Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Asia · Herb · № 39

Neem

Azadirachta indica

Used for centuries in traditional medicine in India, but there is insufficient clinical evidence of medical benefits.

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.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 452

Papaya

Carica papaya

Traditionally attributed effects: aids digestion, expels worms, stomachic, promotes menstruation; ripe fruit mildly laxative; leaves against amoebic dysentery and fever; seeds against roundworms; promotes milk flow; unripe fruit abortifacient.

Europe · Food · № 259

Carrot

Daucus carota

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, tonic, carminative; expels kidney and bladder stones, relieves lower back pain from the kidneys, reduces oedema, restores the bladder, stimulates digestion; seed traditionally as a contraceptive.

Europe · Herb · № 590

Pennyroyal

Mentha pulegium

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, astringent, promotes menstruation, induces sweating; brings on delayed menstruation, calms the stomach, lowers sudden high fever.

North America · Herb · № 368

Red root

Ceanothus americanus

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antispasmodic, expectorant, calming; for a swollen spleen (e.g. after glandular fever), cools and constricts blood vessels in bleeding and congestion of the uterus, liver and lymph.

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.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 369

Sarsaparilla

Smilax spp. (o.a. Smilax ornata)

The root contains saponins and was long sold as a 'blood-purifying' remedy and for skin conditions. There is no evidence that sarsaparilla treats herpes, syphilis or other infections.

Europe · Food · № 61

Celery

Apium graveolens

Vegetable and spice. The seed was traditionally used for gout, joint complaints and as a diuretic. Convincing clinical evidence is lacking.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 298

Greater celandine

Chelidonium majus

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, cleansing, stimulates the liver, anti-inflammatory.

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.

North America · Herb · № 285

Bugleweed

Lycopus virginicus

Traditionally attributed effects: calming, astringent, tonic, vasoconstricting, cough-suppressing, stops bleeding.

North America · Herb · № 190

Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis

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

Europe · Herb · № 242

Rue

Ruta graveolens

Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, stimulating, promotes menstruation, expectorant, antispasmodic, expels worms (children); strengthens capillaries (rutin); for hysteria, flatulence and colic, incipient paralysis, indigestion; oil diuretic and skin-irritant.

North America · Herb · № 150

Black cohosh

Actaea racemosa

Mainly sold for menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes. NCCIH reports that study results are mixed and there is not enough evidence that it helps.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 108

Barberry

Berberis vulgaris

Bark and root contain berberine, which is being studied for blood sugar and cholesterol. The berries are rich in vitamin C. Evidence for barberry itself is limited.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 850

Soursop

Annona muricata

A tree with a large, sweet-sour fruit. The leaf is drunk as a calming tea. Claims that soursop cures cancer are unproven.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 303

Achyranthes root (huai niu xi)

Achyranthes bidentata

Traditionally attributed effects: promotes circulation, liver tonic, pain-relieving.

Europe · Herb · № 57

Agrimony

Agrimonia eupatoria

An astringent, tannin-rich herb traditionally used for diarrhoea, sore throats and minor wounds. Good human research is lacking.

Asia · Herb · № 705

Akebia stem (mu tong)

Akebia trifoliata (en A. quinata)

Traditionally attributed effects: drains heat via the urine in painful urination, mouth ulcers and restlessness; promotes milk flow.

Africa · Herb · № 4

Aloe vera

Aloe vera

The gel from the leaf is used externally to soothe the skin and for minor burns. Research on wound healing gives mixed results; the gel is no substitute for wound care.

Asia · Herb · № 743

Sweetgum fruit (lu lu tong)

Liquidambar formosana

Traditionally attributed effects: lets qi and blood flow and opens the meridians.

North America · Herb · № 955

American licorice

Glycyrrhiza lepidota

A legume with long, tough, sweet roots, related to true licorice. The root tastes of licorice; it contains less glycyrrhizin than Glycyrrhiza glabra.

North America · Herb · № 996

American dittany

Cunila origanoides

A low, woody plant of the mint family with small purple flowers in late summer that smells of oregano and mint. The leaf contains essential oil. On the first frosty nights the stems split and ice ribbons grow out of them, which gave it the name frost mint.

North America · Herb · № 160

American ginseng

Panax quinquefolius

Chinese medicine regards it as more 'cooling' than Asian ginseng and uses it for fatigue and thirst. Some studies find a slight effect on post-meal blood sugar and colds; evidence is limited.

North America · Herb · № 628

North American wild ginger

Asarum caudatum, A. canadense en verwante soorten

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-cold, opens a blocked nose, warms the lung in cough with clear phlegm and expels cold and dampness in menstrual pain and other pain.

North America · Herb · № 951

American spikenard

Aralia racemosa

A tall perennial of the ivy family, related to ginseng, with a thick, aromatic root. Little studied.

North America · Herb · № 1001

American sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

One of the largest broadleaf trees of eastern America, with a trunk that peels in patches of white, green and brown. The bark contains tannins and betulinic acid. It is a parent of the London plane of European streets.

Asia · Herb · № 678

Amur cork tree bark (huang bai)

Phellodendron amurense

Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat from the lower body and cools heat from kidney yin deficiency.

Europe · Herb · № 197

Carnation

Dianthus spp.

The clove pink has fragrant, edible petals. In Chinese medicine the related Dianthus superbus (qu mai) is used for bladder infections; no medicinal effect is described for the garden carnation.

South America · Herb · № 873

Arrayán (Chilean myrtle)

Luma apiculata

The Chilean myrtle, with cinnamon-coloured bark, fragrant leaves and edible black berries. Traditionally an astringent; research is lacking.

Africa · Herb · № 375

Atlas cedar

Cedrus atlantica

Cedarwood oil is used in hair products against dandruff and as a fragrance. A small study of an oil blend for hair loss (alopecia areata) found improvement, but the effect of the cedar itself has not been established.