Syrup, honey and oxymel

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 · № 82

  Motherwort

  Leonurus cardiaca

  Traditionally used for stress-related palpitations, nervousness and menstrual complaints. Clinical research is scarce.

  Western herbal medicine+1
• Caution

  Europe · Herb · № 59

  Marshmallow

  Althaea officinalis

  Root and leaf are rich in mucilage that forms a soothing layer; used for dry coughs, throat irritation and an irritated stomach. Evidence is modest.

  Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
• Caution

  South America · Herb · № 914

  Huanarpo

  Corynaea crassa

  An unusual parasitic plant without chlorophyll that lives on the roots of trees and shrubs; only a club-shaped flower spike appears above ground. Little is known about its effect in people.

  Curanderismo of northern Peru
• Caution

  Europe · Herb · № 78

  Hyssop

  Hyssopus officinalis

  Traditionally used for coughs, colds and congestion. Clinical evidence is lacking.

  Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 490

  Indian coral tree

  Erythrina variegata

  Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, expectorant, fever-reducing, expels worms; for dysentery, worms, eye inflammation, rheumatic joints, liver complaints, diabetes, painful menstruation and infertility, promotes milk flow.

  Ayurveda
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 548

  Indian madder

  Rubia cordifolia

  Traditionally attributed effects: promotes menstruation, astringent, diuretic, cleansing, decongestant, tonic; for paralysis, jaundice, urinary tract obstruction, menstrual disorders, mastitis, too little lochia.

  Ayurveda+2
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 566

  Indian squill

  Urginea indica

  Traditionally attributed effects: in small doses expectorant, stimulates the heart, diuretic, decongestant, promotes menstruation; in large doses emetic and laxative.

  Ayurveda+1
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 491

  Java plum

  Eugenia jambolana

  Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, diuretic, lowers blood sugar; seeds for diabetes, bark for chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, heavy menstruation, spongy gums, stomatitis; diarrhoea in children.

  Ayurveda+2
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 127

  Japanese honeysuckle

  Lonicera japonica en L. periclymenum

  The flower buds (jin yin hua) are an important 'cooling' herb in Chinese medicine for fever, sore throats and colds. There is plenty of laboratory research but few good clinical studies.

  Chinese medical traditions+3
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 130

  Spikenard (jatamansi)

  Nardostachys jatamansi

  Used in Ayurveda as a calming remedy for insomnia and restlessness. There is mostly animal research; clinical evidence is lacking.

  Ayurveda+4
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 402

  Sweet flag

  Acorus calamus

  Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, tonic, stimulating; restores throat and voice (singers), improves concentration/clear thinking, for flatulence and heartburn.

  Ayurveda+4
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 555

  Yellow-berried nightshade

  Solanum surattense

  Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, strongly diuretic, expectorant, fever-reducing, aids digestion, astringent; for fever, cough, asthma, toothache, sore throat, gonorrhoea, rheumatism; promotes conception.

  Ayurveda
• Caution

  North America · Herb · № 155

  Pokeweed

  Phytolacca americana

  Formerly used for swollen glands, tonsillitis and rheumatism. Because of its toxicity it is not a safe herb; there is no evidence of benefits that outweigh the risks.

  Indigenous healing traditions of North America+5
• Caution

  Africa · Herb · № 116

  Khella

  Ammi visnaga

  Contains khellin, a muscle relaxant that widens the airways and blood vessels. Khellin was the basis for modern drugs such as cromoglicate (for asthma) and amiodarone (for heart rhythm disorders).

  Ancient Egyptian medicine+1
• Caution

  Europe · Herb · № 100

  Coltsfoot

  Tussilago farfara

  One of the oldest cough herbs; the leaf contains soothing mucilage. Because of its toxic alkaloids it is now advised against.

  Greco-Roman medicine+3
• Caution

  Africa · Herb · № 337

  Nut grass

  Cyperus rotundus

  Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, pain-relieving, antispasmodic for the uterus, promotes the flow of qi.

  Ancient Egyptian medicine+4
• Caution

  Africa · Food · № 27

  Kola nut

  Cola nitida en Cola acuminata

  Contains about 2–4% caffeine plus theobromine and acts as a stimulant. It is chewed both privately and in social and ceremonial settings.

  Local African healing traditions+1
• Caution

  Europe · Herb · № 102

  Great mullein

  Verbascum thapsus

  Leaves and flowers contain mucilage and are traditionally used for irritating coughs and bronchitis; the flower oil for earache. Clinical evidence is limited.

  Greco-Roman medicine+4
• 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

  Asia · Herb · № 5

  Turmeric

  Curcuma longa

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

  Ayurveda+5Folklore
• Caution

  Europe · Herb · № 6

  Lovage

  Levisticum officinale

  The leaf tastes of stock and celery. In folk medicine the root was used as a diuretic and for bloating; research is lacking.

  Western herbal medicine
• Caution

  Asia · Food · № 238

  Lime

  Citrus aurantiifolia

  A sour citrus fruit rich in vitamin C. The juice was given against scurvy and is used in Asia with honey or salt for coughs and sore throat.

  Jamu in Indonesia+1Folklore
• 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

  Europe · Herb · № 113

  White horehound

  Marrubium vulgare

  A bitter herb traditionally used for coughs with sticky phlegm and bronchitis. In Europe it is recognised as a traditional herbal medicine; clinical evidence is limited.

  Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
• Caution

  Asia · Food · № 730

  Tangerine peel (chen pi)

  Citrus reticulata

  Traditionally attributed effects: the ripe peel (chen pi) moves the qi of spleen and lung and dissolves phlegm; the green peel (qing pi) moves liver qi.

  Chinese medical traditions+2
• Caution

  Oceania · Food · № 51

  Mānuka honey

  A monofloral honey with distinctive compounds such as leptosperin and methylglyoxal. Ordinary food honey is not a treatment.

  Rongoā Māori+1
• Caution

  Europe · Herb · № 47

  Hawthorn

  Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata (en C. pinnatifida)

  Studied for heart failure with conflicting results. For most conditions there is little or no good evidence.

  Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
• Caution

  Asia · Food · № 792

  Maltose (yi tang)

  Saccharum granorum (maltose)

  Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens qi and spleen, eases pain from cold in the middle and moistens the lungs.

  Chinese medical traditions+1
• 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 · № 530

  Night jasmine

  Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

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

  Ayurveda
• Caution

  Asia · Food · № 425

  Jackfruit

  Artocarpus integrifolia

  Traditionally attributed effects: ripe fruit soothing, nourishing, laxative; unripe fruit astringent; milky sap for swollen glands, abscesses and snake bites; root for diarrhoea; leaf and root for skin diseases.

  Ayurveda+1
• 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

  North America · Herb · № 153

  Osha

  Ligusticum porteri, L. sinense en L. wallichii

  The root is traditionally used for sore throats, coughs and early colds. There is virtually no clinical research.

  Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
• Caution

  Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 452

  Papaya

  Carica papaya

  Traditionally attributed effects: aids digestion, expels worms, stomachic, promotes menstruation; ripe fruit mildly laxative; leaves against amoebic dysentery and fever; seeds against roundworms; promotes milk flow; unripe fruit abortifacient.

  Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+2
• Caution

  Asia · Herb · № 437

  Pashanbheda

  Bergenia ligulata

  Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing, astringent, tonic; known for dissolving kidney stones; for fever, diarrhoea, lung complaints, eye inflammation, teething in children.

  Ayurveda+1