herb entries
Herb Compendium
Browse the herb library
A live herb reference grounded in route, safety, and botanical identity. Some herbs already carry full curated companion architecture; the broader index remains browsable while that depth expands.
preparation shapes the claim
front-loaded, not buried
A to Z
All herbs
Allspice
MixedPimenta dioica (L.) Merr.
Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies (Jamaica primary producer)2000+
Aloe Vera
MixedAloe vera (L.) Burm.f.
The Gel Repairer
skin-externalArabian Peninsula and North Africa, now cultivated globally in warm climates2000+
Amaranth
MixedAmaranthus hypochondriacus L.
Mesoamerica (Mexico and Central America)8000+
Andrographis
MixedAndrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees
The Cold Bitter
immune-supportIndia and Sri Lanka, now cultivated across South and Southeast Asia1000+
Arnica
MixedArnica montana L.
The Trauma Flower
healing-protectiveEuropean mountain regions1000+
Ashwagandha
MixedWithania somnifera (L.) Dunal
The Recovery Root
calming-sleepIndia, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East3000+
Astragalus
MixedAstragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge
The Protective Root
adaptogens-mushroomsNorthern and Eastern China, Mongolia, and Korea2000+
Basil
MixedOcimum basilicum L.
The Everyday Uplifter
kitchen-everydayTropical Asia and the Indian subcontinent2000+
Bay Leaf
MixedLaurus nobilis L.
Mediterranean region (southern Europe, western Asia)3000+
Bee Balm
MixedMonarda didyma L.
The Aromatic Lift
immune-supportNorth America1000+ Indigenous use
Bergamot
MixedCitrus × bergamia Risso & Poit.
The Balancer
energizing-clarityCalabria, Italy, with the modern commercial crop concentrated there500+
Black Cohosh
MixedActaea racemosa L.
The Transition Root
womens-healthEastern North America1000+ Indigenous use
Black Pepper
MixedPiper nigrum L.
Western Ghats of India4000+
Black Seed
MixedNigella sativa L.
The Hot Seed Tonic
immune-supportMediterranean region, Southwest Asia, and North Africa2000+
Blue Lotus
MixedNymphaea nouchali var. caerulea (Savigny) Verdc.
The Dream Bloom
nervine-sedativeNortheastern Africa, especially the Nile region3000+
Blue Vervain
MixedVerbena hastata L.
The Bitter Neck Herb
nervine-anxiolyticNorth America1000+ Indigenous use
Brahmi
MixedBacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell
Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Australia3000+
Burdock
MixedArctium lappa L.
The Deep Pulling Root
hepatic-detoxEurope and Asia, now naturalized broadly2000+
Calendula
MixedCalendula officinalis L.
The Surface Mender
healing-protectiveMediterranean region, now cultivated widely1000+
California Poppy
MixedEschscholzia californica Cham.
The Soft Night Flower
nervine-sedativeWestern North America, especially California1000+ Indigenous use
Caraway
MixedCarum carvi L.
Europe, western Asia, northern Africa5000+
Cardamom
MixedElettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton
The Elegant Digestive
kitchen-everydaySouthern India and Sri Lanka, with broader cultivation in Guatemala and elsewhere2000+
Cat's Claw
MixedUncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC.
The Hooked Vine Rebuilder
immune-supportAmazonian regions of Peru and surrounding South America1000+ Indigenous use
Catnip
MixedNepeta cataria L.
The Gentle Downshift
nervine-tonicEurope and Asia, now naturalized widely1000+
Cayenne
MixedCapsicum annuum L.
Central and South America (Mexico, Guatemala region)9000+
CBD
MixedCannabis sativa L.
The Formulation Problem
nervine-anxiolyticCannabis lineages cultivated globally; commercial CBD is usually hemp-derivedmodern extract lane, built on older cannabis traditions
Cedarwood
MixedCedrus atlantica (Endl.) G.Manetti ex Carrière
The Wooden Settler
grounding-sacredNorth Africa for Atlas cedar, eastern North America for Virginia cedar2000+
Ceremonial Tobacco
MixedNicotiana rustica L.
