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.

Herbal Remedies Health Conditions Toxin Education Recipes Ray Peat Product Reviews Pregnancy & Birth Informed Consent

Ivy Ham 7/2/26 Ivy Ham 7/2/26

Cleanest Sunscreen Brands + My SPF 50 Sunscreen Recipe

Chemical sunscreen brands have come under fire recently because of the inclusion of toxic chemicals that soak into your skin and are linked to an increased risk of cancers. Learn the top sunscreen brands I recommend that are cleaner, and how to make your own super clean sunscreen at home using my recipe!

Ivy Ham 5/25/26 Ivy Ham 5/25/26

Best Water Filters for Fluoride, Aluminum & PFAS (2026 Guide)

Most pitcher filters don't touch fluoride, aluminum, or PFAS. Here's an honest 2026 comparison of the top reverse osmosis and gravity filters from a clinical herbalist who has used them — including my personal APEC setup, why remineralization matters, and where Berkey actually makes sense.

Ivy Ham 4/26/26 Ivy Ham 4/26/26

The Clean Coffee Buying Guide 2026: Third-Party Tested, Mold-Free, and Toxin-Free Brands

Not all coffee is created equal. This guide breaks down why mold, heavy metals, and pesticides in coffee matter for your health, and profiles every brand that meets our strict criteria: third-party lab testing, certified organic, free of mycotoxins and contaminants, and a chemical-free Swiss Water Process decaf option.

Ivy Ham 11/4/25 Ivy Ham 11/4/25

Crunchy Gift Guide for 2025

Looking for crunchy/non-toxic gift ideas for this holiday season? I’ve got you covered. Explore some unique gift ideas from small businesses that will please even the crunchiest of recipients.

Ivy Ham 6/21/25 Ivy Ham 6/21/25

Clean & Toxin-Free Makeup Brands

The average woman is exposed to more than 168 chemicals via her personal care products. Many of these chemicals are banned in other developed nations and are linked to detrimental health effects. Being informed about what you’re applying on your body is super important to preventing health issues.

Ivy Ham 6/12/25 Ivy Ham 6/12/25

Tylenol Autism & ADHD Lawsuits: Is Acetaminophen Unsafe During Pregnancy?

Plaintiffs allege that Tylenol makers and distributors failed to warn pregnant users about a heightened risk of autism and ADHD in their children. Although the multidistrict litigation judge issued a summary‑judgment ruling in favor of the defendants in August 2024, the decision is now being challenged on appeal.

Ivy Ham 5/1/25 Ivy Ham 5/1/25

Microplastics & Chemicals in Clothing

Plastic clothing, made from petroleum-based materials like polyester and nylon, sheds harmful microplastics and chemicals like PFAS, which infiltrate our environment and bodies. Learn how these synthetic fabrics impact our health, and discover safer alternatives in natural fibers to reduce exposure to microplastics and harmful chemicals.

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.

Go Deeper Than the Articles

Reading is where it starts. These pages help you put herbalism into practice.

Become an Herbalist

The roadmap to studying herbal medicine, from first books to clinical practice.

Free Resources

Downloads, guides, and tools for learning herbalism at your own pace.

Holistic Pet Care

Safe, gentle herbal support for the animals in your family.

Handmade Tea Blends

Small-batch herbal tea blends formulated and blended by hand in Montana.

Herbal Topicals

Grass-fed tallow balm, botanical sugar scrub, and lip balm made with clean ingredients.

Meet Ivy

Learn about my training, my approach, and why I started Ivy Herbal.

Every article in this library is researched and written by a certified clinical herbalist, not a content farm. I cite primary sources, read the actual studies behind the headlines, and tell you plainly when the evidence is thin. You will find long-form guides on health conditions and the herbs traditionally used to support them, honest product reviews of water filters, coffee, sunscreen and more, and informed consent deep dives that give you the full picture before you make a health decision.

New articles are published regularly. Subscribe to the newsletter at the bottom of this page to get them in your inbox, or reach out if there is a topic you would like me to cover.