Mulberry Leaf (Morus alba)

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.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) has traditionally been used for conditions related to vision, and NCCIH says its anthocyanins and other substances may be of interest for further research. NCCIH says bilberry has not been clearly shown to help any health condition, and the most rigorous studies did not find that it improved night vision in healthy people. It is closely related to the blueberry.

Catnip is a downy, aromatic perennial growing to 3 feet with heart-shaped, gray-green leaves and whorls of white flowers marked with purple spots. Native to Europe and naturalized in North America, it grows in dry wayside places and mountainous regions up to altitudes of 5,000 feet. The plant is gathered when in flower during summer and autumn. Catnip has an excitatory effect on cats.

Osha has been overharvested in the wild and is extremely difficult to cultivate. It is listed on the United Plant Savers at-risk list. Until wild populations stabilize, its use should be limited.

Pau d'arco is an evergreen tree that can reach 100 feet in height, producing pink flowers. The bark of this South American tree is used as a tea in traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments; MSK says its antibacterial and anticancer effects in laboratory studies have not been shown in humans. The tree grows in both mountainous terrains high in the Andes and in low-lying areas of Paraguay and Brazil. The prized inner bark is collected from wild-growing trees throughout the year.

Pleurisy root is an upright perennial herb growing to 3 feet tall, featuring narrow lance-shaped leaves and spikes of orange or yellow five-petaled flowers. It is native to the southern United States. The root is harvested in spring.

Alfalfa is a perennial herb that can grow to about 32 in (80 cm). It produces trifoliate leaves, flowers ranging from yellow to violet-blue, and spiraling seed pods. It has been called the “king of herbs,” with roots that can extend many feet into the ground to draw up minerals.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), known in China as huang qi, is a perennial reaching about 16 in (40 cm), with hairy stems and compound leaves composed of multiple leaflet pairs. Its root has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, often with other herbs, and NCCIH says it is promoted to improve the response of the immune system. NCCIH says there is not enough reliable evidence to know whether astragalus helps any health condition.