Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 161

Cayenne pepper

Capsicum frutescens

Capsaicin from chilli peppers is used externally for nerve pain and joint pain; high-dose capsaicin patches are an approved medicine. Internally it is mainly a warming spice.

South America · Herb · № 1002

Chachacomo

Escallonia resinosa (en verwante soorten, o.a. E. micrantha)

A shrub or tree of 2 to 10 metres with reddish, papery bark and small, finely toothed leaves full of resin and essential oil. Almost nothing has been studied about its effect in people.

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 · № 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.

Asia · Herb · № 290

Bupleurum (chai hu)

Bupleurum chinense

Traditionally attributed effects: energy tonic, stimulates the liver, cooling, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, promotes bile, lowers cholesterol.

Asia · Herb · № 684

Chinese violet (zi hua di ding)

Viola yedoensis (syn. V. philippica)

Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat and 'toxin' in abscesses, boils, sore throat and inflamed eyes.

Asia · Herb · № 304

Chinese goldthread (huang lian)

Coptis chinensis

Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, antibacterial, pain-relieving, calming, anti-inflammatory.

Europe · Herb · № 225

Chicory

Cichorium intybus

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, laxative, tonic.

Asia · Food · № 221

Lemon

Citrus limon

Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, diuretic, strengthens the veins.

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 · № 855

Copaiba

Copaifera officinalis en verwante soorten

A tree whose oleoresin is rich in beta-caryophyllene. Used on the skin for inflammation and small wounds; the evidence comes mainly from animal and laboratory studies.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 215

Dill

Anethum graveolens

Traditionally attributed effects: carminative.

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).

Europe · Herb · № 105

Heartsease

Viola tricolor

Traditionally used for skin conditions such as eczema and cradle cap, and for coughs. There is little clinical research.

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.

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.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 193

Ash

Fraxinus excelsior

The leaf was used as a mild diuretic and laxative and for gout. There is little research; a medicinal effect has not been shown.

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.

Oceania · Herb · № 172

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus globulus

Eucalyptus oil is used for coughs and blocked noses with colds and externally for muscle pain; the European Medicines Agency recognises these as traditional uses. Strong clinical evidence is limited.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 200

Gardenia (zhi zi)

Gardenia jasminoides

Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, calming, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, promotes bile.

Asia · Herb · № 692

Barbat skullcap (ban zhi lian)

Scutellaria barbata

Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood, moves blood stagnation and reduces swellings; for hepatitis.

Asia · Herb · № 1

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

Asia · Herb · № 556

East Indian globe thistle

Sphaeranthus indicus

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, tonic, stomachic, stimulating, cleansing; for bile complaints, tumours, worms, skin diseases (purifies the blood), bleeding haemorrhoids, syphilis, urethral discharge, conjunctivitis.

Europe · Herb · № 49

Pot marigold (calendula)

Calendula officinalis

An edible flower historically used as medicine and dye. Its oil is widely used in skin products.

Asia · Food · № 343

Pomegranate

Punica granatum

Traditionally attributed effects: root and stem bark astringent and strongly expel tapeworm; flowers and peel astringent and stomachic; juice cooling.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 218

Spearmint

Mentha spicata

The classic culinary mint, with the milder carvone instead of menthol. It is drunk as tea for a full stomach and nausea; studies on concentration are small and inconclusive.

North America · Food · № 962

Ground plum

Astragalus crassicarpus

A low legume with purple-pink flowers and thick, round pods that lie on the ground like small plums. Only the young pods are edible.