CautionAsia · Herb · № 36
Asian ginseng
Panax ginseng (ook P. quinquefolius)
Research consists mostly of small, short studies; there is little evidence of health effects.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Registry
All herbs
Herbs, spices and other natural ingredients from around the world, with their uses, preparation, and origins.
- Caution
CautionEurope · Other · № 597
Usnea
Usnea barbata
Traditionally attributed effects: antimicrobial, antifungal, immunomodulating, soothing, laxative, nourishing; against streptococci (sore throat), staphylococci, cellulitis and infected wounds, antiviral (HPV), yeast infections.
Western herbal medicine
CautionAsia · Herb · № 542
Babchi
Psoralea corylifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms, diuretic, induces sweating, antibacterial; for leprosy and leucoderma (vitiligo) internally and externally, bile complaints.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 398
Babul tree
Acacia nilotica
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, soothing, aphrodisiac, nourishing, expectorant; for cough, diarrhoea and dysentery, sore throat and spongy gums, wounds and skin diseases, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, prolapse of anus and uterus.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+3
CautionAsia · Herb · № 404
Bael fruit
Aegle marmelos
Traditionally attributed effects: ripe fruit cooling, nourishing, mildly laxative; unripe fruit astringent and aids digestion; for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, asthma (leaves), intermittent fever, melancholy and palpitations.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 677
Baikal skullcap (huang qin)
Scutellaria baicalensis
Traditionally attributed effects: cools and dries damp heat, especially in the lungs and upper body; calms a restless foetus from heat.
Chinese medical traditions+2
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 869
Bailahuén
Haplopappus baylahuen
A resinous shrub of the daisy family. A well-known Chilean tea for liver and bowel complaints; an effect has not been proven.
Mapuche medicine
CautionAsia · Herb · № 526
Spanish cherry
Mimusops elengi
Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, antihistamine, astringent, aromatic, strengthens the heart, tonic, fever-reducing; for catarrh of the bladder and urethra, fever, gum and tooth diseases, leucoderma, heart disease, snake bites, chronic dysentery.
Ayurveda
CautionAsia · Herb · № 552
Country mallow
Sida cordifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, astringent, stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, soothing, diuretic; contains an ephedrine-like substance.
Ayurveda
CautionAsia · Herb · № 310
Balloon flower
Platycodon grandiflorus
Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, antifungal, antibacterial, lowers blood sugar.
Chinese medical traditions+3
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 574
Balsam poplar
Populus balsamifera
Traditionally attributed effects: buds: stimulating, tonic, diuretic, soothing, expectorant; bark: expectorant, laxative; for skin problems (eczema, psoriasis), dry cough, constipation, kidney/bladder support, rheumatism and gout.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 573
Balsam fir
Abies balsamea
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, antiseptic, pain-relieving; for respiratory infections, cough and sore throat, cystitis and enteritis, aid to quitting smoking; externally for burns, wounds, haemorrhoids, muscle pain.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
CautionAsia · Herb · № 134
Bamboo
Phyllostachys nigra
In Chinese medicine bamboo shavings (zhu ru) and bamboo sap are used for coughs with yellow phlegm, nausea and restlessness. Ayurveda uses silica-rich bamboo manna. Clinical research is scarce.
Ayurveda+2
CautionAsia · Food · № 247
Banana
Musa spp.
A fruit rich in starch and potassium. Ripe banana is easily digestible and belongs to the old BRAT diet after diarrhoea; green bananas contain resistant starch.
Ayurveda+2Folklore
CautionAsia · Herb · № 496
Banyan
Ficus benghalensis
Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cooling, stops bleeding, lowers blood sugar; leaves for diarrhoea and dysentery; milky sap externally for pain, bruises, ulcers, rheumatism, lumbago; bark for diabetes, gonorrhoea.
Ayurveda
CautionAfrica · Other · № 386
Baobab
Adansonia digitata
The dry fruit pulp is sour and rich in vitamin C and fibre; oil from the seeds is used for skin and hair. Medical claims have not been studied.
