Bone & Joint

Applications

AlfalfaArjunaAshitabaAshwagandhaBacopaBirchBlack CohoshBlack PepperBloodrootBlue CohoshBlue VervainBorageBurdockCat's ClawCat's Whiskers / Java TeaCelery SeedChickweedCloveComfreyCorianderDevil's ClawDillDong QuaiElecampaneEleutheroEvening PrimroseFenugreekGingerGuduchi / GiloyHemp / CBDHorsetailJuniperLemongrassLicoriceLinden / TiliaMacaMeadowsweetMoringaNettleNoniNutmegOat StrawOregon GrapeParsleyPine NeedleRed CloverRehmanniaRose HipsRosemarySassafrasShatavariStar AniseTurmericWheatgrassWhite Peony RootWillow BarkWintergreenYerba Santa

Plants

Alfalfa

Medicago sativa

Traditional Chinese medicine: 'Mu Xu' used as a diuretic and for kidney stones, urinary infections, and edemaAyurvedic tradition: used as a nutritive tonic, diuretic, and to treat arthritis and digestive weaknessArab herbalism: first described as 'al-fisfisa' for horses but also used by humans for fatigue and vitamin deficiency

Arjuna

Terminalia arjuna

Ayurveda: primary cardiac tonic (hridaya daurbalya); described in Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita for heart failure, palpitations, and anginaUnani medicine: used as mufarreh qalb (cardiac tonic) and for wound healingTraditional Indian medicine: treatment of fractures and bone injuries (accelerates callus formation)

Ashitaba

Angelica keiskei

Hachijojima Island tradition: consumed daily as a longevity vegetable by the famously long-lived island population; 'tomorrow's leaf' symbolizing vitality and renewalTraditional Japanese Kampo medicine: used for general debility, blood purification, and to invigorate the body; classified as warming and tonifyingTraditional use in Izu Islands for colds, fever reduction, and respiratory infections

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera

General tonic and rejuvenative (Rasayana in Ayurveda)Stress, anxiety, and nervous exhaustionInsomnia and sleep disorders

Bacopa

Bacopa monnieri

Ayurveda: classified as medhya rasayana (intellect-promoting rejuvenative); used in Charak Samhita for enhancing memory, learning, and intelligenceAyurveda: treatment of epilepsy, anxiety, and psychological disorders; component of Brahmi ghrita formulation for mental healthTraditional use in India for asthma and bronchitis; expectorant and bronchodilator properties recorded

Birch

Betula spp.

Arthritis and joint painSkin conditions including eczema and psoriasisUrinary tract infections and kidney stones

Black Cohosh

Cimicifuga racemosa

Menstrual irregularities and painful menstruationMenopause symptoms and hot flashesChildbirth facilitation and labor pains

Black Pepper

Piper nigrum

Digestive disorders and poor appetiteRespiratory conditions including coughs and asthmaArthritis and joint pain

Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

Skin conditions including warts and growthsRespiratory ailments and bronchitisRheumatism and joint pain

Blue Cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Labor induction and facilitation of childbirthMenstrual regulation and relief of dysmenorrheaTreatment of rheumatism and arthritis

Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata

Iroquois, Ojibwe, and other Algonquian peoples used blue vervain as a bitter tonic for digestive complaints and as a liver herbCherokee traditional medicine used root decoctions for stomach ailments, suppressed menstruation, and to expel wormsEastern Woodland tribes used blue vervain poultices for headaches, rheumatic joints, and skin eruptions

Borage

Borago officinalis

Inflammation and fever reductionRespiratory ailments and coughsSkin conditions and wound healing

Burdock

Arctium lappa

Skin conditions including eczema and psoriasisBlood purification and detoxificationLiver and kidney support

Cat's Claw

Uncaria tomentosa

Immune system support and infectionsArthritis and joint inflammationDigestive disorders and ulcers

Cat's Whiskers / Java Tea

Orthosiphon aristatus

Indonesian traditional medicine (Jamu): 'Kumis Kucing' (cat's whiskers) tea used as primary kidney tonic, diuretic, and urinary antiseptic for hundreds of yearsMalaysian folk medicine: brewed as tea for kidney stones, urinary tract infections, gout, and high blood pressureVietnamese traditional medicine: used for edema, liver conditions, and as a general cleansing tonic

Celery Seed

Apium graveolens

Ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicine uses ajmod (celery seed) for gout, arthritis, rheumatism, kidney disease, and urinary disordersAncient Egyptian and Greco-Roman use: Dioscorides recommended celery seed as a diuretic, for urinary stones, and to regulate menstruationTraditional use throughout South Asia for hypertension, high uric acid, and as an anti-inflammatory

Chickweed

Stellaria media

Caryophyllaceae

Skin conditions and eczemaWounds, cuts, and burnsEye irritations and conjunctivitis

Clove

Syzygium aromaticum

Dental pain and oral healthDigestive disorders and nauseaRespiratory infections and bronchitis

Comfrey

Symphytum officinale

Bone fractures and bone healingWounds, cuts, and bruisesSprains and muscle injuries

