CautionAsia · Herb · № 142
Guggul
Commiphora wightii (syn. C. mukul)
The resin is used in Ayurveda for joint complaints, overweight and high cholesterol. A US study found no reduction in cholesterol; LDL even rose slightly.
Ayurveda+2
Registry
All herbs
Herbs, spices and other natural ingredients from around the world, with their uses, preparation, and origins.
- Caution
CautionEurope · Herb · № 87
Cowslip
Primula veris
The root contains saponins and is traditionally used to loosen phlegm in coughs; the flowers as a calming tea. There is some research on combination cough preparations.
Monastic and folk knowledge+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 505
Gulsakri
Grewia hirsuta
Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, diuretic, expectorant, antiviral; fruit for diarrhoea and dysentery, wound healing, heart disease, seminal loss and leucorrhoea.
Ayurveda
CautionOceania · Herb · № 174
Gumbi gumbi
Pittosporum spp.
Leaves, seeds or wood were steeped in hot water and drunk or used externally, for example for colds, coughs, eczema and cramps. Laboratory research points to antimicrobial compounds; clinical studies are lacking.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 486
Gurjun balsam
Dipterocarpus indicus
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, cleansing; for chronic bronchitis, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, vaginal discharge, leprosy and skin diseases.
Ayurveda
CautionAsia · Herb · № 506
Gymnema
Gymnema sylvestre
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, tonic, cooling, diuretic, lowers blood sugar (suppresses sweet taste); for diabetes and sugar in the urine, snake bites, fever, cough, swollen glands.
Ayurveda+1
CautionOceania · Herb · № 845
Harakeke (New Zealand flax)
Phormium tenax
The gel-like sap from the leaf base is traditionally applied to wounds, burns, ulcers and grazes; the root was regarded as laxative and worm-expelling. Scientific evidence is limited.
Rongoā Māori
CautionAsia · Herb · № 139
Haritaki and triphala
Terminalia chebula
Haritaki is used in Ayurveda as a rejuvenating remedy and gentle laxative. Triphala, a blend of three fruits, is the best-known Ayurvedic formula for digestion. Clinical research is limited.
Ayurveda+3
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 536
Syrian rue
Peganum harmala
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, antipyretic, stimulating, promotes menstruation; against tapeworm, intermittent fever and chronic malaria, pain-relieving in asthma, colic, jaundice; promotes milk and menstruation; gargle for sore throat; against head lice.
Local African healing traditions+2
CautionEurope · Herb · № 82
Motherwort
Leonurus cardiaca
Traditionally used for stress-related palpitations, nervousness and menstrual complaints. Clinical research is scarce.
Western herbal medicine+1
CautionEurope · Food · № 66
Oats
Avena sativa
Oat flakes provide beta-glucan, a fibre that according to approved health claims can help maintain normal cholesterol. Oatmeal is also used in baths for dry, itchy skin. Its traditional role as a nerve tonic is unproven.
Western herbal medicine+1
CautionEurope · Food · № 196
Hazel
Corylus avellana
The nuts are nourishing and rich in unsaturated fats and vitamin E. Hazelnut oil is a light oil for the skin; a medicinal effect has not been shown.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 987
Hearts-a-bustin'
Euonymus americanus
A shrub of the spindle family, up to two metres tall. In autumn the warty pink fruits burst open to show seeds in a bright red aril. Seeds and fruits are strongly purgative, as in other spindles, and the genus is considered poisonous.
Cherokee medicine
CautionEurope · Herb · № 59
Marshmallow
Althaea officinalis
Root and leaf are rich in mucilage that forms a soothing layer; used for dry coughs, throat irritation and an irritated stomach. Evidence is modest.
Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
CautionEurope · Herb · № 70
Field horsetail
Equisetum arvense
Rich in silica; traditionally used as a diuretic, for urinary infections and for hair, nails and connective tissue. Good clinical evidence is lacking.
Western herbal medicine+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 498
Sacred fig
Ficus religiosa
Traditionally attributed effects: bark cooling, astringent, lowers blood sugar; for gonorrhoea, ulcers, skin diseases, scabies, hiccups, nausea; milky sap with milk aphrodisiac; oil for eczema, leprosy, rheumatism; fruit laxative.
