Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

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.

North America · Herb · № 189

Pine

Pinus spp.

The scent of needles and resin is experienced as fresh and cleansing. Pine buds and needles contain essential oil and vitamin C; a medicinal effect has hardly been studied.

Africa · Herb · № 24

Devil's claw

Harpagophytum procumbens

The tuberous roots are used in folk medicine for pain. Research suggests a possible limited effect on low back pain; the evidence is of moderate quality at best.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 289

Centaury

Centaurium erythraea

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, stimulates the liver.

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.

Europe · Food · № 90

Raspberry

Rubus idaeus

The fruit is a nutritious berry. Raspberry leaf has been used in folk medicine in late pregnancy to ease labour; convincing evidence is lacking.

Asia · Other · № 789

Medicated leaven (shen qu)

Massa medicata fermentata

Traditionally attributed effects: helps with food stagnation and poor digestion.

South America · Herb · № 899

Prickly sow-thistle

Sonchus asper

An annual or biennial plant with spiny, blue-green leaves, yellow dandelion-like flowers and milky sap in the stem. The leaves are edible and nutritious.

North America · Herb · № 274

American cranesbill

Geranium maculatum

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stops bleeding, tonic.

Europe · Herb · № 300

Blessed thistle

Cnicus benedictus

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter digestive stimulant, expectorant, antiseptic, wound-healing.

Asia · Mineral · № 668

Gypsum (shi gao)

Gypsum fibrosum (calciumsulfaat)

Traditionally attributed effects: strongly cooling in high fever with thirst and sweating, lung heat and stomach fire.

North America · Herb · № 596

Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, cleansing, tonic, wound-healing, antiseptic; strengthens the digestive tract (ulcers, diarrhoea), curbs excessive secretions (urine leakage, night sweats, bleeding), may lower blood sugar, for prolapse.

Asia · Mineral · № 698

Glauber's salt (mang xiao)

Mirabilitum (natriumsulfaat)

Traditionally attributed effects: softens the stool in constipation from heat and dryness.

Europe · Herb · № 49

Pot marigold (calendula)

Calendula officinalis

An edible flower historically used as medicine and dye. Its oil is widely used in skin products.

Asia · Food · № 16

Green tea

Camellia sinensis

A brewed tea. Evidence does not establish most health claims; extracts differ from the ordinary beverage.

Asia · Herb · № 736

Great burnet (di yu)

Sanguisorba officinalis

Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood and stops bleeding in the lower abdomen; externally for burns.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 70

Field horsetail

Equisetum arvense

Rich in silica; traditionally used as a diuretic, for urinary infections and for hair, nails and connective tissue. Good clinical evidence is lacking.

Europe · Herb · № 69

Shepherd's purse

Capsella bursa-pastoris

Traditionally used to slow bleeding, such as heavy periods or nosebleeds. Clinical evidence is very limited.

Europe · Herb · № 78

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis

Traditionally used for coughs, colds and congestion. Clinical evidence is lacking.

Europe · Herb · № 234

Elm

Ulmus spp.

The inner bark of the European elm is, like that of the American slippery elm, mucilaginous and was used for skin complaints and diarrhoea. There is little research.

Europe · Herb · № 103

Vervain

Verbena officinalis

Traditionally used for nervousness, exhaustion and as a digestive bitter. Scientific evidence is largely lacking.

North America · Other · № 384

Jojoba

Simmondsia chinensis

The liquid wax from the seeds resembles the sebum of human skin and is quickly absorbed. It is used for dry skin and hair; medical claims have been little studied.

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.

Oceania · Herb · № 7

Kava

Piper methysticum

The drink slightly numbs the mouth and tongue and is relaxing. Research points to a modest effect on anxiety, but results vary and the safety of supplements is disputed.

Oceania · Herb · № 23

Kawakawa

Piper excelsum

In rongoā Māori the leaf is used for toothache, skin complaints, wounds and bladder and kidney complaints. It contains myristicin among other compounds; clinical evidence for these uses is lacking.

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.

Oceania · Herb · № 846

Kōwhai

Sophora microphylla

A tree with yellow flowers, a national symbol of New Zealand. The bark was traditionally used on wounds and bruises.

Asia · Herb · № 920

Kratom

Mitragyna speciosa

A tree of the coffee family up to twenty-five metres tall with large, glossy leaves. The leaves contain mitragynine and, in smaller amounts, 7-hydroxymitragynine, which act on the opioid receptors. For many people a little leaf is stimulating, more leaf sedating and pain-relieving.

Asia · Herb · № 5

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.

Oceania · Herb · № 847

Mamaku (black tree fern)

Sphaeropteris medullaris

The slimy pith and sap of this black tree fern were traditionally used on sores and wounds, and for diarrhoea.

Asia · Herb · № 348

Gotu kola

Centella asiatica

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, diuretic, locally stimulating, calming; for chronic ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, epilepsy, insanity, swollen glands, abscesses, chronic rheumatism, diarrhoea in children.

Oceania · Herb · № 273

Manuka and kanuka

Leptospermum scoparium en Kunzea ericoides

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antimicrobial, antiseptic, expels worms (leptospermone); for ulcers, infections and fever.

Oceania · Food · № 51

Mānuka honey

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

Asia · Mineral · № 800

Minium (qian dan)

Minium (loodoxide)

Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally to draw out pus and heal wounds; contains lead.