KEELFORD ORGANIC ESSENTIALS
Explore traditional uses, preparation methods and important cautions—then compare options or work through a transparent guided finder.
BROWSE THE APOTHECARY
Botanical: Angelica archangelica
Poor appetite · Bloating and flatulence · Digestive cramping
Tea: Simmer root gently, covered; strain.
Tincture: 2–4 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Avoid pregnancy; photosensitivity is possible; confirm species (not dong quai).
Botanical: Pimpinella anisum
Bloating and gas · Spasmodic digestion · Productive cough support
Tea: Lightly crush immediately before steeping; keep covered.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Avoid with known Apiaceae allergy; use cautiously with oestrogen-sensitive conditions.
Botanical: Cynara scolymus
Syn. Cynara cardunculus var. scolymusDyspepsia · Poor fat digestion · Traditional liver and gallbladder support
Tea: Use leaf/aerial material; very bitter.
Tincture: 2–4 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Avoid with bile-duct obstruction; seek advice with gallstones; possible Asteraceae allergy.
Botanical: Arctium lappa
Traditional skin support · Mild digestive support · Traditional urinary support
Tea: Simmer sliced root; strain.
Tincture: 2–4 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: May affect glucose; use care with diabetes medicines and diuretics; Asteraceae allergy possible.
Botanical: Calendula officinalis
Minor mouth/throat inflammation (diluted rinse) · Digestive mucosal support · Traditional lymphatic support
Tea: Cover to retain aromatic constituents; strain.
Tincture: 1–4 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Asteraceae allergy possible; pregnancy safety for internal use is insufficient.
Botanical: Eschscholzia californica
Mild nervous tension · Difficulty falling asleep · Stress-related muscular tension
Tea: Steep covered; evening use is usually most appropriate.
Tincture: 1–4 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: May cause drowsiness; avoid alcohol/sedatives and driving; professional guidance advised.
Botanical: Matricaria chamomilla
Syn. Matricaria recutita; Chamomilla recutitaIndigestion and gas · Mild nervous tension · Sleep support
Tea: Steep flowers covered; longer steeping becomes more bitter.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Asteraceae allergy possible; may increase sedative effects; use care with anticoagulants.
Botanical: Larrea tridentata
No routine oral application recommended
Tea: Do not prepare as an oral tea.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; 1:5
Caution: DO NOT RECOMMEND ORAL USE: associated with severe liver injury and kidney injury.
Botanical: Coriandrum sativum
Bloating and flatulence · Poor appetite · Mild digestive spasm
Tea: Lightly crush seeds before steeping.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Apiaceae allergy possible; may modestly affect glucose.
Botanical: Taraxacum officinale
Syn. Taraxacum officinale F.H.Wigg.Mild fluid retention · Traditional urinary flushing · Poor appetite
Tea: Steep leaf and strain.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Avoid bile-duct obstruction; use care with diuretics, lithium, kidney disease and Asteraceae allergy.
Botanical: Taraxacum officinale
Syn. Taraxacum officinale F.H.Wigg.Poor appetite · Dyspepsia · Traditional liver and bowel support
Tea: Simmer root gently; roasted root may be used as a beverage but differs chemically.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Avoid bile-duct obstruction; seek advice with gallstones; Asteraceae allergy possible.
Botanical: Sambucus nigra
Early cold symptoms · Nasal catarrh · Feverish cold support
Tea: Cover while steeping; strain.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Use correctly identified flowers; stop if allergic symptoms occur.
Botanical: Sambucus nigra
Cold and influenza symptom support · Immune support during respiratory illness · Antioxidant support
Tea: Simmer ripe dried berries; do not use unripe fruit or stems.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Use ripe/cooked or properly prepared berry; raw unripe fruit and other plant parts may cause nausea.
Botanical: Foeniculum vulgare
Bloating and gas · Digestive spasm · Productive cough support
Tea: Crush immediately before steeping; cover.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Apiaceae allergy possible; prolonged/high-dose use needs care in oestrogen-sensitive conditions.
Botanical: Zingiber officinale
Nausea/motion sickness · Indigestion · Musculoskeletal inflammation support
Tea: Infuse thin slices or gently simmer for a stronger cup.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: May worsen reflux; use care with anticoagulants, gallstones and glucose-lowering medicines.
Botanical: Pittosporum angustifolium
No evidence-based oral tincture application or dose established
Tea: No evidence-based adult tea dose established.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; 1:5
Caution: No established safe tincture dose; species identity and professional guidance essential. Not a cancer treatment.
Botanical: Crataegus monogyna/laevigata
Traditional cardiovascular support · Mild circulatory support · Ageing heart support
Tea: Lightly crush berries and simmer.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Heart symptoms require assessment; may interact with cardiac and blood-pressure medicines.
Botanical: Crataegus monogyna/laevigata
Traditional support for mild cardiac symptoms · Circulatory support · Stress-related palpitations after medical assessment
Tea: Steep covered; strain.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Do not self-treat chest pain, breathlessness or new palpitations; interactions with heart medicines are possible.
Botanical: Juniperus communis
Short-term urinary flushing · Bloating and dyspepsia · Traditional joint support
Tea: Lightly crush berries; use short-term only.
