Herb Encyclopedia

Pinyin: Yáng Gān Jú

Chamomile is an annual plant with daisy-like white flowers and a sweet, apple-like scent. It is one of the most widely consumed herbal teas in the world and one of the oldest documented medicinal plants. Both German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) are used medicinally, with German being more common.

Pinyin: Pí Jiǔ Huā

Hops are the cone-shaped female flowers of the hop vine, most famous for flavoring beer. Beyond brewing, hops have a long history as a calming nervine and sleep aid. The bitter compounds that give beer its characteristic flavor also have sedative and estrogen-like effects. Hops pillows have been used for insomnia for centuries.

Pinyin: Kǎ Wǎ Hú Jiāo

Kava is a tropical shrub in the pepper family, native to the South Pacific islands. The root has been used for thousands of years in Pacific Island cultures as a ceremonial and social drink, as well as for medicinal purposes. Kava produces a unique state of relaxed alertness - you feel calm and sociable without mental clouding. However, there are safety concerns about liver toxicity.

Pinyin: Xiāng Fēng Cǎo

Lemon balm is a perennial herb in the mint family with heart-shaped leaves that smell strongly of lemon when crushed. It has been used for over 2,000 years as a calming herb. The botanical name Melissa comes from the Greek word for "bee," as bees are very attracted to its flowers.

Pinyin: Yàn Mài Jiē

Oat straw and milky oat seed come from the same plant that gives us oatmeal, but harvested at different stages for medicine. Milky oat seed is harvested in the "milky" stage when the unripe oat seed exudes a white, milky sap when squeezed. This stage is considered the most potent for nervous system support. Oats have been used as a nerve tonic for centuries to strengthen the nervous system and support mental and physical exhaustion.

Pinyin: Xī Fān Lián

Passionflower is a climbing vine with beautiful, intricate purple-white flowers. It was used by Native Americans for various ailments and is now a popular herbal remedy for anxiety and insomnia. The name "passionflower" was given by Spanish missionaries who saw the flower parts as symbols of the Passion of Christ.

Pinyin: Měi Huáng Qín

Skullcap is a perennial herb in the mint family with small blue flowers shaped like helmets or skulls. It is one of the most effective nervine herbs in Western herbalism, used for anxiety, nervous tension, and insomnia. Skullcap is valued for its ability to calm the nervous system without causing drowsiness or intoxication.

Pinyin: Xié Cǎo

Valerian is a tall perennial herb with pink or white flowers and a strong-smelling root. It is one of the most well-studied herbal sleep aids. Valerian root has been used for centuries in European and Asian medicine as a sedative and calmative. The strong, earthy odor is characteristic.