Herbalism Articles: Traditional Medicine Through a Modern Lens
Welcome to the Ivy Herbal article library. I'm Ivy Ham, a certified clinical herbalist, and every article here blends traditional wisdom from Western herbalism, Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine with primary research you can check for yourself. Whether you are researching herbal remedies for a specific concern, learning to spot hidden toxins in your food, water, and home, or looking for clean, whole-food recipes, there is something here for you.
New to herbal medicine? Start with my Become an Herbalist guide or browse the free resources library.
Where to Buy mRNA Vaccine-Free Beef | Regenerative Grass-Fed Sources
Looking for clean beef from farms that refuse mRNA vaccines? This guide covers the best regenerative, grass-fed and finished beef suppliers in the U.S., plus why pasture-raised beef is nutritionally superior, better for the environment and more humane than conventional feedlot meat.
Bugs in Your Food: A Complete Guide to Insect Ingredients Hiding on Store Shelves
Most Americans have no idea how many insect-derived ingredients are lurking in their everyday food. From the red dye in your yogurt to the shiny coating on your candy, bugs are far more common in the food supply than you might think. Here is everything you need to know to identify them on ingredient labels and make informed choices.
Can You Eat Sourdough Bread on the Ray Peat Diet?
Sourdough bread remains a grey area for people following Dr Peat’s work. In this article I share what Ray Peat does say about sourdough bread via his interviews, emails, and articles and explain why I chose to include it in my 7-day Ray-Peat Inspired bioenergetic meal plan.
Best & Worst Cooking Oils for Your Health
Not all cooking oils are created equal. This guide ranks the best low-PUFA, heat-stable fats for cooking and explains why many seed oils oxidize and inflame. Plus: safe, non-diet ways to use up seed oils you already own,without eating or applying them to your body.
Is Lab-Grown Meat Safe?
How is lab-grown “meat” made? From cell banking and genetic edits, to bioreactors, to chemical additives and scaffolds in plain English. Plus, I cover red-flag ingredients, safety problems, note the long-term unknowns, and share a printable PDF of tests/COAs to request from the manufacturer before you try it.
Where to Buy Raw Milk in Huntersville, NC
Are you a Huntersville/Cornelius/Mooresville resident looking for some nutritious raw milk? Well here are all the businesses I know of as a local that carry it. I also discuss the 2025 Farm Act which is up for voting this July, that will potentially ban the sale of raw milk and how you can make a difference and help protect our right to food freedom.
Is Red Meat Healthy? Here’s What “The Science” Says
Explore the differences between grass-fed and conventional red meat, and examine the research that challenges the common view of red meat as unhealthy. This article highlights the nutritional benefits of pasture-raised beef and addresses the flaws in studies that group it with processed meat.
Raw Milk vs Pasteurized Milk: A Case for Unprocessed Dairy
Take a deep dive into the history of raw milk, why it was demonized in the past and learn the science of why its modern form is superior to pasteurized milk. In this article, I’m covering everything you need to know about raw milk and why many consider this beverage to be a superfood.
Start Here: Reader Favorites
Not sure where to begin? These in-depth guides are the most-read articles on the site.
Adaptogenic Herbs for Stress
Only seven botanicals truly meet the scientific criteria for adaptogens. Monographs on all seven, drawing on Ayurveda, TCM, and Western herbalism.
Ray Peat Approved Foods List
The complete guide to bioenergetic eating: fruits, dairy, proteins, fats, grey area foods, and a detailed FAQ.
Best Water Filters for Fluoride, Aluminum & PFAS
An honest 2026 comparison of reverse osmosis and gravity filters from someone who has actually used them.
Cleanest Sunscreen Brands + DIY SPF 50 Recipe
The cleanest mineral sunscreens on the market, plus a homemade SPF 50 recipe you can make yourself.
Natural Tick Repellent That Actually Works
Research-backed plant-based repellents, a DIY recipe, and the honest case against DEET and permethrin.
The Clean Coffee Buying Guide
Every brand that passes strict criteria: third-party tested, organic, mold-free, with a Swiss Water decaf option.