Tincture: 1–2 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Short-term use only; avoid pregnancy and kidney disease/inflammation; not for untreated UTI with fever or flank pain.
Botanical: Lavandula angustifolia
Mild anxiety/stress · Sleep difficulty · Stress-related digestive tension
Tea: Use a modest amount; keep covered.
Tincture: 2–4 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: May add to sedatives and cause drowsiness; internal tincture evidence is less robust than standardised oral oil.
Botanical: Melissa officinalis
Mild stress and restlessness · Sleep support · Stress-related indigestion
Tea: Steep covered to retain volatile oils.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: May add to sedatives; theoretical thyroid interaction—seek advice with thyroid disease/medicine.
Botanical: Althaea officinalis
Dry irritated throat · Gastric irritation · Urinary mucosal irritation support
Tea: Soak in cool water, stirring occasionally; strain well.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Separate from medicines by at least 2 hours because mucilage may delay absorption; tincture is not the best mucilage preparation.
Botanical: Verbascum thapsus
Dry irritated cough · Productive cough support · Upper respiratory irritation
Tea: Strain through a coffee filter or fine cloth to remove irritating hairs.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Filter extremely well to remove irritating hairs; persistent cough, breathlessness or blood needs assessment.
Botanical: Species must be confirmed
No dose until exact species and plant part are confirmed
Tea: No internal preparation until the exact botanical species is confirmed.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; 1:5
Caution: “Native juniper” is not a sufficient identity for internal dosing; confirm botanical name and toxicology.
Botanical: Urtica dioica
Lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostate enlargement · Urinary flow support · Traditional prostate support
Tea: Simmer root gently; strain.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Male urinary symptoms need assessment; may interact with diuretics, blood-pressure or diabetes medicines.
Botanical: Citrus aurantium
Syn. Citrus × aurantiumPoor appetite · Bloating and dyspepsia · Sluggish digestion
Tea: Use cut peel; cover while steeping.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Peel tincture may contain little synephrine, but use care with hypertension, arrhythmia and stimulant medicines.
Botanical: Cinnamomum verum
Syn. Cinnamomum zeylanicumBloating and digestive discomfort · Cold digestive pattern · Adjunct metabolic support
Tea: Simmer true cinnamon bark/chips; strain.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: May affect glucose and bleeding; avoid high doses in pregnancy; confirm true cinnamon rather than cassia.
Botanical: Hyssopus officinalis
Productive cough · Upper respiratory catarrh · Digestive gas
Tea: Use modestly and short-term.
Tincture: 1–2 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Avoid pregnancy, epilepsy/seizure disorders and high doses; thujone/pinocamphone-rich preparations can be neurotoxic.
Botanical: Urtica dioica
Mild fluid retention · Traditional joint support · Seasonal nasal symptom support
Tea: Steep leaf; strain.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Use care with diuretics, blood-pressure or diabetes medicines; ensure adequate fluid intake.
Botanical: Curcuma longa
Joint and musculoskeletal inflammation support · Dyspepsia · Traditional liver/bile support
Tea: Simmer root; water extracts differ from concentrated curcumin products.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Avoid bile-duct obstruction; seek advice with gallstones, anticoagulants or before surgery; alcohol extracts differ from curcumin products.
Botanical: Artemisia absinthium
Short-term loss of appetite · Dyspepsia and bloating · Traditional short-course intestinal support
Tea: Very bitter; short-term professional use only.
Tincture: 1–2 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Short-term professional use only; avoid pregnancy/breastfeeding, epilepsy, liver/kidney disease; control thujone exposure.
Botanical: Passiflora incarnata
Mild anxiety/restlessness · Sleep-onset difficulty · Stress-related muscular tension
Tea: Steep covered; evening dose may be taken 30-60 minutes before bed.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: May cause drowsiness and add to sedatives/alcohol; avoid driving if affected.
Botanical: Plantago lanceolata/major
Irritated throat/cough · Gastrointestinal mucosal irritation · Traditional urinary irritation support
Tea: Steep leaf and strain.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Generally well tolerated; ensure correct species and clean material.
Botanical: Trifolium pratense
Menopausal symptom support · Traditional skin support · Traditional lymphatic support
Tea: Steep flowering tops covered; strain.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Seek advice with hormone-sensitive conditions, anticoagulants, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Botanical: Ganoderma lucidum species complex
General immune support · Fatigue/stress resilience · Adjunct respiratory wellbeing
Tea: Slice or use coarse powder; simmer gently and strain.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: May increase bleeding risk and affect blood pressure/glucose; avoid before surgery; product identity/extraction quality matters.
Botanical: Schisandra chinensis
Stress resilience and fatigue · Mental performance support · Traditional liver support
Tea: Lightly crush berries and simmer; tart and strongly flavoured.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: May alter drug metabolism; seek advice with prescription medicines, reflux, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Botanical: Hypericum perforatum
Syn. Hypericum perforatum L.Mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms under professional care · Nervous tension · Topical nerve discomfort (separate preparation)
Tea: Steep covered; use only after a medicine-interaction check.