Coriander

Coriandrum sativum

Digestive disorders and dyspepsiaUrinary tract infections and kidney stonesArthritis and joint inflammation

Devil's Claw

Harpagophytum procumbens

San and Khoikhoi traditional medicine (primary users): root decoctions for pain, fever, malaria, and digestive upsetBantu traditional medicine: poultices for sores, ulcers, boils, and skin lesionsTraditional use for childbirth complications: root used to ease delivery and postpartum pain in southern Africa

Dill

Anethum graveolens

Ancient Egyptian medical texts (Ebers Papyrus, 1550 BCE) mention dill as a soothing herb for digestive painAncient Greek and Roman physicians used dill as a carminative, digestive aid, and galactagogue (to promote milk flow in nursing mothers)Traditional Ayurvedic use (shatapushpa) for digestive complaints, hiccups, flatulence, and to increase milk production in nursing women

Dong Quai

Angelica sinensis

Menstrual irregularities and painful menstruationMenopausal symptoms and hormonal balanceBlood deficiency and anemia (Traditional Chinese Medicine)

Elecampane

Inula helenium

Respiratory conditions (bronchitis, asthma, coughs)Digestive disorders and poor appetiteSkin conditions (scabies, eczema, wounds)

Eleuthero

Eleutherococcus senticosus

Traditional Chinese Medicine: tonic for spleen and kidney qi deficiency, fatigue, and lower back weakness (wu jia pi)Russian folk medicine: general tonic for stamina and endurance among forest workers and huntersSoviet-era adaptogen: extensively used by athletes, cosmonauts, and military personnel to enhance performance under stress (1960s–1980s research by Brekhman)

Evening Primrose

Oenothera biennis

Women's health and menstrual disordersSkin conditions including eczemaDigestive disorders and stomach upset

Fenugreek

Trigonella foenum-graecum

Diabetes and blood sugar regulationLactation support for nursing mothersDigestive disorders and constipation

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

Traditional Chinese Medicine for digestive disorders, nausea, cold conditionsAyurvedic medicine for digestive fire (agni), respiratory conditionsMotion sickness and morning sickness relief

Guduchi / Giloy

Tinospora cordifolia

Ayurveda: Rasayana (rejuvenator) and Tridosha-balancing herb; classified as bitter tonic and immunomodulator in Charaka SamhitaAyurvedic treatment for chronic fever, malaria, and typhoid; Sanskrit name 'Jwarghna' means fever destroyerTraditional treatment for diabetes (Madhumeha) in Ayurveda; used continuously for thousands of years

Hemp / CBD

Cannabis sativa

Ancient Chinese medicine (Shennong Bencao Jing): seeds used as tonic food and to treat constipation and wasting diseasesAyurvedic tradition: 'Vijaya' used to stimulate appetite, relieve pain, and as a sleep aidEuropean folk medicine: poultices of seeds and leaves applied for skin inflammation and joint pain

Horsetail

Equisetum arvense

Indigenous North American use (Cherokee, Iroquois): diuretic tea for kidney and bladder conditions and as a remedy for urinary infectionsNative American topical use: scraped stems applied to fresh wounds to stop bleedingTraditional European use (Dioscorides, Roman medicine): wounds, fractures, and bleeding; 'stanching blood' is among the oldest recorded uses

Juniper

Juniperus communis

Urinary tract infections and kidney disordersDigestive problems and poor appetiteArthritis and joint inflammation

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

Ayurvedic tradition uses lemongrass (bhustrina) for fever, respiratory infections, and digestive disorders; one of the classical fever herbsThai and Southeast Asian folk medicine uses lemongrass tea for colds, flu, stomach problems, and headachesBrazilian traditional medicine uses capim-limão (lemongrass) tea for anxiety, insomnia, and hypertension

Licorice

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Respiratory conditions (coughs, bronchitis, asthma)Digestive disorders (gastritis, ulcers, constipation)Adrenal exhaustion and chronic fatigue

Linden / Tilia

Tilia cordata

European folk medicine used linden flower tea for colds, flu, and fever since at least the Middle Ages; referenced in Hildegard von Bingen's writings (12th c.)French tisane de tilleul remains a bedtime relaxant and sleep aid in widespread popular useGerman Commission E-approved for use in cold and cough remedies

Maca

Lepidium meyenii

Andean tradition: consumed by Incan warriors before battle for energy and strengthPeruvian highland medicine: fertility enhancer for both men and women; root given to livestock to improve reproductionTraditional use for altitude sickness and fatigue at high elevation among Quechua peoples

Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria

Pain relief and anti-inflammatory conditionsDigestive disorders and stomach ulcersRheumatism and arthritis

Moringa

Moringa oleifera

Ayurveda: Shigru — used for 300+ conditions including fever, inflammation, joint pain, and respiratory disorders; all parts used medicinallyIndian folk medicine: root bark applied as rubefacient; used for cardiac and circulatory stimulationAfrican traditional medicine: leaves used as nutritional supplement in malnutrition recovery, especially for children and pregnant women

