Psyllium (Plantago ovata)

Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is a large tree native to the eastern U.S. and Canada. The medicinal part is the inner bark, prized for its high mucilage content. When soaked in water, it turns “slippery,” coating and soothing inflamed tissues in the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines.

Bitter melon is an annual climbing vine reaching about 6.5 feet, characterized by deeply lobed leaves, yellow flowers, and distinctive orange-yellow fruit. Native to southern Asia and now common throughout tropical regions worldwide, it is harvested year-round. The plant's unripe fruit, ripe fruit, leaves, seeds, and seed oil all have medicinal applications, and it has been a traditional remedy for diabetes symptoms in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for centuries.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis), with its bright orange daisy-like flowers, is among the most versatile herbs in Western herbal medicine. Its petals contain antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and vulnerary properties, making it excellent for speeding tissue repair in wounds, burns, bruises, and various skin irritations. Calendula is also used internally for gastrointestinal inflammation (e.g., Crohn’s disease, colitis, gastritis).

Cat's claw is a climbing vine that can grow to 100 feet or more, with stems up to 8 inches in diameter, large glossy leaves, and sharp hooks resembling a cat's claws. Native to tropical rainforests in the central and eastern Andes—especially Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia—it has also been found in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama. Known by the Ashaninka and other indigenous peoples of central Peru for its power in regulating illness, it has been used since ancient times to treat serious conditions ranging from asthma and diabetes to arthritis and cancer. By the early 1990s, over-collection from the wild threatened the species' survival; only sustainably sourced stem bark should be used, rather than root bark.

Chinese rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) is a thick-rhizomed perennial, growing up to 10 ft (3 m) tall, with large, palmate leaves and small flowers. Known in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years, it has a paradoxical effect on the bowels: stimulating in large doses, yet gently astringent and constipating in small doses. The rhizome also aids digestion, helps counter inflammation, and has anti-ulcer and antibacterial actions.

Stone root is a perennial herb growing to 3 feet tall, characterized by a square stem, oval leaves, and clusters of greenish-yellow flowers. Native to moist woodlands of eastern North America, the root is harvested in autumn. The plant contains volatile oil, tannins, and saponins.

Andrographis, commonly known as Green Chiretta or King of Bitters, is an upright annual herb reaching approximately 3 feet in height. Native to India and cultivated throughout northern regions of India and China, this bitter medicinal plant has been valued in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Historically used primarily for liver support and treating infections—especially malaria—it has earned recognition for its powerful immune-boosting and protective properties. The plant thrives on plains and in forest undergrowth, where its spotted pale brown or purple flowers and long seed capsules distinguish it from other medicinal herbs.

Bacopa, also known as Water Hyssop or Brahmi, is a creeping succulent perennial that can grow to about 20 inches. It features spatula-shaped fleshy leaves and pale blue or white flowers on slender stalks. Thriving in marshlands and along the edges of mangrove swamps in warmer temperate and tropical climates—especially southern Asia—it develops into dense mats on mudflats. This herb has been a cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine for supporting cognitive function and treating various nervous system disorders, and it is increasingly recognized in Western herbalism for its brain-enhancing properties.