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What is boneset? What is it used for? Boneset is a particular subspecies of eupatorium (E. perfoliatum), a tall, thin, flowering plant found throughout North America. In addition to boneset, it is known under a variety of names, including feverwort, Indian sage and thoroughwort. It is in the same botanical…

What is borax? What is it used for? While borax is not an herb, it is nevertheless an important component of traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Borax is actually an ore, a type of crystal consisting mostly of sodium. Borax ranges in color from transparent to white to light gray, and…

What is borneol? What is it used for? Although borneol is not an herb per se, it is nevertheless a common ingredient in many traditional Chinese herbal formulas.Borneol is actually a compound derived from dryobalanops aromitaca , a tree that belongs to the teak family. The compound is formed by…

What is bottle brush? Also known as horsetail because of its shape, bottle brush is found throughout the temperate zones of Asia, North America and Europe. There are two varieties of bottle brush: one grows in the early spring and resembles asparagus (except for its brown color); the other grows…

What is buddleia? What is it used for? Buddleia is a hardy evergreen shrub that can reach a height of more than six feet in some areas. Grown throughout eastern Asia and western China, it prospers in dry and moist soils, and flowers between December and February. The flowers and…

What is bulrush? What is it used for? Also known as cat-tail pollen, bulrush is a perennial aquatic plant that grows in marshes and swamplands worldwide. It can reach a height of more than nine feet, and usually blooms in June and July. In China, bulrush is produced mainly in…

What is bupleurum? What is it used for? Bupleurum is an upright-growing plant native to China, Japan and central Europe, but now widely dispersed throughout the U.S. It has a variety of names, including thoroughwax and hare’s ear (the latter name due to the shape of the plant’s leaves, which…

What is burdock? Burdock is a member of the thistle family. It was originally grown in Europe and Asia, but is now widespread throughout the United States. It is a short, dull green plant that grows in light, well-drained soil, with wavy, heart-shaped leaves and roots that are brownish-green or…

What is abalone shell? What is it used for? Known in some circles as the "sea ear," the abalone is a type of mollusk that grows predominantly in the waters in and around California. There are nine types of abalone in North America, each somewhat different in size and appearance.…

What is abutilon seed? What is it used for? Also known as the Indian mallow or the velvetleaf, abutilon is a type of tree that grows predominantly in the world’s tropical regions and belongs to the Malvacae family. The fruit of the tree is gathered once it ripens in the…

What is acanthopanax bark? What is it used for? Acanthopanax bark is the outer covering, or peel, of the eleuthero, known by some practitioners as Siberian ginseng. This article will refer to the specific properties of the bark; the rest of the plant will be discussed elsewhere. The plant is…

What is achyranthes? What is it used for? Achyranthes is a type of flowering herb, which can reach a height of approximately two feet and has small, serrated green leaves. The root is used in herbal preparations, and can be consumed either raw or cooked. Externally, the root is grayish…

What is aconite? What is it used for? Aconite is an extremely powerful and potentially toxic herb. Native to Asia, it has been used for thousands of years by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine. The plant contains narrow, spike-shaped leaves with purple flowers. Some practitioners use dried roots and tubers…

What is acorus? What is it used for? Acorus is a grass-like, perennial shrub that resembles an iris. It can grow to a height of approximately seven feet, and is often found in perpetually wet areas, such as the edges of streams, ponds and lakes, and near waterfalls. Just as…

What is adenophora root? What is it used for? Adenophora is a close cousin of glehnia, another important component of herbal medicine. Native to east Asia, adenophora grows throughout the mountains and lowlands of China, Japan and Korea, usually reaching a height of about three feet. The medicinal part of…

What is agkistrodon? What is it used for? Although agkistrodon is not an herb, it is nevertheless a vital component of herbal medicine. Also known as the multibanded krait, agkistrodon is actually a type of poisonous snake, similar to the cottonmouth. The snake’s skin has a distinctive pattern, with a…

What is agrimony? What is it used for? Agrimony is a perennial plant of the rosaceae family. Several species of agrimony exist; in Asia, A. pilosa is dominant, and is the subject of this article. A. pilosa reaches a height of approximately two feet, with yellow flowers that bloom between…

What is ailanthus bark? What is it used for? Ailanthus bark comes from the ailanthus (also known as the "tree of heaven"), a deciduous tree that grows in the world’s temperate regions and can reach a height of more than 60 feet, with large, pinnately compounded leaves and greenish-yellow flowers.…

What is akebia fruit? What is it used for? The akebia fruit comes from the akebia vine (also known as the clematis). Native to Korea and Japan, different parts of the plant are used for different purposes. This article will discuss the uses of akebia fruit; akebia stem (or clematis…

What is albizzia bark? What is it used for? Albizzia bark comes from the albizzia tree, which is also known as the mimosa. The tree can reach a height of 30 feet, with whitish-pink flowers. Like most other trees, albizzia bark is grey-brown in color, with a rough exterior and…