✦ ✦ ✦
Iron Roots Supply
✦ ✦ ✦
Ancient Botanical Compendium
Iron Roots Supply — Disclaimer of Entry
✦ ✦ ✦

The information contained within this compendium is provided for educational, historical, and folkloric purposes only. It is drawn from ancient texts, traditional knowledge, and botanical research, and serves purely as a reference to preserved wisdom — not as medical, therapeutic, or practical advice of any kind.

Nothing in this compendium constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or instruction for use. This includes all plants, animals, fungi, minerals, resins, and any other natural substances mentioned.

Many substances that appear in historical or folk traditions can be toxic, cause severe allergic reactions, interact dangerously with medications, or become harmful when prepared or used incorrectly. Do not self-diagnose, self-treat, or experiment based on this information.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any herb, plant, fungus, animal-derived material, mineral, or botanical preparation — especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have any existing medical condition.

By clicking "I Understand & Enter" below, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this disclaimer. You agree that this compendium is for reference and study only, and that Iron Roots Supply and its creators bear no liability whatsoever for any use, misuse, interpretation, or consequence arising from the information contained herein.

📖 Ancient Botanical Compendium

A Living Archive of Ancient Wisdom — Iron Roots Supply
Page of 12
0 = Index
Index
— ✦ —
Wound Care & Skin
Wound Care, Hemostasis & AntisepticPg. 1
Skin Soothing, Repair & Dermal HealthPg. 2
Insect Repellent
Natural Insect Repellent PlantsPg. 3
Fire & Heat
Resinous & Flammable BotanicalsPg. 4
Fever & Digestion
Fever & InflammationPg. 5
Digestive & Gut HealthPg. 6
Pain & Nerve
Pain Relief & Analgesic PlantsPg. 7
Nerve & Sleep SupportPg. 8
Immune & Antimicrobial
Antimicrobial & AntifungalPg. 9
Immune System SupportPg. 10
Respiratory
Respiratory & LungPg. 11
Circulation & Heart
Circulatory Support & Heart HealthPg. 12

This compendium is a living document. Pages are added as knowledge is compiled and verified. Click any entry to navigate directly to that page, or use the arrows to turn pages one at a time.

