Burdock
Botanical: Arctium lappaPart used: RootTraditional focus: Skin and blood cleansing support
Prep ideas: Simmer as a decoction tea, add powdered root to smoothies, or use in blended herbal capsules.
Burdock root is traditionally used in herbal systems for skin support and general cleansing routines. It is commonly prepared as tea, decoction, or powder blends.
Bladderwrack
Botanical: Fucus vesiculosusPart used: Whole seaweedTraditional focus: Mineral and thyroid support
Bladderwrack is a sea vegetable traditionally valued for its iodine and trace minerals. In many traditions, it is used in formulas focused on metabolism and nutrient density.
Bugleweed
Botanical: Lycopus spp.Part used: Aerial partsTraditional focus: Thyroid and nervous system balance
Bugleweed is a bitter, aromatic herb used in traditional practices to support thyroid balance and calm overactive states. It appears in older North American and European herbal traditions.
Blue Vervain
Botanical: Verbena hastataPart used: Aerial partsTraditional focus: Calm, liver and respiratory support
Blue vervain is traditionally used as a calming herb, often chosen for stress, nervous tension, and general detox support. It is commonly taken as tea or tincture blends.
Chaparral
Botanical: Larrea tridentataPart used: Leaves and stemsTraditional focus: Inflammation and skin support
Chaparral is a desert plant with a long history of traditional use in the American Southwest. It has been used in topical and internal herbal protocols focused on resilience and cleansing.
Dandelion
Botanical: Taraxacum officinalePart used: Root and leafTraditional focus: Digestion and liver support
Dandelion is one of the most commonly used traditional herbs for digestion and liver-focused routines. Both the root and leaf are used in teas, decoctions, and bitter formulas.
Elderberry
Botanical: Sambucus nigraPart used: Berries and flowersTraditional focus: Seasonal immune support
Elderberry is traditionally used for seasonal wellness, especially in syrups and teas. It is also used in broader respiratory-support herbal blends.
Irish Moss
Botanical: Chondrus crispusPart used: Whole sea mossTraditional focus: Minerals and soothing nutrition
Irish moss (sea moss) is commonly used for mineral intake and as a soothing, gel-forming sea vegetable. It is often prepared as gel and added to drinks or recipes.
Muicle
Botanical: Justicia spicigeraPart used: Leaves and stemsTraditional focus: Blood and vitality support
Muicle, sometimes called Mexican honeysuckle, appears in traditional Mexican herbal practice. It is typically consumed as tea and included in cleansing protocols.
Red Clover
Botanical: Trifolium pratensePart used: BlossomsTraditional focus: Skin and lymph support
Red clover blossoms are traditionally used in herbal formulas for skin and blood-cleansing support. They are often paired with other alterative herbs in tea blends.
Sage
Botanical: Salvia officinalisPart used: LeafTraditional focus: Digestive and throat support
Sage has a long culinary and herbal history and is frequently used for digestion, mouth and throat support, and aromatic teas. It is typically used in small amounts.
Sarsaparilla Root
Botanical: Smilax spp.Part used: RootTraditional focus: Mineral and blood support
Sarsaparilla root is traditionally used in tonic formulas and blood-cleansing blends. In Dr. Sebi circles, it is often discussed for its mineral profile and grounding effect.
Valerian Root
Botanical: Valeriana officinalisPart used: RootTraditional focus: Relaxation and sleep support
Valerian root is traditionally used as a calming nighttime herb. It is commonly blended with other soothing herbs when the goal is rest and nervous system support.
Yellow Dock Root
Botanical: Rumex crispusPart used: RootTraditional focus: Liver, bowel, and mineral support
Yellow dock root is traditionally used in digestive and cleansing routines, especially where gentle bowel and liver support are desired. It is often used as a decoction.