Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

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 · Herb · № 692

Barbat skullcap (ban zhi lian)

Scutellaria barbata

Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood, moves blood stagnation and reduces swellings; for hepatitis.

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.

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.

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.

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 · № 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.

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.

Africa · Other · № 28

Myrrh

Commiphora myrrha

A gum resin with a long history in medicine, ritual, perfume, and incense. Modern treatment claims are not established.

Asia · Herb · № 39

Neem

Azadirachta indica

Used for centuries in traditional medicine in India, but there is insufficient clinical evidence of medical benefits.

Oceania · Food · № 50

Noni

Morinda citrifolia

Traditionally used for colds, infections, fever, and stomach complaints. There is no good evidence of treatment effects.

South America · Herb · № 227

Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus

Leaves and flowers taste sharp because of mustard oil glycosides. In Germany a combination with horseradish is approved as a remedy for bladder and respiratory infections; there is little research on the plant alone.

North America · Herb · № 154

Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata

Used for anxiety and sleep problems. NCCIH notes some indications of an effect on anxiety but limited evidence.

South America · Herb · № 165

Pau d'arco

Handroanthus impetiginosus (syn. Tabebuia avellanedae)

The inner bark is sold for fungal infections, inflammation and as a 'cancer remedy'. There is no reliable human evidence; its active compound lapachol proved too toxic at effective doses.

South America · Herb · № 898

Balsam of Peru

Myroxylon balsamum (var. pereirae)

A large tree whose resin, the balsam, smells of vanilla and cinnamon. The balsam contains cinnamic acid, benzyl benzoate and vanillin, among other compounds, and is used in perfume, food and ointments for skin and wounds.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 391

Arrowroot

Maranta arundinacea

Traditionally attributed effects: absorbs moisture.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 822

Pirul (Peruvian pepper tree)

Schinus molle

A tree with aromatic leaves and pink berries, used in cleansing rituals and as a folk remedy.

North America · Herb · № 192

Aspen

Populus tremuloides

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, fever-reducing, tonic, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving (salicylates); restores the sensitive bladder (incontinence), calms the bowels in stress diarrhoea, heals wounds, lowers fever, relieves headache.

North America · Herb · № 956

Fringed sage

Artemisia frigida

A low, silver-grey, strongly scented wormwood shrub. Contains a volatile oil with camphor and cineole and, like other wormwoods, thujone.

North America · Herb · № 958

Prairie coneflower

Ratibida columnifera (syn. R. columnaris)

A member of the daisy family with drooping yellow or red-brown ray flowers around a long, columnar centre that smells when bruised. Effects not studied.

North America · Herb · № 954

American pasqueflower

Pulsatilla nuttalliana (syn. P. patens subsp. multifida)

A low plant of the buttercup family with hairy purple flowers that appear before the leaves. Like other pasqueflowers, the fresh plant contains protoanemonin, which strongly irritates skin and mucous membranes and raises blisters.