Tincture: 2–4 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: MAJOR interaction risk with many medicines; avoid with antidepressants unless supervised; photosensitivity possible.
Botanical: Silybum marianum
Syn. Carduus marianusTraditional liver support · Recovery support after hepatic stress · Dyspepsia associated with sluggish bile
Tea: Crush seeds well; tea extracts silymarin poorly compared with suitable standardised preparations.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Asteraceae allergy possible; liver disease requires medical care; tincture strength varies because silymarin is poorly water-soluble.
Botanical: Withania somnifera
Syn. Physalis somniferaStress and fatigue · Sleep support · General vitality
Tea: Simmer root gently; traditionally may be prepared with milk, but this table uses water.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Avoid pregnancy; seek advice with thyroid, autoimmune or liver conditions, sedatives, diabetes or blood-pressure medicines.
Botanical: Rumex crispus
Short-term constipation · Sluggish digestion · Traditional skin support
Tea: Simmer root; use short-term.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Short-term use; avoid pregnancy, bowel obstruction/inflammation, kidney disease or significant electrolyte disturbance.
Botanical: Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)
Syn. Rosmarinus officinalisMental fatigue/concentration support · Dyspepsia and bloating · Traditional circulatory support
Tea: Steep leaf covered; avoid making it excessively strong.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Avoid high doses in pregnancy or seizure disorders; use care with anticoagulants and uncontrolled hypertension.
Botanical: Eleutherococcus senticosus
Syn. Acanthopanax senticosusFatigue and reduced stamina · Stress resilience · Convalescence support
Tea: Simmer root; take earlier in the day if stimulating.
Tincture: 2–4 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: May affect blood pressure, glucose and sleep; seek advice with digoxin, arrhythmia, hypertension or stimulant medicines.
Botanical: Echinacea purpurea
Short-term common-cold support · Minor superficial wounds topically
Tea: Preparation depends on whether aerial parts or root are used.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Avoid with Asteraceae allergy; seek advice with autoimmune disease, immunosuppressants or progressive systemic illness.
Botanical: Allium sativum
Traditional support for circulation · Common-cold symptom support
Tea: Crush shortly before preparation; flavour is naturally strong.
Tincture: 1–2 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Concentrated medicinal use may increase bleeding risk; seek advice with anticoagulants, antiplatelets or planned surgery.
Botanical: Valeriana officinalis
Mild nervous tension · Sleep difficulties
Tea: The root has a naturally strong odour; take near bedtime when used for sleep.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: May impair driving and increase sedation with alcohol, sleep medicines or other sedatives.
Botanical: Salix alba
Minor joint pain · Headache · Fever associated with a common cold
Tea: Simmer bark gently; do not combine casually with other salicylate products.
Tincture: 2–4 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Avoid with salicylate allergy, active ulcer, bleeding disorders, anticoagulants, pregnancy or in children and adolescents with viral illness.
Botanical: Chamaemelum nobile
Syn. Anthemis nobilisMild indigestion · Bloating and flatulence · Temporary loss of appetite
Tea: Infuse flowers covered. Roman chamomile is noticeably more bitter than German chamomile.
Tincture: 1–4 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Avoid with allergy to plants in the daisy family; pregnancy and breastfeeding safety is not established.
Botanical: Zea mays
Traditional soothing support for urinary irritation · Traditional urinary flushing
Tea: Use clean, properly dried silk; maintain normal fluid intake unless medically restricted.
Tincture: 2–4 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Evidence is limited. Seek care for fever, flank pain, blood in urine or painful urination; check use with kidney disease, diuretics, diabetes medicines or fluid restriction.
Botanical: Ulmus rubra
Syn. Ulmus fulvaTraditional relief of sore throat and dry cough · Traditional soothing support for gastrointestinal irritation
Tea: Mix powdered inner bark gradually with water. Water preparations extract mucilage better than alcohol.
Tincture: 2–5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Mucilage may delay absorption of oral medicines; separate by about two hours. Use sustainably sourced inner bark and seek advice during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Botanical: Allium cepa
Traditional cough and cold preparations · Culinary dietary use · Traditional digestive and respiratory support
Tea: Fresh bulb is more commonly used as food, syrup or oxymel than as plain tea.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Food use is generally well tolerated, but concentrated products may affect bleeding or blood glucose and can aggravate reflux or IBS symptoms.
Botanical: Trifolium repens
Traditional cough and sore-throat preparations · Traditional skin-use preparations · Edible flower use
Tea: Use correctly identified, unsprayed flowering tops; no clinically established medicinal dose exists.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Human evidence is sparse and white clover is not interchangeable with red clover. Avoid medicinal use in pregnancy and seek advice with anticoagulants or hormone-sensitive conditions.
Botanical: Syzygium aromaticum
Syn. Eugenia caryophyllusCulinary spice · Traditional temporary toothache relief with authorised clove-oil products · Traditional digestive use
Tea: Use whole or lightly crushed buds; clove essential oil is far more concentrated.
Tincture: 0.5–2 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Clove oil can burn tissue and is toxic if swallowed in excessive amounts; seek advice with anticoagulants, bleeding disorders, liver disease or before surgery.
