The Body Systems Index

At the heart of my work is a systems-based view of the body.

When we understand how organs, tissues, and signaling pathways communicate, the body becomes easier to interpret and easier to support.

Herbal medicine fits naturally into this way of thinking. Digestion influences skin and mood. Inflammation shapes immune tone and hormonal signaling. The nervous system threads through every physiological process. Nothing functions in isolation, and the body is always responding as a whole.

This index exists as a map.

Inside this members-only index you’ll find 40+ in-depth, physiology-centered articles, including 11 exploring the digestive system as a foundation for whole-body health.

Articles are organized intentionally, with an emphasis on understanding mechanisms, patterns, and context rather than isolated recommendations.

This page will continue to grow as new work is published and serves as a living resource you can return to as your understanding deepens.

How to Use This Index

Articles can be read in any order. Many readers choose to begin with digestion, immunity, or inflammation to build foundational context before exploring other systems.

This index is designed to support systems-based thinking, whether you’re studying herbal medicine or navigating your own health through patterns rather than isolated symptoms.

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Welcome to my ever-growing collection of medicinal plants. :)

This index brings together all of the materia medica I’ve covered in The Buffalo Herbalist so far, with everything organized alphabetically by common name so you can easily come back whenever you’re studying a plant, researching something, or just feel like wandering around and learning.

Some plants have a single article while others have accumulated quite the collection over time. Depending on what I’ve covered, you may find an in-depth article, printable materia medica, research guide, or additional resources exploring a specific aspect of the plant.

My approach to materia medica has also changed quite a bit since I started The Buffalo Herbalist. I’m increasingly interested in what’s happening underneath the traditional indications, from the constituents present in a plant and their physiology and pharmacology to what the research literature can tell us about its effects. I’m also paying much closer attention to where the evidence becomes murky and what the literature tells us about safety.

Traditional herbal knowledge still has a home here too. I think having both gives us a much richer way to understand a plant than reducing it to a list of “this herb is for X.”

You’ll notice that some of the articles linked throughout the index are free to read! The index itself is a paid resource, along with the printable materia medica PDFs, extended research guides, and other resources I’ve created to accompany it. If you’re a paid subscriber, think of this page as your home base for finding all of it without having to dig through years of posts.

And we’re currently at 20 plants, which feels simultaneously like a lot and nowhere near enough hahah. I’ll keep adding new entries and resources as they make their way into The Buffalo Herbalist.

Happy studying!

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Current Materia Medica Entries

Each plant may include one or more of the following:

• In-depth article

• Printable materia medica PDF

• Extended research or academic paper

Alphabetical by common name

• Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)

• Burdock (Arctium lappa)

• Butterbur (Petasites spp.)

• Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

• Cleavers (Galium aparine)

• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

• Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

• Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

• Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)

• Moringa (Moringa oleifera)

• Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

• Nettles (Urtica dioica)

• Plantain (Plantago major)

• Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota)

• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

• Roses (Rosa spp.)

• Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)

• Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

Who This Index Is For

• Herbal students who want structure rather than scattered notes

• Practitioners who care about mechanism, safety, and context

• Clinicians and researchers interested in plant–physiology relationships

• Readers who want to understand why an herb works, not just when to use it

• Anyone ready to move beyond list-based wellness content into real depth

Full access to the Materia Medica Index and all linked PDFs is available to paid members.
As this library grows, paid subscribers automatically gain access to every new entry added in the future.

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The first is Understanding Magnesium Deficiency in Herbal Practice, a one-page reference that explores why magnesium depletion is so common, how stress and digestion influence mineral status, and how herbalists think about absorption, conservation, and delivery through a terrain-based lens. It is meant to be practical, clear, and something you can return to when magnesium keeps showing up in your work.

The second is Nervous System Support: A Companion Guide, which builds on that foundation. This guide focuses on nervous system regulation, stress physiology, and the plant allies that support steadiness over time. It includes mini materia medica entries for many of the herbs discussed, written with nervous system patterns in mind rather than isolated symptoms.

Both guides include example formulation ideas meant to illustrate how herbs can be combined thoughtfully. These are offered for education and inspiration only. Preparation methods and amounts are intentionally left to the reader.

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The nervous system guide has been updated to be printer-friendly, with no images throughout the body of the guide. One photo of a tea blend remains as a visual anchor. Everything else is text-based for ease of use, note-taking, and reference. I, personally, learn better when the material is physically in front of me and I can doodle all over it.

These two guides are meant to live side by side. Magnesium does not exist outside the nervous system, and nervous system regulation rarely happens without mineral support. Together, they offer a fuller picture of how herbalists support resilience, nourishment, and long-term regulation.

If you’ve found value in this work, becoming a paid subscriber is the most direct way to support it and to deepen your own learning within The Buffalo Herbalist Community.

