Holistic Botanicals · Master Reference

Complete Botanical Dictionary A–Z

Quick-reference entries for the most clinically relevant medicinal botanicals — covering primary applications, key active compounds, and standard dosing. Use alongside our complete category references for full mechanism and protocol detail.

How to use this dictionary: Each entry is a quick-reference summary. For full mechanism, cycling guidelines, interactions, and protocol stacking, refer to the relevant category reference article in the Holistic Botanicals hub.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Primary use: Adrenal adaptogen, stress reduction, HPA axis regulation, thyroid support, testosterone. Key compounds: Withanolides. Dose: 300–600 mg KSM-66 or Sensoril extract/day.

Artichoke Leaf (Cynara scolymus)

Primary use: Bile stimulation, liver support, cholesterol. Key compounds: Cynarin, luteolin. Dose: 320–640 mg standardized extract 3×/day before meals.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Primary use: Immune modulation, NK cell activation, longevity, chemo support. Key compounds: Astragalosides, APS polysaccharides. Dose: 400–800 mg 2–3×/day.

Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri)

Primary use: Memory, cognitive performance, anxiety, neuroprotection. Key compounds: Bacosides A & B. Dose: 300–450 mg (55% bacosides) with fat.

Berberine (Berberis vulgaris)

Primary use: SIBO, dysbiosis, blood sugar regulation, AMPK activation. Key compounds: Berberine alkaloid. Dose: 500 mg 2–3×/day with meals.

Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)

Primary use: Menopausal hot flashes, night sweats, perimenopausal support. Key compounds: Triterpene glycosides. Dose: 40–80 mg standardized extract 2×/day.

Black Walnut Hull (Juglans nigra)

Primary use: Antiparasitic, antifungal, biofilm disruption. Key compounds: Juglone. Dose: 500–1,000 mg 2×/day or 1–2 mL tincture 3×/day.

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata)

Primary use: Joint inflammation, IBD, asthma, 5-LOX inhibition. Key compounds: AKBA, boswellic acids. Dose: 300–1,200 mg/day standardized extract with fat.

Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)

Primary use: Lymphatic drainage, liver/kidney support, skin conditions. Key compounds: Arctiin, inulin. Dose: 500–1,000 mg 2–3×/day or 2–4 mL tincture 3×/day.

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)

Primary use: Immune modulation, Lyme adjunct, DNA repair, anti-inflammatory. Key compounds: Oxindole alkaloids. Dose: 300–500 mg TOA-free extract 3×/day.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

Primary use: Insulin resistance, blood sugar regulation, metabolic syndrome. Key compounds: Procyanidins, cinnamaldehyde. Dose: 1–3g Ceylon/day or 500 mg Cinnulin PF.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

Primary use: Parasite egg/larva destruction, antibiofilm, antimicrobial. Key compounds: Eugenol. Dose: 500–1,000 mg 2–3×/day.

Curcumin (Curcuma longa)

Primary use: Systemic inflammation, NF-κB inhibition, Nrf2 activation, liver support. Key compounds: Curcuminoids. Dose: 500–1,500 mg enhanced-bioavailability form/day with fat.

Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)

Primary use: Bile stimulation, liver/kidney drainage, prebiotic. Key compounds: Taraxacin, inulin. Dose: 500–1,000 mg 2–3×/day or 2–4 mL tincture 3×/day.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

Primary use: Acute viral infection, immune activation, antioxidant. Key compounds: Anthocyanins, lectins. Dose: 175–350 mg extract 2×/day preventive; 4×/day acute.

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

Primary use: Chronic fatigue, immune resilience, endurance, adrenal support. Key compounds: Eleutherosides B & E. Dose: 300–600 mg standardized extract/day.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

Primary use: Blood sugar, testosterone support, milk production, cholesterol. Key compounds: 4-hydroxyisoleucine, diosgenin. Dose: 500–1,000 mg 2×/day with meals.

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Primary use: H. pylori, SIBO, Candida, cardiovascular, immune. Key compounds: Allicin, ajoene. Dose: 600–1,200 mg allicin-standardized 2×/day.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Primary use: Nausea, motility (MMC), SIBO prevention, inflammation. Key compounds: Gingerols, shogaols. Dose: 500–1,000 mg 2–3×/day or 1–2 tsp fresh daily.

Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre)

Primary use: Blood sugar, sugar craving reduction, Type 2 diabetes support. Key compounds: Gymnemic acids. Dose: 400–800 mg 25% gymnemic acids before meals.