Botanical: Moringa oleifera
Nutritive leaf food · Traditional general tonic use · Traditional blood-glucose and cholesterol support
Tea: Leaf is commonly used as food or powder. No universal clinically established medicinal dose exists.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 2× daily; 1:5
Caution: Food quantities of leaf are generally well tolerated, but supplement evidence and long-term safety are limited. Avoid medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding and seek advice with diabetes, blood-pressure or thyroid medicines.
Botanical: Ocimum tenuiflorum
Syn. Ocimum sanctumTraditional stress and fatigue support · Traditional respiratory support · Traditional digestive tea
Tea: Infuse leaf and flowering tops covered to retain aromatic constituents.
Tincture: 2–4 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Human evidence remains limited; avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy and seek advice with diabetes medicines, anticoagulants, fertility concerns or planned surgery.
Botanical: Backhousia citriodora
Australian native culinary tea · Traditional aromatic respiratory and digestive use · Flavouring
Tea: The leaf is strongly aromatic; begin lightly and keep covered.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Clinical evidence and medicinal-dose safety are limited; citral-rich oil may irritate skin and mucosa and must not be swallowed or used undiluted.
Botanical: Ocimum basilicum
Culinary herb · Traditional relief of bloating and digestive spasm · Traditional aromatic tea
Tea: Food use is best established; cover tea to retain volatile oil.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Culinary use is generally low risk; concentrated medicinal use and essential oil are not equivalent and require caution in pregnancy, breastfeeding and with diabetes or anticoagulant medicines.
Botanical: Illicium verum
Culinary spice · Traditional digestive use for gas and bloating · Traditional cough preparations
Tea: Use only authenticated Chinese star anise; Japanese star anise is poisonous.
Tincture: 0.5–2 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Illicium verum can be confused or contaminated with toxic Japanese star anise; do not give medicinal tea to infants or children and do not ingest essential oil.
Botanical: Aloe vera
Minor burns and skin irritation · Topical moisturising · Oral latex use is not recommended
Tea: Do not make tea from whole aloe leaf or latex. Gel and latex are different materials.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Not applicable
Caution: Topical gel is generally tolerated, but oral latex can cause severe cramping, diarrhoea, electrolyte loss and interactions; whole-leaf oral extracts have additional safety concerns.
Botanical: Symphytum officinale
External relief of minor sprains and bruises in authorised products · No internal use recommended
Tea: Comfrey root is not for internal tea. Australian restrictions are particularly strict.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; External only
Caution: Contains liver-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Do not ingest; topical use only on intact skin, for short periods, with compliant PA-controlled products and professional guidance.
Botanical: Symphytum officinale
Traditional external use for minor bruises and strains · No internal use recommended
Tea: Do not prepare comfrey leaf as an internal tea.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; External only
Caution: Leaves also contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Do not ingest or use on broken skin; avoid prolonged, large-area, pregnancy, breastfeeding and child use.
Botanical: Laurus nobilis
Culinary flavouring · Traditional digestive tea
Tea: Use true bay laurel and remove whole leaves before serving food.
Tincture: 1–2 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Whole leaves remain rigid and can lodge in or injure the throat or gut; species identity matters because unrelated ornamental laurels may be toxic.
Botanical: Atriplex nummularia
Australian native food · Seasoning and vegetable use · No established medicinal application
Tea: Use correctly identified, food-grade leaf as a vegetable or seasoning rather than inventing a medicinal dose.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Not established
Caution: Naturally salty and potentially high in oxalates; consider sodium restriction, kidney disease and stone risk. Use legally and respectfully sourced native food material.
Botanical: Leptospermum scoparium
Traditional Māori leaf preparations · Aromatic tea use · Topical research use
Tea: Leaf tea is not equivalent to mānuka honey or essential oil.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Clinical dosing and safety evidence are limited; essential oil must not be swallowed or applied undiluted. Respect Māori knowledge and verified provenance.
Botanical: Persea americana
No evidence-based household medicinal use or dose established
Tea: Safety of routine human consumption has not been established.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Not recommended
Caution: Do not recommend avocado seed tea, powder or tincture as food or medicine; laboratory antioxidant results do not establish human safety.
Botanical: Prunus armeniaca
No oral medicinal use recommended · Not an effective cancer treatment
Tea: Raw apricot kernels are prohibited for retail sale as food in Australia because of acute cyanide risk.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Prohibited raw food
Caution: Do not eat or extract raw apricot kernels. Cyanide poisoning can be fatal; amygdalin or 'vitamin B17' is not a proven cancer treatment.
Botanical: Cucurbita pepo
Food and nutrition · Traditional relief of lower urinary tract symptoms after assessment · Traditional irritated-bladder support
Tea: Eat as food; oily seeds are poorly suited to ordinary tea or tincture.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Food or standardised products preferred
Caution: Urinary symptoms and suspected prostate enlargement need medical assessment; seed allergy and calorie or salt content of flavoured products matter.
Botanical: Capsicum annuum var. minimum
Culinary spice · Topical relief of muscle pain in standardised products · Traditional warming digestive use
Tea: Very pungent; food use is safer than concentrated homemade dosing.
Tincture: 0.1–0.5 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Can burn eyes, skin and mucosa and worsen reflux; topical products must not be used on broken skin or with heat pads.
