Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

North America · Herb · № 285

Bugleweed

Lycopus virginicus

Traditionally attributed effects: calming, astringent, tonic, vasoconstricting, cough-suppressing, stops bleeding.

Europe · Herb · № 94

Chickweed

Stellaria media

Traditionally used externally as a cooling ointment or compress for itching, eczema and minor skin irritation. There is hardly any clinical research.

North America · Herb · № 586

Lady's slipper

Cypripedium parviflorum (syn. C. pubescens)

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, antispasmodic, tonic, relaxing, diuretic; for menstrual pain and irregular menstruation, overstimulated nerves and insomnia from stress, pain-relieving.

North America · Herb · № 329

True unicorn root

Aletris farinosa

Traditionally attributed effects: oestrogenic, tonic, stimulates digestion, calming.

North America · Herb · № 169

Wax myrtle (bayberry)

Morella cerifera

The root bark was traditionally used for colds, sore throats and diarrhoea. There is no modern clinical evidence.

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.

North America · Herb · № 969

Western hemlock

Tsuga heterophylla

A large conifer with a drooping top and short, flat needles. The bark is very rich in tannins; the young needles contain vitamin C.

North America · Herb · № 968

Western dock

Rumex occidentalis (syn. R. aquaticus var. fenestratus)

A large dock with broad leaves and a yellow root. The root contains tannins and anthraquinones, which are mildly laxative.

North America · Herb · № 587

Western larch

Larix occidentalis

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, prebiotic; improves digestion and gut flora, strengthens the immune system, studied in tumours, helps with middle ear infections in children.

North America · Herb · № 190

Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis

Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, astringent, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, stimulates muscles, antiseptic.

North America · Herb · № 977

Incense root

Lomatium californicum (syn. Leptotaenia californica)

An umbellifer with large, blue-green, celery-like leaves and a strongly scented root. Related to oshá; little studied.

North America · Herb · № 961

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

A mint with lilac flowers and strongly scented leaves, related to Oswego tea. The volatile oil is rich in carvacrol and thymol, which are antiseptic.

North America · Herb · № 332

Wild indigo

Baptisia tinctoria

Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, antibacterial, fever-reducing, laxative.

North America · Herb · № 957

Wild four-o'clock

Mirabilis nyctaginea (syn. Allionia nyctaginea)

Related to the marvel of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa), with a thick taproot and small pink flowers that open in the afternoon. Taken internally the root is strongly laxative.

North America · Food · № 965

Wild rice

Zizania palustris (en Z. aquatica)

An aquatic grass, not true rice. The long, dark grain contains more protein and fibre than white rice.

North America · Herb · № 952

Wild sarsaparilla

Aralia nudicaulis

A low plant of the ivy family with a long, creeping, aromatic root; related to ginseng and no relative of true sarsaparilla (Smilax).

North America · Herb · № 159

Wild yam

Dioscorea villosa

Traditionally used for abdominal and uterine cramps. Wild yam cream is sold as 'natural progesterone', but the body cannot convert diosgenin into hormones; only a laboratory can.

North America · Herb · № 634

Wintergreen

Gaultheria procumbens

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness and cools heat in hot, swollen joints and muscle pain, drains damp heat in the urinary tract and moves stagnant qi and blood in pain.

North America · Herb · № 598

White oak

Quercus alba

Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent; strengthens lax tissue (diarrhoea, inflamed gums, chronic nasal congestion, weak bladder), stops bleeding (nosebleeds, internal bleeding).

North America · Herb · № 823

White sage

Salvia apiana

An aromatic sage burned in ceremonies by Indigenous peoples of California.

North America · Herb · № 986

Yellowroot

Xanthorhiza simplicissima

A low shrub of the buttercup family, one of the few woody species in that family. Root and stem are bright yellow from berberine, a bitter substance also found in goldenseal and barberry that inhibits bacteria and fungi.

North America · Herb · № 973

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

A bramble with pink flowers and yellow-orange to red berries. Leaves and bark contain tannins and are astringent.

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.

North America · Herb · № 209

Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Sunflower seeds and oil are rich in vitamin E and linoleic acid. The oil is used for dry skin; claims about scars or skin ageing have not been shown.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 850

Soursop

Annona muricata

A tree with a large, sweet-sour fruit. The leaf is drunk as a calming tea. Claims that soursop cures cancer are unproven.

North America · Herb · № 933

Black ash

Fraxinus nigra

An ash of wet ground. The wood has hardly any fibre between the growth rings, so after pounding it splits into thin strips. Medicinal effects have not been studied.

North America · Herb · № 575

Black haw

Viburnum prunifolium

Traditionally attributed effect: antispasmodic and relaxing, especially for menstrual and uterine cramps. Clinical research is lacking; that it can prevent miscarriage has not been shown.

North America · Herb · № 971

Black twinberry

Lonicera involucrata

A honeysuckle with yellow flowers in pairs, which later form two shiny black berries in red bracts. Effects not studied.

North America · Herb · № 576

Black walnut

Juglans nigra

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative, astringent, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal; cleanses and strengthens the large intestine, for skin problems, traveller's diarrhoea, sinusitis, underactive thyroid.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 818

Annatto (achiote)

Bixa orellana

The red seeds are used as a colouring and spice; traditionally also as a remedy.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 347

Mexican marigold

Tagetes erecta

Traditionally attributed effects: curbs sebum in oily skin, calms and prevents dehydration in dry skin, hydrates and keeps wrinkles at bay in combination skin; spiritual symbol of inner fire.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 374

Amaranth

Amaranthus spp.

Traditionally attributed effects: flowers, leaf and root strongly antiseptic; wound healing.

South America · Herb · № 869

Bailahuén

Haplopappus baylahuen

A resinous shrub of the daisy family. A well-known Chilean tea for liver and bowel complaints; an effect has not been proven.

South America · Herb · № 889

Bilyea

Grimolobium pubescens (syn. Otholobium pubescens, Psoralea pubescens)

A shrub of the pea family with leaves in threes. It contains bakuchiol, among other compounds; extracts lowered blood sugar in experiments with mice. Studies in people are lacking.