All herbs

North America · Herb · № 327

Fragrant sumac

Rhus aromatica

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, antidiabetic, diuretic.

North America · Herb · № 274

American cranesbill

Geranium maculatum

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stops bleeding, tonic.

Europe · Herb · № 836

Poison hemlock

Conium maculatum

A deadly poisonous member of the carrot family. Its poison, coniine, paralyses the muscles, including those used for breathing.

Europe · Herb · № 88

Self-heal

Prunella vulgaris

In Europe an old wound herb and gargle for sore throats; in Chinese medicine used for 'heat' and swollen glands. Research is mostly laboratory work.

Europe · Herb · № 300

Blessed thistle

Cnicus benedictus

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter digestive stimulant, expectorant, antiseptic, wound-healing.

Asia · Food · № 827

Ghee

Clarified butter used in Ayurveda as food and as a carrier for herbs.

Asia · Herb · № 472

Poison bulb

Crinum defixum

Traditionally attributed effects: emetic, induces sweating, laxative; leaves for whitlow, inflamed toes and fingers, joints and sprains; leaf juice for ear complaints; bulb for bile complaints, urinary complaints and rheumatism.

Europe · Herb · № 333

Wild lettuce

Lactuca virosa

Traditionally attributed effects: calming, lowers blood sugar, sleep-inducing, suppresses libido.

Asia · Herb · № 37

Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba

There is no conclusive evidence that ginkgo helps any health condition. A modest effect on dementia symptoms is possible, but results are inconsistent.

Asia · Mineral · № 668

Gypsum (shi gao)

Gypsum fibrosum (calciumsulfaat)

Traditionally attributed effects: strongly cooling in high fever with thirst and sweating, lung heat and stomach fire.

North America · Herb · № 596

Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, cleansing, tonic, wound-healing, antiseptic; strengthens the digestive tract (ulcers, diarrhoea), curbs excessive secretions (urine leakage, night sweats, bleeding), may lower blood sugar, for prolapse.

Asia · Herb · № 315

Glossy privet (nu zhen zi)

Ligustrum lucidum

Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, diuretic, stimulates the immune system.

Europe · Herb · № 317

Pellitory-of-the-wall

Parietaria judaica (syn. P. diffusa)

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing, calms the urinary tract lining.

Asia · Mineral · № 698

Glauber's salt (mang xiao)

Mirabilitum (natriumsulfaat)

Traditionally attributed effects: softens the stool in constipation from heat and dryness.

Asia · Herb · № 649

Glehnia root (sha shen)

Glehnia littoralis

Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the lungs and is good for the stomach; for persistent dry cough and to dissolve phlegm.

Asia · Food · № 637

Goji (Chinese wolfberry)

Lycium barbarum, L. chinense

Traditionally attributed effects: sweet tonic that according to tradition strengthens the yang energy, strength and stamina and supports the hormone system.

Asia · Herb · № 556

East Indian globe thistle

Sphaeranthus indicus

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, tonic, stomachic, stimulating, cleansing; for bile complaints, tumours, worms, skin diseases (purifies the blood), bleeding haemorrhoids, syphilis, urethral discharge, conjunctivitis.

Europe · Herb · № 49

Pot marigold (calendula)

Calendula officinalis

An edible flower historically used as medicine and dye. Its oil is widely used in skin products.

Asia · Food · № 343

Pomegranate

Punica granatum

Traditionally attributed effects: root and stem bark astringent and strongly expel tapeworm; flowers and peel astringent and stomachic; juice cooling.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 257

Grapefruit

Citrus × paradisi

A citrus fruit rich in vitamin C. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice inhibit enzymes that break down many medicines. The essential oil is used in skin and hair products, but effects on cellulite or hair growth have not been shown.

Asia · Herb · № 772

Grass-leaved sweet flag (shi chang pu)

Acorus tatarinowii (syn. A. gramineus)

Traditionally attributed effects: opens the sense orifices, clears the mind and expels dampness and phlegm.

North America · Herb · № 170

Gumweed

Grindelia camporum

The sticky herb was traditionally used for coughs, asthma and bronchitis, and externally for poison-ivy rashes. Clinical evidence is lacking.

Asia · Herb · № 344

Cardamom

Elettaria cardamomum

Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, pungent, strengthens the heart, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, carminative; for asthma, bronchitis, haemorrhoids, bladder complaints, flatulence, cramps from laxatives, dizziness, indigestion, vomiting.

Europe · Herb · № 218

Spearmint

Mentha spicata

The classic culinary mint, with the milder carvone instead of menthol. It is drunk as tea for a full stomach and nausea; studies on concentration are small and inconclusive.

Asia · Food · № 16

Green tea

Camellia sinensis

A brewed tea. Evidence does not establish most health claims; extracts differ from the ordinary beverage.

North America · Food · № 962

Ground plum

Astragalus crassicarpus

A low legume with purple-pink flowers and thick, round pods that lie on the ground like small plums. Only the young pods are edible.

Asia · Herb · № 713

Large-leaf gentian (qin jiao)

Gentiana macrophylla

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness in cold and hot joint pain and cools heat from yin deficiency.

Europe · Herb · № 60

Garden angelica

Angelica archangelica

An aromatic bitter traditionally used for bloating, poor appetite and colds. Clinical evidence is limited.

Europe · Herb · № 591

Purple loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, antibiotic, antispasmodic, diuretic, induces sweating, tonic, soothing; for dysentery and bacterial diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's), strengthens kidneys and bladder, for the eyes.

Europe · Herb · № 62

Greater burdock

Arctium lappa

In Europe the root was considered a 'blood-cleansing' herb for skin problems such as eczema and acne; the seed is used in Chinese medicine for sore throats. Clinical evidence is weak.

Europe · Herb · № 316

Parsley piert

Aphanes arvensis

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing.

Asia · Herb · № 736

Great burnet (di yu)

Sanguisorba officinalis

Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood and stops bleeding in the lower abdomen; externally for burns.

Europe · Herb · № 339

Water plantain (ze xie)

Alisma plantago-aquatica (syn. A. orientale)

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, cleanses the liver.

South America · Herb · № 163

Guarana

Paullinia cupana

The seeds contain about twice as much caffeine as coffee beans. Guarana is used in energy drinks and soft drinks; its stimulating effect comes from caffeine.

South America · Herb · № 879

Guayusa

Ilex guayusa

A relative of yerba mate; the leaf contains a lot of caffeine and is stimulating.

Asia · Herb · № 144

Guduchi (giloy)

Tinospora cordifolia

In Ayurveda a rejuvenating remedy (rasayana) for fevers and the immune system. Studies are small; it has no proven effect against infections.