Local African healing traditions
CautionAsia · Herb · № 431
Porcupine flower
Barleria prionitis
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, diuretic, tonic, fever-reducing; catarrh in children, prevents cracked feet, bleeding gums, toothache, ear infection, oedema, whooping cough, snake bites.
Ayurveda
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 8
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
CautionAsia · Herb · № 293
Pubescent angelica (du huo)
Angelica pubescens
Traditionally attributed effects: antirheumatic, pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory.
Chinese medical traditions+2
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 939
Perfoliate bellwort
Uvularia perfoliata
A low plant with hanging, pale yellow bells and leaves that clasp the stem. Little is known about its compounds.
Haudenosaunee medicine
CautionAsia · Herb · № 229
Benzoin
Styrax benzoin
Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, astringent, antispasmodic.
Chinese medical traditions+3Folklore
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 950
Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
A shrub of the laurel family with fragrant leaves and twigs and red berries.
Haudenosaunee medicine+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 747
Prepared aconite (fu zi)
Aconitum carmichaelii (bereide zijwortel)
Traditionally attributed effects: the most strongly warming remedy in Chinese medicine, for collapse of yang and pain from cold.
Chinese medical traditions+1
CautionEurope · Herb · № 276
Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Traditionally attributed effects: urinary antiseptic, astringent.
Western herbal medicine
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 224
Bee balm
Monarda didyma
The fragrant leaf contains thymol and is drunk as tea. Indigenous peoples used it for colds, fever and headache; studies in humans are lacking.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
CautionEurope · Herb · № 186
Birch
Betula pendula
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, antirheumatic.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
CautionEurope · Herb · № 67
Borage
Borago officinalis
The seed oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid, has been studied for eczema and joint inflammation with mixed results. The leaf was traditionally used to reduce fever and as a tonic.
Western herbal medicine+2
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 413
Pellitory root
Anacyclus pyrethrum
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes salivation, strengthens the nerves; for toothache and caries, sore throat, tonsillitis, epilepsy, rheumatism.
Ayurveda+3
CautionAsia · Herb · № 831
Betel leaf (sirih)
Piper betle
An aromatic leaf used in jamu for the mouth and for women's intimate hygiene.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 419
Areca nut
Areca catechu
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, astringent, expels tapeworm, laxative, carminative, aphrodisiac; against roundworms and tapeworms, strengthens the gums, for urinary complaints, heartburn during pregnancy, lumbago.
Ayurveda+2
CautionEurope · Herb · № 93
Betony
Betonica officinalis (syn. Stachys officinalis)
Traditionally used for tension headaches and nervousness. Modern clinical research is lacking.
Greco-Roman medicine+3
CautionAsia · Herb · № 465
Bhant
Clerodendrum infortunatum
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, antipyretic, expels worms, laxative, promotes bile; externally for tumours and skin diseases, root for sluggish bowels.
Ayurveda
CautionAsia · Herb · № 551
Marking nut
Semecarpus anacardium
Traditionally attributed effects: pungent, stimulating, aids digestion, antispasmodic, cleansing, strengthens the nerves, caustic, strengthens the heart; for leprosy, scrofula, syphilis, skin diseases, epilepsy, nervous weakness, nerve pain, asthma, indigestion, haemorrhoids, enlarged spleen.
Ayurveda
CautionAsia · Herb · № 354
Bhringraj
Eclipta prostrata
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the liver, decongestant, tonic, cleansing, antiviral; for enlarged liver and spleen, skin diseases, fever, oedema, rheumatism; hair oil for black and full hair; for swollen glands, elephantiasis, headache and toothache.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 563
Bibhitaki
Terminalia bellerica
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, expectorant, laxative (unripe fruit), cleansing.
Ayurveda+2
CautionEurope · Food · № 270
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
A mild onion herb with vitamin C and sulphur compounds. A medicinal effect has not been shown.
Monastic and folk knowledge