Botanical: Salvia officinalis
Mild digestive complaints · Mouth and throat rinses · Traditional excessive-sweating support
Tea: Short-term use; essential oil is not interchangeable with tea.
Tincture: 1–3 mL, 3× daily; 1:5
Caution: Thujone can be neurotoxic in high or prolonged doses. Avoid essential oil ingestion, pregnancy and seizure disorders.
Botanical: Tasmannia lanceolata
Culinary seasoning · Native food · No established medicinal dose
Tea: Use food-grade Tasmanian pepperberry in culinary quantities.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Not established
Caution: Medicinal dosing and pregnancy safety are not established; pungent polygodial may irritate the mouth or stomach. Source native food ethically.
Botanical: Tanacetum parthenium
Traditional prevention of recurrent migraine after medical assessment · Not for treating an acute migraine attack
Tea: EMA evidence applies to defined adult preparations rather than improvised fresh-leaf chewing.
Tincture: 0.5–2 mL, 2× daily; 1:5
Caution: Avoid pregnancy, Asteraceae allergy, anticoagulants and before surgery; fresh leaf can cause mouth ulceration and abrupt withdrawal after long use may cause rebound symptoms.
Botanical: Epimedium species
Traditional libido and erectile support · Evidence remains insufficient for reliable treatment
Tea: Species and icariin content vary widely.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Product-specific only
Caution: May affect heart rate, blood pressure and clotting and may interact with cardiovascular or erectile-dysfunction medicines; avoid pregnancy and hormone-sensitive conditions.
Botanical: Artemisia vulgaris
Traditional digestive use · Traditional menstrual use—not recommended in pregnancy · Moxibustion in trained practice
Tea: NCCIH finds insufficient evidence for safety or usefulness.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; No established safe dose
Caution: Do not use during pregnancy. Allergy is common in ragweed-sensitive people, and oral or topical safety is insufficiently established.
Botanical: Solidago virgaurea
Traditional flushing of the urinary tract · Adjunct for minor urinary complaints after assessment
Tea: Use with adequate water; EMA doses vary by preparation and product.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Product-specific; no universal household dose
Caution: Do not use for flushing therapy when fluid restriction is advised or with serious heart/kidney disease; fever, painful urination or blood in urine needs prompt medical care.
Botanical: Hydrastis canadensis
Traditional digestive bitter use · No condition has reliable clinical evidence for treatment
Tea: Potent alkaloids and clinically important medicine interactions make casual dosing inappropriate.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Professional or labelled product guidance only
Caution: Avoid pregnancy, breastfeeding and infants. Goldenseal can change how many medicines are processed; check with a pharmacist and choose verified, sustainably sourced material.
Botanical: Hibiscus sabdariffa
Caffeine-free beverage · Traditional cooling drink · Possible modest blood-pressure support—not a medicine replacement
Tea: Infuse food-grade dried calyces; tartness varies.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Tea or food use preferred
Caution: May add to blood-pressure or glucose-lowering medicines; evidence and safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding are insufficient. Monitor rather than replacing prescribed treatment.
Botanical: Rosa damascena
Food and tea flavouring · Traditional soothing aromatic tea · Traditional mild astringent use
Tea: Use correctly identified, food-grade, unsprayed petals only; not florist roses.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; No evidence-based medicinal dose
Caution: Use only food-grade unsprayed petals; florist roses may carry pesticides. Stop if allergy or irritation occurs, and do not ingest rose essential oil.
Botanical: Avena sativa
Traditional relief of mild mental stress · Traditional aid to sleep · Nutritive herbal infusion
Tea: This profile covers pre-flowering oat herb, commonly sold as oat straw—not oat grain.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Follow product-specific directions
Caution: Use certified gluten-free material with coeliac disease because oats may be contaminated by wheat, barley or rye. Traditional monograph use is for adults and adolescents over 12.
Botanical: Centella asiatica
Traditional memory and concentration support · Defined topical products for minor wound support · Defined extracts studied for venous symptoms
Tea: Clinical findings from standardised extracts do not establish an equivalent tea dose.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Product-specific; no universal household dose
Caution: Rare liver injury has been reported; avoid with liver disease or liver-affecting medicines and stop for jaundice or dark urine. May cause drowsiness; avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding without advice.
Botanical: Turnera diffusa
Traditional libido support · Traditional mild nervous-tension support · Traditional digestive use
Tea: Keep use modest; clinical evidence is inadequate.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; No evidence-based universal dose
Caution: Human evidence and pregnancy safety are inadequate. May affect blood glucose; avoid large doses, use with diabetes medicines or before surgery without professional advice.
Botanical: Vaccinium myrtillus
Traditional short-term relief of mild diarrhoea using dried fruit · Traditional mouth rinse for minor inflammation · Food use; eye-health claims remain unproven
Tea: This traditional preparation uses dried ripe bilberry fruit, not leaf or ordinary blueberry.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Preparation-specific; food or monograph tea preferred
Caution: Persistent or bloody diarrhoea needs medical care. Concentrated extracts may affect glucose or clotting; review use with diabetes medicines or anticoagulants.
