Licorice Root

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Botanical Identification

Common Name: Licorice Root
Latin Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
Plant Family: Fabaceae
Parts Used: Root

Energetics & Taste

Taste: Deep, sweet
Energetics: Neutral, moistening

Clinical Actions & Affinities

Primary Actions: Soothing demulcent, Formula harmonizer
Target Body Systems: Digestive System, Respiratory System
Indications: A powerful, soothing demulcent that deeply soothes the mucosal lining of the digestive tract. It acts as a brilliant formula harmonizer, lending a deep, sweet flavor that perfectly balances strong or bitter roots in a clinical blend.

Preparation & Clinical Dosage

Best Extractions: Decoction (long simmer), tincture, or warm-infused honey.
Standard Dosage: Often used as a 1/2 part catalyst in larger clinical formulas to drive the action and improve flavor.

Safety & Contraindications

Precautions: Must be dosed carefully due to its effect on blood pressure.
Contraindications: Licorice root can elevate blood pressure and lower potassium levels if taken in large doses over a long period. It is strictly contraindicated for individuals with hypertension (high blood pressure).
Known Interactions: Always consult a physician regarding medication interactions.

Chamomile

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Botanical Identification

Common Name: Chamomile
Latin Name: Matricaria chamomilla
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Parts Used: Flowers

Energetics & Taste

Taste: Sweet, floral, mildly bitter
Energetics: Cooling, relaxing

Clinical Actions & Affinities

Primary Actions: Relaxing nervine, Mild bitter, Antispasmodic
Target Body Systems: Digestive System, Nervous System
Indications: A brilliant multi-tasker for the gut. It acts as a mild bitter to gently stimulate digestive juices for a sluggish system, while its nervine properties physically calm the tension in the intestinal walls to soothe a “nervous stomach”.

Preparation & Clinical Dosage

Best Extractions: Hot water infusion (tea), Glycerite, or warm-infused honey.
Standard Dosage: 1 to 2 tsp dried flowers per cup of hot water (steeped covered to retain volatile oils).

Safety & Contraindications

Precautions: Individuals with severe allergies to the Asteraceae/Daisy family should use caution.
Contraindications: None widely noted.
Known Interactions: None widely noted; always consult a physician regarding medication interactions.

Ginger Root

Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale)

Botanical Identification

Common Name: Ginger Root
Latin Name: Zingiber officinale
Plant Family: Zingiberaceae
Parts Used: Rhizome (Root)

Energetics & Taste

Taste: Pungent, spicy
Energetics: Warming, drying

Clinical Actions & Affinities

Primary Actions: Circulatory stimulant, Systemic anti-inflammatory
Target Body Systems: Digestive System, Cardiovascular System
Indications: An incredibly potent systemic anti-inflammatory and circulatory stimulant. It acts as a delivery vehicle to physically drive warmth outward into the digestive tract, actively soothe underlying nausea, and drive stagnant digestion downward.

Preparation & Clinical Dosage

Best Extractions: Hot water decoction, tincture, or infused carrier oil.
Standard Dosage: 1 tsp freshly grated or dried root per cup of hot water.

Safety & Contraindications

Precautions: Can be overly hot or drying for individuals with excessive stomach acid or heat conditions.
Contraindications: None widely noted in standard amounts.
Known Interactions: Always consult a physician regarding medication interactions, especially with pharmaceutical blood thinners.

Burdock Root

Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)

Botanical Identification

Common Name: Burdock Root
Latin Name: Arctium lappa
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Parts Used: Root

Energetics & Taste

Taste: Mildly sweet, bitter, earthy
Energetics: Cooling, moistening

Clinical Actions & Affinities

Primary Actions: Prebiotic, Mild Bitter
Target Body Systems: Digestive System, Microbiome
Indications: A very gentle, grounding bitter root that is packed with inulin. Inulin is a natural prebiotic fiber that physically acts as food to directly rebuild the good bacteria in the gut microbiome, supporting long-term health. It provides necessary bulk and gentle grounding to the digestive system.

Preparation & Clinical Dosage

Best Extractions: Decoction (long simmer), Tincture
Standard Dosage: 1-2 tsp dried root per cup of water

Safety & Contraindications

Precautions: Generally recognized as safe.
Contraindications: None widely noted.
Known Interactions: None widely noted; always consult a physician regarding medication interactions.

Fennel Seed

Fennel Seed (Foeniculum vulgare)

Botanical Identification

Common Name: Fennel Seed
Latin Name: Foeniculum vulgare
Plant Family: Apiaceae
Parts Used: Seed

Energetics & Taste

Taste: Sweet, aromatic
Energetics: Warming, drying

Clinical Actions & Affinities

Primary Actions: Carminative, Antispasmodic
Target Body Systems: Digestive System
Indications: The heavyweight champion of stopping gas and painful intestinal cramping. It actively relaxes the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, allowing trapped, painful gas to finally pass.

