Phytochemistry

Ginger is an amazing healer. It is used around the world to treat indigestion, motion sickness and arthritis pain. One...

Cinnamon is a favorite herb to stir into cocoa to revive numb fingers and toes after an afternoon of snowman...

Topical application tincture of Spilanthes acmella (Toothache Plant) is the fastest acting dental application for inflamed gums. It's pain numbing...

Herbal Nerd Society Exclusive Article - Herbalists know that apple cider vinegar deserves its place in the spotlight is its...

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) sits on pharmacy shelves along with with other OTC (over the counter) topical liquids. It is...

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

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

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) is a nervine, anti-inflammation agent, analgesic and a sedative. It largely has iridoid glycosides to thank...

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

Once relegated to Asian cuisine aisle in the marketplace, burdock is regaining interest in the West for it's capacity to...

Many plants make tannins. For all practical purposes, a tannin is an astringent, polyphenolic molecule that binds to organic compounds...

Lobelia inflata has many uses. It has been used to address respiratory disorders, peripheral vascular disorders and insomnia along with...

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

Pectin is normally thought of as an item used in the kitchen not in the medicine cabinet. Those little packets...

Herbalists rely on the leonurine in motherwort to help people with rapid heart beat, nerve pain, anxiety and depression.

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

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

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

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

Caffeine is an alkaloid which can be damaged by roasting and processing. This is why heavily processed coffee like instant...

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

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

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

Spilanthes has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic properties thanks, in part, to the compound spilanthol.