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The genus Ambrosia is native to North America but a couple of the species are native in other places in the world and several species have become successful weeds worldwide (see below). The common name, Ragweed, is well known to those who suffer from allergies because the pollen from many of the species in this [...]

Here’s a little commentary on what Culpeper wrote about Gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus). The genus Lycopus is used in Europe, North America, and China, and perhaps other places. Do you know of other species used? I have used two North American species (L. americanus and L. asper), the former from the East Coast while the latter [...]

Culpeper  says of Juniper, “The berries are hot in the third degree, and dry but in the first…” Here, Culpeper states that the herb is very hot, but not overly drying, or at least not in a way that will damage the body unless taken in excessive doses. He also says, “…they provoke urine exceedingly, [...]

Mullein flower Verbascum thapsus and others Scrophulariaceae Chinese name: máo ruǐ huā (毛蕊花) Verbasci flos Favor and Qi: acrid, bitter, warm Channels entered: liver, heart, lung Actions: diuretic, expectorant Functions & Indications: Moves qi and resolves blood stasis for pain due to qi stagnation and blood stasis, such as earache, hemorrhoids, and knocks and falls. [...]

Hops is native to Europe and West Asia, growing as a perennial vine, it inhabits thickets on forest margins in the wild, but is heavily cultivated. Hops is one of the most consumed herbs in the world, next to tea and coffee, because of its use in the production of most beer. Hops is a [...]

Thomas’ new book is in the editorial phase now so we thought we would publish some snippets from it here on the SIBM blog. These are only little pieces of larger monographs… Enjoy! Dispels wind and dampness and boosts qi for the treatment of chronic wind-damp-cold taxation with symptoms of joint pain, muscle aches (especially [...]

California Poppy: A Clinical Perspective by Benjamin Zappin California Poppy (Eschscholtzia californica) is a plant near and dear to the hearts of SIBM and to any herbalist who has taken time to establish a relationship with this predictably efficacious medicinal ally. Upon learning of, and experiencing it’s medicinal virtues, it is difficult to observe this [...]