Preparation & Clinical Dosage

Best Extractions: Hot water infusion (tea), Tincture
Standard Dosage: 1 tsp lightly crushed seeds per cup of hot water

Safety & Contraindications

Precautions: Generally recognized as safe in culinary and standard therapeutic amounts.
Contraindications: None widely noted in standard amounts.
Known Interactions: None widely noted; always consult a physician regarding medication interactions.

Dandelion Root

Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)

Botanical Identification

Common Name: Dandelion Root
Latin Name: Taraxacum officinale
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Parts Used: Root

Energetics & Taste

Taste: Bitter
Energetics: Cooling, drying

Clinical Actions & Affinities

Primary Actions: Bitter, Liver tonic
Target Body Systems: Digestive system, Liver, Gallbladder
Indications: The ultimate liver and gallbladder stimulant. It triggers bile production, which is essential for breaking down heavy fats and getting a sluggish bowel moving. It acts as a natural, gentle laxative to get stagnant digestion moving.

Preparation & Clinical Dosage

Best Extractions: Decoction (long simmer), Tincture
Standard Dosage: 1-2 tsp dried root per cup of water

Safety & Contraindications

Precautions: Generally recognized as safe.
Contraindications: Gallbladder obstruction or severe gallstones (due to bile stimulation).
Known Interactions: None widely noted; always consult a physician regarding medication interactions.

Peppermint

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

Botanical Identification

Common Name: Peppermint
Latin Name: Mentha x piperita
Plant Family: Lamiaceae / Mint family
Parts Used: Leaf

Energetics & Taste

Taste: Bright, refreshing, and minty-sweet
Energetics: Cooling, drying

Clinical Actions & Affinities

Primary Actions: Mild bronchodilator, antispasmodic, carminative
Target Body Systems: Respiratory system, Digestive system (specifically small intestine)
Indications: Contains menthol, which acts as a mild bronchodilator to help open airways for easier breathing. In the digestive tract, it physically relaxes the smooth muscle tissue of the small intestine to immediately stop sharp cramping and allow trapped gas to move.

Preparation & Clinical Dosage

Best Extractions: Warm-infused honey or as a strong water infusion (tea concentrate).
Standard Dosage: Often used as a 1/2 part to 1 part catalyst in larger clinical formulas (like the “Deep Rest” or “Soothe & Relax” honeys) to drive the action and improve flavor.

Safety & Contraindications

Precautions: Generally recognized as safe.
Contraindications: None widely noted in standard amounts.
Known Interactions: None widely noted; always consult a physician regarding medication interactions.

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Botanical Identification

Common Name: Lemon Balm
Latin Name: Melissa officinalis
Plant Family: Lamiaceae / Mint family
Parts Used: Aerial parts (leaves and stems)

Energetics & Taste

Taste: Sour, sweet
Energetics: Cooling, drying, relaxing

Clinical Actions & Affinities

Primary Actions: Nervine (calms the nervous system), Carminative (soothes digestion)
Target Body Systems: Nervous system, digestive system
Indications: Indicated for soothing anxiety, restlessness, and stress-induced digestive upset. It physically calms the enteric nervous system (the “second brain” in the gut) to shut down the anxiety loop that causes the digestive tract to knot up.

Preparation & Clinical Dosage

Best Extractions: Water infusion/tea, alcohol tincture, or warm-infused honey.
Standard Dosage: 1 tsp dried herb per cup of water; 2-4 ml tincture 3x/day.

Safety & Contraindications

Precautions: Can actively inhibit thyroid function.
Contraindications: Strictly contraindicated for individuals with hypothyroidism.
Known Interactions: Always consult a physician regarding medication interactions.

Marshmallow Root

Botanical Identification

Common Name: Marshmallow Root
Latin Name: Althaea officinalis
Plant Family: Malvaceae
Parts Used: Root

Energetics & Taste

Taste: Earthy and mild
Energetics: Cooling, highly moistening

Clinical Actions & Affinities

Primary Actions: Soothing demulcent
Target Body Systems: Respiratory System, Digestive System
Indications: Excellent for soothing dry, irritated, and tickling coughs. It produces a thick, slippery mucilage that physically coats the internal mucosal linings, providing a protective barrier over irritated cellular tissue. Clinically indicated for healing an irritated stomach lining, calming acid reflux, and supporting “leaky gut” recovery.

Preparation & Clinical Dosage

Best Extractions: Warm-infused raw honey.
Standard Dosage: Stir a spoonful of infused honey into a mug of hot water to soothe irritated mucosal tissue.
Apothecary Lab Note: Because the root is dense and woody, extracting it into honey using a machine like the LĒVO Lux requires a full 4-hour cycle at 105°F to allow the warm honey to fully yield the mucilage. Placing the chopped root loosely into a 90-micron press bag ensures the final extraction remains incredibly smooth and free of gritty root particles.

Safety & Contraindications

Precautions: Generally recognized as safe.
Contraindications: None widely noted in current clinical profiles.
Known Interactions: None widely noted; always consult a physician regarding medication interactions.