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Botanical name: Stigma maydis Other name: Barbe de Maïs, Blé d’Inde, Cheveux de Maïs, Indian Corn, Maidis Stigma, Maïs Violet, Maize Silk, Purple Corn, Seda de Maíz, Soie de Maïs, Stigma Maydis, Yu Mi Xiu, Zea, Zea mays Corn silk refers to the lengthy, thread-like strands of plant material that develop beneath the husk of…

Botanical name: Syzygium aromaticum Other name: ding xiang, laung, clavo, clou de girofle, chiodo di garofanoa, qurnafl, and nelke Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is a tropical evergreen tree belonging to the Myrtaceae family, known for its small reddish-brown flower buds used as a spice. Integral to the earliest spice trade, cloves are thought to be native…

Botanical name: Galium aparine Other name: cleavers, clivers, catchweed, robin-run-the-hedge G. aparine possesses a shallow root system characterized by a branching taproot. Despite this, its connection to the stem is weak, leading to a common occurrence during weeding where the roots are left behind, allowing for regrowth when only the tops are pulled. The stems…

Botanical name: Glycyrrhiza glabra Other name: radix glycyrrhizae Chinese licorice (or liquorice) root refers to the rhizome, or underground stem, of the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra. Indigenous to Asia, Turkey, and Greece, this plant’s dried roots bear a resemblance to small twigs, featuring a woody brown exterior and a pale yellowish interior. Medicinal Uses:

Botanical name: Stellaria media Linn Other name: starweed, satin flower, or mouse-ear The roots of common chickweed are shallow and characterized by a fibrous structure. This plant thrives in various soils but exhibits optimal growth in neutral pH soils with high nitrogen content. Conversely, it tends to struggle in low pH or acidic soils. Sticky…

Botanical name: Capsicum annuum Other name: chili pepper, chile pepper, hot pepper, and red chillies. Cayenne pepper, a variant of Capsicum annuum, is believed to have its roots in Cayenne, French Guiana. This spice is crafted by drying and grinding the fruits, ranging from orange to deep-red, and gains its distinctive piquant flavor from the…

Botanical name: Frangula purshiana Other name: cascara, cascara buckthorn, cascara sagrada, bearberry Cascara sagrada, translating to “sacred bark” in Spanish, has a historical legacy as a laxative employed by Native Americans for centuries. Embraced by Western medical practices in the 19th century, cascara sagrada continues to be a component in over-the-counter laxative formulations, frequently blended…

Botanical name: Elettaria cardamomum Other name: green cardamom or true cardamom Cardamom, derived from the seed pods of the cardamom plant, a close kin to ginger and turmeric, originates from South India. The triangular pods consist of spindle-shaped clusters of seeds encased in a thin outer shell, offering the option to savor them either whole…

Botanical name: Calendula officinalis Other name: Calendula, Calendula (Pot Marigold), Common Marigold, Garden Marigold, Gold bloom, Holligold, Marigold, Mary Bud, Pot Marigold, Ruddles Calendula is an annual plant that flourishes in nearly all types of soil, commonly spotted in Europe, Western Asia, and the United States. It shares familial ties with daisies, chrysanthemums, and ragweed.…