Compress, poultice and paste

Herbs on this site whose description mentions this preparation. That does not mean every herb is safe to prepare yourself: read the safety information for each one.

• Caution

  Europe · Herb · № 92

  Figwort

  Scrophularia nodosa (en S. ningpoensis)

  Used in Western herbalism for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and for swollen glands. There is no good clinical evidence.

  Monastic and folk knowledge+2
• Caution

  Asia · Food · № 357

  Coconut

  Cocos nucifera

  Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, diuretic, antiseptic, laxative; root for uterine diseases, bronchitis, liver complaints, dysentery, sore throat (gargle); coconut water for thirst, fever, urinary complaints and vomiting; ash for scabies and toothache.

  Ayurveda+1
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 232

  Cumin

  Cuminum cyminum

  Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, aromatic, stomachic, stimulating, astringent, cooling; for gonorrhoea, chronic diarrhoea, indigestion, hoarseness; oil as a source of thymol against hookworms.

  Ayurveda+3Folklore
• Caution

  Asia · Food · № 261

  Cucumber

  Cucumis sativus

  Traditionally attributed effects: fruit nourishing and soothing; seeds cooling, diuretic, tonic; for throat complaints, strongly diuretic with sugar, in fever.

  Ayurveda+2Folklore
• Caution

  Europe · Food · № 68

  Cabbage

  Brassica oleracea

  A vegetable rich in vitamin C and fibre. In folk medicine cold cabbage leaves are placed on engorged breasts or painful joints; small studies give mixed results.

  Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
• Caution

  Europe · Herb · № 231

  Coriander

  Coriandrum sativum

  Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, stimulating, carminative, stomachic, cooling, tonic, diuretic; for flatulence, colic, rheumatism, nerve pain, sore throat, indigestion, vomiting, colds, bile complaints.

  Greco-Roman medicine+5Folklore
• Caution

  Oceania · Herb · № 846

  Kōwhai

  Sophora microphylla

  A tree with yellow flowers, a national symbol of New Zealand. The bark was traditionally used on wounds and bruises.

  Rongoā Māori
• Caution

  Europe · Herb · № 338

  Yellow dock

  Rumex crispus

  Traditionally attributed effects: strongly laxative, promotes bile, cleansing.

  Western herbal medicine+1
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 5

  Turmeric

  Curcuma longa

  A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.

  Ayurveda+5Folklore
• Caution

  Asia · Food · № 131

  Sacred lotus

  Nelumbo nucifera

  Almost every part is used: seeds for diarrhoea and restlessness, rhizome as food, leaf for 'summer heat'. Scientific evidence is mostly laboratory research.

  Ayurveda+3Folklore
• Caution

  Europe · Herb · № 211

  Sweet violet

  Viola odorata

  Traditionally attributed effects: V. odorata anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic, antitumour; V. tricolor expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antirheumatic, laxative, strengthens capillaries.

  Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
• Caution

  Oceania · Herb · № 847

  Mamaku (black tree fern)

  Sphaeropteris medullaris

  The slimy pith and sap of this black tree fern were traditionally used on sores and wounds, and for diarrhoea.

  Rongoā Māori
• Caution

  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.

  Ayurveda+2
• Caution

  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.

  Ayurveda+1
• Caution

  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.

  Mapuche medicine
• Caution

  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.

  Mapuche medicine
• Caution

  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.

  Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
• Caution

  Europe · Herb · № 71

  Meadowsweet

  Filipendula ulmaria

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

  Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
• Caution

  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.

  Ayurveda+2
• Caution

  Europe · Herb · № 3

  Mint

  Mentha × piperita

  Peppermint oil has been studied in irritable bowel syndrome and may reduce abdominal pain. The tea is used for a full stomach and nausea. With heartburn peppermint can make complaints worse.

  Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 509

  Musk mallow

  Hibiscus abelmoschus

  Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, cooling, diuretic, soothing, stomachic, antispasmodic, tonic; for nervous weakness, hysteria, indigestion, gonorrhoea, catarrh of the bladder and airways, itching.

