Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Europe · Herb · № 62

Greater burdock

Arctium lappa

In Europe the root was considered a 'blood-cleansing' herb for skin problems such as eczema and acne; the seed is used in Chinese medicine for sore throats. Clinical evidence is weak.

Asia · Herb · № 144

Guduchi (giloy)

Tinospora cordifolia

In Ayurveda a rejuvenating remedy (rasayana) for fevers and the immune system. Studies are small; it has no proven effect against infections.

Europe · Herb · № 87

Cowslip

Primula veris

The root contains saponins and is traditionally used to loosen phlegm in coughs; the flowers as a calming tea. There is some research on combination cough preparations.

Oceania · Herb · № 174

Gumbi gumbi

Pittosporum spp.

Leaves, seeds or wood were steeped in hot water and drunk or used externally, for example for colds, coughs, eczema and cramps. Laboratory research points to antimicrobial compounds; clinical studies are lacking.

Asia · Herb · № 139

Haritaki and triphala

Terminalia chebula

Haritaki is used in Ayurveda as a rejuvenating remedy and gentle laxative. Triphala, a blend of three fruits, is the best-known Ayurvedic formula for digestion. Clinical research is limited.

Europe · Herb · № 82

Motherwort

Leonurus cardiaca

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

Europe · Food · № 66

Oats

Avena sativa

Oat flakes provide beta-glucan, a fibre that according to approved health claims can help maintain normal cholesterol. Oatmeal is also used in baths for dry, itchy skin. Its traditional role as a nerve tonic is unproven.

Europe · Herb · № 103

Vervain

Verbena officinalis

Traditionally used for nervousness, exhaustion and as a digestive bitter. Scientific evidence is largely lacking.

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.

North America · Herb · № 307

Indian tobacco

Lobelia inflata

Traditionally attributed effects: relaxing, expectorant, induces sweating, emetic, antispasmodic, anti-asthmatic.

Asia · Herb · № 451

Indian hemp

Cannabis indica

Traditionally attributed effects: intoxicating, stomachic, antispasmodic, pain-relieving, stimulating, aphrodisiac, calming; sleep-inducing, for painful menstruation, itchy skin diseases, headache, mania, whooping cough, asthma, nervous vomiting.

Africa · Herb · № 504

Levant cotton

Gossypium herbaceum

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, laxative, expectorant, aphrodisiac, promotes milk flow, promotes menstruation; seeds for intermittent fever and dysentery; oil for rheumatism, freckles, herpes, scabies, wounds, nerve pain; compress on bruises and burns.

Asia · Herb · № 723

Loquat leaf (pi pa ye)

Eriobotrya japonica

Traditionally attributed effects: cools hot phlegm in the lungs and makes rebellious lung and stomach energy descend.

Asia · Herb · № 126

Jasmine

Jasminum officinale / J. grandiflorum

Best known as a fragrance and in jasmine tea; jasmine aromatherapy is used for relaxation. Medical claims are unproven.

Europe · Herb · № 81

Juniper

Juniperus communis

The berries are traditionally used as a diuretic, for digestive complaints and externally for joint pain. Clinical evidence is limited.

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.

Asia · Other · № 141

Camphor

Cinnamomum camphora

Used externally in rubs for muscle pain, itching and blocked noses; it gives a cooling, numbing feeling. There is some evidence of short-term relief.

Europe · Herb · № 19

Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla (Duitse kamille)

Flowers are used in teas and topical or oral products. Reliable evidence is insufficient for most claimed conditions.

South America · Herb · № 1004

Kantuta

Cantua buxifolia

A much-branched shrub of 2 to 3 metres with clusters of tubular flowers in red, pink, yellow or white, pollinated by hummingbirds and bees. Little is known about its effect in people.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 834

Chervil

Anthriscus cerefolium

A mild, aniseed-like kitchen herb, traditionally used as a cleansing spring herb and for digestive complaints.

Europe · Herb · № 75

Cleavers

Galium aparine

Used in Western herbalism as a 'lymphatic' herb for swollen glands and skin conditions. Scientific evidence is lacking.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Oceania · Food · № 51

Mānuka honey

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

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.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 71

Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria

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

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.

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.

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.

South America · Herb · № 885

Peruvian matico (spiked pepper)

Piper aduncum

A shrub of the pepper family with rough, fragrant leaves. The leaf was traditionally used to stop bleeding; research is limited.

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.

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.