Ayurveda
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 237
Heliotrope
Heliotropium arborescens
An ornamental plant with strongly vanilla-scented flowers. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is poisonous if swallowed; it is grown only for its scent.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 796
Hematite (dai zhe shi)
Haematitum (ijzeroxide)
Traditionally attributed effects: anchors rising liver yang, makes rebellious qi descend and cools the blood in bleeding.
Chinese medical traditions
CautionAsia · Herb · № 765
Tree of heaven (chun pi)
Ailanthus altissima
Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat, dries dampness and curbs diarrhoea, discharge and bleeding.
Chinese medical traditions
CautionChinese medical traditions+2
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 881
Hercampuri
Gentianella alborosea (en G. nitida)
A small, very bitter herb of the gentian family. It is sold for liver, gallbladder and cholesterol complaints and for weight loss; good research is lacking.
Curanderismo of northern Peru
CautionEurope · Herb · № 69
Shepherd's purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Traditionally used to slow bleeding, such as heavy periods or nosebleeds. Clinical evidence is very limited.
Western herbal medicine
CautionAsia · Herb · № 438
Himalayan birch
Betula utilis
Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, carminative; for washing wounds and ulcers, skin diseases, hysteria.
Ayurveda- Caution
Asia · Herb · № 415
Himalayan angelica
Angelica glauca
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart, stimulating; for flatulence, constipation and indigestion.
Ayurveda+1 
CautionAsia · Herb · № 541
Himalayan cherry
Prunus puddum
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent; fruit sour and astringent, stone for kidney stones and gravel.
Ayurveda
CautionAsia · Herb · № 564
Himalayan meadow rue
Thalictrum foliolosum
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, mildly laxative, laxative, diuretic, fever-reducing; for chronic indigestion, recovery after illness, eye inflammation, jaundice, flatulence, colds (snuff), toothache, conjunctivitis and keratitis.
Ayurveda
CautionAsia · Herb · № 393
Himalayan silver fir
Abies spectabilis
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, stomachic, tonic, astringent, antispasmodic, expectorant; for cough, asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung conditions and bladder catarrh; for an enlarged spleen.
Ayurveda
CautionAsia · Herb · № 457
Deodar
Cedrus deodara
Traditionally attributed effects: wood carminative, induces sweating and urination; bark strongly astringent and fever-reducing; for fever, diarrhoea and dysentery, lung and urinary complaints, rheumatism, haemorrhoids, kidney stones; oil for skin diseases and ulcers.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAsia · Food · № 518
Ridged gourd
Luffa acutangula
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, diuretic, bitter tonic, nourishing, expectorant, lowers blood sugar; seeds emetic and laxative; for enlarged spleen, dysentery; leaves on ulcers, ringworm, haemorrhoids, leprosy, insect and snake bites.
Ayurveda
CautionEurope · Herb · № 112
Ground ivy
Glechoma hederacea
Traditionally used for blocked noses, sinus complaints and coughs. There is hardly any clinical research.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 480
Bermuda grass
Cynodon dactylon
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, astringent, diuretic, stops bleeding, mildly laxative; for oedema, blood in the urine, vomiting, chronic diarrhoea, hysteria, bleeding haemorrhoids, bladder irritation, bladder stones, gout and rheumatism.
Ayurveda
CautionAfrica · Food · № 807
Honeybush
Cyclopia intermedia
A caffeine-free, sweetish tea related to rooibos. Health effects have not been established.
Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 808
Hoodia
Hoodia gordonii
A succulent whose stem the San chewed against hunger and thirst. Not proven as a slimming aid.
Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos
CautionEurope · Herb · № 77
Hops
Humulus lupulus
The cones are traditionally used for restlessness and sleep problems, often with valerian. There are hints of a mild sedative effect, but evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 895
Huacatay (black mint)
Tagetes minuta
A tall, strongly scented marigold with small flower heads. Its essential oil is used in perfume and soft drinks.
Kallawaya healing knowledge
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 1010
Huamanpinta
Chuquiraga spinosa (en C. rotundifolia)
A prickly shrub with hard, pointed little leaves and orange-yellow flower heads. Contains phenolic acids, flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids; animal studies point to an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect.
Kallawaya healing knowledge