  Ayurveda+1
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 530

  Night jasmine

  Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

  Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, expels worms, laxative, fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory.

  Ayurveda
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 129

  Nutmeg

  Myristica fragrans

  A spice used in small amounts in Ayurveda and Arabic medicine for diarrhoea, nausea and insomnia. There is no good clinical evidence.

  Ayurveda+6Folklore
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 529

  Oleander

  Nerium indicum

  Traditionally attributed effects: strongly diuretic and strengthens the heart (like digitalis), abortifacient.

  Ayurveda
• Caution

  North America · Herb · № 999

  Orange jewelweed

  Impatiens capensis

  An annual, juicy herb with orange, spotted flowers. Ripe seed pods burst open when touched and shoot the seeds away, hence the names touch-me-not and jewelweed. The sap contains saponins and naphthoquinones; one study found it can prevent a poison ivy rash after short exposure, though washing with soap works at least as well.

  Cherokee medicine
• Caution

  Europe · Herb · № 97

  Dandelion

  Taraxacum officinale

  The leaf is mildly diuretic; the bitter root was used for the liver and digestion. NCCIH notes there is little human research.

  Avicenna's Canon in European universities+6Folklore
• Caution

  North America · Herb · № 154

  Passionflower

  Passiflora incarnata

  Used for anxiety and sleep problems. NCCIH notes some indications of an effect on anxiety but limited evidence.

  Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 395

  Rosary pea

  Abrus precatorius

  Traditionally attributed effects: seeds purgative, emetic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac; leaf juice for sore throat and dry cough, purifies the blood; leaf paste for swellings and rheumatism; seed paste for sciatica and paralysis; eyewash.

  Ayurveda
• Caution

  Oceania · Herb · № 178

  Asthma weed

  Euphorbia hirta

  Traditionally used for asthma and bronchitis (the name asthma weed comes from Queensland), for diarrhoea and externally for warts. There is laboratory research but no good clinical evidence.

  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+4
• Caution

  Africa · Herb · № 502

  Flame lily

  Gloriosa superba

  Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, antipyretic, promotes bile, expels worms, cleansing, laxative; against lice, for gonorrhoea, leprosy, colic, worms; promotes contractions; compress for rheumatism and nerve pain.

  Local African healing traditions+1
• Caution

  North America · Herb · № 954

  American pasqueflower

  Pulsatilla nuttalliana (syn. P. patens subsp. multifida)

  A low plant of the buttercup family with hairy purple flowers that appear before the leaves. Like other pasqueflowers, the fresh plant contains protoanemonin, which strongly irritates skin and mucous membranes and raises blisters.

  Lakota medicine
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 133

  Psyllium

  Plantago ovata

  The seed husks form a mucilaginous gel: an established bulk-forming fibre for constipation and mild diarrhoea that can also modestly lower LDL cholesterol.

  Ayurveda+3
• Caution

  North America · Herb · № 941

  Purple-stem angelica

  Angelica atropurpurea

  A tall umbellifer with a purple stem, related to European garden angelica. Contains essential oil and furanocoumarins, which make the skin sensitive to sunlight.

  Haudenosaunee medicine
• Caution

  South America · Herb · № 871

  Quinchamalí

  Quinchamalium chilense

  A semi-parasitic herb with orange-yellow flowers in heads. Traditionally for wounds and colds; research is lacking.

  Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 568

  Rasna orchid

  Vanda roxburghii

  Traditionally attributed effects: pain-relieving, carminative, expectorant, strengthens the nerves, lowers blood pressure; oil for rheumatism and nervous diseases; for syphilis, scorpion stings, fever, middle ear infection, indigestion, bronchitis, inflammation, hiccups and trembling.

  Ayurveda
• Caution

  North America · Herb · № 323

  Slippery elm

  Ulmus rubra (syn. U. fulva)

  Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, nourishing, astringent.

  Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3