Meet the Herbs for Organ Support
Herbal medicine is a primary form of healthcare for 80% of the world’s population. Many of the most valued organ support herbs have shown an affinity and benefit to more than one organ or body system. Our collection includes tonics with a broad range of action, making it easy for you to include traditional use organ support herbs in your own health care plan.
Liver: Chelidonium
(Organic. Traditional use for Liver, Respiratory) This herb was the first choice for Drs. Radamacher and Compton-Burnett to tonify the liver. They trusted its action to detoxify, cleanse and strengthen. As a member of the poppy family, this herb has a particularly complex phytochemistry, with many active alkaloids. These can be harsh in large or frequent doses, actually injuring the liver. Dr. Radamacher insisted on very small and dilute doses, a few drops at a time as the safe path for healing. Our specially prepared tonic follows this approach.
Spleen: Ceanothus
(Wildcrafted. Traditional use for Spleen, Lymph, Immunity) Commonly known as ‘Red Root’ or ‘New Jersey tea’, the leaves of this native North American herb were traditionally brewed for a popular caffeine-free tea beverage. This gentle, nontoxic herb has a special affinity for the spleen, an organ with important roles in immune function and blood quality. Its traditional uses include nourishing and repairing the spleen when it has been weakened by infection, disease or injury, especially when it is enlarged. It has also been used to support the spleen in its work to improve blood quality.
Respiratory: Cordyceps
(Wildcrafted. Traditional use for Respiratory, Heart, Pancreas, Immunity) Cordyceps is classified as a medicinal mushroom, harvested from its native environment high in the Himalayas. It has a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), used for strengthening the lungs, enhancing oxygen utilization, and treating respiratory conditions like bronchitis, asthma and COPD. Drs. Radamacher and Compton-Burnett, our European organ support pioneers, had no opportunity to use it; surely modern clinical studies would have persuaded them of its value as an organ tonic.
At Alchemy Organs, we source high quality and responsibly harvested herbal tinctures from reputable vendors. We carefully prepare these in a multi-step process that creates a safe and effective organ support tonic.
Heart / Blood vessels: Crataegus
(Organic. Traditional use for Heart and Blood vessels) Hawthorne is a member of the rose family, and can be thought of as a functional food as well as medicinal herb. The berry has been eaten at least since Greek times, when warriors ate it before a battle, believing it improved stamina. Through modern research, we know that its action is centered on the heart and blood vessels. This herb is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin and rutin; these support the ‘stretchiness’ of blood vessels, improving oxygen delivery to the heart and other vital tissues and organs. It is also a rich source of antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and protect heart cells from damage.
Urinary: Urtica
(Organic. Traditional use for Kidney & Bladder, Muscles, Spleen, Reproductive) One of the early organ support pioneers, Dr. Compton-Burnett, used this nourishing herb so often that he was nicknamed Dr. Urtica! His London-based practice in the late 1800s had many patients with gout and common kidney and bladder problems. Current research has confirmed its action to alkalinize and detoxify as it opens up the urinary tract, and stimulates lymphatics, assisting the body to neutralize and eliminate toxins. Integrative practitioners have recommended nettle tea to improve urine flow in men with enlarged prostate as well. Dr. Compton-Burnett also emphasized the affinity of Urtica for the spleen.
Reproductive: Helonias
(Wildcrafted. Traditional use for Reproductive, Kidneys, Muscles) Of all the organ support herbs in our Alchemy Organs collection, this one is the rarest, and most important to source responsibly. This medicinal Appalachian native is difficult to propagate and grow. Its wildcrafted sources for collection are now carefully maintained, as harvesting the root consumes the entire plant. Traditional use for menstrual problems, ovarian cysts, prevention of miscarriage and improving fertility are well established over a century of use, and are now taught in university courses on holistic medicine for women. Not to be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or in large doses at any time, our specially prepared tonic is a gentle nourishing herb for women.
Our customers are health minded consumers. Through ongoing self care, or in their work with a holistic practitioner, they choose to optimize specific organs or body systems in need of support.
Galbladder: Hydrastis
(Organic. Traditional use for Gallbladder, Liver, Digestion, Mucous membranes) Of its many uses, this herb’s support for the gallbladder is one of the most valued. In acute flares, Hydrastis, also known as Goldenseal, has traditionally been used to relieve gallstone colic pain, when a few drops of tincture in hot water were sipped frequently. Native Americans’ traditional use included digestive disorders and injuries. It is rich in berberine, which can stimulate bile secretion and reduce bilirubin. Some researchers have suggested its use in managing chronic gallbladder inflammation.
Brain: Valeriana
(Organic. Traditional use for Brain, Spine, Nerves, Muscles, Respiratory) Known for its calming effects, this tonic for the central nervous system and brain has been used since the days of Ancient Greece and Rome. Widely used to ease the intensity of strong emotions, quiet neuralgic discomforts and engender healthy and restorative sleep. From 1820 – 1942, it was listed as a tranquilizer in the US Pharmacopoeia; it was given to soldiers for shell shock in World War I, and to manage stress of air raids in World War II. Those who read product labels will notice how frequently it appears in many calming teas and tinctures.
Muscles & Bones: Polygonatum
(Wildcrafted. Traditional use for Muscles, Bones, Tendons) This plant comes to organ support through the herbal traditional use. According to respected herbalist Matthew Woods, Solomon’s seal is the most important ally for the musculoskeletal system. Its lubricating properties nourish joints and ligaments, muscles and tendons, including repetitive strain injuries and arthritic conditions of old injuries. It is also traditionally used in the balancing of calcium, bringing strong support for breaking up bone spurs and potentially helping with osteoarthritis.
Organ support herbs strengthen our weak links. This uplifts our health in body, mind and spirit. Small, safe, effective, traditional use organ support interventions have been building health for more than two centuries!
Pancreas: Carduus
(Organic. Traditional use for Pancreas, Liver, Spleen, Veins) The crucial role of the pancreas, in cooperation with the liver, is management of stable and responsive blood sugar. Using its hormones grehlin, glucagon and insulin, the pancreas stimulates appetite and satiety as it manages the amount of circulating glucose that nourishes all the cells in the body. Several studies have shown the usefulness of Carduus to support healthy pancreatic management of blood sugar for metabolic syndrome, and for those with insulin resistances or diabetes. Dr. Radamacher confirmed the affinity of Carduus to the liver as well.
Blood: Millefolium
(Organic. Blood, Blood vessels, Respiratory, Reproductive, Liver) This herb, commonly called Yarrow, was traditionally used by the Lakota tribe to detoxify and cleanse the blood and to heal internal bleeding. Our bodies depend on blood to circulate freely, but when there is a wound, we need healthy and prompt clotting. Millefolium supports healthy action of the blood, flowing freely when needed, clotting when needed. A 2024 study showed more than 30% reduction in bleeding time from a wound when this herb extract was applied. Additionally, Millefolium has been shown to improve the quality of the blood, by regulating blood lipids and liver enzymes.
Eyes: Euphrasia
(Organic. Traditional use for Eyes, Mucous membranes, Respiratory) Known by the herbal common name Eyebright, this tonic has traditionally been used to ease irritations and inflammation in the eye. These irritations often appear as redness, burning, tearing, and sensitivity to light. A 2014 study showed that in the presence of Euphrasia extract, cells from the surface of the eye (cornea) reduced their inflammatory markers. A Swiss study (2020) suggested easing of redness and tearing in newborns using euphrasia eye drops, with faster resolution and less relapse than placebo.