This space exists because of the people who choose to be here. Paid membership allows me to keep writing in a way that honors complexity, nuance, and lived experience without flattening everything into quick takes or oversimplified advice.

It also means you’re stepping into a shared learning environment with others who care about thoughtful, grounded herbal education.

As a paid member, you receive access to the full Library, including guides like these that are designed to be returned to, printed, annotated, and used as real educational tools. These are not surface-level wellness posts. They are carefully researched, intentionally written resources that bridge physiology, herbal energetics, and clinical pattern recognition in a way that actually supports understanding.

Inside the paid Library, you’ll find:

• in-depth herbal guides and PDFs meant to live on your desk, not disappear in a feed

• materia medica written for context and relationship, not rote memorization

• formulation ideas that teach you how to think like an herbalist, not just what to take

• longer essays where research, nuance, and pattern recognition are given the space they deserve

Your subscription keeps this work independent, slow, and honest. It allows me to keep asking better questions, following the science without losing the soul of herbalism, and building resources that respect your intelligence.

If you’re looking for herbal education that takes the long view of health and values community as much as knowledge, I would truly love to have you as part of The Buffalo Herbalist Community.

Until next time,
— Agy | The Buffalo Herbalist

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ps. please let me know if there are any issues with the PDF guides!

Find your guides here:

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→ Upgrade to access the Library Drop.

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What’s Included for Paid Subscribers:

Warming Herbs for Autumn and Winter: A Seasonal Guide

This guide goes beyond quick tips. It explores the heart of herbal energetics in fall and winter and offers support that is thoughtful, grounded, and rooted in both tradition and physiology.

Inside you’ll find:

• A section on what warming energetics really means

• A breakdown of how autumn and winter affect digestion, mood, circulation, and emotional tone

• An exploration of how warming herbs can help us respond to cold, dry, and contractive seasonal patterns

• Five full-length materia medica entries, each written in an accessible but detailed style that blends science and tradition:

  • Cinnamon

  • Ginger

  • Turmeric

  • Cardamom

  • Clove

Each entry includes herbal actions, constituents, safety considerations, traditional use, energetic profile, and preparation ideas.

Skullcap (Scutellaria spp.) Materia Medica

This month also includes a complete monograph on Skullcap, one of the most supportive herbs for nervous system regulation and emotional buffering. It features research summaries, folkloric insight, dosing, preparation, and a personal reflection on how this plant works like a protective cap over the mind.

If you’re feeling called to deepen your herbal studies and want access to the full Library, which includes in-depth guides, materia medica, study notes, and a growing collection of resources, I’d love to welcome you inside. Paid subscribers help make this work possible, and your support keeps the garden growing.

— Agy | The Buffalo Herbalist

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Paid subscribers, please find your study materials here ↓

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Last week we explored nervous system fatigue, Milky Oats as a restorative ally in the face of social media overwhelm, the practical side of herbal solvents, and the recent Harvard study that dismissed Saw Palmetto for prostate health.

To deepen those conversations, I’ve pulled together a set of study materials for you:

• Nervous System Dysregulation Guide — this one is recycled from a previous Library drop, but it is packed with information and covers far more than Milky Oats alone. You’ll find several additional herbs for calming and rebuilding the nervous system, along with practical notes on application.

• Why Solvents Matter & How to Use Them in Practice — a detailed guide on extraction, solubility, and how to choose the right preparation for your herbs

• Steep or Simmer? A Complete Guide to Infusions and Decoctions — practical tips, recipes, and common mistakes to avoid in everyday herbal teas

• Saw Palmetto Monograph — an evidence-based deep dive into this often-misunderstood herb, offering a broader perspective beyond what the headlines captured

Together, these materials give you a full week of study resources to print, save, and work with at your own pace.

If you’ve been enjoying the free articles but haven’t upgraded yet, this is the week to do it.

Paid members receive exclusive access to my Library of in-depth guides, materia medica, and printable study sheets — resources designed to help you move from casual reading into confident herbal learning and practice.

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Happy studying!
— Agy | The Buffalo Herbalist

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Boneset, often mistaken for its name, is not about bones. Its real gift lies in its ability to support the immune system during acute illness, especially when there’s deep aching, chills, or congestion. The new materia medica explores its historical use, herbal actions, energetics, and how to work with it responsibly. This is a plant with a long lineage in folk and Western herbal traditions, and one that asks to be understood on its own terms.

St. John’s Wort arrives in two forms today:

First, a detailed materia medica that explores its use in nervous system support, tissue repair, mood modulation, and liver detoxification pathways.

Second, a Safety Guide that goes well beyond surface warnings. This guide walks through St. John’s Wort’s pharmacology, its impact on CYP450 enzyme systems, and its interactions with over a dozen common classes of medications—from SSRIs and oral contraceptives to anticoagulants, antivirals, and immunosuppressants. If you’re an herbalist or someone using herbs alongside prescription meds, this is essential reading.

