Some herbs get attention because of what they do. This one gets attention because of how it moves. Shy plant, also called sensitive plant or Mimosa pudica, is the little fern-like herb whose leaves fold inward when touched. That alone makes it memorable. But in traditional plant use, it has…

Some remedies survive because they are dramatic. Others survive because they are simple enough for anyone to try. Common mallow, usually identified as Malva neglecta or a closely related Malva species, belongs in that second group. It grows low to the ground, has round, softly pleated leaves, and makes those…

Some plants look like they are protecting something important. Milk thistle does exactly that. With its sharp spines, white-veined leaves, and bright purple flower heads, it is one of those herbs people remember the first time they see it. And for years, it has carried one of the biggest reputations…

Some herbs do not look impressive at first. They grow close to the ground, blend into the background, and seem more like weeds than remedies. But mallow, especially the small round-leaved kind often called common mallow or a related Malva species, has been used for a very long time as…

Some plants get shared online so often that their names start to blur together. That is exactly what happens with Euphorbia prostrata, a low, mat-forming herb that spreads close to the ground and is easy to overlook until someone points to it and says it has medicinal uses. It is…