Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Asia · Food · № 730

Tangerine peel (chen pi)

Citrus reticulata

Traditionally attributed effects: the ripe peel (chen pi) moves the qi of spleen and lung and dissolves phlegm; the green peel (qing pi) moves liver qi.

Europe · Herb · № 47

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata (en C. pinnatifida)

Studied for heart failure with conflicting results. For most conditions there is little or no good evidence.

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.

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.

Asia · Food · № 545

Radish

Raphanus sativus

Traditionally attributed effects: seeds and leaves diuretic, laxative, dissolve stones; juice against scurvy; for painful and difficult urination, stones, urinary diseases, haemorrhoids, stomach ache; syrup for hoarseness, whooping cough and chest complaints.

Europe · Herb · № 99

Red clover

Trifolium pratense

Contains isoflavones (plant oestrogens) and is sold for menopausal symptoms. NCCIH concludes there is no convincing evidence that it reduces hot flushes.

Europe · Herb · № 89

Rose and rose hip

Rosa spp.

Rose hips are rich in vitamin C; a hip powder has been studied for osteoarthritis with modest results. Rose water and oil are used in skin care and as fragrance.

Asia · Herb · № 535

Screwpine

Pandanus tectorius

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, laxative, aromatic; leaves for leprosy, smallpox, scabies, syphilis, leucoderma; anthers for earache, headache and blood diseases; oil for headache and rheumatism.

Asia · Herb · № 470

Sebesten plum

Cordia myxa

Traditionally attributed effects: fruit soothing, expectorant, diuretic, mildly laxative; bark mildly astringent and tonic; for cough and chest diseases, bile complaints, abdominal cramps, indigestion, fever, ulcers, snake bites.

North America · Food · № 935

Shagbark hickory

Carya ovata

A nut tree of the walnut family, with bark that peels away in long strips. The nuts are rich and sweet.

Asia · Herb · № 180

Opium poppy

Papaver somniferum

The latex of the unripe seed capsule (opium) contains morphine, codeine and other alkaloids. Morphine and related opioids are indispensable painkillers in modern medicine, but highly addictive. The seeds (poppy seeds) are an ordinary food.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 98

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

Traditionally used for coughs and bronchitis; thymol from the oil inhibits bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There are some studies of thyme-based cough syrups.

North America · Herb · № 993

Tulip tree

Liriodendron tulipifera

The tallest broadleaf tree of eastern America, up to almost sixty metres, of the magnolia family, with tulip-shaped greenish-yellow flowers with an orange patch. The bark is bitter and contains the alkaloid liriodenine and sesquiterpenes that inhibit bacteria and fungi; it was formerly used as a tonic and quinine substitute. The flowers give much nectar for a dark honey.

Asia · Herb · № 515

Malabar nut

Justicia adhatoda

Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, diuretic, antispasmodic, cleansing, bronchodilator; well-known Ayurvedic remedy for bronchitis, asthma, cough, fever, jaundice and tuberculosis; root for malaria, diphtheria and gonorrhoea.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 403

Maidenhair fern

Adiantum philippense

Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, diuretic, cleansing, expels worms, cooling; for cough and respiratory complaints, fever, leprosy, erysipelas.

Asia · Herb · № 350

Vetiver

Chrysopogon zizanioides

Traditionally attributed effects: supports circulation and weight loss (scrub).

North America · Food · № 937

Virginia strawberry

Fragaria virginiana

A wild strawberry with small, very tasty fruits. Its cross with the Chilean strawberry gave rise to the garden strawberry in eighteenth-century Europe.

Europe · Food · № 21

Elderberry

Sambucus nigra

Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.

Europe · Herb · № 106

Bogbean

Menyanthes trifoliata

A strong bitter traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion and for rheumatic complaints. Clinical evidence is lacking.

Europe · Herb · № 86

Greater plantain

Plantago major

The leaf is traditionally bruised and applied to insect bites, small wounds and grazes, and taken as tea for coughs. Clinical evidence is limited.

Europe · Herb · № 194

European honeysuckle

Lonicera caprifolium, L. periclymenum

The sweet-scented flowers were used as tea or syrup for coughs. The berries are poisonous. In Chinese medicine the related Japanese honeysuckle (jin yin hua) is used for fever and sore throat.

North America · Herb · № 156

Wild black cherry

Prunus serotina

The dried bark was long used in cough syrups to calm irritating coughs. Modern clinical evidence is lacking.

Europe · Herb · № 838

Wild thyme

Thymus serpyllum

An aromatic herb traditionally used for coughs and digestive complaints.

Asia · Herb · № 128

White mulberry

Morus alba en M. nigra

The leaf (sang ye) is being studied for post-meal blood sugar and is used in Chinese medicine for coughs and fevers; bark, twigs and berries each have their own use too. Evidence is preliminary.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 18

Licorice root

Glycyrrhiza glabra

A root with long use in several traditions; high-quality evidence does not support most health claims.