Botanical: Mentha × piperita
Traditional relief of indigestion · Bloating and flatulence · Culinary tea
Tea: Use leaf; peppermint essential oil is much more concentrated and not interchangeable.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Product-specific
Caution: May worsen reflux or heartburn; use cautiously with gallstones or bile-duct disorders. Keep essential oil away from infants’ faces.
Botanical: Annona muricata
Traditional leaf tea use · No proven cancer treatment · Food use applies to ripe pulp, not seeds
Tea: Laboratory anticancer activity does not establish safe or effective cancer treatment in people.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Not recommended
Caution: Regular or concentrated use raises neurotoxicity concerns and may lower blood pressure or glucose. Avoid pregnancy, Parkinsonian symptoms, seeds and claims that it treats cancer.
Botanical: Geranium robertianum
Traditional digestive astringent use · Traditional urinary use · Evidence is limited
Tea: Use correctly identified material; medicinal evidence is sparse.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; No evidence-based dose
Caution: Clinical safety, interaction and pregnancy data are inadequate; avoid prolonged or high-dose use and do not use to delay assessment of urinary symptoms.
Botanical: Commiphora myrrha
Minor mouth ulcers as a rinse · Minor mouth inflammation · Minor superficial wounds in suitable products
Tea: The resin does not make an ordinary household tea; EMA use is topical or oromucosal.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Topical/oromucosal labelled products only
Caution: Do not swallow concentrated myrrh preparations; avoid pregnancy. Mouth or wound products must be diluted and used only as labelled.
Botanical: Boswellia serrata
Defined extracts studied for osteoarthritis · Traditional aromatic use · Not equivalent to essential oil
Tea: Boswellic acids are poorly extracted into water; research uses defined extracts.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Standardised product-specific
Caution: May cause digestive upset and may interact with anticoagulant or anti-inflammatory medicines. Do not ingest essential oil or incense resin.
Botanical: Nigella sativa
Food and spice use · Traditional digestive and respiratory use · Extracts studied for metabolic markers
Tea: Food-level use is better established than concentrated homemade extracts.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Food or standardised product preferred
Caution: May add to glucose- or blood-pressure-lowering medicines and may affect clotting. Avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy and stop before surgery as advised.
Botanical: Juglans nigra
Historical external use · No reliable evidence for parasite cleanses · Food use applies to the nut, not green hull
Tea: Green-hull products lack reliable efficacy and safety data.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Not recommended for self-dosing
Caution: Avoid internal green-hull use, pregnancy, breastfeeding and tree-nut allergy. Juglone-rich products can irritate skin and digestion; suspected parasites require diagnosis.
Botanical: Trigonella foenum-graecum
Culinary spice · Traditional digestive use · Preparation-specific metabolic research
Tea: Crush seed lightly; medicinal evidence is preparation-specific.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Food or product-specific
Caution: May lower blood glucose and affect clotting; large doses can cause diarrhoea. Avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy and use care with legume allergy.
Botanical: Achillea millefolium
Temporary loss of appetite · Mild spasmodic digestive complaints · Minor menstrual spasm
Tea: Dose and frequency vary by indication; follow an appropriate monograph or product.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Product-specific
Caution: Avoid pregnancy and Asteraceae allergy; medicinal use in breastfeeding and children is not established. Unusual bleeding or severe menstrual pain needs assessment.
Botanical: Astragalus membranaceus
Traditional Chinese tonic use · Traditional convalescence support · Evidence for treating disease remains insufficient
Tea: Use authenticated root; clinical evidence does not establish treatment claims.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Product-specific
Caution: May worsen autoimmune disease and interact with immunosuppressant medicines. Review use after transplant, during cancer therapy, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Botanical: Filipendula ulmaria
Traditional relief of minor joint pain · Traditional common-cold symptom support · Digestive astringent use
Tea: Use short term and follow product directions.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Product-specific
Caution: Avoid with aspirin/salicylate allergy, anticoagulants, bleeding disorders, ulcers, pregnancy and in children or teenagers with viral illness.
Botanical: Rubus idaeus
Traditional relief of mild menstrual spasm · Traditional diarrhoea and mouth-rinse use · Pregnancy use requires maternity guidance
Tea: Pregnancy use should be discussed with the midwife or obstetric clinician.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Product-specific
Caution: Evidence for shortening labour or making birth safer is limited. Do not self-prescribe during pregnancy, especially with complications or preterm-labour risk.
Botanical: Equisetum arvense
Traditional flushing therapy for minor urinary complaints · Not proven to strengthen hair or nails
Tea: Use only authenticated Equisetum arvense with adequate fluid.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Product-specific
Caution: Avoid kidney or heart disease, fluid restriction, pregnancy and prolonged use. Correct species identification matters; some Equisetum species are more toxic.
Botanical: Bacopa monnieri
Traditional Ayurvedic memory tonic · Extracts studied for memory and attention · Not the same as gotu kola in this guide
Tea: Research uses standardised extracts; tea is not dose-equivalent.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Standardised product-specific
Caution: May cause nausea, diarrhoea or slow heart rate and may interact with thyroid, anticholinergic or cholinergic medicines. Avoid pregnancy without advice.
