Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

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.

Asia · Herb · № 503

Gmelina

Gmelina arborea

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, stomachic, bitter tonic, cooling, laxative, promotes milk flow; fruit in cooling decoctions for fever and bile complaints, headache, fever and indigestion; to prevent miscarriage.

Europe · Herb · № 311

Melilot

Melilotus officinalis

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, diuretic, antispasmodic, anticoagulant.

Europe · Herb · № 88

Self-heal

Prunella vulgaris

In Europe an old wound herb and gargle for sore throats; in Chinese medicine used for 'heat' and swollen glands. Research is mostly laboratory work.

Asia · Food · № 827

Ghee

Clarified butter used in Ayurveda as food and as a carrier for herbs.

Europe · Herb · № 317

Pellitory-of-the-wall

Parietaria judaica (syn. P. diffusa)

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

Europe · Herb · № 591

Purple loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, antibiotic, antispasmodic, diuretic, induces sweating, tonic, soothing; for dysentery and bacterial diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's), strengthens kidneys and bladder, for the eyes.

Europe · Herb · № 316

Parsley piert

Aphanes arvensis

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing.

Asia · Herb · № 142

Guggul

Commiphora wightii (syn. C. mukul)

The resin is used in Ayurveda for joint complaints, overweight and high cholesterol. A US study found no reduction in cholesterol; LDL even rose slightly.

Europe · Food · № 66

Oats

Avena sativa

Oat flakes provide beta-glucan, a fibre that according to approved health claims can help maintain normal cholesterol. Oatmeal is also used in baths for dry, itchy skin. Its traditional role as a nerve tonic is unproven.

Europe · Herb · № 59

Marshmallow

Althaea officinalis

Root and leaf are rich in mucilage that forms a soothing layer; used for dry coughs, throat irritation and an irritated stomach. Evidence is modest.

Asia · Food · № 518

Ridged gourd

Luffa acutangula

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, diuretic, bitter tonic, nourishing, expectorant, lowers blood sugar; seeds emetic and laxative; for enlarged spleen, dysentery; leaves on ulcers, ringworm, haemorrhoids, leprosy, insect and snake bites.

Africa · Herb · № 480

Bermuda grass

Cynodon dactylon

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, astringent, diuretic, stops bleeding, mildly laxative; for oedema, blood in the urine, vomiting, chronic diarrhoea, hysteria, bleeding haemorrhoids, bladder irritation, bladder stones, gout and rheumatism.

Africa · Food · № 807

Honeybush

Cyclopia intermedia

A caffeine-free, sweetish tea related to rooibos. Health effects have not been established.

Europe · Other · № 308

Irish moss

Chondrus crispus

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, expectorant, against vomiting, nourishing.

Africa · Herb · № 504

Levant cotton

Gossypium herbaceum

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, laxative, expectorant, aphrodisiac, promotes milk flow, promotes menstruation; seeds for intermittent fever and dysentery; oil for rheumatism, freckles, herpes, scabies, wounds, nerve pain; compress on bruises and burns.

Asia · Herb · № 508

Indian sarsaparilla

Hemidesmus indicus

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, soothing, induces sweating and urination, purifies the blood; for lack of appetite, indigestion, fever, skin diseases, syphilis, leucorrhoea, urogenital diseases, chronic cough, rheumatic joints.

Asia · Herb · № 444

Indian frankincense

Boswellia serrata

Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, diuretic, aromatic, soothing, mildly laxative, cleansing, promotes menstruation; for chronic lung diseases, diarrhoea, dysentery, menstrual complaints, gonorrhoea, haemorrhoids, liver disorders.

Asia · Herb · № 483

Jivanti orchid

Dendrobium macraei

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, soothing, tonic, cooling, lowers blood pressure; for weakness from seminal loss, snake bites and scorpion stings.

Europe · Herb · № 19

Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla (Duitse kamille)

Flowers are used in teas and topical or oral products. Reliable evidence is insufficient for most claimed conditions.

Europe · Herb · № 100

Coltsfoot

Tussilago farfara

One of the oldest cough herbs; the leaf contains soothing mucilage. Because of its toxic alkaloids it is now advised against.

Europe · Herb · № 565

Puncture vine

Tribulus terrestris

Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, soothing, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac.

Africa · Herb · № 337

Nut grass

Cyperus rotundus

Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, pain-relieving, antispasmodic for the uterus, promotes the flow of qi.

Asia · Food · № 500

Kokum

Garcinia indica

Traditionally attributed effects: fruit cooling, promotes bile, soothing, antiscorbutic; bark astringent; oil for dysentery, mucous diarrhoea, tuberculosis, skin diseases, chapped lips, ointment base; fruit for hives.

Asia · Food · № 261

Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Traditionally attributed effects: fruit nourishing and soothing; seeds cooling, diuretic, tonic; for throat complaints, strongly diuretic with sugar, in fever.

Europe · Herb · № 271

Hemp agrimony

Eupatorium cannabinum

Traditionally attributed effects: hemp agrimony fever-reducing, diuretic, laxative, promotes bile, expectorant, stimulates the immune system; boneset induces sweating, antispasmodic; gravel root soothing diuretic, antirheumatic, promotes menstruation.

Europe · Herb · № 102

Great mullein

Verbascum thapsus

Leaves and flowers contain mucilage and are traditionally used for irritating coughs and bronchitis; the flower oil for earache. Clinical evidence is limited.

Asia · Herb · № 711

Mallow seed (dong kui zi)

Malva verticillata (ook Abutilon theophrasti)

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing and diuretic in painful urination and stones; promotes milk flow.

Europe · Herb · № 580

Couch grass

Elymus repens

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing, astringent; for kidney and bladder complaints (kidney stones, interstitial cystitis), helps regulate blood sugar.

Asia · Herb · № 516

Indian laurel

Litsea glutinosa

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, astringent, softens the skin, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic; for diarrhoea and dysentery; externally for bruises, sprains, rheumatic and gouty joints, scorpion stings, fractures.

Asia · Food · № 131

Sacred lotus

Nelumbo nucifera

Almost every part is used: seeds for diarrhoea and restlessness, rhizome as food, leaf for 'summer heat'. Scientific evidence is mostly laboratory research.

Europe · Herb · № 211

Sweet violet

Viola odorata

Traditionally attributed effects: V. odorata anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic, antitumour; V. tricolor expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antirheumatic, laxative, strengthens capillaries.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 113

White horehound

Marrubium vulgare

A bitter herb traditionally used for coughs with sticky phlegm and bronchitis. In Europe it is recognised as a traditional herbal medicine; clinical evidence is limited.

Europe · Herb · № 71

Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria

Contains salicylates. Traditionally used for heartburn, an irritated stomach and joint pain. Clinical research is scarce.