Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

North America · Herb · № 280

Blue cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

North America · Herb · № 630

California figwort

Scrophularia californica, S. lanceolata

Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat in the blood and nourishes yin, drains damp heat and disperses swellings.

North America · Herb · № 627

California spikenard

Aralia californica

Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold and fever without sweating, warms the lung and stops cough with abundant white or clear phlegm, and (roasted with honey) strengthens the energy of lung and spleen.

North America · Herb · № 978

California bay laurel

Umbellularia californica

An evergreen tree of the laurel family with strongly scented leaves. The leaf contains umbellulone, which causes headache when inhaled and is poisonous in large amounts.

North America · Herb · № 959

Horseweed

Erigeron canadensis (syn. Conyza canadensis)

An annual of the daisy family with an upright, hairy stem and countless small white flower heads. Contains volatile oil, tannins and flavonoids; the oil was once used as 'oil of erigeron' for bleeding and diarrhoea.

North America · Herb · № 34

Goldenseal

Hydrastis canadensis

There is not enough evidence to determine whether goldenseal helps any health condition.

North America · Herb · № 582

Canadian goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing; heals the bladder wall (incontinence, irritation), for allergies and stuck mucus after a cold, eyewash for hay fever.

North America · Herb · № 931

Eastern hemlock

Tsuga canadensis

An evergreen conifer with short, flat needles. The bark is rich in tannins and was once used to tan leather. Medicinal effects have not been studied.

South America · Herb · № 911

Canchalagua

Schkuhria pinnata

A small, finely branched annual herb of the daisy family with tiny yellow flowers. It tastes bitter. There is laboratory research on compounds that act on blood sugar, but studies in people are 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.

North America · Herb · № 288

Cascara sagrada

Frangula purshiana (syn. Rhamnus purshiana)

Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, digestive tonic.

South America · Herb · № 919

Chanca piedra (stonebreaker)

Phyllanthus niruri (en P. stipulatus, P. urinaria)

A small herb with rows of fine leaflets and tiny fruits beneath them. In experiments it inhibited the formation of kidney stone crystals and acted as a diuretic; small studies in people do not yet give clear evidence.

South America · Herb · № 890

Chilca

Baccharis latifolia (en verwante soorten, o.a. B. pentlandii)

A fast-growing, densely branched shrub with glossy, sticky leaves. Little is known from research about its effect in people.

South America · Herb · № 917

Chuchuhuasi

Maytenus macrocarpa (syn. Monteverdia macrocarpa); in Noord-Peru ook Heisteria acuminata

A large tree with thick, reddish-brown bark. The bark contains triterpenes and sesquiterpenes, among other compounds; extracts were anti-inflammatory in experiments. Studies in people are lacking.

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.

South America · Herb · № 913

Corpus way

Gentianella bicolor

A small, very bitter herb of the gentian family, related to hercampuri. Gentians contain bitter compounds that stimulate digestion. Clinical studies are lacking.

North America · Food · № 13

Cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon

A food berry. Products may help lower recurrent UTI risk for some women, but findings are mixed; it does not treat an existing UTI.

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.

North America · Herb · № 189

Pine

Pinus spp.

The scent of needles and resin is experienced as fresh and cleansing. Pine buds and needles contain essential oil and vitamin C; a medicinal effect has hardly been studied.

North America · Herb · № 948

Threeleaf goldthread

Coptis trifolia

A small evergreen herb with golden-yellow thread-like roots. These contain berberine, a bitter compound that inhibits bacteria in laboratory tests; related to Chinese goldthread (huang lian).

North America · Herb · № 966

Devil's club

Oplopanax horridus

An ivy-like shrub with large, hand-shaped leaves and spines over the whole stem and the leaf veins. Research into a blood-sugar-lowering effect is at an early stage.

North America · Herb · № 995

Devil's walking stick

Aralia spinosa

A shrub or small tree of the ivy family, related to American spikenard, with very prickly stems, huge doubly pinnate leaves and in late summer large sprays of small white flowers with purple berries. The fresh root is sharp and emetic.

Europe · Herb · № 56

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Traditionally used to stop bleeding from minor wounds, for fevers and colds, and as a digestive bitter. Clinical evidence is limited.

North America · Herb · № 14

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea

Studied for colds and respiratory infections. It may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold; effects on duration and other conditions are uncertain.

Europe · Mushroom · № 115

Penny bun (porcini)

Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, Morchella esculenta, Pleurotus ostreatus

A prized edible mushroom with protein, fibre and minerals. Medicinal claims are unproven.

North America · Herb · № 972

Single delight

Moneses uniflora

A small plant of the heath family with a single nodding, white, fragrant flower. The pounded plant irritates the skin and can raise blisters.

North America · Herb · № 188

Maple

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.

Europe · Food · № 90

Raspberry

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.

North America · Herb · № 1000

Galax

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.