The Sovereign Leaf
spiritual-ceremonialIndigenous cultivation across the Americas; Nicotiana rustica is a specific ceremonial lineage1000+ Indigenous ceremonial use
Chaga
MixedInonotus obliquus (Ach.) Pilát
Northern Hemisphere boreal forests (Russia, Siberia, northern Europe, Canada, Alaska, northern US)2000+
Chamomile
MixedMatricaria chamomilla L. / Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All.
The Soft Reset
calming-sleepEurope and Western Asia, now naturalized and cultivated widely3000+
Chickweed
MixedStellaria media (L.) Vill.
Europe (naturalised worldwide)2000+
Chives
MixedAllium schoenoprasum L.
Europe, Asia, North America (circumboreal distribution)5000+
Cilantro
MixedCoriandrum sativum L.
Mediterranean region and western Asia5000+
Cinnamon
MixedCinnamomum verum J.Presl
The Hot Bark
kitchen-everydaySri Lanka for true cinnamon; related cultivated lineages across South and Southeast Asia3000+
Clary Sage
MixedSalvia sclarea L.
The Loosener
heart-creativeMediterranean basin, Southern Europe, and Western Asia2000+
Clove
MixedSyzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry
Maluku Islands (Spice Islands), Indonesia2000+
Comfrey
MixedSymphytum officinale L.
The Bone Knitter
skin-externalEurope and Western Asia2000+
Copal
MixedBursera bipinnata (Moc. & Sessé ex DC.) Engl.
The Bright Resin
spiritual-ceremonialMexico and Mesoamerica, with species variation by region2000+
Cordyceps
MixedCordyceps militaris (L.) Fr.
The Endurance Builder
adaptogens-mushroomsTibetan Plateau and Himalayan regions for wild lineages; now widely cultivated in East Asia1000+
Coriander
MixedCoriandrum sativum L.
Mediterranean region, western Asia, northern Africa7000+
Cumin
MixedCuminum cyminum L.
Mediterranean region, Middle East, and western Asia5000+
Curry Leaf
MixedMurraya koenigii (L.) Spreng.
Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka3000+
Damiana
MixedTurnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult.
The Brightening Leaf
nervine-tonicMexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean1000+
Dandelion
MixedTaraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.
The Everyday Bitter
hepatic-detoxEurope and Asia, now naturalized globally2000+
Dill
MixedAnethum graveolens L.
Mediterranean region and western Asia5000+
Dong Quai
MixedAngelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels
The Blood Mover
womens-healthChina, Korea, and Japan2000+
Dragon's Blood
MixedDracaena cinnabari Balf.f.
The Sealing Resin
spiritual-ceremonialNorthwestern South America for Croton lechleri lineages used medicinally1000+ Indigenous use
Eastern Redcedar
MixedJuniperus virginiana L.
Eastern North America
Echinacea
MixedEchinacea purpurea (L.) Moench
The Short-Course Defender
healing-protectiveCentral and Eastern North America1000+ Indigenous use
Elderberry
MixedSambucus nigra L.
The Dark Hedge Berry
immune-supportEurope and Western Asia, with related medicinal species in North America2000+
Elderflower
MixedSambucus nigra L.
Europe, North Africa, western Asia (naturalised in North America)3000+
Elecampane
MixedInula helenium L.
The Rooted Expectorant
respiratory-supportEurope and Western Asia2000+
Epazote
MixedDysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants
Mesoamerica (Mexico, Central America)3000+
Eucalyptus
MixedEucalyptus globulus Labill.
The Breath Opener
energizing-clarityAustralia, especially Tasmania and southeastern regions for Eucalyptus globulus50000+ Aboriginal use
Evening Primrose
MixedOenothera biennis L.
The Softening Seed
womens-healthNorth America, now naturalized and cultivated widely1000+
Fennel
MixedFoeniculum vulgare Mill.
The Sweet Carminative
kitchen-everydayMediterranean basin, now naturalized widely2000+
Fenugreek
MixedTrigonella foenum-graecum L.
Western Asia / Mediterranean region4000+
Feverfew
MixedTanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch. Bip.
Southeastern Europe, Balkans, Anatolia2000+
Frankincense
MixedBoswellia sacra Flueck. (syn. B. carterii Birdw.)