Botanical: Gentiana lutea
Temporary loss of appetite · Mild indigestion and fullness · Traditional digestive stimulation
Tea: Very bitter; take only in small, product-guided amounts before meals.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Product-specific before meals
Caution: Avoid active stomach or duodenal ulcer and use cautiously with reflux. Persistent loss of appetite, weight loss or abdominal pain needs assessment.
Botanical: Mentha spicata
Culinary tea · Traditional relief of gas and mild indigestion · Breath-freshening flavour
Tea: Use leaf; concentrated essential oil is not equivalent to tea.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Food or product-specific
Caution: May worsen reflux in some people. Pregnancy data for concentrated medicinal use are limited; do not swallow essential oil.
Botanical: Terminalia ferdinandiana
Food and flavouring · Nutrient-rich native fruit · No established medicinal dose
Tea: Use ethically sourced food-grade fruit or powder; vitamin C content varies with processing and storage.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Food use preferred
Caution: Treat as food, not a cure. Concentrated tannins may upset digestion; source transparently and respect Indigenous knowledge and benefit-sharing.
Botanical: Tilia cordata / Tilia platyphyllos
Syn. Linden Flower; Tilia europaeaTraditional relief of common-cold symptoms · Traditional support for mild mental stress · Soothing caffeine-free tea
Tea: Use authenticated dried lime/linden flower with bract; this is not citrus lime blossom.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Product-specific
Caution: This means linden flower, not Citrus. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and child medicinal use need appropriate advice; persistent fever, breathing difficulty or worsening symptoms require medical care.
Botanical: Nepeta cataria
Syn. Catmint; Nepeta vulgarisTraditional relief of mild digestive discomfort · Traditional calming tea · Aromatic household herb
Tea: Human clinical evidence is limited; keep household use modest.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; No evidence-based universal dose
Caution: May cause drowsiness; avoid driving if affected and use care with sedatives. Avoid medicinal use during pregnancy; breastfeeding and child dosing are not well established.
Botanical: Dioscorea villosa
Syn. Dioscorea villosa var. glabraTraditional digestive-spasm use · Historical menstrual discomfort use · Not a natural progesterone replacement
Tea: The body does not convert wild-yam diosgenin into progesterone; pharmaceutical conversion requires laboratory processing.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; No evidence-based universal dose
Caution: Do not use as hormone replacement. Avoid pregnancy, breastfeeding and hormone-sensitive conditions without professional advice; products may be substituted with other Dioscorea species.
Botanical: Rosa canina
Syn. Rose Hip; Dog Rose FruitFood and caffeine-free tea · Traditional vitamin-rich winter drink · Defined powders studied for joint symptoms
Tea: Use cleaned, food-grade hips; heat and storage reduce vitamin C and research powders are not equivalent to tea.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Food use preferred
Caution: Remove or filter out the internal hairs, which can irritate skin and the digestive tract. Large amounts may cause stomach upset; concentrated products need review with kidney-stone risk or medicines.
Botanical: Smilax ornata (commercial species vary)
Syn. Smilax regelii; Smilax officinalisTraditional tonic use · Traditional skin and joint support · Flavouring in beverages
Tea: Only use authenticated commercial material labelled with a Smilax species; common-name trade material varies.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Identity- and product-specific
Caution: May irritate the stomach and may alter absorption of medicines. Species identity varies in trade; avoid pregnancy, breastfeeding and kidney disease without professional advice.
Botanical: Pinus spp. — species must be verified
Syn. Pinus spp.Traditional aromatic tea from verified edible Pinus species · Seasonal food flavouring · No universal medicinal indication
Tea: Never brew an unidentified conifer. Yew is highly poisonous, and several other conifers are unsuitable.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Not recommended without exact species identification
Caution: Exact species identification is essential. Never use yew (Taxus), unknown ornamental conifers, chemically treated trees or material collected near roads. Avoid medicinal use in pregnancy and stop for irritation or allergy.
Botanical: Alchemilla vulgaris agg.
Syn. Alchemilla xanthochloraTraditional relief of mild diarrhoea · Traditional menstrual support · Traditional mouth-rinse use
Tea: Clinical evidence is limited and Alchemilla identification can be difficult.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; No evidence-based universal dose
Caution: Tannin-rich preparations may upset the stomach or reduce medicine absorption. Avoid pregnancy without advice; heavy, unusual or persistent bleeding needs medical assessment.
Botanical: Epilobium angustifolium / Epilobium parviflorum
Syn. Chamaenerion angustifolium; FireweedTraditional relief of lower urinary-tract symptoms associated with medically assessed BPH · Traditional urinary tea · Not a prostate-cancer treatment
Tea: Use only after a doctor has excluded serious causes of prostate or urinary symptoms.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Product-specific
Caution: Urinary difficulty, blood in urine, pain, fever or inability to urinate needs prompt medical care. Traditional BPH use is for adults after medical assessment, not self-diagnosis.
