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.
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.
Gotu Kola and Bacopa for Brain Injury Recovery: What the Evidence Shows
Gotu kola and bacopa have the longest traditional record and the most human trial data of any herb studied for brain injury support. Here is what the research shows for them, and for hyperbaric oxygen, nutrition, breathwork, and ginkgo, with the evidence graded for each.
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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.