Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Asia · Food · № 571

Indian jujube

Zizyphus martiana

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic; leaves for gonorrhoea, conjunctivitis, boils and abscesses, painful urination; bark for diarrhoea, dysentery, colic and gum inflammation.

Asia · Food · № 764

Japanese apricot (wu mei)

Prunus mume

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent in chronic cough and diarrhoea, replenishes body fluids and was used against worms.

Asia · Herb · № 126

Jasmine

Jasminum officinale / J. grandiflorum

Best known as a fragrance and in jasmine tea; jasmine aromatherapy is used for relaxation. Medical claims are unproven.

Asia · Food · № 645

Job's tears (coix seed)

Coix lacryma-jobi

Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing grain that drives dampness from the body; for arthritis and rheumatism, diuretic, and to relieve a full chest and stomach ulcers.

Oceania · Food · № 53

Kakadu plum (gubinge)

Terminalia ferdinandiana

A bush food with exceptionally high vitamin C, measured at 2,300–3,150 mg per 100 grams.

Asia · Food · № 733

Persimmon calyx (shi di)

Diospyros kaki

Traditionally attributed effects: the calyx makes the stomach energy descend in hiccups and belching.

Asia · Food · № 38

Cinnamon

Cinnamomum verum

A spice made from inner bark. Research on health effects is preliminary; cinnamon is not a treatment.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 416

Custard apple

Annona squamosa

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, expels worms, laxative, diuretic, insecticidal; unripe fruit for diarrhoea and dysentery, leaves for non-healing ulcers and fainting, seed powder against lice.

Europe · Herb · № 214

Caraway

Carum carvi

Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, aromatic, stomachic, stimulating, promotes milk flow; for flatulence and intestinal cramps, corrects nausea-inducing medicines, scabies.

Europe · Other · № 382

Kelp

Laminaria spp. / Ascophyllum nodosum

Brown seaweeds are rich in iodine and alginate. They are used in scrubs and as food supplements; too much iodine can disrupt the thyroid.

Europe · Food · № 256

Cherry

Prunus avium

A fruit rich in vitamin C. The dried stalks were used in folk medicine as a diuretic. Sour cherries have been studied for gout and sleep, with preliminary results.

Asia · Herb · № 647

Fritillaria bulb (bei mu)

Fritillaria cirrhosa

Traditionally attributed effects: dissolves phlegm and clears congested lungs; together with pear for dry airways and a heated chest.

Asia · Food · № 361

Chickpea

Cicer arietinum

Traditionally attributed effects: binder and cleanser in face masks and scrubs.

Asia · Food · № 246

Kiwifruit

Actinidia deliciosa

A fruit rich in vitamin C and fibre. Small studies point to a slightly beneficial effect on constipation, and also on sleep; the enzyme actinidin tenderises meat.

Africa · Food · № 12

Garlic

Allium sativum

A food with a long history of use. Supplement research suggests only limited effects and does not establish a treatment.

Asia · Food · № 758

Garlic chives (jiu zi)

Allium tuberosum

Traditionally attributed effects: the seed strengthens kidney yang and warms stomach and spleen.

Africa · Food · № 383

Coffee

Coffea arabica

The beans contain caffeine, which increases alertness. Ground coffee is used in scrubs to exfoliate the skin; that caffeine reduces cellulite has not been shown.

Asia · Food · № 357

Coconut

Cocos nucifera

Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, diuretic, antiseptic, laxative; root for uterine diseases, bronchitis, liver complaints, dysentery, sore throat (gargle); coconut water for thirst, fever, urinary complaints and vomiting; ash for scabies and toothache.

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.

Africa · Food · № 27

Kola nut

Cola nitida en Cola acuminata

Contains about 2–4% caffeine plus theobromine and acts as a stimulant. It is chewed both privately and in social and ceremonial settings.

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 · Food · № 68

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea

A vegetable rich in vitamin C and fibre. In folk medicine cold cabbage leaves are placed on engorged breasts or painful joints; small studies give mixed results.

Asia · Food · № 42

Clove

Syzygium aromaticum

A spice. Clove oil containing eugenol may help with toothache; other claims are unproven.

Asia · Herb · № 136

Kudzu

Pueraria montana var. lobata

The root (ge gen) is used in Chinese medicine for fever, stiff neck and thirst. Small studies have looked at kudzu for reducing alcohol use, with mixed results.

Asia · Herb · № 205

Lily

Lilium spp.

The bulb scales of some lilies (bai he) are used in Chinese medicine for dry cough, restlessness and sleeplessness after fever. Lilies are deadly poisonous to cats.

Asia · Food · № 661

Green onion (cong bai)

Allium fistulosum

Traditionally attributed effects: diaphoretic at the start of a cold from cold; externally on swellings.

Asia · Food · № 238

Lime

Citrus aurantiifolia

A sour citrus fruit rich in vitamin C. The juice was given against scurvy and is used in Asia with honey or salt for coughs and sore throat.

Asia · Mushroom · № 41

Lingzhi (reishi)

Ganoderma lucidum

A bracket fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine; evidence for treatment effects in people is limited.

Asia · Food · № 359

Red lentil

Lens culinaris

Traditionally attributed effects: easily digestible, beneficial in bleeding and fever; purifies the blood internally and externally; scrub improves circulation.

Asia · Food · № 653

Longan

Dimocarpus longan

Traditionally attributed effects: a sweet, warming tonic for heart and blood; good for digestion and calming.

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.

South America · Food · № 32

Maca

Lepidium meyenii

A root crop eaten as food. Claims about fertility and energy are unproven.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 266

Maize

Zea mays

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

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.

Asia · Food · № 248

Mango

Mangifera indica

Traditionally attributed effects: cooling herb, prevents a burning feeling and keeps you cool in the heat; aids digestion; good for skin and hair.

Oceania · Food · № 51

Mānuka honey

A monofloral honey with distinctive compounds such as leptosperin and methylglyoxal. Ordinary food honey is not a treatment.