These PDFs are part of an expanding collection housed in The Library, my archive of materia medica, study guides, clinical resources, and deep dives for paid subscribers.

If you’d like access to today’s drop, as well as everything already inside and everything still to come, consider upgrading your subscription. Your support allows me to continue building this space with intention and depth.

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With gratitude,
— Agy | The Buffalo Herbalist

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This week’s Library includes:

• The Skin–Gut Connection & Psoriasis Study Guide — detailed study notes, two clinical application examples, and a quick-reference herb table

• The Gut Microbiome Study Guide — narrative notes on microbiome function, psoriasis-specific dysbiosis, and a quick-reference table of herbs by category

• Materia Medica: Aloe (Aloe vera) — cooling, soothing, and vulnerary applications with safety notes and dosage guidelines

• Materia Medica: Cayenne (Capsicum spp.) — circulatory stimulant and topical analgesic uses with energetics, cautions, and preparations

Becoming a member of The Buffalo Herbalist Community gives you access to this week’s resources, along with the full and growing Library of materia medica, study sheets, and in-depth research guides.

Your support makes it possible for me to keep creating high-quality, evidence-informed resources for herbalists and plant lovers like you. I’m so happy you’re here!

— Agy | The Buffalo Herbalist

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We are going deep into three highly requested topics, with expanded monographs, study notes, and practical herbal recipes you can start working with right away.

Inside The Library this week, members of The Buffalo Herbalist Community will find:

• Expanded Goldenrod Monograph – Traditional uses, modern research, energetics, and pharmacology for one of late summer’s most misunderstood plants.

• Expanded Mullein Monograph – Folklore, respiratory and topical applications, modern insights, plus two carefully formulated mullein tea blends for both respiratory and whole-body support.

• Chronic Inflammation Study Notes – A clear and comprehensive breakdown of the drivers, disease connections, and herbal strategies for this root-level imbalance. Designed as a study tool and something you can reference again and again.

These Library Drops are meant to be more than just reading material. They are resources you can return to whenever you need them, whether you are studying, formulating, or working with clients.

If you are not yet a member of The Buffalo Herbalist Community, joining gives you full access to The Library’s growing collection of study guides, monographs, herbal formulation ideas, and practical resources you can keep in your toolkit.

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I have been looking forward to sharing this one with you, and I hope it gives you as much inspiration and practical use as it gave me in creating it.

I deeply appreciate each and every one of you for being here.

— Agy | The Buffalo Herbalist

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Maca (Lepidium meyenii)
A traditional adaptogen from the Peruvian Andes, maca has long been used to support energy, fertility, and overall vitality. Our materia medica explores how it works through the HPA axis, why preparation matters for thyroid health, and what it can offer during the hormonal shifts of perimenopause.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)
Used traditionally for endurance and pain relief, kratom has become a controversial herb in modern herbalism. This entry includes a full materia medica and a detailed safety guide that breaks down risk factors, pharmacology, and practical considerations for those navigating this plant in client care or education.

Inside this week’s Library Drop:
– A complete Maca Monograph
– A complete Kratom Monograph with The Kratom Safety & Clinical Guide, including dosing ranges, red flags, and harm reduction notes

These tools are here to support your study, teaching, or practice. They’re printable, clear, and grounded in the kind of herbalism that respects both tradition and science.

Happy learning!

—Agy | The Buffalo Herbalist

P.S. I’m always open to hearing what you’d love to see in The Library. Whether that’s specific herbs, study tools, or formats. I also welcome topic suggestions for future posts, so don’t hesitate to reach out and share what you’re curious about!
(TBHC members can do so right in the chat!)

PPS. Join The Buffalo Herbalist Community

If you’ve been learning from these posts and want to go deeper, consider becoming a member of The Buffalo Herbalist Community. For just $5/month or $55/year, you’ll unlock a growing library of study tools and resources created to support your herbal journey.

Membership includes:

• The Library – a curated archive of printable materia medica, herbal guides, and reference sheets

• Exclusive PDFs and deep-dive educational posts you won’t find elsewhere

• Case-based insights and personal research notes

• Monthly Q&As & Private Community Chat

• More perks in the work!
  

This space was built for those who want to study herbalism with care, context, and curiosity. If the free content has been helpful to you, upgrading is a way to go further—while supporting the work that makes it possible.

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Here’s what’s inside:

The Thyroid Support Guide
A comprehensive, printable reference covering thyroid physiology, lab interpretation tips, and herbal support for both sluggish thyroid function and autoimmune thyroiditis. This is a foundational resource designed for both personal learning and clinical application.

