Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Europe · Herb · № 109

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

Traditionally used as a mild tea for colds, fevers, restlessness and colic. Nepetalactone from the plant is being researched as an insect repellent.

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.

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.

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.

Asia · Food · № 661

Green onion (cong bai)

Allium fistulosum

Traditionally attributed effects: diaphoretic at the start of a cold from cold; externally on swellings.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 655

Magnolia flower bud (xin yi hua)

Magnolia biondii (syn. M. liliflora)

Traditionally attributed effects: warms and opens the nose in blocked sinuses and headache from wind-cold.

Asia · Mushroom · № 589

Maitake

Grifola frondosa

Traditionally attributed effects: adaptogen; activates immune cells against cancer (macrophages, NK cells, T cells), reduces stress and strengthens resistance to colds and flu.

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.

Oceania · Herb · № 273

Manuka and kanuka

Leptospermum scoparium en Kunzea ericoides

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antimicrobial, antiseptic, expels worms (leptospermone); for ulcers, infections and fever.

North America · Herb · № 629

Mormon tea

Ephedra viridis, E. nevadensis, E. californica

Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold with sneezing and a watery nose, mildly eases wheezing and promotes urination.

Asia · Herb · № 341

Brown mustard

Brassica juncea

Traditionally attributed effects: plant bitter, mildly laxative, tonic; oil stimulating and skin-irritant, antiseptic; for chest complaints in children, muscular rheumatism, stiff neck, inflammation and nerve pain, abdominal cramps, persistent vomiting.

Asia · Herb · № 658

Notopterygium root (qiang huo)

Notopterygium incisum

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind, cold and dampness in colds and rheumatic pain in head, neck and shoulders.

Oceania · Herb · № 840

Old man weed

Centipeda cunninghamii

A small herb traditionally used for colds, skin complaints and inflammation.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 656

Perilla

Perilla frutescens

Traditionally attributed effects: warms in colds from cold, helps digestion and soothes cough with phlegm.

Asia · Herb · № 132

Chinese peony (bai shao)

Paeonia lactiflora en P. suffruticosa

The peeled root (bai shao, white peony) is used in Chinese medicine for cramps, period pain and muscle pain. There are studies of combination formulas but few of peony alone.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 366

Rhodiola

Rhodiola rosea

Roseroot is sold as an adaptogen for tiredness and stress. Some studies find a small effect on stress-related fatigue, but they are small and of varying quality. There is no evidence that it prevents colds.

Asia · Herb · № 650

Saposhnikovia root (fang feng)

Saposhnikovia divaricata

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind; for muscle pain, painful diarrhoea, rheumatic complaints and cramps.

Europe · Herb · № 91

White willow

Salix alba

The bark contains salicin, which the body partly converts to salicylic acid. There are hints of a moderate effect on low back pain and joint pain.

Asia · Herb · № 657

Schizonepeta (jing jie)

Schizonepeta tenuifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in colds (warm or cool, depending on the combination), helps rashes come out and, charred, stops bleeding.

Asia · Herb · № 367

Siberian ginseng

Eleutherococcus senticosus

Traditionally attributed effects: adaptogen, increases interferon production; especially for herpes simplex, strengthens the immune system against colds and flu; further for high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, insomnia, arthritis.

Europe · Herb · № 43

St. John's wort

Hypericum perforatum

Research suggests it may help mild to moderate depression; evidence for other uses is insufficient.

Asia · Herb · № 180

Opium poppy

Papaver somniferum

The latex of the unripe seed capsule (opium) contains morphine, codeine and other alkaloids. Morphine and related opioids are indispensable painkillers in modern medicine, but highly addictive. The seeds (poppy seeds) are an ordinary food.

Europe · Herb · № 98

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

Traditionally used for coughs and bronchitis; thymol from the oil inhibits bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There are some studies of thyme-based cough syrups.

Africa · Herb · № 29

Umckaloabo (African geranium)

Pelargonium sidoides

Root extract is sold for respiratory complaints. A Cochrane review found little to no evidence of benefit for acute bronchitis, colds, or sinusitis.

Asia · Herb · № 667

Greater duckweed (fu ping)

Spirodela polyrhiza

Traditionally attributed effects: diaphoretic and diuretic; helps rashes come out.

Europe · Herb · № 72

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

The seed is traditionally used for wind, bloating and cramps. There are some small studies, but evidence is limited.

Europe · Food · № 21

Elderberry

Sambucus nigra

Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.

North America · Herb · № 169

Wax myrtle (bayberry)

Morella cerifera

The root bark was traditionally used for colds, sore throats and diarrhoea. There is no modern clinical evidence.

North America · Herb · № 190

Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis

Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, astringent, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, stimulates muscles, antiseptic.

Africa · Herb · № 810

African wormwood

Artemisia afra

A bitter, aromatic herb widely used in southern Africa for coughs, colds, fever and flu.

North America · Herb · № 961

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

A mint with lilac flowers and strongly scented leaves, related to Oswego tea. The volatile oil is rich in carvacrol and thymol, which are antiseptic.

Asia · Herb · № 478

Zedoary

Curcuma zedoaria

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, expectorant, soothing, diuretic, skin-irritant, purifies the blood.

North America · Mineral · № 365

Zinc

An essential mineral. Zinc lozenges may make a cold slightly shorter if taken at the very first symptoms; for herpes, ADHD or other conditions the evidence is weak or absent.