Heart & Circulation

Applications

AcaiAngelicaArjunaAshitabaAstragalusBlack WalnutBorageCacaoCardamomCat's Whiskers / Java TeaCelery SeedChlorellaCinnamonColeus / ForskolinCoptis / GoldthreadCranberryDevil's ClawDong QuaiElderberryEvening PrimroseFenugreekGarlicGingerGinkgoGinsengGreen TeaGuaranaHawthornHe Shou WuHemp / CBDHibiscusHoly BasilJiaogulanJuniperLemon BalmMangosteenMeadowsweetMoringaMotherwortNoniOat StrawOshaPine NeedleRed CloverRed RootReishi MushroomRooibosRosemarySea BuckthornSpirulinaTribulusTurmericVanillaWhite Peony RootWillow BarkWitch HazelYarrowYerba MateYerba Santa

Plants

Acai

Euterpe oleracea

Caboclo and ribeirinho peoples of the Amazon have consumed acai as a primary dietary staple for generations; a bowl of thick acai pulp ('vinho de açaí') may constitute 40% of daily caloric intakeTraditional use in the Amazon as a source of energy for workers, fishermen, and farmers performing heavy laborIndigenous Amazonian use of root bark tea as a febrifuge and to treat liver disease and jaundice

Angelica

Angelica archangelica

Digestive disorders and poor appetiteRespiratory conditions and bronchitisNervous exhaustion and anxiety

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

Astragalus

Astragalus membranaceus

Immune system strengthening and "qi" tonificationChronic fatigue and weaknessDigestive disorders and poor appetite

Black Walnut

Juglans nigra

Eastern Woodland Native American peoples (Cherokee, Iroquois, Ojibwe) used hull and bark for skin parasites (ringworm, scabies), worms, and as a laxativeIroquois tradition used bark tea as a cathartic and anthelmintic; hull poultice for wounds and fungal infections19th-century Eclectic physicians prescribed black walnut hull for intestinal parasites, syphilis sores, and skin conditions

Borage

Borago officinalis

Inflammation and fever reductionRespiratory ailments and coughsSkin conditions and wound healing

Cacao

Theobroma cacao

Maya civilization: xocolatl (bitter cacao drink) consumed by elite warriors and royalty for energy, endurance, and ritual purposes; documented in Dresden CodexAztec tradition: cacao beans used as currency; frothy drink mixed with chili, vanilla, and spices used as a stimulant and tonic for staminaAmazonian indigenous traditions: fresh cacao pulp and seeds consumed for nutrition and sustained energy during hunting

Cardamom

Elettaria cardamomum

Digestive disorders and stomach upsetRespiratory ailments including asthma and bronchitisBad breath and oral hygiene

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

Chlorella

Chlorella vulgaris

No ancient traditional use as it was not discovered until 1890 by Beyerinck and has only been used medicinally since the 1950sJapanese post-WWII use: studied as a protein source alternative to meet post-war food scarcity needs; Hiroshima radiation recovery protocols included chlorellaJapanese longevity tradition: chlorella tablets widely taken as daily tonic since the 1960s in Japan where per-capita consumption remains highest globally

Cinnamon

Cinnamomum verum

Digestive disorders and stomach complaintsCold and flu symptomsMenstrual irregularities and reproductive health

Coleus / Forskolin

Plectranthus barbatus (syn. Coleus forskohlii)

Ayurveda (makandi/garmar): heart tonic for congestive heart conditions, hypertension, and anginaTraditional Indian medicine: treatment of abdominal colic, urinary retention, and painful menstruationUnani medicine: used for skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema

Coptis / Goldthread

Coptis chinensis

Traditional Chinese medicine: 'Huanglian' — one of the 50 fundamental herbs; used for over 2,000 years for dampness-heat conditions, dysentery, high fever with delirium, gastric ulcers, and inflammatory conditionsClassical TCM formula: Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Coptis Detoxifying Decoction) — classic formula for fever, dysentery, and sepsis involving Coptis with three other bitter herbsHuang Lian Su (berberine) — isolated in 1930s China; used clinically for bacterial dysentery since then

Cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Urinary tract infections and kidney problemsScurvy prevention during long sea voyagesStomach ailments and digestive disorders

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

Dong Quai

Angelica sinensis

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

Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Cold and flu treatment and preventionFever reduction and respiratory infectionsImmune system support during illness

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

Garlic

Allium sativum

Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman medicine for infections, woundsTraditional Chinese Medicine for yang deficiency, parasitesEuropean folk medicine for respiratory infections, high blood pressure

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

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

Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba

Traditional Chinese Medicine for lung and kidney supportSeed used for respiratory conditions, urinary disordersMemory enhancement and cognitive support

Ginseng

Panax ginseng

Traditional Chinese Medicine for qi deficiency, fatigue, weaknessAdaptogen for stress resistance and longevityCognitive enhancement and memory support

Green Tea

Camellia sinensis

Chinese medicine (TCM) used green tea for over 4,000 years to sharpen mental clarity, reduce fatigue, and aid digestionShen Nong's Bencao Jing (c. 2700 BCE legend) records tea as antidote to poisoning from 72 toxic herbsJapanese Zen Buddhist tradition uses matcha in chado (tea ceremony) for meditative focus and spiritual clarity

Guarana

Paullinia cupana

Sateré-Mawé people of Brazil used roasted seed paste as a stimulant beverage for centuries before European contactTraditional Amazonian use to reduce fatigue and increase endurance during hunting and long journeysUsed by indigenous tribes to suppress appetite during food scarcity

Hawthorn

Crataegus spp.

