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:
Joint comfort and mobility
Explored For:
Boswellic acids (especially AKBA) studied for inhibiting inflammatory enzymes (5-LOX); clinical trials for arthritis
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Take 300–500 mg standardized extract (65% boswellic acids) 2–3 times daily with food. Not commonly consumed as tea. Look for AKBA-enriched formulas.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Generally well tolerated. May cause mild GI upset. May interact with anti-inflammatory medications. Avoid during pregnancy.
Notes:
Resin from Indian frankincense tree
Traditional Use:
Topical joint and bone comfort
Explored For:
Allantoin studied for wound healing and tissue repair; clinical trials for topical use in sprains and osteoarthritis
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Apply comfrey cream or ointment to affected joints or muscles up to 3x daily for up to 6 weeks. Do NOT take internally. Do not apply to broken skin.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
TOPICAL USE ONLY — internal use causes severe liver toxicity (pyrrolizidine alkaloids). Do not apply to broken skin. Limit use to 6 weeks per year. Not for pregnancy.
Notes:
Never ingest — topical use only
Traditional Use:
Joint pain and mobility
Explored For:
Harpagoside studied for anti-inflammatory and analgesic pathways; European studies for osteoarthritis and low back discomfort
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Take 600–1,200 mg standardized extract (containing 50–100 mg harpagoside) daily in divided doses with meals. Also available as tea (bitter) — steep 1 tsp dried root for 8 hours in cold water, then gently warm.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May cause GI upset. Avoid with gastric ulcers. May lower blood sugar and blood pressure. May interact with blood thinners and heart medications. Avoid during pregnancy.
Notes:
From the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa
Traditional Use:
Joint comfort and mobility
Explored For:
Gingerols studied for COX-2 and 5-LOX inflammatory pathways; studied for osteoarthritis
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Simmer 1-inch fresh ginger in 2 cups water for 15 minutes. Drink 2–3 cups daily. Also: 250 mg standardized extract 2–4x daily. Can apply ginger-infused oil topically to joints.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May thin blood. May cause heartburn in large amounts.
Notes:
Both internal and topical use for joint comfort
Traditional Use:
Silica source for bone and connective tissue
Explored For:
High bioavailable silica studied for collagen and bone mineral density support
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Simmer 2 tsp dried herb in 2 cups water for 15–20 minutes. Drink 1–2 cups daily. Also available as capsules or standardized silica extract.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Contains thiaminase — supplement B1 if using long-term. Avoid with kidney disease.
Notes:
Silica supports the collagen matrix of bone
Traditional Use:
Joint inflammation and mineral support
Explored For:
Anti-inflammatory compounds studied for arthritis pathways; rich in minerals (calcium, magnesium, silica) for bone support
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Steep 1–2 tsp dried nettle leaf in hot water for 10–15 minutes. For maximum mineral extraction: steep 1 oz in 1 quart water for 4–8 hours (nourishing infusion). Also available as capsules (300–500 mg 2–3x daily).
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May lower blood pressure and blood sugar. May interact with blood thinners, diuretics, and lithium.
Notes:
Rich in bone-supporting minerals
Traditional Use:
Joint comfort and mobility
Explored For:
Curcumin studied for inflammatory pathways in joint tissue; multiple clinical trials for osteoarthritis
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Take 500–1,000 mg curcumin extract with piperine (black pepper extract) daily with food. As spice: ½–1 tsp turmeric in golden milk daily.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May thin blood. Combine with piperine for 2,000% better absorption. May interact with anti-inflammatory drugs.
Notes:
One of the most studied natural anti-inflammatories
Traditional Use:
Natural pain relief
Explored For:
Salicin (natural precursor to aspirin) studied for anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Steep 1–2 tsp dried willow bark in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Drink 2–3 cups daily as needed. Also available as standardized extract (120–240 mg salicin daily).
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Similar interactions as aspirin — avoid with aspirin allergy, blood thinners, and in children (Reye's syndrome risk). May cause GI irritation. Avoid with kidney disease.
Notes:
Nature's aspirin — used for thousands of years
⚠️ 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™