Botanical: Cichorium intybus
Syn. Chickory RootRoasted coffee substitute · Food-source inulin · Traditional digestive support
Tea: Roasted and unroasted root differ in flavour and composition; increase inulin-containing foods gradually.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Food or product-specific
Caution: Inulin can cause gas, bloating or diarrhoea, especially with IBS or FODMAP sensitivity. Avoid with chicory/Asteraceae allergy and seek advice with gallstones or bile-duct disease.
Botanical: Aloysia citrodora
Syn. Aloysia triphylla; Lippia citriodoraCulinary herbal tea · Traditional mild digestive support · Traditional relaxation support
Tea: Use food-grade leaf; evidence for therapeutic effects is limited.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; No evidence-based universal dose
Caution: Concentrated products may irritate the stomach or kidneys. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and long-term medicinal safety are insufficiently established; do not swallow essential oil.
Botanical: Centaurea cyanus
Syn. Cyanus segetumEdible garnish from food-grade petals · Traditional eye-compress use—not sterile eye treatment · Decorative tea ingredient
Tea: Use only food-grade unsprayed flowers; external homemade infusions must never be put directly into the eye.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Food use preferred
Caution: Avoid with Asteraceae allergy. Homemade preparations are not sterile and should not be used as eye drops; eye pain, discharge, injury or vision change needs professional care.
Botanical: Frangula purshiana
Syn. Rhamnus purshiana; Cascara SagradaShort-term occasional constipation only · Not a detox or weight-loss herb
Tea: Fresh or improperly aged bark can cause severe vomiting and cramping; use only standardised products short term.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Use only a regulated labelled product
Caution: Use only short term. Avoid pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, bowel obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease, unexplained abdominal pain or dehydration; overuse can cause electrolyte imbalance and dependence.
Botanical: Vitex agnus-castus
Syn. Chasteberry; Vitex FruitDefined preparations for premenstrual syndrome · Traditional relief of minor premenstrual symptoms · Not an instant hormone balancer
Tea: Clinical evidence relates to particular extracts used consistently over cycles.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Standardised product-specific
Caution: Avoid pregnancy, breastfeeding and hormone-sensitive conditions without medical advice. May interact with dopamine medicines, antipsychotics, hormonal contraception, fertility treatment and hormone therapy.
Botanical: Euphrasia officinalis agg.
Syn. Eye BrightTraditional oral use for cold symptoms · Historical external eye use—not recommended for homemade products · Evidence is limited
Tea: Do not use homemade tea, tincture or wash in the eyes; it is not sterile.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; No evidence-based universal dose
Caution: Never put homemade eyebright preparations into the eye. Eye pain, light sensitivity, injury, discharge or vision changes require professional assessment; allergy and product contamination are possible.
Botanical: Asparagus racemosus
Syn. ShatvariTraditional Ayurvedic women’s tonic · Traditional digestive-soothing use · Clinical evidence remains limited
Tea: Traditional use does not prove fertility, lactation or hormone effects.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Product-specific; no universal dose
Caution: Avoid with asparagus allergy. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, fertility-treatment and hormone-sensitive-condition use require qualified advice; may have diuretic and glucose-lowering effects.
Botanical: Angelica sinensis
Syn. Dang Gui; Tang Kuei; Chinese AngelicaTraditional Chinese menstrual support · Traditional blood-tonic formulas · Evidence for menopause symptoms is inconsistent
Tea: Traditional formulas are individualised; ordinary tea is not equivalent to researched extracts.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Practitioner- or product-specific
Caution: May increase bleeding risk and interact with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines. Avoid pregnancy, breastfeeding, hormone-sensitive conditions and before surgery without qualified medical advice; may increase sun sensitivity.
Botanical: Pleuropterus multiflorus
Syn. Polygonum multiflorum; Fallopia multiflora; Reynoutria multiflora; Fo-TiTraditional prepared-root tonic use · Traditional claims for hair and ageing remain unproven · Not recommended for casual self-treatment
Tea: Processing changes the preparation but does not eliminate the documented risk of serious liver injury.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Not recommended for self-dosing
Caution: He Shou Wu has caused numerous cases of acute liver injury, including severe and fatal cases. Avoid with liver disease, liver-affecting medicines, pregnancy or breastfeeding; stop immediately for jaundice, dark urine, itching, nausea or unusual fatigue.
Botanical: Coleus amboinicus
Syn. Plectranthus amboinicus; Coleus aromaticusCulinary seasoning · Traditional support for coughs and colds · Traditional relief of mild digestive discomfort
Tea: Use correctly identified leaf in modest food or tea quantities; human clinical evidence is limited.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; No evidence-based universal dose
Caution: Human safety, interaction and pregnancy data are limited. Avoid concentrated extracts and essential oil for self-treatment; check use with medicines, pregnancy, breastfeeding or in young children.
Botanical: Portulaca oleracea
Edible leafy vegetable · Traditional cooling food · Traditional soothing use
Tea: Young leaves and stems are primarily a food. Cooking and discarding the water can reduce soluble oxalate.
Tincture: 0–0 mL, 0× daily; Food use preferred; no evidence-based medicinal dose
Caution: Purslane can contain substantial oxalate; people with calcium-oxalate kidney stones, significant kidney disease or an oxalate-restricted diet should seek individual advice. Harvest only from clean, unsprayed sites and confirm identification.