Herbalism Articles: Traditional Practice, Primary Research
I'm Ivy Ham, a certified clinical herbalist. Every article in this library combines traditional practice from Western herbalism, Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine with primary research you can check for yourself.
Pick a topic below to get started.
Where to Buy Raw Milk in Charlotte, NC: Local Retailer List
A verified list of Charlotte metro retailers, farmers markets, and herdshare pickups carrying raw pet milk, with addresses, links, and a plain explanation of North Carolina raw milk law.
Eating Slowly Raises GLP-1 Naturally: The Case for Meal Hygiene
Eating the same 675 kcal meal over 30 minutes instead of 5 raised natural GLP-1 output by about 41% in a clinical trial. Learn how meal hygiene, eating slowly, chewing thoroughly, and eating in a rest and digest state, supports fullness hormones, digestion, and weight management.
The Worst Cooking Oils for Your Health (and the Most Stable Oils to Use Instead)
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.
Diquat Dibromide: The Glyphosate-Free Weed Killer That May Be More Dangerous
Bayer swapped glyphosate for diquat dibromide in consumer Roundup. A clinical herbalist reviews the toxicology, the Parkinson's data, the EU ban, and what EPA changed in 2019.
Plant Milk and Gut Health: What Is in the Carton
Most plant milks contain gums, emulsifiers, and added seed oils chosen for shelf life rather than nutrition. A look at what carrageenan, gellan gum, stevia extract, and enzyme-processed oat milk do in the gut, plus a ranked comparison of every common milk including raw dairy.
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
A 2026 comparison of reverse osmosis and gravity filters from someone who has used them all firsthand.
Clean Mineral Sunscreen Brands + DIY Zinc Sun Balm
The cleanest mineral sunscreens on the market, plus the non-nano zinc sun balm I make at home instead.
Natural Tick Repellent That Works
Plant-based repellents that hold up in studies, a DIY recipe, and the 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.