CautionEurope · Herb · № 20
Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
The root has a traditional association with sleep and calm. Research on insomnia is inconsistent and does not establish benefit.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
Registry
All herbs
Herbs, spices and other natural ingredients from around the world, with their uses, preparation, and origins.
- Caution
CautionEurope · Herb · № 114
Arnica
Arnica montana
Used externally for bruises and muscle aches. Studies give mixed results. Homeopathic arnica is so diluted that it contains no active substance.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 294
False unicorn root
Chamaelirium luteum
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, uterine tonic, emetic.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
CautionEurope · Herb · № 334
Wood sage
Teucrium scorodonia
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, induces sweating, antirheumatic, carminative, wound-healing, promotes bile.
Western herbal medicine
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 222
Vanilla
Vanilla planifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: gives a feeling of calm and comfort; fragrance.
Maya healing knowledge+3Folklore
CautionAsia · Herb · № 707
Knotgrass (bian xu)
Polygonum aviculare
Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat in cystitis, stops itching and was used against worms.
Chinese medical traditions
CautionAsia · Herb · № 717
Hogfennel root (qian hu)
Peucedanum praeruptorum
Traditionally attributed effects: makes lung energy descend and dissolves thick phlegm, also in colds.
Chinese medical traditions
CautionAsia · Herb · № 515
Malabar nut
Justicia adhatoda
Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, diuretic, antispasmodic, cleansing, bronchodilator; well-known Ayurvedic remedy for bronchitis, asthma, cough, fever, jaundice and tuberculosis; root for malaria, diphtheria and gonorrhoea.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 750
Fo-ti (he shou wu)
Reynoutria multiflora (syn. Polygonum multiflorum)
Traditionally attributed effects: processed a tonic for blood, liver and kidneys; raw mildly laxative and detoxifying.
Chinese medical traditions
CautionAsia · Herb · № 667
Greater duckweed (fu ping)
Spirodela polyrhiza
Traditionally attributed effects: diaphoretic and diuretic; helps rashes come out.
Chinese medical traditions
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 824
Sweetgrass
Hierochloe odorata
A sweet-scented grass that is burned in ceremonies.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
CautionEurope · Herb · № 72
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
The seed is traditionally used for wind, bloating and cramps. There are some small studies, but evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+9Folklore
CautionAsia · Herb · № 403
Maidenhair fern
Adiantum philippense
Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, diuretic, cleansing, expels worms, cooling; for cough and respiratory complaints, fever, leprosy, erysipelas.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 350
Vetiver
Chrysopogon zizanioides
Traditionally attributed effects: supports circulation and weight loss (scrub).
Ayurveda+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 489
Vidanga
Embelia ribes
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, expels worms, stimulating, cleansing; against intestinal worms, ringworm and skin diseases, headache, sore throat and mouth ulcers, bark paste for pneumonia.
Ayurveda+1
CautionEurope · Herb · № 230
Cinquefoil
Potentilla reptans
The tannin-rich herb was used as a mouthwash and for diarrhoea. A medicinal effect has not been studied.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
CautionAsia · Food · № 801
Fig
Ficus carica
Traditionally attributed effects: dried figs make Chinese soups naturally sweet, such as the watercress and spare-rib soup and the eight-treasure soup; they are regarded as moistening for lung and bowel.
Chinese medical traditions+3
CautionEurope · Herb · № 179
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Contains cardiac glycosides that slow the heart rate and strengthen its contractions. They gave rise to the drugs digoxin and digitoxin, still prescribed for certain heart rhythm disorders and heart failure. The margin between an effective and a toxic amount is very small.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2
CautionNorth America · Food · № 937
Virginia strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
A wild strawberry with small, very tasty fruits. Its cross with the Chilean strawberry gave rise to the garden strawberry in eighteenth-century Europe.
Haudenosaunee medicine+1
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 581
Culver's root
Veronicastrum virginicum
Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, stimulating, supports the liver, promotes bile; decongests liver and gallbladder, for gallbladder pain and jaundice.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 285
Bugleweed
Lycopus virginicus
Traditionally attributed effects: calming, astringent, tonic, vasoconstricting, cough-suppressing, stops bleeding.
Eclectic medicine+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 446
Flame of the forest
Butea monosperma
Traditionally attributed effects: leaves astringent, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac; seeds expel worms and laxative; flowers tonic; for diarrhoea, heartburn, diabetes (lowers blood sugar), flatulence, haemorrhoids, worms, leucorrhoea, inflamed throat.
Ayurveda
CautionEurope · Food · № 83
Flax
Linum usitatissimum
Ground flaxseed acts as a gentle bulk-forming fibre for constipation. NCCIH reports it may lower cholesterol slightly; evidence for other claims is unclear.
Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
CautionEurope · Mushroom · № 910
Fly agaric
Amanita muscaria
The well-known red mushroom with white spots. Contains ibotenic acid and muscimol, which act on the brain. Causes nausea, muscle twitching, confusion, a dreamlike state and sometimes deep sleep. Drying partly converts ibotenic acid into the stronger muscimol.
Folk magic and herbal magic
CautionEurope · Food · № 21
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
CautionAsia · Herb · № 466
Butterfly pea
Clitoria ternatea
Traditionally attributed effects: root mildly laxative, diuretic, expels worms; seeds strongly laxative; for ascites, enlarged abdominal organs, migraine (flower juice), gonorrhoea, bladder irritation, ulcers, swollen joints.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 672
Buddleia flower bud (mi meng hua)
Buddleja officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: cools liver heat in red, swollen, watery and light-sensitive eyes.
Chinese medical traditions
CautionEurope · Herb · № 94
Chickweed
Stellaria media
Traditionally used externally as a cooling ointment or compress for itching, eczema and minor skin irritation. There is hardly any clinical research.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
CautionAsia · Food · № 646
Fox nut (qian shi)
Euryale ferox
Traditionally attributed effects: a tonic for long life that according to tradition counters ageing and gives strength.
Ayurveda+1
CautionEurope · Herb · № 58
Lady's mantle
Alchemilla xanthochlora
An astringent herb used in folk medicine mainly for heavy periods and diarrhoea. There is little clinical research.
Monastic and folk knowledge+1
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 586
Lady's slipper
Cypripedium parviflorum (syn. C. pubescens)
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, antispasmodic, tonic, relaxing, diuretic; for menstrual pain and irregular menstruation, overstimulated nerves and insomnia from stress, pain-relieving.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
CautionAsia · Herb · № 694
Dittany root bark (bai xian pi)
Dictamnus dasycarpus
Traditionally attributed effects: drains heat, dampness and wind in itchy, weeping skin conditions.
Chinese medical traditions
CautionEurope · Food · № 80
Walnut
Juglans regia
The nuts are a nutritious source of unsaturated fats. Leaf and green husk are astringent and were traditionally used for skin conditions and diarrhoea; clinical evidence is lacking.
Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 329
True unicorn root
Aletris farinosa
Traditionally attributed effects: oestrogenic, tonic, stimulates digestion, calming.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
CautionAsia · Herb · № 479
Dodder
Cuscuta reflexa
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, expels worms, cleansing, antispasmodic; for stomach ache, constipation, flatulence, liver complaints, bile complaints; externally for itching and skin diseases.
Ayurveda+1
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 169
Wax myrtle (bayberry)
Morella cerifera
The root bark was traditionally used for colds, sore throats and diarrhoea. There is no modern clinical evidence.
Eclectic medicine+2Folklore