ETHNOBOTANICAL GUIDE
Welcome to the amazing and diverse world of plants. In this Ethnobotanical Guide, you can embark on a botanical adventure exploring their history, uses, and nutrient-rich offerings. Whether you're satisfying a budding interest in plants, curious about what’s in your cocktail, or want to deepen your understanding of nature, we hope you’ll find useful information here.
ASHWAGANDHA
Used by cultures for thousands of years, Ashwagandha is one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda, a form of holistic medicine based on Indian principles of natural healing. It holds the esteemed position as a Rasayana, an herbal preparation believed to promote a youthful state of physical and mental health that expands happiness.
One of Ashwagandha’s superpowers is its unique ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Ashwagandha promotes a sense of calmness and relaxation by helping to regulate cortisol levels, which are often elevated during times of stress. It is used to improve sleep quality by helping individuals fall asleep faster and promoting a deeper, more restorative sleep experience.
Studies also suggest that ashwagandha may enhance cognitive function, including memory, attention, and information processing speed. Ashwagandha has been recognized for its immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory properties and is used to increase strength and endurance and to support sexual health.
The nutrients and chemicals in ashwagandha work together synergistically to provide a wide range of health benefits. It contains withanolides, naturally occurring steroid lactones that are unique to the Solanaceae family of plants, which includes ashwagandha. These compounds are believed to be responsible for many of the herb's medicinal properties, including its adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Ashwagandha also contains amino acids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties. While ashwagandha is not a significant source of vitamins and minerals, it does contain small amounts of nutrients such as iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin B-complex.
CHERRY BARK
You may not think of bark as having medicinal qualities, but it actually acts as a phytochemical barrier protecting trees from invaders of all kinds. For centuries many Native American tribes have recognized its powers. Leaning into its astringent, sedative, antispasmodic, and bronchodilator activity, cherry bark has been used as a powerful cough suppressant, treatment for dysentery, remedy for cold symptoms, accelerator for wound healing, and anticoagulant for bleeding. In traditional Chinese Medicine, cherry bark is the remedy of choice when “heart fire” is diagnosed – a constellation of symptoms that includes palpitations, restlessness, agitation, fever, and rapid pulse.
There’s also a bitter truth about cherry bark. Classified as a bitter herb, this type of plant supports digestive function in a big way by stimulating receptors on the tongue, stomach, gallbladder, and pancreas. Activation of these bitter receptors promotes the release of digestive juices such as stomach acid, bile, and enzymes that break down food and assist in the all important absorption of nutrients.
Today, cherry barkand is used to add cherry flavor to food and beverages and continues to be used in cough syrups for its soothing effect on the respiratory system. As a tea, it is believed to have a soothing effect and sometimes consumed to promote sleep and relaxation.
Listed in the US Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1970 as an antitussive and a sedative, today we know cherry bark contains: cyanogenic glycosides (prunasin and amygdalin), flavonoids, benzaldehyde, volatile oils, plant acids, tannins, calcium, potassium, and iron.
CHICORY ROOT
You may be familiar with chicory as the garden perennial commonly called blue daisies, cornflowers or bachelor’s buttons. This member of the Asteraceae family has been cultivated and used for food and medicine since ancient Egypt. While the entire plant has been used by different cultures to treat various symptoms and diseases, historically, chicory root has been used to treat jaundice, digestive ailments, malaria, inflammation, and liver disorders.
Known as ‘chicoree’ in France, it has been roasted, ground, and mixed with coffee since the 1800’s. During the Civil War, chicory also became popular in the US as a way to stretch diminished coffee supplies due to shortages. Mixing coffee and chicory continued and became a cultural tradition in New Orleans that still exists today.
With a similar taste and color to coffee, chicory is commonly used to make coffee alternatives. When roasted, the bitterness inherent in the chicory root is replaced with a nutty, toasty flavor and a hint of sweetness.
Research shows that chicory root acts as a prebiotic, which means it feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut. The root is 68% inulin, a starch-like prebiotic fiber that passes through the body undigested, promoting healthy bacteria growth by reducing inflammation, fighting harmful bacteria, and improving mineral absorption. There is a growing body of research that points to the role of a healthy gut biome in overall health and wellness.
Studies also show that chicory root fiber may regulate appetite and reduce caloric intake by decreasing levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger.
In addition to inulin, chicory contains flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, alkaloids, and volatile oils, among other phytochemicals, and is a rich source of beta-carotene.