The Deepener
grounding-sacredArabian Peninsula (especially Oman and Yemen) and the Horn of Africa5000+
Garlic
MixedAllium sativum L.
Central Asia (likely Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan region)5000+
Gentian
MixedGentiana lutea L.
The Bitter Switch
bitter-digestiveMountain regions of Central and Southern Europe2000+
Geranium
MixedPelargonium graveolens L'Hér.
The Balancing Rose
heart-creativeSouthern Africa, especially South Africa, now cultivated widely300+
Ginger
MixedZingiber officinale Roscoe
The Warm Mover
energizing-claritySouth and Southeast Asia, now cultivated across the tropics3000+
Ginkgo
MixedGinkgo biloba L.
China5000+
Ginseng
MixedPanax ginseng C.A. Mey.
Korea, northeastern China, far eastern Russia4000+
Gotu Kola
MixedCentella asiatica (L.) Urb.
Wetlands of India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and tropical regions3000+
Hawthorn
MixedCrataegus monogyna Jacq.
The Heart Guard
cardiovascular-nervineEurope, Western Asia, and North Africa1000+
Hibiscus
MixedHibiscus sabdariffa L.
Tropical West Africa6000+
Hoja Santa
MixedPiper auritum Kunth
Mesoamerica (Mexico, Central America)2000+
Hops
MixedHumulus lupulus L.
The Heavy Quiet
calming-sleepEurope and Western Asia, now cultivated across temperate regions2000+
Hyssop
MixedHyssopus officinalis L.
Southern Europe, East Mediterranean to Central Asia3000+
Jasmine
MixedJasminum grandiflorum L. / Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton
The Lifted Heart
heart-creativeSouth Asia and the Arabian region, with long cultivation through India, Persia, and the Mediterranean2000+
Kava
MixedPiper methysticum G. Forst.
The Social Unarmorer
nervine-sedativeSouth Pacific islands3000+
Lamb's Quarters
MixedChenopodium album L.
Eurasia (now cosmopolitan weed)5000+
Lavender
MixedLavandula angustifolia Mill.
The Calmer
calming-sleepWestern Mediterranean, now cultivated globally2500+
Lemon Balm
MixedMelissa officinalis L.
The Bright Soother
calming-sleepMediterranean basin and Western Asia, now cultivated broadly2000+
Lemongrass
MixedCymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf
The Bright Edge
kitchen-everydaySouth and Southeast Asia1500+
Licorice
MixedGlycyrrhiza glabra L.
The Sweet Root
kitchen-everydaySouthern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Western Asia3000+
Linden
MixedTilia cordata Mill.
The Evening Blossom
cardiovascular-nervineEurope and Western Asia1000+
Lion's Mane
MixedHericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers.
The Neural Nourisher
adaptogens-mushroomsTemperate forests of North America, Europe, and Asia1000+
Lobelia
MixedLobelia inflata L.
The Small Sharp Corrective
respiratory-antispasmodicEastern North America1000+ Indigenous use
Maca
MixedLepidium meyenii Walp.
The Builder
adaptogens-mushroomsCentral Andes of Peru1500+
Marjoram
MixedOriganum majorana L. (syn. Majorana hortensis Moench)
Cyprus, southern Turkey, East Mediterranean3000+
Marshmallow Root
MixedAlthaea officinalis L.
The Coating Root
healing-protectiveEurope, Western Asia, and North Africa2000+
Meadowsweet
MixedFilipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.
Europe, western Asia3000+
Milk Thistle
MixedSilybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.
The Liver Guard
hepatic-detoxMediterranean basin, now cultivated widely2000+
Moringa
MixedMoringa oleifera Lam.
The Green Rebuilder
nutritive-tonicIndian subcontinent, now cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions1000+
Motherwort
MixedLeonurus cardiaca L.
The Heart Unclencher
cardiovascular-nervineEurope and Asia, now naturalized widely1000+
Mugwort
MixedArtemisia vulgaris L.
The Threshold Herb
healing-protectiveEurope, Asia, and North Africa, now naturalized widely2000+
Mullein
MixedVerbascum thapsus L.
