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
Traditional Use:
Deep immune tonic and vitality
Explored For:
Astragalosides and polysaccharides studied for immune modulation, white blood cell activity, and adaptogenic properties
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Simmer 3–5 slices of dried astragalus root in soups or bone broth for at least 30 minutes (remove before eating). Also available as capsules (500–1,000 mg daily) or tincture. Best as daily tonic, not during acute illness.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Do not use during acute infection (may stimulate immune system inappropriately). Avoid with autoimmune conditions. May interact with immunosuppressants.
Notes:
Traditional Chinese medicine tonic herb; not for acute illness
Traditional Use:
Antioxidant and immune tonic
Explored For:
Betulinic acid and polysaccharides studied for antioxidant and immune modulation pathways
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Simmer chunks of chaga in water for at least 1 hour (can simmer all day). The resulting dark tea can be reused 2–3 times. Also available as dual-extract powder or tincture.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May lower blood sugar and thin blood. Contains high oxalates — avoid with kidney stones. Avoid with autoimmune conditions.
Notes:
Grows on birch trees; wild-harvested
Traditional Use:
Acute immune support
Explored For:
Alkamides and polysaccharides studied for immune cell activation; most evidence supports early use at onset of illness
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Steep 1–2 tsp dried echinacea (root or herb) in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Drink 3–5 cups daily at first sign of illness for up to 10 days. Tincture: 2.5 mL 3x daily. Not for daily long-term use.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Avoid with autoimmune conditions. Best used short-term (onset of illness). Avoid if allergic to Asteraceae family. May interact with immunosuppressants.
Notes:
Most effective when taken at very first symptoms
Traditional Use:
Traditional cold and flu support
Explored For:
Anthocyanins and flavonoids studied for immune modulation and antiviral pathways
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Simmer 1 cup dried elderberries in 3 cups water with cinnamon and cloves for 45 minutes. Strain, add raw honey when cooled. Take 1 tbsp daily as preventive or 1 tbsp every 2–3 hours during acute illness. Also available as syrup, lozenges, or capsules.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Must be cooked — raw elderberries contain cyanogenic glycosides. Avoid with autoimmune conditions (immune-stimulating). May interact with immunosuppressants and diuretics.
Notes:
Do NOT eat raw — always cook
Traditional Use:
Antimicrobial and immune support
Explored For:
Allicin and sulfur compounds studied for broad antimicrobial activity and immune cell stimulation
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Crush or chop 1–2 fresh garlic cloves and let sit 10 minutes (activates allicin). Eat raw with food, add to honey, or swallow with water. Cooked garlic has reduced but still beneficial compounds. Aged garlic extract capsules (600–1,200 mg daily) are also effective.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May thin blood — stop 1 week before surgery. May cause heartburn, breath/body odor. May interact with blood thinners and HIV medications.
Notes:
Crush and wait 10 minutes before cooking for maximum allicin
Traditional Use:
Antimicrobial and antioxidant support
Explored For:
Oleuropein studied for broad antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant activity
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Steep 1–2 tsp dried olive leaf in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Drink 2–3 cups daily. Also available as standardized extract capsules (500 mg with 20% oleuropein, 1–2x daily).
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May lower blood sugar and blood pressure. May interact with diabetes and blood pressure medications. Generally well tolerated.
Notes:
Powerful antioxidant from the Mediterranean
Traditional Use:
Immune modulation and deep wellness
Explored For:
Beta-glucans and triterpenes studied for natural killer cell activity and immune balancing
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Simmer sliced reishi in water for 1–2 hours for tea (bitter). Dual-extract tinctures or hot-water extracts (1,000–3,000 mg daily) are more practical.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May thin blood. Avoid with autoimmune conditions. May lower blood pressure. Bitter flavor.
Notes:
Requires long extraction due to tough cell walls
Traditional Use:
Immune support and gut health
Explored For:
PSK (polysaccharide-K) and PSP studied for immune modulation; used as adjunct therapy in Japan
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Simmer 5–10 g dried turkey tail in water for 1–2 hours. Strain and drink. Also available as hot-water extract powder (1–3 g daily) or capsules.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Generally well tolerated. May cause darkened stools or GI upset. Avoid with autoimmune conditions. Consult oncologist if using alongside cancer treatment.
Notes:
One of the most researched medicinal mushrooms
⚠️ 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™
