Rau má ngọ, or Polygonum perfoliatum L., is a climbing herb that many people notice because of its small berry-like fruits. At first glance, the berries can look tempting, but this is not a plant to snack on casually like regular fruit. In traditional herbal use, the whole aerial part…

Gotu kola, also called rau má or Centella asiatica, is the fresh green herb shown in the image. In many Asian households, it is used as a cooling drink, a blended juice, or a light herbal beverage for body balance. The image says, “This helps your liver?” That is a…

Abrus precatorius is commonly known as rosary pea, jequirity bean, or Gunja. Many people recognize it by its red-and-black seeds, but in traditional herbal use, people do not always focus on the seeds. In some remedies, the part used is the stem or dried vine stem, usually sliced thin and…

Catunaregam spinosa, also known in some regions as Randia dumetorum, mountain pomegranate, or madanaphala, is a thorny shrub or small tree traditionally used in parts of South and Southeast Asia. It has small white flowers, round green fruits, and sharp branching stems. In folk medicine, this plant has a strong…

Some of the most talked-about throat remedies do not come from a pharmacy shelf. They come from weeds people usually ignore. This plant looks like sweet broomweed, also known as Scoparia dulcis. It is a small branching herb with narrow leaves, tiny white flowers, and little seed capsules along the…