All herbs

South America · Herb · № 883

Manayupa

Desmodium molliculum

A low plant of the pea family. Traditionally used for inflammation and wounds; research is limited.

Asia · Food · № 730

Tangerine peel (chen pi)

Citrus reticulata

Traditionally attributed effects: the ripe peel (chen pi) moves the qi of spleen and lung and dissolves phlegm; the green peel (qing pi) moves liver qi.

Asia · Herb · № 348

Gotu kola

Centella asiatica

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, diuretic, locally stimulating, calming; for chronic ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, epilepsy, insanity, swollen glands, abscesses, chronic rheumatism, diarrhoea in children.

Asia · Food · № 248

Mango

Mangifera indica

Traditionally attributed effects: cooling herb, prevents a burning feeling and keeps you cool in the heat; aids digestion; good for skin and hair.

Asia · Herb · № 476

Mango ginger

Curcuma amada

Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, cooling, aromatic, bitter, stomachic, astringent, lowers cholesterol; externally for bruises, sprains and skin diseases; purifies the blood.

Oceania · Herb · № 273

Manuka and kanuka

Leptospermum scoparium en Kunzea ericoides

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antimicrobial, antiseptic, expels worms (leptospermone); for ulcers, infections and fever.

Oceania · Food · № 51

Mānuka honey

A monofloral honey with distinctive compounds such as leptosperin and methylglyoxal. Ordinary food honey is not a treatment.

South America · Herb · № 851

Maqui

Aristotelia chilensis

A shrub with dark purple berries rich in anthocyanins. The leaf was traditionally used for wounds and sore throats. Health claims for 'superfood' products are unproven.

Europe · Herb · № 239

Mistletoe

Viscum album

Traditionally attributed effects: slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, antitumour.

Europe · Herb · № 199

Ox-eye daisy

Leucanthemum vulgare

Young leaves are edible. In folk medicine a tea of the flowers was used for coughs and as a wash; a medicinal effect has not been studied.

Europe · Herb · № 46

Milk thistle

Silybum marianum

Promoted for liver disorders, but there is not enough high-quality evidence of effects in people.

Asia · Herb · № 216

Marjoram

Origanum majorana

A mildly aromatic culinary herb related to oregano. It was drunk as tea for bloating, colds and restlessness; studies in humans are scarce.

South America · Herb · № 853

Matico

Buddleja globosa

A shrub with orange, ball-shaped flowers. The leaf contains anti-inflammatory compounds such as verbascoside; clinical research on wound healing is lacking.

Europe · Herb · № 47

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata (en C. pinnatifida)

Studied for heart failure with conflicting results. For most conditions there is little or no good evidence.

Asia · Herb · № 493

Common milk hedge

Euphorbia neriifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: milky sap drastically laxative and expectorant, externally skin-irritant; root antispasmodic; for enlarged liver and spleen, oedema, leprosy; externally on warts, for earache, ulcers and scabies; root for scorpion and snake bites.

Africa · Food · № 252

Melon

Cucumis melo

A sweet, juicy fruit. In Chinese medicine the dried stalk (gua di) was used to induce vomiting; no medicinal effect is described for the fruit itself.

Asia · Mineral · № 800

Minium (qian dan)

Minium (loodoxide)

Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally to draw out pus and heal wounds; contains lead.

North America · Herb · № 929

Mescal bean

Dermatophyllum secundiflorum (syn. Sophora secundiflora)

An evergreen shrub or small tree of the pea family with purple, grape-scented flowers and hard, bright red seeds. The seeds contain cytisine, a poison resembling nicotine. A single seed can be fatal.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 420

Mexican prickly poppy

Argemone mexicana

Traditionally attributed effects: root diuretic, cleansing, pain-relieving, sleep-inducing; seeds laxative, emetic, expectorant; for oedema, jaundice, skin diseases, warts, scabies, gonorrhoea, tapeworm, cough and asthma.

Africa · Other · № 28

Myrrh

Commiphora myrrha

A gum resin with a long history in medicine, ritual, perfume, and incense. Modern treatment claims are not established.

Europe · Herb · № 96

Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium

Best known for preventing migraine. NCCIH notes the evidence is conflicting: some studies find a small effect, others do not.

Europe · Herb · № 335

Marsh woundwort

Stachys palustris

Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, antispasmodic, wound-healing.

Europe · Herb · № 110

Marsh cudweed

Gnaphalium uliginosum

An astringent herb traditionally used as a gargle for sore throats and inflamed upper airways. There is no clinical research.

North America · Other · № 388

Meadowfoam

Limnanthes alba

Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing carrier oil.

Europe · Herb · № 71

Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria

Contains salicylates. Traditionally used for heartburn, an irritated stomach and joint pain. Clinical research is scarce.

Asia · Herb · № 762

Mulberry mistletoe (sang ji sheng)

Taxillus chinensis (syn. Loranthus parasiticus)

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens liver and kidneys, expels wind and dampness, nourishes the blood and calms the foetus.

Asia · Food · № 763

Monk fruit (luo han guo)

Siraitia grosvenorii (syn. Momordica grosvenori)

Traditionally attributed effects: moistens and cools the lungs in a dry cough and reduces swollen glands.

Europe · Herb · № 291

Chaste tree

Vitex agnus-castus

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulates the pituitary gland and hormone production.

Asia · Herb · № 753

Morinda root (ba ji tian)

Morinda officinalis

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang and expels wind, cold and dampness from back and legs.

Asia · Herb · № 527

Moringa

Moringa oleifera

Traditionally attributed effects: antispasmodic, stimulating, expectorant, diuretic, dissolves stones; leaves for scurvy and catarrh, flatulence in children, wounds and swellings; bark stimulates the heart in asthma and cough.

North America · Herb · № 629

Mormon tea

Ephedra viridis, E. nevadensis, E. californica

Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold with sneezing and a watery nose, mildly eases wheezing and promotes urination.

Asia · Herb · № 341

Brown mustard

Brassica juncea

Traditionally attributed effects: plant bitter, mildly laxative, tonic; oil stimulating and skin-irritant, antiseptic; for chest complaints in children, muscular rheumatism, stiff neck, inflammation and nerve pain, abdominal cramps, persistent vomiting.

Asia · Food · № 792

Maltose (yi tang)

Saccharum granorum (maltose)

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens qi and spleen, eases pain from cold in the middle and moistens the lungs.

South America · Herb · № 880

Mucura (guinea henweed)

Petiveria alliacea

A herb with a strong garlic smell. It has been studied for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects; clinical evidence is lacking.

Europe · Herb · № 314

Mouse-ear hawkweed

Pilosella officinarum (syn. Hieracium pilosella)

Traditionally attributed effects: antispasmodic, expectorant, anticatarrhal, diuretic, wound-healing.

South America · Herb · № 897

Mullaca

Muehlenbeckia volcanica

A low, creeping shrublet with small, round, leathery leaves and blue-black berries. Tannins and flavonoids have been found in the extract; in rats it was anti-inflammatory.