Holy Basil / Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

Primary use: Stress, HPA modulation, blood sugar, anxiety, inflammation. Key compounds: Ocimumosides, ursolic acid. Dose: 500–1,000 mg 2–3×/day.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Primary use: Anxiety, sleep, HSV, IBS, thyroid modulation. Key compounds: Rosmarinic acid, luteolin. Dose: 300–600 mg 2–3×/day.

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Primary use: NGF stimulation, cognitive decline, nerve repair, neuroinflammation. Key compounds: Hericenones, erinacines. Dose: 1,000–3,000 mg dual-extract/day.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Primary use: Libido, menopausal symptoms, fertility, endurance. Key compounds: Macamides, glucosinolates. Dose: 1,500–3,000 mg gelatinized/day.

Milk Thistle / Silymarin (Silybum marianum)

Primary use: Liver protection, detox support, NAFLD, antioxidant. Key compounds: Silybin, silymarin complex. Dose: 140–420 mg silymarin 3×/day.

Mistletoe (Viscum album)

Primary use: Cancer adjunct, NK cell activation, apoptosis induction, QOL. Key compounds: Lectins (ML-I–III), viscotoxins. Dose: Subcutaneous injection only — titrated by practitioner.

Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Primary use: Antiparasitic, antifungal, antimalarial support, oral health. Key compounds: Azadirachtin, nimbin, gedunin. Dose: 500–1,000 mg leaf 2–3×/day.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Primary use: SIBO, Candida, H. pylori, biofilm, broad-spectrum antimicrobial. Key compounds: Carvacrol, thymol. Dose: 200–600 mg carvacrol/day in divided doses.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Primary use: Anxiety, insomnia, GABA modulation, nervous tension. Key compounds: Chrysin, vitexin. Dose: 400–800 mg 2–3×/day or 2–4 mL tincture before bed.

Pau d'Arco (Tabebuia impetiginosa)

Primary use: Systemic fungal infection, antiparasitic, immune modulation. Key compounds: Lapachol, beta-lapachone. Dose: 500–1,000 mg 2–3×/day or 2–4 mL tincture 3×/day.

Quercetin

Primary use: Allergy/mast cell, zinc ionophore, senolytic, NF-κB inhibition. Key compounds: Quercetin flavonol. Dose: 500–1,000 mg 2×/day; senolytic: 1,000–1,500 mg pulse dose.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Primary use: Cancer adjunct, immune modulation, liver, sleep, adaptogen. Key compounds: Ganoderic acids, beta-glucans. Dose: 1,000–3,000 mg dual-extract/day.

Resveratrol (Polygonum cuspidatum)

Primary use: Longevity, sirtuin activation, cardiovascular, neurodegeneration. Key compounds: Trans-resveratrol, pterostilbene. Dose: 250–1,000 mg/day with fat.

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)

Primary use: Mental fatigue, burnout, mood, cognitive performance. Key compounds: Rosavins, salidroside. Dose: 200–600 mg standardized extract in AM.

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Primary use: BPH, DHT excess, androgenic alopecia. Key compounds: Fatty acids, beta-sitosterol. Dose: 320 mg lipid-sterolic extract/day.

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)

Primary use: GI mucosal repair, leaky gut, GERD, IBD, IBS. Key compounds: Mucilage polysaccharides. Dose: 1–2 tsp powder in water 2–3×/day or 400–500 mg capsule 3–4×/day.

Triphala

Primary use: Bowel regularity, colon detox, antioxidant tonic, microbiome balance. Key compounds: Chebulinic acid, emblicanins. Dose: 500–1,000 mg 2×/day or 1–3 tsp powder in warm water before bed.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)

Primary use: Cancer adjunct, NK/T-cell activation, microbiome restoration. Key compounds: PSK, PSP. Dose: 2–4g hot-water extract/day; 3g/day oncology dose.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Primary use: Insomnia, sleep onset, nervous tension, restless leg. Key compounds: Valerenic acid, valepotriates. Dose: 300–600 mg (0.8% valerenic acid) 30–60 min before bed.

Vitex / Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)

Primary use: PMS, PMDD, luteal phase support, high prolactin, irregular cycles. Key compounds: Agnuside, casticin. Dose: 175–225 mg standardized extract/day in AM.

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Primary use: Antiparasitic, SIBO, bile stimulation, digestive bitters. Key compounds: Absinthin, artabsin, thujone. Dose: 200–400 mg 2–3×/day or 1–2 mL tincture 3×/day.

Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus)

Primary use: Constipation, liver/lymph drainage, iron support, skin conditions. Key compounds: Anthraquinones (emodin), tannins. Dose: 300–600 mg 2×/day; cycle 2–4 weeks on/off.

Disclaimer

This dictionary is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Botanical medicines are potent — dosing, cycling, and contraindications should be reviewed with a qualified practitioner. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.