Registry
Herbs, spices and other natural ingredients from around the world, with their uses, preparation, and origins.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 460
Dysphania ambrosioides (syn. Chenopodium ambrosioides)
A strong-smelling culinary herb traditionally used against intestinal worms and wind. The essential oil contains ascaridole, which kills worms but is also toxic to humans.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 908
Virola theiodora (en verwante Virola-soorten)
A tree of the nutmeg family with blood-red resin in its bark. The resin contains a lot of 5-MeO-DMT and DMT, and also beta-carbolines. As snuff it brings excitement, numb limbs, nausea and visions within minutes.
CautionAsia · Food · № 260
Pisum sativum
A legume rich in protein and fibre. In Chinese medicine (wan dou) the pea is regarded as a mild remedy for the spleen and for mild diarrhoea.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 193
Fraxinus excelsior
The leaf was used as a mild diuretic and laxative and for gout. There is little research; a medicinal effect has not been shown.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 1006
Perezia multiflora (en verwante soorten)
A low, prickly herb with toothed leaves and yellow or white flower heads. Contains phenols, flavonoids and saponins; in the laboratory the leaf inhibits some bacteria. Research in people is limited.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 188
Acer spp.
Maple syrup is the boiled-down sap of the sugar maple. It consists mainly of sugar and some minerals, such as manganese; it is a sweetener, not a medicine.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 820
Artemisia ludoviciana
A bitter, aromatic herb used in Mexico for stomach ache and digestive complaints.
CautionOceania · Herb · № 172
Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus oil is used for coughs and blocked noses with colds and externally for muscle pain; the European Medicines Agency recognises these as traditional uses. Strong clinical evidence is limited.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 751
Eucommia ulmoides
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens liver and kidneys, tendons and bones; calms rising liver yang and a restless foetus.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 336
Tetradium ruticarpum (syn. Evodia rutaecarpa)
Traditionally attributed effects: pain-relieving, antibacterial, warming, stimulating.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 118
Trigonella foenum-graecum
The seed has been studied for blood sugar and for increasing breast milk. NCCIH reports there is not enough strong evidence for these uses.
CautionAfrica · Food · № 360
Lagenaria siceraria
Young fruits are eaten as a mild, easily digestible vegetable. Medical claims, for example about the heart or peace of mind, have not been studied.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 876
Brugmansia spp. (o.a. B. arborea, B. sanguinea)
A shrub or small tree with large hanging trumpet flowers. All parts contain tropane alkaloids such as scopolamine and atropine, which cause confusion and hallucinations.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 462
Cissampelos pareira
Traditionally attributed effects: mildly stomachic, bitter tonic, diuretic, dissolves stones, astringent; for intestinal complaints, indigestion, diarrhoea, prolapsed uterus, internal inflammation, urinary tract diseases, purifies the blood in skin diseases.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 528
Mucuna pruriens
Traditionally attributed effects: seeds astringent, expel worms, strengthen the nerves, aphrodisiac; root tonic, stimulating, diuretic, laxative; for nervous diseases (paralysis), kidney diseases, oedema, elephantiasis, leucorrhoea, heavy menstruation, seminal loss.
CautionEurope · Food · № 90
Rubus idaeus
The fruit is a nutritious berry. Raspberry leaf has been used in folk medicine in late pregnancy to ease labour; convincing evidence is lacking.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 778
Momordica cochinchinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: externally for inflamed sores, breast abscesses and bruises.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 119
Alpinia galanga
A relative of ginger traditionally used for nausea, wind and sluggish digestion. Clinical evidence is limited.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 1000
Galax urceolata
A low evergreen herb of the Diapensia family with glossy, round, toothed leaves that turn bronze to wine red in winter, and in spring a slender spike of tiny white flowers. Plants in flower smell sharp, almost like a skunk. Its effect has not been studied.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 297
Galega officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: lowers blood sugar, stimulates insulin, promotes milk flow, diuretic.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 503
Gmelina arborea
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, stomachic, bitter tonic, cooling, laxative, promotes milk flow; fruit in cooling decoctions for fever and bile complaints, headache, fever and indigestion; to prevent miscarriage.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 200
Gardenia jasminoides
Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, calming, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, promotes bile.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 774
Gastrodia elata
Traditionally attributed effects: calms liver wind and relieves headache, dizziness and cramps.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 692
Scutellaria barbata
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood, moves blood stagnation and reduces swellings; for hepatitis.
Asia · Other · № 789
Massa medicata fermentata
Traditionally attributed effects: helps with food stagnation and poor digestion.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 899
Sonchus asper
An annual or biennial plant with spiny, blue-green leaves, yellow dandelion-like flowers and milky sap in the stem. The leaves are edible and nutritious.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 104
Viburnum opulus en V. prunifolium
The bark is traditionally used for muscle cramps and period pain; its English name is cramp bark. Clinical evidence is lacking.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 76
Gentiana lutea
The root is one of the most bitter substances known and has long been used to stimulate appetite and digestion. Studies are small.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 311
Melilotus officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, diuretic, antispasmodic, anticoagulant.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 433
Bauhinia tomentosa
Traditionally attributed effects: against dysentery, expels worms; fruit diuretic; seeds tonic and aphrodisiac; for hepatitis, dysentery, tumours and wounds, snake bites.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 944
Nuphar lutea (incl. N. variegata)
A water plant with floating leaves and yellow, globe-shaped flowers. The rhizome contains alkaloids whose effects are poorly studied.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 468
Colchicum luteum
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, carminative, laxative, aphrodisiac; for gout, rheumatism, liver and spleen diseases; externally against inflammation and pain.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 182
Gelsemium sempervirens
Contains alkaloids such as gelsemine that act on the nervous system. In the 19th century it was used for nerve pain, migraine and fever, but its toxicity makes any use dangerous. Homeopathic gelsemium is so diluted that it contains no active substance.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 1
Zingiber officinale
Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 700
Daphne genkwa
Traditionally attributed effects: was used as a strong fluid-draining remedy in chronic fluid accumulation in chest and abdomen.
CautionAsia · Food · № 269
Hordeum vulgare
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, light; good for skin and hair.
