Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)

Andrographis, commonly known as Green Chiretta or King of Bitters, is an upright annual herb reaching approximately 3 feet in height. Native to India and cultivated throughout northern regions of India and China, this bitter medicinal plant has been valued in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. MSK notes that it has been studied mostly for colds, flu and upper respiratory infections. The plant thrives on plains and in forest undergrowth, where its spotted pale brown or purple flowers and long seed capsules distinguish it from other medicinal herbs.

Psyllium, also known as flea seed due to its small brown appearance, is produced by several Plantago species. It has long been used as a laxative, and MedlinePlus lists it as a bulk-forming laxative used to treat constipation. The seeds and husks have a bland taste and develop a jellylike consistency when moistened due to their high mucilage content. The plants are extensively cultivated, especially in India, and propagated from seed in spring. Seeds are harvested when ripe in late summer and early autumn.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) has bright orange daisy-like flowers.

Cat's claw is a climbing vine that can grow to 100 feet or more, with stems up to 8 inches in diameter, large glossy leaves, and sharp hooks resembling a cat's claws. Native to tropical rainforests in the central and eastern Andes, especially Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, it has also been found in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama. Indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest have used cat's claw for centuries to ward off disease, and NCCIH says it is promoted today for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and viral infections. NCCIH says there is no conclusive evidence from studies in people to support cat's claw for any health purpose. By the early 1990s, over-collection from the wild threatened the species' survival; only sustainably sourced stem bark should be used, rather than root bark.

Fenugreek is much used in herbal medicine in North Africa, the Middle East, and India. Its seeds have been used to increase breast-milk production; NCCIH says studies of this use have had mixed results. Fenugreek is also thought to be antidiabetic, although NCCIH says there is not enough high-quality evidence to know whether it helps diabetes.

Fringe tree is a deciduous shrub or tree growing to 33 feet with elliptical dark green leaves, long flowering stems bearing spikes of white flowers, and dark blue oval fruits. Native to the United States and now also found in eastern Asia, it grows from Pennsylvania south to Florida and Texas and thrives on riverbanks and in damp shrubby areas. The root is unearthed in spring or autumn, mostly in Virginia and North Carolina.

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is a downy perennial up to about 7 ft (2.2 m), with thick white roots, heart-shaped leaves, and pink flowers. It is known for its high mucilage content.

Common plantain (Plantago major) is a low-growing perennial reaching up to about 10 in (25 cm), forming a rosette of broad, ribbed leaves and spikes of tiny green flowers. Often regarded as a garden weed, plantain has leaves rich in iridoids, flavonoids, mucilage and tannins.