Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Europe · Herb · № 44

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.

Europe · Herb · № 206

Lily of the valley

Convallaria majalis

Traditionally attributed effects: heart tonic, diuretic, laxative, emetic.

South America · Herb · № 883

Manayupa

Desmodium molliculum

A low plant of the pea family. Traditionally used for inflammation and wounds; research is limited.

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.

South America · Herb · № 897

Mullaca

Muehlenbeckia volcanica

A low, creeping shrublet with small, round, leathery leaves and blue-black berries. Tannins and flavonoids have been found in the extract; in rats it was anti-inflammatory.

South America · Herb · № 816

Muña

Minthostachys mollis

A mint-like plant used in the Andes for stomach complaints and wind.

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.

South America · Herb · № 858

Natre

Solanum crispum (incl. S. ligustrinum)

A shrub of the nightshade family with very bitter leaves. Traditionally a fever remedy; the berries are poisonous.

North America · Herb · № 154

Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata

Used for anxiety and sleep problems. NCCIH notes some indications of an effect on anxiety but limited evidence.

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.

South America · Herb · № 884

Peruvian elder

Sambucus peruviana

A tree with white flower umbels and dark berries, related to the European elder. Flowers and leaves are considered sweat-inducing and anti-inflammatory.

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.

South America · Herb · № 872

Radal

Lomatia hirsuta

A tree of the protea family with large toothed leaves and beautifully figured wood. Traditionally for coughs; research is lacking.

Africa · Food · № 25

Roselle (hibiscus)

Hibiscus sabdariffa

The red calyces make a tart drink. Folk medicine links it to blood pressure; it is not a substitute for treatment.

Europe · Herb · № 2

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)

An aromatic culinary herb with carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. A few small studies point to a slight effect of the scent on alertness; that it improves memory has not been shown. The leaf is used for digestive complaints.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 905

Salvia divinorum

Salvia divinorum

A sage with large leaves containing salvinorin A, a very potent substance acting on the kappa opioid receptor. Brings short-lived, often intense changes in perception and the feeling of leaving the body.

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 · № 43

St. John's wort

Hypericum perforatum

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

Europe · Herb · № 95

Comfrey

Symphytum officinale

Topical preparations have been studied for bruises, sprains and back pain and appear to reduce pain. It contains allantoin, which is thought to support tissue repair.

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 · № 577

Alder buckthorn

Frangula alnus

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative, antiparasitic, bitter; mild laxative without cramps, stops bleeding and helps with warts, mouthwash for gum problems, hair rinse for scalp irritation.

Asia · Herb · № 40

Tulsi (holy basil)

Ocimum tenuiflorum

An aromatic plant drunk as herbal tea; treatment claims are not established.

South America · Herb · № 1013

Turpay

Nototriche (o.a. N. mandoniana en N. porphyrantha)

A small, cushion-forming mallow that grows flat against the ground, with a thick taproot. Mallows contain soothing mucilage; these species themselves have hardly been studied.

Europe · Herb · № 20

Valerian

Valeriana officinalis

The root has a traditional association with sleep and calm. Research on insomnia is inconsistent and does not establish benefit.

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.

South America · Herb · № 1005

Wira wira

Achyrocline satureioides (en verwante wollige composieten, o.a. Culcitium canescens)

A woolly, bitter-aromatic plant up to a metre tall with yellow flower heads. Contains flavonoids such as quercetin and luteolin; in the laboratory the extract acts against some viruses, but research in people is lacking.

South America · Herb · № 878

Yacón

Smallanthus sonchifolius

A plant of the daisy family with sweet, crunchy tubers full of inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides, which the body barely absorbs. The leaf has been studied for diabetes; evidence in humans is lacking.

South America · Food · № 15

Yerba mate

Ilex paraguariensis

The leaves contain caffeine, theobromine and polyphenols; the drink is stimulating and dispels tiredness, like coffee or tea. It is a beverage and social drink, not a medicine.

South America · Herb · № 980

Yoco

Paullinia yoco

A woody liana of the soapberry family, related to guarana. The bark contains caffeine and theobromine; 0.1 to 3.6 percent caffeine has been measured, most in the inner bark of the stem. It is one of the few plants whose bark, rather than its seed or leaf, gives a caffeine drink.

Asia · Herb · № 648

Celosia seed (qing xiang zi)

Celosia argentea

Traditionally attributed effects: cools the liver, reduces liver inflammation and helps with high blood pressure and the eye complaints related to it.