galangin has proven its worth as a stout defense as a broad spectrum antibiotic.

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait) is one of the most cultivated fruits in the western upper regions of North America. Today...

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is an herb commonly used for its anxiolytic (anxiety/panic reducing) effects.

Reishi has a wide variety of constituents but the over 150 different triterpenoids primarily found in the mushroom's fruiting body is...

Verbascum species like mullein have a multitude of chemical compounds that work together to defeat invading microbes like bacteria and...

Skin infections are very responsive to the antimicrobial compounds in poplar buds. Balm of Gilead's success lies in its clustered...