Nettle

Urtica dioica

Arthritis and joint painAllergies and hay feverUrinary tract health and prostate issues

Noni

Morinda citrifolia

Polynesian traditional medicine used noni (nonu/nono) for over 2000 years for infections, wounds, inflammation, and as a general tonicHawaiian traditional healing (la'au lapa'au) uses noni leaves for joint pain, skin conditions, and cardiovascular supportSamoan and Tongan folk medicine uses noni fruit for colds, flu, and as a pain reliever, particularly for arthritis

Nutmeg

Myristica fragrans

Digestive disorders and nauseaInsomnia and nervous disordersArthritis and joint pain

Oat Straw

Avena sativa

European folk medicine: oat preparations for nervous exhaustion, depression, and 'neurasthenia'British herbal tradition (Gerard, Culpeper): oat preparations for melancholy, wasting diseases, and convalescenceTraditional Scottish use: oatmeal and oat water as nourishing foods for the sick and convalescent

Oregon Grape

Mahonia aquifolium

Skin conditions and eczemaDigestive inflammation and gastritisInfections and antimicrobial applications

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Ancient Greek and Roman use: parsley was sacred to the dead, used in funeral rites; Hippocrates prescribed for kidney stones and as a diureticMedieval European monks used parsley for urinary tract complaints, kidney stones, and menstrual irregularitiesAyurvedic tradition uses parsley for urinary disorders, jaundice, and as a digestive carminative

Pine Needle

Pinus species

Scurvy prevention and vitamin C deficiencyRespiratory conditions (coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis)Urinary tract infections and kidney stones

Red Clover

Trifolium pratense

Menopausal symptoms and hormonal imbalancesSkin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, wounds)Respiratory conditions (coughs, bronchitis)

Rehmannia

Rehmannia glutinosa

Traditional Chinese medicine: 'Di Huang' — foundational yin tonic; one of the 50 fundamental herbs; used for over 2,500 years; primary herb to replenish Kidney essence (Jing) and nourish Liver bloodLiu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pill): one of the most widely prescribed Chinese classical formulas worldwide; Shu Di Huang as the chief herb; used for Kidney yin deficiency — tinnitus, blurred vision, sore lower back, night sweats, heat in the palmsZhi Bai Di Huang Wan: Liu Wei formula plus Phellodendron and Anemarrhena for more pronounced heat-clearing yin tonic action in menopausal women

Rose Hips

Rosa canina

Scurvy prevention and vitamin C deficiencyImmune system supportDigestive ailments and diarrhea

Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis

Memory enhancement and cognitive functionCirculation problems and poor blood flowDigestive complaints and loss of appetite

Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

Blood purification and "spring tonic"Rheumatism and arthritisSkin conditions and eczema

Shatavari

Asparagus racemosus

Ayurveda: primary rasayana (rejuvenating tonic) for female reproductive system; used for menarche, fertility, pregnancy, lactation, and menopauseAyurveda: galactagogue to promote breast milk production in nursing mothersCharaka Samhita (ancient Ayurvedic text): recommended for conditions involving bleeding, inflammation, and nervous disorders

Star Anise

Illicium verum

Digestive disorders and bloatingRespiratory ailments including coughs and bronchitisInfluenza and viral infections

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

Ayurvedic medicine for inflammation, digestive disorders, skin conditionsTraditional Chinese Medicine for blood stagnation and qi circulationWound healing and antiseptic applications

Wheatgrass

Triticum aestivum

Ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian records suggest consumption of young grain shoots for vitalityModern tradition largely initiated by Ann Wigmore in the 1970s as part of 'Living Foods' diet at the Hippocrates Health InstituteNaturopathic tradition: wheatgrass juice promoted as a 'complete food' and blood-building tonic due to chlorophyll's structural similarity to hemoglobin

White Peony Root

Paeonia lactiflora

Traditional Chinese medicine: 'Bai Shao' — one of the most widely used herbs; nourishes Liver blood, softens and soothes the Liver, relieves pain; used for dysmenorrhea, muscle cramping, and chronic fatigue from blood deficiencyClassical formula Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan: Peony combined with cinnamon, poria, peach seed, and tree peony for gynecological blood stasis conditionsSi Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction): Bai Shao + Rehmannia + Angelica + Ligusticum — foundational TCM blood tonic formula used for over 1,000 years

Willow Bark

Salix alba

Pain relief for headaches, arthritis, and muscle achesFever reduction during illnessAnti-inflammatory treatment for joint conditions

Wintergreen

Gaultheria procumbens

Pain relief and anti-inflammatory conditionsRheumatism and arthritisMuscle and joint pain

Yerba Santa

Eriodictyon californicum

Hydrophyllaceae

Chumash, Yokuts, and other California Native peoples: primary respiratory medicine for coughs, colds, asthma, and tuberculosis; leaves smoked or made into teaSpanish missionaries in California: adopted the herb enthusiastically, giving it the name 'yerba santa' (holy herb)Costanoan tradition: poultice of warmed, resinous leaves applied to rheumatic joints and sprains

Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.