Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Europe · Food · № 255

Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus

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

South America · Herb · № 857

Cachanlagua

Centaurium cachanlahuen

A small bitter herb with pink flowers, related to the European common centaury. Traditionally for fever and digestion; clinical research is lacking.

South America · Herb · № 1003

Calaguala

Campyloneurum angustifolium (en verwante varens, o.a. Polypodium)

A narrow-leaved fern that grows on trees and rocks. The rhizome has been traded as a medicine for centuries; good research on its effect in people is lacking.

South America · Herb · № 891

Carqueja

Baccharis genistelloides (en B. trimera)

A perennial with flat, winged stems and hardly any leaves. One of the best-studied Baccharis species; it contains flavonoids that may be anti-inflammatory. Clinical evidence is lacking.

South America · Herb · № 924

Cebil (vilca)

Anadenanthera colubrina

A thorny tree of the pea family, related to yopo. The seeds contain much bufotenine, up to over twelve per cent, as well as some DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. As a snuff they cause violent physical effects and short visions.

South America · Herb · № 902

Chacruna

Psychotria viridis

A shrub of the coffee family up to five metres tall. The leaves contain DMT, a short-acting, powerfully mind-altering substance that only works by mouth together with an MAO inhibitor such as ayahuasca.

Europe · Mushroom · № 578

Chaga

Inonotus obliquus

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, adaptogen, antioxidant; regulates the immune system (also in autoimmune diseases), lowers cholesterol, balances blood sugar, anti-inflammatory.

Africa · Herb · № 453

Chaksu

Cassia absus

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, lowers blood pressure; leaves for cough; seeds for ringworm, skin diseases, conjunctivitis and eye inflammation.

South America · Herb · № 862

Chilco

Fuchsia magellanica

The wild fuchsia, with drooping red and purple flowers. Traditionally as a diuretic and for fever; research is lacking.

South America · Herb · № 867

Chilean strawberry (kelleñ)

Fragaria chiloensis

A wild strawberry with large, fragrant fruits, one of the parents of the garden strawberry. The leaf contains tannins.

South America · Herb · № 861

Chilean laurel (triwe)

Laurelia sempervirens

A tall evergreen tree with strongly scented leaves and wood. Traditionally for headache and as a diuretic; research is lacking.

Asia · Food · № 572

Chinese jujube

Zizyphus vulgaris

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, lowers blood sugar, soothing, soothing to the chest.

Asia · Herb · № 558

Chiretta

Swertia chirata

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, stomachic, expels worms, laxative, cleansing, antidiarrhoeal, antipyretic; for intermittent fever, skin diseases, intestinal worms, asthma, hiccups and vomiting, gout; scorpion stings.

South America · Herb · № 378

Lemon verbena

Aloysia citrodora

Traditionally attributed effects: relaxing, helps you fall asleep.

North America · Mineral · № 364

Colloidal silver

Silver particles in water. There is no evidence that colloidal silver treats infections, HIV or other diseases; it can, however, cause argyria, a permanent blue-grey discoloration of the skin and organs.

North America · Herb · № 579

Chaparral

Larrea divaricata

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stimulating, cleansing, diuretic; detoxifies the liver and body, anti-inflammatory, for arthritis, strengthens bladder and kidneys, externally for haemorrhoids, boils, bedsores and bruises.

Asia · Herb · № 473

Croton

Croton oblongifolius

Traditionally attributed effects: bark and root cleansing and promote bile; seeds laxative; bark for sprains and liver diseases, poultices on swellings, for snake bites.

South America · Herb · № 856

Culén

Grimolobium glandulosum (syn. Otholobium glandulosum, Psoralea glandulosa)

A shrub of the pea family with glandular, fragrant leaves. Traditionally used for digestive complaints, diarrhoea and on wounds; good research is lacking.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 928

Damiana

Turnera diffusa

A small, woody shrub with small, strongly scented leaves and yellow flowers. Contains flavonoids such as apigenin and acacetin, terpenes and a small amount of cyanogenic glycosides. Considered mildly calming and uplifting; which substances cause this is not known.