Wound Care, Hemostasis & Antiseptic
Plants, animals, fungi & minerals — ranked by evidence of effectiveness, most potent first
Common Name Genus / Origin Species / Form Active Compounds Part / Form Used Rating Safety Notes
Chitosan Crustacean shells Deacetylated chitin Poly-D-glucosamine — binds red blood cells, activates platelets, broad antimicrobial; FDA-approved hemostatic (Celox®, HemCon®) Processed shell powder / dressing ★★★★★ External use only. Not biodegradable in all forms — flush wound after use. Shellfish allergy risk. Do not pack into deep body cavities without training.
Yarrow Achillea millefolium Achillin, camphor, flavonoids, tannins — promote clotting, vasoconstriction, antimicrobial; used since antiquity by soldiers Flowers, leaves (fresh poultice or dried powder) ★★★★★ Avoid in pregnancy. May cause allergic reaction in Asteraceae-sensitive individuals. Do not use on deep puncture wounds.
Kaolin Clay Aluminosilicate mineral Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄ Activates coagulation factor XII via negatively charged surface; concentrates platelets; base of QuikClot Combat Gauze used by US military Fine white clay powder / gauze ★★★★★ External hemostasis only. Risk of residual particles in vessels if not fully removed. Apply with pressure. Not for internal wounds.
Manuka Honey Apis mellifera (bee) / Leptospermum scoparium nectar Methylglyoxal (MGO), hydrogen peroxide, defensin-1 — broad-spectrum antimicrobial, moist wound healing, debridement; documented use 2600 BCE Egypt Raw honey applied directly ★★★★★ Do not use on infants under 1 year. May delay clotting if applied before hemostasis. Use medical-grade where possible. Standard honey is less effective.
Calendula Calendula officinalis Triterpenoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides — antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, promotes granulation tissue and re-epithelialization Flower heads (infused oil, salve, compress) ★★★★★ Avoid if allergic to Asteraceae. Safe for most topical applications including open wounds. One of the most broadly documented wound herbs.
Propolis (Bee Glue) Apis mellifera (bee) Resin + wax secretion Flavonoids (quercetin, galangin), caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) — bactericidal, antiviral, antifungal, immunomodulatory, wound regeneration Raw propolis, tincture, or salve ★★★★★ Bee/propolis allergy risk. Patch test first. Not recommended near eyes. Avoid in pregnancy (stimulates uterine contractions).
Goldenseal Hydrastis canadensis Berberine, hydrastine — potent antimicrobial, stops bleeding, inhibits S. aureus and MRSA strains Root, rhizome (powder, tincture) ★★★★★ Do not use in pregnancy. Avoid prolonged internal use. At-risk species — source ethically. Do not overuse topically on large surface areas.
Colloidal Silver Mineral — Argentum Ag (nanoparticle suspension) Ag⁺ ions — disrupt bacterial cell membranes, inhibit DNA replication; broad-spectrum antimicrobial including MRSA, Pseudomonas; historical surgical use Topical spray or colloidal suspension ★★★★☆ External use only — do not ingest in quantity (argyria risk). Concentration matters: 10–20ppm topical is standard. Avoid in pregnancy. Do not use with antibiotic medications.
Plantain Plantago major Aucubin, allantoin, mucilage — draws infection, reduces swelling, promotes cell proliferation; considered the "field medic's herb" Leaves (fresh poultice or compress) ★★★★☆ Very safe. Not to be confused with banana plantain. Topical use only for wound care. Widely available as a common lawn weed.
Comfrey Symphytum officinale Allantoin, rosmarinic acid — accelerates cell regeneration, reduces bruising, promotes collagen synthesis Root, leaves (poultice, salve) ★★★★☆ External use only. Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids — do not use on deep wounds or for prolonged periods. Do not ingest. Not for broken skin over extended sessions.
St. John's Wort Hypericum perforatum Hypericin, hyperforin, flavonoids — antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, nerve repair; shown superior to silver sulfadiazine in 2nd-degree burn studies Flowers, buds (infused oil, salve) ★★★★☆ Photosensitizing — avoid sun exposure on treated areas. Interacts with many medications (do not use internally with prescriptions). Red oil indicates potency.
Turmeric Curcuma longa Curcumin — anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, promotes fibroblast activity and collagen synthesis; used in Ayurvedic wound care for millennia Root powder (paste, compress) ★★★★☆ Stains skin and fabric permanently. May slow clotting in high doses. Do not use on heavily bleeding wounds before hemostasis. Generally very safe topically.
Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia Terpinen-4-ol, cineole — broad antimicrobial including MRSA and Candida; disrupts bacterial cell membranes Essential oil (diluted 5–10% in carrier) ★★★★☆ Must be diluted before skin use — do not apply neat to wounds. Toxic if swallowed. Avoid in infants. Test for sensitivity first.
Aloe Vera Aloe vera / barbadensis Acemannan, anthraquinones, vitamins A/C/E — anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial spectrum (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa), accelerates epithelialization Fresh leaf gel ★★★★☆ Avoid aloe latex (yellow layer) — laxative and irritating. Gel is safe. Do not use on deep surgical wounds. May inhibit wound closure if overused on sutured wounds.
Garlic Allium sativum Allicin — forms on crushing; potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antifungal; shown effective against antibiotic-resistant strains Crushed raw clove (poultice, infused oil) ★★★★☆ Can cause chemical burns if applied neat for prolonged periods. Always dilute in carrier oil. Do not use on open burns. Allicin degrades quickly — use fresh only.
Beeswax Apis mellifera (bee) Cera alba / flava Esters, fatty acids, hydrocarbons — creates occlusive barrier preventing contamination, locks in moisture for healing, mild antimicrobial in raw form Melted wax (salve base, wound seal) ★★★☆☆ Very safe. Acts primarily as protective barrier rather than active healer. Best used in combination with active compounds. Do not use over infected wounds as it may trap bacteria.
Oregon Grape Root Mahonia aquifolium Berberine (same active as goldenseal) — antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory; effective against S. aureus, E. coli, Candida; more sustainable than goldenseal Root bark (powder, tincture, salve) ★★★☆☆ Avoid in pregnancy. May cause photosensitivity in high topical concentrations. Good goldenseal substitute given sustainability concerns.
Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana Hamamelitannin, gallic acid, proanthocyanidins — astringent (tightens tissue, reduces bleeding), anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial Bark, leaves (distilled extract) ★★★☆☆ Very safe topically. Commercial distillate often contains alcohol — may sting on open wounds. Use alcohol-free preparations on raw tissue. Not for internal wounds.
Echinacea Echinacea purpurea / angustifolia Alkylamides, polysaccharides, caffeic acid derivatives — immunostimulant, antimicrobial, promotes macrophage activity for wound debridement Root, flower (tincture, poultice) ★★★☆☆ Avoid in autoimmune conditions. Do not use continuously for more than 8 weeks. Asteraceae allergy risk. More effective internally than topically for wound immunity.
Tallow (Beef) Bos taurus (bovine) Rendered fat Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), stearic/oleic acids, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K — skin barrier repair, anti-inflammatory, moisture retention, matches skin lipid profile Rendered fat (salve base, skin dressing) ★★★☆☆ Very safe. Best used on clean, non-infected wounds as a barrier/healing base. Source grass-fed for highest vitamin content. Rancidity risk — store cool and dark.
Usnea (Old Man's Beard) Usnea barbata / longissima Usnic acid — potent antimicrobial and antifungal lichen compound; shown effective against gram-positive bacteria including Streptococcus and S. aureus Whole lichen (tincture, powder, salve) ★★★☆☆ Do not take internally in large doses — hepatotoxic in quantity. Topically safe at standard dilutions. Harvest sustainably — slow-growing organism. Positive ID required before use.
Page 1