Botanical Database
Evidence-informed botanicals organized by the body system they support, with traditional preparation methods for educational purposes only. These are optional, supportive tools — not treatments or cures.
All Systems
🔥 Metabolic Support
🩸 Blood Sugar Support
🫁 Liver Support
💧 Kidney & Fluid Balance
🫃 Digestive Support
🧘 Stress & Hormonal Support
✨ Skin Elasticity Support
🛡️ Immune Support
❤️ Cardiovascular Support
🦴 Joint & Bone Support
🩻 Thyroid Support
🎯 Metabolic Syndrome Support
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Traditional Use:
West African seed extract used traditionally for metabolic health
Explored For:
Irvingia gabonensis seed extract studied for reducing body fat, lowering leptin levels, and improving adiponectin (a hormone that helps regulate fat metabolism). Clinical trials show significant reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and LDL cholesterol
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Take 150 mg standardised seed extract 2× daily, 30–60 minutes before meals. Look for IGOB131 standardised extract.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Generally safe. May cause headache, flatulence, or sleep difficulties in some individuals. Avoid during pregnancy/breastfeeding. Limited long-term safety data.
Notes:
Addresses leptin resistance — one of the key root causes of persistent weight gain. Pairs well with the CP/FP rotation
Traditional Use:
Digestive and general wellness
Explored For:
Early research on metabolic pathways
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Drink 1–2 oz of inner-leaf aloe vera juice (without aloin/latex) daily, diluted in water or smoothie. Use only food-grade, decolorized products.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Aloe latex (outer leaf) is a strong laxative — ensure products are 'decolorized' or 'inner leaf only.' May lower blood sugar. Avoid during pregnancy.
Notes:
Often consumed as juice; ensure quality
Traditional Use:
Skin soothing and moisture retention
Explored For:
Acemannan and polysaccharides studied for wound healing, hydration, and collagen support
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Apply pure aloe vera gel directly to skin as needed. For internal use, see Blood Sugar section. For DIY: slice a fresh leaf, scrape inner gel, and apply.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Topical use is very safe. Some people may be allergic — patch test first. Internal aloe latex is a strong laxative — use only decolorized inner-leaf gel internally.
Notes:
Keep an aloe plant at home for fresh gel
Traditional Use:
Antioxidant and insulin-sensitizing support
Explored For:
ALA studied as a universal antioxidant (water and fat-soluble) that improves insulin sensitivity, reduces oxidative stress, and supports peripheral nerve function. Particularly studied for diabetic neuropathy
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Food sources: organ meats (liver, kidney), broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, peas, Brussels sprouts, rice bran. As supplement: 300–600 mg R-lipoic acid daily on an empty stomach for best absorption.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May lower blood sugar — monitor if on diabetes medications. May lower thyroid hormone levels — monitor if hypothyroid. The R-form is more bioactive than the S-form. Take on an empty stomach.
Notes:
R-lipoic acid is the body's natural form; more effective than racemic ALA
Traditional Use:
Metabolic wellness
Explored For:
High vitamin C content and antioxidant activity
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Mix 1 tsp amla powder into warm water, juice, or smoothie daily. Fresh amla can be eaten raw or pickled. Also available as capsules (500 mg 1–2x daily).
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Generally very safe. High vitamin C doses may cause GI upset in sensitive individuals. May enhance effects of diabetes medications.
Notes:
Used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years
Traditional Use:
One of nature's richest vitamin C sources
Explored For:
Traditionally used for skin appearance and resilience; studied for collagen protection
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Mix 1 tsp amla powder into juice, smoothie, or warm water daily. Fresh amla can be eaten raw. Amla oil is applied topically for hair and skin.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Generally very safe. High doses may cause GI upset.
Notes:
Used in Ayurvedic skin care for millennia
Traditional Use:
Blood sugar and satiety support
Explored For:
Acetic acid studied for delaying gastric emptying, reducing post-meal glucose spikes, and improving insulin sensitivity. Small clinical trials show 1–2 tbsp before meals reduces post-meal glucose by 20–30%
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Dilute 1–2 tbsp raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar ('with the mother') in 8 oz water. Drink 15–20 minutes before meals. Can add honey or use as salad dressing. Never drink undiluted.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Acidic — can erode tooth enamel (drink through a straw, rinse mouth after). May worsen GERD. Can lower potassium levels. May interact with diabetes medications, diuretics, and digoxin. Never drink undiluted.
Notes:
Always dilute; drink through a straw to protect teeth
Traditional Use:
Digestion and liver support
Explored For:
Cynarin and chlorogenic acid studied for bile production and cholesterol pathways
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Steep 1–2 tsp dried artichoke leaves in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Drink before meals. Also available as standardized extract capsules (300–640 mg, 2–3x daily).
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Avoid if allergic to Asteraceae family (ragweed, daisies). Do not use with bile duct obstruction or gallstones. May interact with cholesterol medications.
Notes:
Used in Mediterranean traditional medicine
Traditional Use:
Stress support
Explored For:
Withanolides studied for cortisol modulation, stress resilience, and thyroid function
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Take 300–600 mg standardized root extract (KSM-66 or Sensoril) daily with food. As powder: mix 1 tsp into warm milk before bed ('moon milk'). Traditional: simmer root powder in milk for 15 minutes.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May increase thyroid hormone — avoid with hyperthyroidism. May lower blood sugar and blood pressure. Avoid during pregnancy. May enhance effects of sedatives and immunosuppressants.
Notes:
One of the most studied adaptogens
Traditional Use:
Thyroid and adrenal adaptogen
Explored For:
Withanolides studied for thyroid-stimulating activity; clinical trials show increased T3 and T4 levels in subclinical hypothyroidism. Also supports the HPA axis, which affects thyroid function through cortisol pathways
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Take 300–600 mg standardized root extract (KSM-66 or Sensoril) daily with food. As powder: mix 1 tsp into warm milk. Traditional: simmer root powder in milk for 15 minutes. Take consistently for 8–12 weeks for thyroid-related effects.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
⚠ May INCREASE thyroid hormone levels — do NOT use with hyperthyroidism or Graves' disease. If on levothyroxine, ashwagandha may alter your required dose — work with your endocrinologist. May lower blood sugar and blood pressure. Avoid during pregnancy.
Notes:
One of the most studied botanicals for subclinical hypothyroidism; always coordinate with thyroid medication
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Botanicals are not drugs and are not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
- People with medical conditions should consult their healthcare provider before using any botanical.
- Many botanicals interact with prescription medications — always check with your pharmacist.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should avoid most botanicals unless specifically cleared by their provider.
- Quality and sourcing matter — look for third-party tested products (USP, NSF, ConsumerLab).
- Start with low doses and listen to your body.
- "Traditional use" does not equal proven efficacy — it means historical usage, not clinical evidence.
— Dr. George Ekema, The Plateau-proof Diet™