Asia · Herb · № 243

Tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus

A culinary herb with an aniseed-like taste. The fresh leaf slightly numbs the tongue and was formerly chewed for toothache and used to stimulate the appetite. It contains estragole; large amounts are not recommended.

Europe · Food · № 245

Grape

Vitis vinifera

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, laxative, cooling, stomachic, diuretic; for bilious indigestion, bleeding, painful urination, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, gout; juice for constipation in children.

Asia · Herb · № 495

Asafoetida

Ferula foetida

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, mildly laxative, expels worms, promotes menstruation, stimulates nerves and lungs.

Asia · Herb · № 394

Devil's cotton

Abroma augusta

Traditionally attributed effects: leaves and stem soothing, root bark promotes menstruation; for painful menstruation, regulates menstruation, uterine tonic, for gonorrhoea; can cause skin irritation.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 460

Mexican tea

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.

Asia · Food · № 260

Peas

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.

Asia · Herb · № 468

Golden colchicum

Colchicum luteum

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, carminative, laxative, aphrodisiac; for gout, rheumatism, liver and spleen diseases; externally against inflammation and pain.

Asia · Herb · № 472

Poison bulb

Crinum defixum

Traditionally attributed effects: emetic, induces sweating, laxative; leaves for whitlow, inflamed toes and fingers, joints and sprains; leaf juice for ear complaints; bulb for bile complaints, urinary complaints and rheumatism.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 257

Grapefruit

Citrus × paradisi

A citrus fruit rich in vitamin C. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice inhibit enzymes that break down many medicines. The essential oil is used in skin and hair products, but effects on cellulite or hair growth have not been shown.

Asia · Herb · № 344

Cardamom

Elettaria cardamomum

Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, pungent, strengthens the heart, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, carminative; for asthma, bronchitis, haemorrhoids, bladder complaints, flatulence, cramps from laxatives, dizziness, indigestion, vomiting.

Europe · Herb · № 591

Purple loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, antibiotic, antispasmodic, diuretic, induces sweating, tonic, soothing; for dysentery and bacterial diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's), strengthens kidneys and bladder, for the eyes.

Asia · Herb · № 506

Gymnema

Gymnema sylvestre

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, tonic, cooling, diuretic, lowers blood sugar (suppresses sweet taste); for diabetes and sugar in the urine, snake bites, fever, cough, swollen glands.

Africa · Herb · № 536

Syrian rue

Peganum harmala

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, antipyretic, stimulating, promotes menstruation; against tapeworm, intermittent fever and chronic malaria, pain-relieving in asthma, colic, jaundice; promotes milk and menstruation; gargle for sore throat; against head lice.

Asia · Herb · № 415

Himalayan angelica

Angelica glauca

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart, stimulating; for flatulence, constipation and indigestion.

Asia · Herb · № 457

Deodar

Cedrus deodara

Traditionally attributed effects: wood carminative, induces sweating and urination; bark strongly astringent and fever-reducing; for fever, diarrhoea and dysentery, lung and urinary complaints, rheumatism, haemorrhoids, kidney stones; oil for skin diseases and ulcers.

Africa · Herb · № 909

Iboga

Tabernanthe iboga

A shrub of the dogbane family up to ten metres tall. The root bark contains ibogaine and about ten other alkaloids. In small amounts stimulating; in large amounts a dreamlike state with visions that lasts for days.

Asia · Herb · № 524

Ceylon ironwood

Mesua ferrea

Traditionally attributed effects: blossoms, root and bark bitter, aromatic, induce sweating; dried flowers astringent, stomachic, carminative; for heavy colds, gastritis, bronchitis, vomiting, dysentery, thirst, excessive sweating, bleeding haemorrhoids.