All herbs

Europe · Herb · № 64

Mugwort

Artemisia vulgaris

Traditionally used as a digestive bitter and to bring on delayed periods. Clinical evidence is largely lacking.

South America · Herb · № 889

Bilyea

Grimolobium pubescens (syn. Otholobium pubescens, Psoralea pubescens)

A shrub of the pea family with leaves in threes. It contains bakuchiol, among other compounds; extracts lowered blood sugar in experiments with mice. Studies in people are lacking.

Europe · Herb · № 513

Henbane

Hyoscyamus niger

Traditionally attributed effects: intoxicating, narcotic, pain-relieving, calming, antispasmodic, dilates the pupils.

Europe · Herb · № 278

Bitter candytuft

Iberis amara

Traditionally attributed effects: antispasmodic, relaxing, strengthens the digestive tract, carminative; traditionally for gout and rheumatism.

Asia · Herb · № 123

Bitter orange

Citrus × aurantium

The dried unripe fruit (zhi shi) and peel are used in Chinese medicine for bloating and sluggish digestion. NCCIH warns that weight-loss products containing bitter orange (synephrine) pose risks to the heart and blood pressure.

Africa · Food · № 814

Bitter kola

Garcinia kola

A bitter seed that is chewed and offered as a sign of hospitality and at ceremonies; as a folk remedy also for coughs and sore throats.

Europe · Mineral · № 9

Epsom salt

Magnesium sulphate. In sufficient amounts it acts as a laxative because it holds water in the bowel. In a bath it is used to relax muscles; that magnesium is absorbed through the skin has not been shown.

Europe · Other · № 74

Bladderwrack

Fucus vesiculosus

A brown seaweed rich in iodine; formerly used for an underactive thyroid and for weight loss. Weight-loss claims are unproven.

North America · Food · № 254

Blueberry

Vaccinium spp.

A fibre-rich berry with plenty of anthocyanins. Observational research links eating berries to a healthy diet; a medicinal effect has not been shown.

Europe · Food · № 101

Bilberry

Vaccinium myrtillus en V. vitis-idaea

Rich in anthocyanins. Dried berries are an old remedy for diarrhoea. NCCIH reports there is not enough evidence for eye, blood-vessel or other claims.

North America · Herb · № 281

Blue flag

Iris versicolor

Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, diuretic, stimulating, laxative.

Africa · Herb · № 804

Blue lotus

Nymphaea caerulea

A water lily of great religious significance in ancient Egypt. Its effects as a remedy are little studied.

North America · Herb · № 963

Blue lettuce

Lactuca tatarica subsp. pulchella (syn. L. pulchella)

A wild lettuce with blue flower heads and milky sap that forms large colonies by runners. Effects not studied.

North America · Herb · № 280

Blue cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, stimulates the uterus, diuretic, antirheumatic.

Asia · Herb · № 439

Blepharis

Blepharis edulis

Traditionally attributed effects: resolvent, diuretic, aphrodisiac, expectorant; for impotence, blood, chest, lung and liver diseases; leaves for fever, urinary discharge, leucoderma; root regulates menstruation.

Asia · Herb · № 735

Bletilla rhizome (bai ji)

Bletilla striata

Traditionally attributed effects: stops bleeding in lung and stomach and promotes wound healing.

North America · Herb · № 372

Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, emetic, expectorant, restorative; part of escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia, warms lungs/stomach/uterus, promotes coughing up.

North America · Herb · № 991

Flowering dogwood

Cornus florida

A small tree with large white bracts around a knot of tiny flowers in spring, red berries and red autumn leaves. The bark is astringent and bitter; in the American Civil War it served as a substitute for quinine, and in the laboratory compounds from the bark moderately inhibited the malaria parasite. The berries are poisonous to people.

Asia · Herb · № 440

Blumea

Blumea lacera

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, antispasmodic, promotes menstruation, diuretic; for purulent eye discharge, worms, catarrh.

Asia · Food · № 284

Buckwheat

Fagopyrum esculentum

Traditionally attributed effects: lowers blood pressure, vasodilating, restores the vessel walls.

South America · Herb · № 282

Boldo

Peumus boldus

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulates the liver, diuretic.

Asia · Herb · № 447

Bonduc nut

Caesalpinia crista

Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, antispasmodic, bitter tonic, expels worms, fever-reducing; for fever, intermittent fever, asthma, colic, swellings, bleeding, liver disorders, convulsions and nervous complaints.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 265

Beans

Phaseolus vulgaris

A legume rich in protein and fibre. Raw or undercooked beans contain the toxic phytohaemagglutinin; thorough cooking is needed. Beans are otherwise mainly food, not medicine.

North America · Herb · № 151

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Traditionally used for fever and flu with aching muscles; the name refers to 'break-bone fever'. There is hardly any modern clinical research.

Asia · Mineral · № 781

Borax (peng sha)

Borax (natriumtetraboraat)

Traditionally attributed effects: externally for small ulcers in mouth, throat and vagina and for athlete's foot.

Asia · Other · № 770

Borneol (bing pian)

Dryobalanops aromatica (borneol)

Traditionally attributed effects: opens the sense orifices, cools heat and relieves pain; mainly external.

Europe · Food · № 73

Wild strawberry

Fragaria vesca

The tannin-rich leaf was traditionally used for mild diarrhoea; the fruit is a treat rich in vitamin C. Medical evidence is lacking.

North America · Herb · № 306

Smooth hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, laxative, stimulates the kidneys.

Asia · Herb · № 463

Bone setter

Cissus quadrangularis

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, stomachic; speeds bone healing in fractures, stem juice for irregular menstruation and scurvy, for asthma, indigestion, ear infection and nosebleeds.

Asia · Herb · № 557

Nux vomica

Strychnos nux-vomica

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, stomachic, tonic, aphrodisiac, stimulates the spinal cord, breathing and heart.

Europe · Food · № 255

Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent; for damp stomach and bowel complaints, diarrhoea, mucus; syrup or liqueur against sore throat.

Asia · Herb · № 353

Brahmi

Bacopa monnieri

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart and nerves, diuretic, mildly laxative, calming; for urinary retention with constipation, acute bronchitis and cough in children, exhaustion and nervous breakdown, hysteria, epilepsy, hoarseness.

Europe · Food · № 48

Stinging nettle

Urtica dioica

A food and fiber plant with a long tradition in folk medicine. Medical claims are not established.

Europe · Herb · № 283

Broom

Cytisus scoparius

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, laxative, raises blood pressure, stimulates the uterus.

North America · Herb · № 631

Brewer's angelica

Angelica breweri, A. arguta, A. hendersonii

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind, dampness and cold in stiff, painful joints, opens the surface in wind-cold and moves qi and blood in pain.

Asia · Herb · № 688

Java brucea fruit (ya dan zi)

Brucea javanica

Traditionally attributed effects: was used for amoebic dysentery, malaria and externally for warts.