The Lung Blanket
respiratory-supportEurope, North Africa, and Asia, now naturalized widely2000+
Mustard Seed
MixedSinapis alba L. (white/yellow mustard); Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. (brown/Indian mustard)
Mediterranean region, Central Asia5000+
Myrrh
MixedCommiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl.
The Bitter Resin
grounding-sacredArabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, especially Somalia and Ethiopia5000+
Neem
MixedAzadirachta indica A. Juss.
The Bitter Purifier
skin-externalIndian subcontinent2000+
Neroli
MixedCitrus aurantium L.
The Acute Softener
heart-creativeBitter orange is rooted in South and Southeast Asia, while neroli oil became established through Mediterranean cultivation1000+
Nettle Root
MixedUrtica dioica L.
The Hidden Root
mens-healthEurope, Asia, and North America1000+
Nutmeg
MixedMyristica fragrans Houtt.
Banda Islands (Moluccas), Indonesia3500+
Oat Straw
MixedAvena sativa L.
Fertile Crescent region (modern-day Middle East)8000+
Olive Leaf
MixedOlea europaea L.
The Bitter Mediterranean Guard
immune-supportMediterranean basin2000+
Oregano
MixedOriganum vulgare L.
The Hot Small Corrective
immune-supportMediterranean basin2000+
Oregon Grape
MixedMahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt.
The Bitter Bark Corrector
hepatic-detoxWestern North America1000+ Indigenous use
Osha Root
MixedLigusticum porteri J.M. Coult. & Rose
The Mountain Respiratory
respiratory-supportRocky Mountain regions of the western United States1000+ Indigenous use
Palo Santo
MixedBursera graveolens (Kunth) Triana & Planch.
The Resinous Boundary
spiritual-ceremonialCoastal dry forests of South America, especially Ecuador and Peru1000+
Paprika
MixedCapsicum annuum L. (paprika cultivars)
Central America, Mexico; developed in Hungary and Spain500+
Parsley
MixedPetroselinum crispum
Mediterranean region2000+
Passionflower
MixedPassiflora incarnata L.
The Unwinder
calming-sleepSoutheastern United States, Central America, and parts of South America1000+
Patchouli
MixedPogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth.
The Grounded Sensualist
grounding-sacredSoutheast Asia, especially Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia1000+
Peppermint
MixedMentha x piperita L.
The Midday Reset
energizing-clarityEurope as a natural hybrid of watermint and spearmint3500+
Pine Pollen
MixedPinus massoniana Lamb.
The Golden Provocation
mens-healthEast Asia for the most common medicinal lineages; pine species vary by source1000+
Plantain
MixedPlantago major L.
The Green Drawer
vulnerary-demulcentEurope and temperate Asia, now naturalized globally2000+
Purslane
MixedPortulaca oleracea
Mediterranean region; cosmopolitan weed4000+
Red Clover
MixedTrifolium pratense
Europe, Western Asia, Northwest Africa2000+
Red Raspberry Leaf
MixedRubus idaeus L.
The Preparation Leaf
womens-healthEurope and Northern Asia, now cultivated widely1000+
Reishi
MixedGanoderma lingzhi Sheng H.Wu, Y.Cao & Y.C.Dai
The Long-Game Mushroom
adaptogens-mushroomsEast Asia, with related cultivation and wild collection across temperate regions2000+
Rhodiola
MixedRhodiola rosea L.
The Alpine Responder
adaptogens-mushroomsArctic and alpine regions of Europe, Asia, and North America1000+
Rose
MixedRosa × damascena Herrm.
The Heart Softener
heart-creativeMiddle East and Central Asia, later cultivated widely across Europe and beyond2500+
Rose Hip
MixedRosa canina
Europe, Northwest Africa, Western Asia2000+
Rosemary
MixedSalvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis L.)
The Activator
energizing-clarityMediterranean basin, now cultivated globally5000+
Rue
MixedRuta graveolens
Southern Europe, Balkans3000+
Saffron
MixedCrocus sativus L.
The Red Lift
nervine-nootropicEastern Mediterranean and Southwest Asia3000+
Sage
MixedSalvia officinalis L.