COFFEE BEANS
The word "coffee" stems from “Qahwah” the Arabic word for "wine." In Turkish that became known as “kahveh”, and then in Dutch, koffie, which is where we get the English word “coffee.”
Although that gives us some clues about the origins of this ubiquitous beverage, the exact history remains murky. However, it is generally believed that wild coffee plants (Coffea species) date back to the ancient coffee forests on the Ethiopian plateau known as Kefa (circ 1400 AD.) According to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi was the first to discover coffee when he noticed how lively his goats became after eating the red berries from a particular tree. Kaldi tried them himself and felt the stimulating effect immediately.
Today, of course, coffee is grown, consumed, and loved worldwide. It holds the number 2 status as the most valuable legally traded commodity in the world, after oil. Brazil became the largest producer of coffee in 1852 and has held its position ever since.
The mild central nervous system stimulating properties of caffeine are credited with boosting energy levels and fine-tuning concentration, managing weight, and enhancing athletic performance. Research suggests that the far-ranging benefits of coffee can also be attributed to antioxidants and other compounds called diterpenes, which reduce inflammation and raise serum levels of total and LDL cholesterol.
HEMP
Cultivated for thousands of years, hemp dates back to ancient China and Mesopotamia. It has served a wide variety of uses, playing a crucial role in different civilizations as textiles, paper, rope, building materials, and more.
Hemp is a cultivar of Cannabis sativa but does not have the THC content to cause a psychoactive effect. However, due to its association with marijuana, it also faced legal restrictions, but with legalization in many countries, it has experienced a resurgence in recent years. Entire segments of food, beverage, and skin care products have emerged featuring hemp, as well as new renewable and sustainable energy sources.
Technically a nut, not a seed, hemp is one of the fastest growing plants on earth and a nutritional powerhouse, rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B and E, and an array of minerals, which contribute to overall health and well-being. It is also high in fiber, which promotes digestive health and satiety, and loaded with phytonutrients, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
JUNIPER
Since prehistoric times, people have relied on juniper for food, fuel, and shelter. The ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations used juniper as a purifying and spiritual agent, culinary ingredient, and digestive aid. An Egyptian papyrus from 1500 BC contains a recipe with juniper to cure tapeworm infestations, and it has been found in tombs as well. In Native American cultures, juniper has been used in food preparation and sacred rituals.
The juniper berry has a distinctive tart and piney fruitiness and is an essential element in traditional gin. High in vitamin C, flavonoids, terpenes, tannins, and other compounds, juniper has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity, which are traced back to a volatile oil found in the berries. Resins and tars found in juniper are believed to benefit skin conditions such as psoriasis. While not a significant source of vitamins or minerals, juniper berries provide small amounts of vitamin C and trace minerals like manganese and iron.
LICORICE ROOT
With its ancient roots, licorice is considered one of the world’s oldest herbal remedies, dating back to 2300 BC in China. It was revered for its strength and vitality bestowing qualities by the Chinese, and believed to keep evil spirits away in ancient Egypt. In fact, a large quantity of licorice was found in King Tut’s tomb. Native to Western Asia and Southern Europe, it was also used in ancient Greece and Middle Eastern cultures to soothe upset stomachs, reduce inflammation, alleviate respiratory problems, and treat other ailments.
Today, studies have shown licorice to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, relieving respiratory symptoms, heartburn, indigestion, gastric and stomach ulcers, acid reflux, and symptoms of GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). Coating the respiratory and digestive tracts protects the lining while helping to speed repair.
Licorice is considered a powerful adaptogenic herb, meaning that it helps the body adapt to stress by breaking down the ‘stress hormone’ cortisol. Licorice also contains isoflavan and isoflavone, compounds that have been shown to have antidepressant properties.
Although a popular flavor in food, drink, and even tobacco, many “licorice” products don’t contain any licorice at all but instead are flavored with anise oil, which has a similar taste but is botanically unrelated.
Some of the compounds contained in licorice include glycosides called glycyrrhizinate, saponins, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, volatile oils, chalcones, coumarins, amino acids.
LEMON VERBENA
Lemon verbena is a fragrant, perennial shrub native to South America that has been used for centuries for a variety of medicinal and culinary purposes. In the 17th century, Spanish explorers brought lemon verbena back to Europe. It quickly took root in European culture and became a sought-after garden herb for its aromatic lemon scent.
In many cultures, it symbolizes love, protection, and purification and is brewed and consumed as a tea for its digestive and calming effects. Also commonly used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation and reduce stress, lemon verbena’s refreshing scent can be found in candles, essential oils, and potpourri blends.
Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, lemon verbena has antioxidant activity that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. It contains minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium, which are essential for various bodily functions, and polyphenols, which also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
PLUM
For thousands of years, plums have been valued not only for their sweet and tart flavor but also for their medicinal properties. They are believed to have originated in ancient China, where they were revered as a symbol of good fortune, longevity, and prosperity. They spread to Europe and other parts of the world through trade routes and eventually were cultivated around the globe.
In traditional and herbal medicine, plums have been used to treat various ailments, including digestive issues, respiratory problems, and skin conditions.
Packed with more than 15 essential vitamins and minerals, plums are high in fiber and low in calories, making them ideal for weight management. This powerhouse plant is also high in polyphenol antioxidants, which demonstrate anti-inflammatory properties, vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and promotes healthy skin, potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and muscle function, and vitamin K, which is important for bone health and blood clotting. With all these nutrients, it’s not unreasonable to think, a plum a day…
ROSE HIPS
We don’t often think of roses as bearing fruit, but that’s exactly what rose hips are the fruit of the rose plant. Filled with seeds, it’s the small bulb that sits just below the petals of the flower. The Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians recognized the nutritional and medicinal value of rose hips since ancient times, with evidence of their use dating back to the Stone Age. During the Middle Ages, rose hips were used to treat various ailments, including colds, flu, and digestive issues.
In Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, rose hips are believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting effects. Rose hip tea, oil, or extracts are used to treat conditions such as arthritis, colds, flu, and digestive issues.
Loaded with vitamins A, B5, C, E, and K, rose hips are high in antioxidants and are used today as a nutritional supplement or a tea to boost the immune system and overall health. Believed to have anti-aging and moisturizing properties, they are also used in skincare products.
You won’t find a better natural source of vitamin C than rose hips, which contain even more than most citrus fruits, including oranges. They are also rich in carotenoids (including beta-carotene), flavonoids, which are associated with anti-inflammatory activity, and essential fatty acids.
ROSE PETALS
The rose reigns as an iconic symbol of love, romance, and beauty. Yet it is also revered by many cultures for its ethnobotanical virtues, ranging from flavoring jams and cakes to herbal remedies. It is believed that roses have been cultivated for more than 5,000 years and were first used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tea to regulate qi or life energy.
Rose petals are used in aromatherapy to reduce stress and anxiety and promote relaxation. In addition to its calming effect, they are also used in a variety of beauty products for their soothing and moisturizing properties.
Research shows that rose petals are high in phytonutrients with antioxidant properties and are a good source of vitamins A, E, and C, which can boost the immune system and promote healthy skin. They also contain minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are important for bone health, muscle function, and electrolyte balance.
SARSAPARILLA
A shrubby plant in the ginseng family, sarsaparilla is a fascinating root that has been used by cultures around the globe to treat a wide variety of symptoms. In Ayurvedic medicine, sarsaparilla is considered a sacred herb known as a Rasayana, meaning an elixir for a long life.
Dating back to the ancient Peruvians, sarsaparilla was first used as a pain reliever for headaches, joint pain, and symptoms associated with colds and flu. Native tribes in Central and South America also used sarsaparilla to treat coughs and colds, promote detoxification, and as a tonic for sexual health. In the 1800s, it was believed to cure syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.
In other supposed ‘old wives tales’ sarsaparilla was hailed as a cure for baldness. It now appears that it may not be as far-fetched as it sounds. There are plant sterols in sarsaparilla that closely resemble the hormones testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen. Proper levels of testosterone and progesterone are necessary for healthy hair growth.
Before the use of steroids, sarsaparilla also proved to be surprisingly effective in treating psoriasis. Other skin conditions that have been found to benefit from this ethnobotanical include eczema, rashes, acne, fungus, pruritus, and wounds.
Today, we know that the superpower behind sarsaparilla is its high concentration of saponins, more than in any other plant. Saponins are beneficial phytochemicals that act as synergists, increasing the bioavailability of other herbs. Classified as an “alternative” herb, which are herbs that gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality, the saponins in sarsaparilla bind to endotoxins and remove them from the body. Saponins also have potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.
With a root beer-like taste, sarsaparilla is one of the 23 ingredients found in Dr. Pepper and one of the first flavorings used in soft drinks. When eaten, sarsaparilla provides fiber and other nutrients, including ferulic acid, sarsapic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, chromium, iron, magnesium, selenium, calcium, and zinc.