Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

South America · Herb · № 891

Carqueja

Baccharis genistelloides (en B. trimera)

A perennial with flat, winged stems and hardly any leaves. One of the best-studied Baccharis species; it contains flavonoids that may be anti-inflammatory. Clinical evidence is lacking.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 511

Chaulmoogra

Hydnocarpus laurifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, stimulating, inhibits bacterial growth; chaulmoogra oil for leprosy (reduces nodules and skin lesions) and skin diseases.

Asia · Herb · № 148

Weeping forsythia (lian qiao)

Forsythia suspensa

The fruits (lian qiao) are a 'cooling' herb in Chinese medicine for early colds with sore throat and fever, and for skin inflammation. There is little clinical research on lian qiao alone.

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 · № 642

Chinese asparagus root (tian men dong)

Asparagus cochinchinensis

Traditionally attributed effects: moistening; for recovery after illness or surgery, chronically dry skin and for the production of sex hormones.

Asia · Herb · № 708

Chinese lobelia (ban bian lian)

Lobelia chinensis

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic and detoxifying in oedema, inflamed ulcers and snakebites.

Asia · Herb · № 355

Chinese hibiscus

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Traditionally attributed effects: cares for the hair, promotes circulation in the scalp and reduces stress.

Asia · Herb · № 665

Chinese black cohosh (sheng ma)

Actaea cimicifuga (syn. Cimicifuga foetida)

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat, helps rashes come out and lifts the energy in prolapse.

Asia · Food · № 445

Chironji

Buchanania lanzan

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, cleansing, laxative, diuretic; seeds nutritious, gum for diarrhoea, ointment for itching and skin blemishes, oil for swollen neck glands, substitute for almond oil.

Europe · Herb · № 233

Cypress

Cupressus sempervirens

Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, antispasmodic, calming, diuretic.

Asia · Food · № 221

Lemon

Citrus limon

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

Asia · Herb · № 381

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

Traditionally attributed effects: for oily hair.

Europe · Herb · № 85

Lemon balm

Melissa officinalis

Traditionally used for restlessness, sleep problems and a nervous stomach; externally for cold sores. Small studies suggest a mild calming effect, but evidence is limited.

South America · Herb · № 378

Lemon verbena

Aloysia citrodora

Traditionally attributed effects: relaxing, helps you fall asleep.

Asia · Herb · № 777

Cnidium seed (she chuang zi)

Cnidium monnieri

Traditionally attributed effects: externally for itching and fungus around the genitals; internally a kidney yang tonic.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 779

Cremastra (shan ci gu)

Cremastra appendiculata (ook Pleione en Tulipa edulis)

Traditionally attributed effects: externally for swollen glands, lumps, sores and abscesses.

Asia · Herb · № 474

Purging croton

Croton tiglium

Traditionally attributed effects: drastically laxative, irritant, skin-irritant; for stroke, insanity, convulsions, stubborn constipation, worms, ascites, oedema, colic, gout; wood in small doses induces sweating.

Asia · Herb · № 659

Dahurian angelica (bai zhi)

Angelica dahurica

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-cold, opens the nose and relieves headache and toothache; helps drain pus.

Asia · Herb · № 430

Danti

Baliospermum montanum

Traditionally attributed effects: seeds strongly laxative, externally stimulating and skin-irritant; root for oedema and jaundice, leaves for asthma, oil for rheumatism, antiseptic, for snake bites.

Asia · Herb · № 215

Dill

Anethum graveolens

Traditionally attributed effects: carminative.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 394

Devil's cotton

Abroma augusta

Traditionally attributed effects: leaves and stem soothing, root bark promotes menstruation; for painful menstruation, regulates menstruation, uterine tonic, for gonorrhoea; can cause skin irritation.

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.

Europe · Other · № 377

Dulse

Palmaria palmata

A red seaweed with protein, iodine and minerals. It is eaten as food and worked into scrubs; a medicinal effect has not been shown.

North America · Herb · № 14

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea

Studied for colds and respiratory infections. It may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold; effects on duration and other conditions are uncertain.

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.

Africa · Herb · № 118

Fenugreek

Trigonella foenum-graecum

The seed has been studied for blood sugar and for increasing breast milk. NCCIH reports there is not enough strong evidence for these uses.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 462

Velvet leaf

Cissampelos pareira

Traditionally attributed effects: mildly stomachic, bitter tonic, diuretic, dissolves stones, astringent; for intestinal complaints, indigestion, diarrhoea, prolapsed uterus, internal inflammation, urinary tract diseases, purifies the blood in skin diseases.

Asia · Herb · № 778

Gac seed (mu bie zi)

Momordica cochinchinensis

Traditionally attributed effects: externally for inflamed sores, breast abscesses and bruises.

Asia · Herb · № 1

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

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

Asia · Food · № 269

Barley

Hordeum vulgare

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, light; good for skin and hair.

North America · Herb · № 274

American cranesbill

Geranium maculatum

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stops bleeding, tonic.