Constituents: Alkaloids

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  • Sophora flavescens

    Botanical Overview Latin Name: Sophora flavescens (Family: Fabaceae) Common Names: Ku Shen, Shrubby Sophora Root, Lightyellow Sophora Root, Sophora root Parts Used: Root Energetics It is traditionally regarded as cooling with drying moisture. Its taste profile includes bitter and pungent flavors, and it is considered to have a relaxing tonicity affecting primarily the qi. Primary…


  • Xanthium strumarium

    Botanical Overview Xanthium strumarium, commonly known as Common cocklebur or Rough cocklebur, is a member of the Asteraceae family. It is widespread across North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. The plant parts used medicinally include the fruit (seed-containing bur), leaves, and roots. Energetics This herb is considered warming and drying with bitter and pungent tastes.…


  • Scutellaria barbata

    Botanical Overview Scutellaria barbata, commonly known as Barbed Skullcap or Ban Zhi Lian, is a member of the Lamiaceae family. It is native to East Asia including China and Taiwan. The medicinal parts primarily include the whole plant or aerial parts, commonly utilized in traditional Chinese medicine. Energetics The herb has a cooling temperature and…


  • Celastrus paniculatus

    Botanical Overview Celastrus paniculatus, commonly known as Intellect tree, Malkangani, Jyotishmati, or Oil plant, belongs to the Celastraceae family. Native to India and Southeast Asia, the primary parts used medicinally are the seeds and their oil. Energetics This herb is traditionally considered warming and drying with bitter and pungent tastes. It has an ascending and…


  • Zanthoxylum americanum

    Botanical Overview Zanthoxylum americanum, commonly known as American prickly ash, Northern prickly ash, or Yellow prickly ash, is a member of the Rutaceae family native to North America, particularly the Eastern United States and Canada. The plant’s bark, root, and fruit are traditionally used medicinally. Energetics This warming and drying herb possesses bitter and pungent…


  • Catharanthus roseus

    Botanical Overview Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as Madagascar periwinkle or rosy periwinkle, belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Native to Madagascar, it is now cultivated widely in tropical regions including Asia and the Americas. The parts used medicinally include the leaf, stem, and whole plant. It is well known for its potent alkaloid content used in…


  • Sanguinaria canadensis

    Botanical Overview Sanguinaria canadensis, commonly known as Bloodroot, Redroot, Canada puccoon, and Tetterwort, is a perennial herbaceous plant from the family Papaveraceae native to Eastern North America, including the United States and Canada. The rhizome and root are primarily used medicinally. Energetics Bloodroot is considered warming and drying in energetic quality. Its taste profile is…


  • Carapichea ipecacuanha

    Botanical Overview Carapichea ipecacuanha, belonging to the family Rubiaceae, is commonly known as Ipecac or Brazilian ipecac. It is native to South America, particularly Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. The medicinally used part is the root, well recognized for its emetic properties. Energetics The root is considered cooling and moistening with a bitter and acrid taste.…


  • Baptisia tinctoria

    Botanical Overview Baptisia tinctoria, commonly known as Yellow Wild Indigo, Horsefly Weed, or St. John’s Wort False Indigo, belongs to the Fabaceae family. Native to Eastern and Southeastern North America, this herb’s roots and aerial parts are utilized medicinally. Energetics It has warming and drying properties, with a taste profile that is bitter and acrid.…


  • Combretum micranthum

    Botanical Overview Combretum micranthum is a shrub of the Combretaceae family native to West Africa, particularly common in the Sahel and Sudanian savanna regions. It is commonly known as Kinkeliba or Green Tea Bush. The leaf and stem are the primary parts used medicinally. Energetics Traditionally, combretum micranthum is considered cooling in temperature with neutral…