Tastes: sweet

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  • Theobroma cacao

    Botanical Overview Theobroma cacao (Malvaceae) is a tropical tree native to Central and South America, widely cultivated for its seeds known as cacao beans or cocoa beans. The primary parts used medicinally are the seeds (semen) and their husks. Commonly referred to as cacao seed or cocoa bean, it is prized for its stimulant and…


  • Carica papaya

    Botanical Overview Carica papaya (family Caricaceae) is a tropical plant cultivated widely in Central and South America and Southeast Asia. The leaf—commonly known as papaya leaf—is the part used medicinally. The leaf is valued for its role in traditional and modern herbal medicine, especially for supporting platelet production and acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. Energetics…


  • Capsicum annuum (fructus)

    Botanical Overview Capsicum annuum (fructus) belongs to the Solanaceae family and includes widely cultivated types such as bell peppers, chili peppers, and paprika. The medicinally used part is the fruit, which varies from sweet to pungent varieties. It is native to Central and South America but is now grown worldwide for culinary and medicinal purposes.…


  • Panax notoginseng

    Botanical Overview Panax notoginseng, commonly known as Notoginseng, Sanqi, or Tianqi, is a member of the Araliaceae family. Native to China and parts of Southeast Asia, the medicinally active parts are primarily the root and root tuber. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and increasingly recognized in Western phytotherapy. Energetics The root is…


  • Dioscorea polystachya

    Botanical Overview Dioscorea polystachya, commonly called Chinese yam or Huai Shan, belongs to the Dioscoreaceae family. Native to East Asia including China, Korea, and Japan, this species is prized for its edible tuber and rhizomes, which are used medicinally. The plant is cultivated for its nutritive and therapeutic rhizomes. Energetics This herb is characterized as…


  • Codonopsis pilosula

    Botanical Overview Codonopsis pilosula belongs to the family Campanulaceae and is native to China and East Asia. Commonly known as Dang Shen or Poor Man’s Ginseng, this plant’s root is primarily used medicinally. It is widely valued in traditional Chinese medicine for its tonic properties. Energetics The root is considered neutral in temperature and moistening…


  • Orthosiphon stamineus

    Botanical Overview Orthosiphon stamineus belongs to the family Lamiaceae and is commonly known as Cat’s whiskers, Java tea, or Misai kucing. The plant is native to Southeast Asia including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The primary part used medicinally is the leaf. Energetics This herb is considered cooling and moistening in nature, with bitter and sweet…


  • Dioscorea villosa

    Botanical Overview Dioscorea villosa, commonly known as Wild yam, is a member of the Dioscoreaceae family. It is native to Eastern North America. The parts used medicinally include the rhizome and root. Wild yam is traditionally used in Western herbal medicine for its spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory properties. Energetics It possesses a neutral temperature and moisture…


  • Crocus sativus

    Botanical Overview Crocus sativus (Family: Iridaceae) is commonly known as Saffron or Saffron crocus. The parts used medicinally are the stigma and styles of the flower. Native to the Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia, it is cultivated notably in Iran, Spain, Greece, Morocco, and Kashmir (India). Energetics Crocus sativus is considered warming and drying in…


  • Senna alexandrina

    Botanical Overview Senna alexandrina, commonly known as Alexandrian senna or Indian senna, belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is native to Northeast Africa and Southwest Asia. The medicinal parts used are primarily the leaves, leaflets, and pods (follicles) which contain the active laxative constituents. Energetics Senna is cooling and drying in nature with a bitter…