Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)

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. Known by the Ashaninka and other indigenous peoples of central Peru for its power in regulating illness, it has been used since ancient times to treat serious conditions ranging from asthma and diabetes to arthritis and cancer. 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.

Couch grass is a vigorous perennial growing to 32 inches with a long, creeping rhizome, slender leaves, and erect spikes bearing green flowers aligned in two rows. Found in Europe, the Americas, northern Asia, and Australia, it is an invasive weed harvested throughout the year. In classical times, both Dioscorides (40-90 CE) and Pliny (23-79 CE) recommended couch grass root for poor urine flow and kidney stones. The herbalist John Gerard wrote in 1597 that 'Couch-grasse be an unwelcome guest to fields and gardens, yet his physicke virtues do recompense those hurts; for it openeth the stoppings of the liver and reins [ureters] without heat.' In times of famine, the root was roasted and ground as a substitute for coffee and flour.

Psyllium, also known as flea seed due to its small brown appearance, is produced by several Plantago species. It has been used as a safe and effective laxative for thousands of years across Europe, North Africa, and Asia. 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.

Stone root is a perennial herb growing to 3 feet tall, characterized by a square stem, oval leaves, and clusters of greenish-yellow flowers. Native to moist woodlands of eastern North America, the root is harvested in autumn. The plant contains volatile oil, tannins, and saponins.

Bitter melon is an annual climbing vine reaching about 6.5 feet, characterized by deeply lobed leaves, yellow flowers, and distinctive orange-yellow fruit. Native to southern Asia and now common throughout tropical regions worldwide, it is harvested year-round. The plant's unripe fruit, ripe fruit, leaves, seeds, and seed oil all have medicinal applications, and it has been a traditional remedy for diabetes symptoms in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for centuries.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis), with its bright orange daisy-like flowers, is among the most versatile herbs in Western herbal medicine. Its petals contain antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and vulnerary properties, making it excellent for speeding tissue repair in wounds, burns, bruises, and various skin irritations. Calendula is also used internally for gastrointestinal inflammation (e.g., Crohn’s disease, colitis, gastritis).

Goldenrod is a perennial plant growing to 28 inches with toothed leaves and branched spikes of golden-yellow flowers. Native to Europe and Asia and naturalized in North America, it prefers open areas and hillsides and is gathered in summer while in flower. The herbalist John Gerard commented wryly in 1597 about how goldenrod's value plummeted once it was discovered growing locally in Hampstead wood, London, noting society's tendency to esteem things only while they remain rare and foreign. Four hundred years later, this observation still rings true, though the herb's genuine therapeutic value remains unchanged.

Gravel root is an erect perennial growing to 5 feet with whorls of pointed oblong leaves and clusters of purple-pink florets. Native to eastern North America, the root is unearthed in autumn. The plant's alternative name, Joe Pye weed, honors the Native American said to have used it to cure New Englanders of typhus. Native Americans valued the herb as a diuretic and remedy for genitourinary conditions, and the root was listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the United States from 1820 to 1842, attesting to its recognized medicinal importance.