Tastes: bitter

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  • Hoodia gordonii

    Botanical Overview Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant in the family Apocynaceae, native to the arid regions of Southern Africa including Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana. The plant is commonly known as Hoodia, Bushman’s hat, or Bushman’s pipe. The primary medicinal part used is the stem, traditionally consumed by indigenous peoples to suppress appetite during…


  • Lessertia frutescens

    Botanical Overview Lessertia frutescens, commonly known as Cancer bush, Kankerbos, Lamb’s quarters, and Sutherlandia, is a member of the Fabaceae family native to Southern Africa, including South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. The plant’s leaves and stems are primarily used medicinally. Energetics Lessertia frutescens is considered to have a neutral temperature and moisture quality with…


  • Aframomum melegueta

    Botanical Overview Aframomum melegueta belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and is commonly known as Grains of Paradise, Melegueta pepper, Guinea pepper, and Alligator pepper. It is native to West Africa, where its seeds are harvested and used medicinally and as a spice. Energetics This plant is considered warming and drying with a pungent and bitter…


  • Areca catechu

    Botanical Overview Areca catechu, commonly known as Areca palm, Areca nut, or Betel nut, belongs to the family Arecaceae. The primary parts used medicinally are the seed and fruit. This palm species is native to South and Southeast Asia and widespread throughout the Pacific Islands. Energetics Areca nut is traditionally considered warming and drying with…


  • Frangula alnus

    Botanical Overview Frangula alnus, commonly known as Alder buckthorn, Glossy buckthorn, Frangula, or Black alder, belongs to the family Rhamnaceae. The medicinal part used traditionally is the bark. This small deciduous tree or shrub is native to Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa where it commonly grows in moist habitats. Energetics Frangula alnus bark has…


  • Brucea javanica

    Botanical Overview Brucea javanica is a flowering plant species in the family Simaroubaceae native to Southeast Asia, Indonesia, China, and India. Commonly known as Java Brucea or Macassar kernel, the main parts used medicinally are the seeds and fruit. The plant has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, especially in Traditional Chinese…


  • Peperomia pellucida

    Botanical Overview Peperomia pellucida is a small, succulent herbaceous plant of the Piperaceae family, commonly known as Clearweed, Shiny bush, or Pepper elder. It grows widely in tropical regions of America, Southeast Asia, and West Africa. The whole plant, especially the leaves, is traditionally used for medicinal purposes. Energetics This herb is considered cooling and…


  • Agrimonia eupatoria

    Botanical Overview Agrimonia eupatoria, commonly called Agrimony, Church Steeples, or Sticklewort, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Rosaceae family. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. The aerial parts, including leaves, flowers, and herbaceous stems, are traditionally used in herbal medicine. Energetics Agrimony is considered cooling and drying energetically, with a bitter,…


  • Ulmus rubra

    Botanical Overview Ulmus rubra, commonly known as slippery elm, red elm, soft elm, or moose elm, is a member of the Ulmaceae family native to North America. The inner bark is the primary medicinal part used in traditional and Western herbal medicine. Energetics This herb exhibits cooling temperature and moistening moisture qualities. It has mucilaginous,…


  • Ganoderma lucidum

    Botanical Overview Ganoderma lucidum, commonly known as Lingzhi or Reishi, belongs to the Ganodermataceae family. The medicinal parts used primarily include the fruiting body and mycelium of this polypore mushroom native to East and Southeast Asia, particularly China, Japan, and Korea. Energetics In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ganoderma lucidum is considered to have a cooling temperature…