The Dry Clarifier
energizing-clarityMediterranean basin2500+
Sandalwood
MixedSantalum album L.
The Quiet Center
grounding-sacredIndia and parts of Southeast Asia3000+
Saw Palmetto
MixedSerenoa repens (W. Bartram) Small
The Protective Berry
mens-healthSoutheastern United States1000+ Indigenous use
Schisandra
MixedSchisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill.
The Five-Flavor Tonic
adaptogens-mushroomsNorthern China, Korea, and the Russian Far East2000+
Shiso
MixedPerilla frutescens
East Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Himalayas)3000+
Skullcap
MixedScutellaria lateriflora L.
The Nerve Unclencher
nervine-sedativeNorth America and parts of Europe1000+
Slippery Elm
MixedUlmus rubra
Eastern and Central North America1000+
Sorrel
MixedRumex acetosa
Europe, temperate Asia3000+
St. John's Wort
MixedHypericum perforatum L.
The Sun-Threaded Herb
healing-protectiveEurope, Western Asia, and North Africa, now naturalized broadly2000+
Star Anise
MixedIllicium verum
Southern China, northern Vietnam3000+
Sweetgrass
MixedAnthoxanthum nitens (Weber) Y. Schouten & Veldkamp
The Braided Welcome
spiritual-ceremonialNorthern North America and parts of northern Eurasia1000+ Indigenous use
Tansy
MixedTanacetum vulgare
Europe, temperate Asia; naturalized worldwide2000+
Tarragon
MixedArtemisia dracunculus
Central Asia (Siberia, southwestern Russia, Afghanistan)2000+
Tea Tree
MixedMelaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel
The Sterile Edge
skin-externalAustralia (New South Wales)40000+ Aboriginal use
Thai Basil
MixedOcimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum (also classified as O. basilicum 'Thai' or O. thyrsiflorum)
Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia)2000+
Thyme
MixedThymus vulgaris L.
The Hot Cleanser
kitchen-everydayMediterranean basin2000+
Tribulus
MixedTribulus terrestris L.
The Thorny Drive Herb
mens-healthMediterranean region, Africa, Asia, and Australia1000+
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
MixedOcimum tenuiflorum L. (syn. Ocimum sanctum L.)
The Uplifting Adaptogen
energizing-clarityIndian subcontinent3000+
Turmeric
MixedCurcuma longa L.
The Golden Root
heart-creativeSouth Asia, especially India, now cultivated throughout the tropics3000+
Valerian
MixedValeriana officinalis L.
The Night Root
calming-sleepEurope and Western Asia, widely cultivated in temperate regions2000+
Vanilla
MixedVanilla planifolia (also V. tahitensis, V. pompona)
Mexico (Mesoamerica)1000+
Vetiver
MixedChrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty
The Anchor
grounding-sacredIndian subcontinent, now widely cultivated in Haiti, Indonesia, and other tropical regions1000+
Violet
MixedViola odorata
Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia; naturalized worldwide2500+
Vitex
MixedVitex agnus-castus L.
The Timing Berry
womens-healthMediterranean region and Western Asia2000+
White Sage
MixedSalvia apiana Jeps.
The Clearing Herb
grounding-sacredSouthern California and Baja California5000+ Indigenous use
Witch Hazel
MixedHamamelis virginiana L.
The Astringent Bark
healing-protectiveEastern North America1000+ Indigenous use
Wood Betony
MixedStachys officinalis (L.) Trevis.
The Head Clearer
nervine-tonicEurope, North Africa, and Western Asia1500+
Wormwood
MixedArtemisia absinthium
Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia; naturalized worldwide3000+
Yarrow
MixedAchillea millefolium L.
The Boundary Herb
healing-protectiveEurope, Western Asia, and North America3000+
Yellow Dock
MixedRumex crispus L.
The Sour Root Corrective
hepatic-detoxEurope and Western Asia, now naturalized widely1000+
Yerba Mate
MixedIlex paraguariensis
South America (Paraná river basin: Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay)1000+
Ylang Ylang
MixedCananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson
The Unclencher
heart-creativeThe Philippines, Indonesia, and the wider Malay archipelago; now cultivated heavily in the Comoros1000+