Heart conditions and cardiovascular supportHigh blood pressure and circulationAnxiety and nervous heart conditions

He Shou Wu

Reynoutria multiflora

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): tonifies Liver and Kidney yin; used for premature graying of hair and hair lossTCM: anti-aging tonic; associated with longevity in classical texts including Bencao Gangmu (Li Shizhen, 1578)TCM: nourishes blood and essence (jing); used for weakness, dizziness, soreness of lower back and knees

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

Hibiscus

Hibiscus sabdariffa

West African tradition (Senegal, Mali, Nigeria): hibiscus flower tea (bissap, zobo, sobolo) consumed daily as a cooling tonic and heart tonicAyurvedic medicine uses hibiscus to treat high blood pressure, liver disorders, and as a diureticEgyptian and Sudanese traditional medicine uses karkadeh tea for fever reduction and sore throat

Holy Basil

Ocimum tenuiflorum

Respiratory conditions (colds, cough, asthma, bronchitis)Stress reduction and mental clarityDigestive disorders and stomach problems

Jiaogulan

Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Guizhou Province, China: consumed as daily tea by mountain populations with documented longevity and low rates of hypertension and cancerTCM (relatively recent adoption): adaptogenic, anti-fatigue, cardiovascular tonic; used since Ming Dynasty (15th century) in GuizhouJapanese traditional medicine (Amachazuru): fatigue remedy and longevity tea; widely sold as 'immortality herb' supplement

Juniper

Juniperus communis

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

Lemon Balm

Melissa officinalis

Anxiety, stress, and nervous tensionInsomnia and sleep disordersDigestive disorders and stomach upset

Mangosteen

Garcinia mangostana

Traditional Malay medicine used dried pericarp decoction for diarrhea, dysentery, and skin infections for centuriesThai folk medicine uses pericarp for wound healing, skin diseases, and as an astringent for mouth soresCambodian and Indonesian traditional medicine uses bark and root for fever, gonorrhea, and urinary infections

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

Motherwort

Leonurus cardiaca

Heart conditions and palpitationsAnxiety and nervous tensionMenstrual irregularities and menopause

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

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

Osha

Ligusticum porteri

Respiratory ailments including altitude sicknessViral infections and immune supportDigestive disorders and stomach upset

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)

Red Root

Ceanothus americanus

Lymphatic system congestionSore throat and respiratory infectionsSpleen disorders and enlargement

Reishi Mushroom

Ganoderma lucidum

Ganodermataceae

Spiritual enhancement and longevityRespiratory conditions and asthmaLiver protection and detoxification

Rooibos

Aspalathus linearis

Khoikhoi and San peoples: harvested wild rooibos as a beverage and medicine long before European contact; used as a digestive remedyAfrikaner farming communities: adopted as a tea substitute during WWII when imported teas were unavailableSouth African folk medicine: used for infantile colic, eczema, and skin allergies in babies — mothers added rooibos tea to infant formula

Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis

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

Sea Buckthorn

Hippophae rhamnoides

Tibetan traditional medicine (Sowa Rigpa) has used sea buckthorn as a primary medicinal plant for 1300+ years; used for cardiovascular, digestive, and wound healingMongols traditionally called it 'holy fruit' and used it for fatigue, wound healing, and gastric ulcers; fed to horses for stamina and coat qualityRussian folk medicine has long used sea buckthorn oil for radiation injury, burns, and gastric ulcers; Soviet space program studied it for cosmonauts

Spirulina

Arthrospira platensis

Aztec civilization: 'tecuitlatl' harvested from Lake Texcoco and dried into cakes; major protein source for the population; documented by Spanish conquistador Bernal Díaz del Castillo in 16th centuryKanem-Bornu Empire (Lake Chad region, 9th–19th century): 'dihe' — dried spirulina cakes — sold in markets and used as a food staple and medicine for malnutritionNomadic Kanembu people of Chad: still harvest and consume spirulina daily as part of traditional diet; up to 12 g per person per day

Tribulus

Tribulus terrestris

Ayurveda: Gokshura — used as diuretic, tonic for urinary tract health, and aphrodisiac; part of Dashamoola formulaTCM: Ji Li — liver tonic; used for headache, dizziness, eye redness, and skin conditions from 'liver yang rising'Bulgarian folk medicine: used as male sexual tonic and athlete performance enhancer since 1970s–80s

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

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

Vanilla

Vanilla planifolia

Totonac civilization of Veracruz (pre-Columbian): Tlilxochitl ('black flower') was a sacred plant used to flavor cacao drinks and as a medicinal aromaticAztec tradition: combined with cacao and chili in xocolatl; used as an aphrodisiac and tonic for fatigue and heart complaintsMesoamerican traditional medicine: vanilla pod smoke and preparations used for headaches, nausea, and fever

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

Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Hemorrhoids and varicose veinsCuts, bruises, and minor woundsInsect bites and stings

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Wound healing and bleeding controlFever reduction and diaphoreticDigestive disorders and poor appetite

Yerba Mate

Ilex paraguariensis

Stimulant beverage and energy enhancementMental alertness and focusDigestive aid and appetite stimulant

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.