Turmeric Safety Guide
A clear, grounded overview of turmeric’s pharmacology, including concerns around formulation, adverse effects, gene-specific sensitivity (HLA-B*35:01), and drug interaction potential. You’ll also find practical tips for safer use.

Licorice Root Update
Our materia medica entry on Glycyrrhiza glabra now includes a soothing herbal cough syrup recipe made with marshmallow root, mint, and lemon balm. Originally part of a hands-on lab assignment, this one might surprise you—even if you think you hate licorice.

New Materia Medica Additions
Three new monographs to deepen your herbal knowledge, especially in the context of immune and endocrine support:

• Black Seed (Nigella sativa)

• Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

• Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa)

Each entry includes energetic qualities, research highlights, preparation tips, and how the herb fits into holistic care.

If you found these study tools helpful, feel free to like, share, or comment—it really helps get this work into more hands.

And if you’re ready to take your herbal learning to the next level, consider upgrading to a paid subscription. You’ll get access to these in-depth tools every week, crafted to support your journey as a student, practitioner, or plant-curious learner.

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Happy studying,
– Agy | The Buffalo Herbalist

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Inside this post:

The Blood Sugar Guide
A printable reference that covers the basics of how blood sugar is regulated, what happens when it’s not, and how systems like the adrenals, pancreas, and liver play a role. It’s designed to be something you can return to again and again, whether you’re deep in study mode or just need a quick refresher.

Materia Medica Entries
Three in-depth monographs on herbs that show up often in blood sugar and metabolic protocols:

• Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)

• Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

• Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Each one includes energetic qualities, preparations, safety notes, and both traditional and research-backed uses. These were made with students and practitioners in mind, but anyone can learn from them.

Happy learning!
- Agy | The Buffalo Herbalist

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This week, I’ve added a few study tools I think you’ll really enjoy! Especially if you’re building your foundation or want clear, practical resources you can return to.

Everything is printable, organized, and made for those of us who like to keep a well-loved binder of materia medica pages and plant notes.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A full Queen Anne’s Lace materia medica with ID tips, energetics, and a closer look at how this plant works in the body

• A newly expanded “Balancing” Your Hormones Guide that unpacks how hormones actually function, why the term "hormone imbalance" is often misleading, and how herbal support works through systems like the nervous system, liver metabolism, blood sugar, and stress response (this guide was 8 pages in Word. I think you’ll really like it!)

• A detailed Chronic Fatigue Support Guide that explores root causes, pathophysiology, and practical herbal categories like mitochondrial support, nervous system repair, immune modulation, and energy resilience

• Full materia medica entries for Cordyceps and Ginseng, formatted for easy studying or reference

• Mini monographs on Milky Oats, Lemon Balm, Schisandra, Licorice, and Reishi included within the chronic fatigue packet

Each piece is designed to help you study smarter, not harder. If you’re a member of The Buffalo Herbalist Community, thank you so much for supporting this work. And if you’re not yet a member, consider joining for just $5 a month to get access to these growing archives.

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Your study path doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

One page at a time, one plant at a time—we’re building it together.

-Agy | The Buffalo Herbalist

P.S. If you’re already a member and have been enjoying these guides and study tools, I’d love if you left a comment and shared your experience. Your words might be just what someone else needs to feel confident about joining in. I appreciate you!

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This is your quiet, cozy corner of The Buffalo Herbalist Community where everything lives in one place. No more digging through old posts or chasing down that one chart you swore you saved. Everything we’ve explored so far—all the guides, tools, and monographs—is now bundled up and waiting for you here.

This post officially kicks off The Library and includes every single printable shared to date.

You can find The Library as its own section on the publication’s main page; it’ll be within at the top with other options like “Notes” and “Archives”.

What’s inside:

Guides + Study Tools

• Nervous System Guide

• Endocrine System Overview

• Lymphatic System Slides

• Gut Barrier + Herbal Support Notes

• Adaptogen Cheat Sheet

• Parasites 101 Guide

• Herbal Formulation Blueprints

• Poisonous Look-Alikes Field Reference

• And more

Materia Medica

• Feverfew

• Butterbur

• Linden

• Ginkgo

• Burdock

• Plantain

• Plus a few bonus profiles, just for members

Starting this week, I’ll be dropping new posts here in The Library that collect all the week’s study resources in one place—no extra digging required. If you’re the kind of learner who likes having everything neat and ready to go, this is for you.

Work smarter. Study deeper. Keep it all close.

Not a paid subscriber yet?
If you’ve been enjoying the articles and want access to all the printable study guides, monographs, materia medica, lecture slides, and exclusive PDFs, now’s a good time to join. It’s just $5/month to get instant access to this archive—and all future uploads too.

Your herbal path deserves good tools. I’d love to have you in the community.

-Agy | The Buffalo Herbalist

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