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:
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:
Stress and metabolic balance
Explored For:
Early research on stress markers and cortisol pathways
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Steep 1–2 tsp dried tulsi or 4–5 fresh leaves in hot water for 5–10 minutes. Drink 2–3 cups daily. Combines well with honey and ginger.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May slow blood clotting. Avoid 2 weeks before surgery. May interact with blood thinners.
Notes:
Sacred plant in Ayurveda; also known as 'Queen of Herbs'
Traditional Use:
Calm and relaxation
Explored For:
Linalool studied for stress and sleep markers; lavender oil capsules studied for anxiety
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Steep 1–2 tsp dried lavender buds in hot water for 5 minutes. Drink before bed. For aromatherapy: add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a diffuser or pillow. Lavender oil capsules (80 mg Silexan) are also available.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Do not ingest essential oil directly (only food-grade preparations or Silexan capsules). May enhance sedatives. Generally very safe as tea.
Notes:
Use culinary lavender for tea, not decorative varieties
Traditional Use:
Calm and relaxation
Explored For:
Rosmarinic acid studied for GABA-related calming pathways; studied for stress and sleep
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Steep 1–2 tsp dried lemon balm (or a handful of fresh leaves) in hot water for 5–10 minutes. Drink 2–3 cups daily, especially in the evening. Combines well with chamomile.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May interact with thyroid medications and sedatives. Generally very safe. May cause drowsiness in high doses.
Notes:
Mild, pleasant lemony flavor
Traditional Use:
Energy, hormone balance, and stamina
Explored For:
Macamides studied for endocrine support; traditionally used at altitude for energy and fertility
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Add 1–2 tsp gelatinized maca powder to smoothies, oatmeal, or coffee. Start with ½ tsp and increase gradually. Gelatinized form is easier to digest than raw. Also available as capsules.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Generally very safe. May affect hormone-sensitive conditions (though evidence is conflicting). Start with low doses — some people experience jitteriness or insomnia.
Notes:
Grows at 13,000+ feet in the Peruvian Andes
Traditional Use:
Sleep and nervous system calm
Explored For:
Flavonoids (chrysin) studied for GABA-ergic calming pathways; researched for sleep and anxiety
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Steep 1–2 tsp dried herb in hot water for 10 minutes. Drink 1–2 cups in the evening. Also available as tincture (30–60 drops before bed) or capsules (400–500 mg).
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May enhance effects of sedatives and benzodiazepines. May cause drowsiness. Avoid during pregnancy. Generally well tolerated.
Notes:
One of the gentlest calming herbs
Traditional Use:
General wellness and stress support
Explored For:
Triterpenes and beta-glucans studied for immune modulation and stress adaptation
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Simmer 3–5 slices dried reishi or 1 tsp powder in water for 30–60 minutes (hard mushroom — needs long extraction). Strain and drink. Also available as dual-extract capsules/tincture (1,000–3,000 mg daily).
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May thin blood — avoid 2 weeks before surgery and with blood thinners. May lower blood pressure. Avoid with autoimmune conditions (immune-stimulating). Bitter flavor.
Notes:
Called 'mushroom of immortality' in Chinese medicine
Traditional Use:
Energy and stress resilience
Explored For:
Rosavins and salidroside studied for fatigue and stress pathways; classified as an adaptogen
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Take 200–400 mg standardized extract (3% rosavins, 1% salidroside) in the morning before breakfast. Best taken cyclically: 5 days on, 2 days off. Not typically consumed as tea.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May cause insomnia if taken late in the day. May interact with antidepressants (SSRIs, MAOIs). Avoid with bipolar disorder. Generally well tolerated.
Notes:
Best taken in the morning for energy
Traditional Use:
Nervous system relaxation
Explored For:
Baicalin and scutellarein studied for calming GABAergic activity; traditional nerve tonic
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Steep 1–2 tsp dried herb in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Drink 2–3 cups daily or as needed for tension. Also available as tincture (30–60 drops 2–3x daily).
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
Generally well tolerated. May enhance effects of sedatives. Rare cases of liver issues reported with adulterated products — source from reputable suppliers. Avoid during pregnancy.
Notes:
Use American skullcap, not Chinese skullcap (different species)
Traditional Use:
Sleep support
Explored For:
Valerenic acid studied for GABA receptor modulation and sleep quality
🍵 How To Use (Educational):
Steep 1 tsp dried root in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Drink 30–60 minutes before bed. Strong, earthy smell. Capsules (300–600 mg before bed) are popular to avoid the taste. Best effects after 2–4 weeks of consistent use.
⚠️ Safety & Interactions:
May cause morning grogginess. Do not combine with alcohol or sedative medications. Avoid driving after taking. Not recommended for children or during pregnancy.
Notes:
Strong smell — capsules preferred by many
⚠️ 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™
