Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

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 · Herb · № 136

Kudzu

Pueraria montana var. lobata

The root (ge gen) is used in Chinese medicine for fever, stiff neck and thirst. Small studies have looked at kudzu for reducing alcohol use, with mixed results.

Asia · Herb · № 5

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

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

Asia · Herb · № 520

Mahua

Madhuca longifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: flowers cooling, soothing, expectorant, tonic, nourishing; bark astringent and tonic; for diabetes and rheumatism, bleeding gums, tonsil and throat inflammation, itching, bronchitis, cough, haemorrhoids.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 266

Maize

Zea mays

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, heals the urinary tract lining, tonic, soothing.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 217

Oregano

Origanum vulgare

A culinary herb with carvacrol and thymol, which inhibit bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There is no good evidence that oregano oil treats infections in humans; undiluted oil irritates skin and mucous membranes.

Asia · Herb · № 443

Palmyra palm

Borassus flabellifer

Traditionally attributed effects: root cooling and restorative; sap diuretic, cooling, stimulating, anti-inflammatory; for hiccups, gastric catarrh, syphilis, gonorrhoea, bile and liver complaints, enlarged spleen, diabetes, tuberculosis.

Asia · Herb · № 673

Rehmannia

Rehmannia glutinosa

Traditionally attributed effects: raw it cools the blood and nourishes yin; prepared (steamed with wine) it nourishes the blood and the kidney yin.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 45

Sage

Salvia officinalis

A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.

Asia · Herb · № 507

East Indian screw tree

Helicteres isora

Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, soothing, mildly astringent, stomachic; for colic, flatulence, diarrhoea, chronic dysentery, diabetes, ear infection, snake bites.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 749

Siberian Solomon's seal (huang jing)

Polygonatum sibiricum

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens spleen and kidneys, moistens the lungs and replenishes the essence.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 849

Bitter melon

Momordica charantia

A bitter climbing plant whose fruit, leaves and vines are used. In folk medicine mainly taken to lower blood sugar; research shows a small effect at most.

South America · Herb · № 164

Suma

Hebanthe eriantha (syn. Pfaffia paniculata)

Sold as 'Brazilian ginseng' and an adaptogen for fatigue. There is hardly any human research.

Africa · Herb · № 467

Ivy gourd

Coccinia indica

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative (bark), antispasmodic and expectorant (leaf and stem), lowers blood sugar; for incipient diabetes, swollen glands, skin diseases, smallpox rash, gonorrhoea, bronchitis.

Asia · Herb · № 497

Cluster fig

Ficus racemosa

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, carminative, stomachic, kills worms, lowers blood sugar; wound rinse, for dysentery, bile complaints, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, heavy menstruation, coughing up blood, sore throat, diabetes.

Asia · Herb · № 446

Flame of the forest

Butea monosperma

Traditionally attributed effects: leaves astringent, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac; seeds expel worms and laxative; flowers tonic; for diarrhoea, heartburn, diabetes (lowers blood sugar), flatulence, haemorrhoids, worms, leucorrhoea, inflamed throat.

Europe · Food · № 83

Flax

Linum usitatissimum

Ground flaxseed acts as a gentle bulk-forming fibre for constipation. NCCIH reports it may lower cholesterol slightly; evidence for other claims is unclear.

Asia · Herb · № 128

White mulberry

Morus alba en M. nigra

The leaf (sang ye) is being studied for post-meal blood sugar and is used in Chinese medicine for coughs and fevers; bark, twigs and berries each have their own use too. Evidence is preliminary.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 363

Black seed

Nigella sativa

Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, diuretic and sudorific, promotes bile, stomachic, stimulating, carminative, expels worms, promotes menstruation and milk flow, antibacterial.