Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Africa · Herb · № 422

Worm killer

Aristolochia bracteata

Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, promotes menstruation, cleansing, antipyretic, expels worms; strengthens contractions, for colic, absent or painful menstruation, intermittent fever, worms, skin diseases.

Asia · Herb · № 757

Flattened milkvetch seed (sha yuan zi)

Astragalus complanatus

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, holds in the essence and strengthens the eyesight.

South America · Herb · № 901

Ayahuasca

Banisteriopsis caapi

A giant liana up to thirty metres long. The stem contains harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, which inhibit the enzyme MAO. This makes the DMT from plants such as chacruna active by mouth. The drink brings visions, and usually vomiting and diarrhoea, which the tradition regards as cleansing.

Africa · Other · № 386

Baobab

Adansonia digitata

The dry fruit pulp is sour and rich in vitamin C and fibre; oil from the seeds is used for skin and hair. Medical claims have not been studied.

Asia · Herb · № 229

Benzoin

Styrax benzoin

Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, astringent, antispasmodic.

Asia · Herb · № 551

Marking nut

Semecarpus anacardium

Traditionally attributed effects: pungent, stimulating, aids digestion, antispasmodic, cleansing, strengthens the nerves, caustic, strengthens the heart; for leprosy, scrofula, syphilis, skin diseases, epilepsy, nervous weakness, nerve pain, asthma, indigestion, haemorrhoids, enlarged spleen.

Asia · Herb · № 123

Bitter orange

Citrus × aurantium

The dried unripe fruit (zhi shi) and peel are used in Chinese medicine for bloating and sluggish digestion. NCCIH warns that weight-loss products containing bitter orange (synephrine) pose risks to the heart and blood pressure.

Europe · Mineral · № 9

Epsom salt

Magnesium sulphate. In sufficient amounts it acts as a laxative because it holds water in the bowel. In a bath it is used to relax muscles; that magnesium is absorbed through the skin has not been shown.

North America · Herb · № 963

Blue lettuce

Lactuca tatarica subsp. pulchella (syn. L. pulchella)

A wild lettuce with blue flower heads and milky sap that forms large colonies by runners. Effects not studied.

North America · Herb · № 151

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Traditionally used for fever and flu with aching muscles; the name refers to 'break-bone fever'. There is hardly any modern clinical research.

Asia · Mineral · № 781

Borax (peng sha)

Borax (natriumtetraboraat)

Traditionally attributed effects: externally for small ulcers in mouth, throat and vagina and for athlete's foot.

Asia · Herb · № 557

Nux vomica

Strychnos nux-vomica

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, stomachic, tonic, aphrodisiac, stimulates the spinal cord, breathing and heart.

Europe · Food · № 48

Stinging nettle

Urtica dioica

A food and fiber plant with a long tradition in folk medicine. Medical claims are not established.

South America · Herb · № 857

Cachanlagua

Centaurium cachanlahuen

A small bitter herb with pink flowers, related to the European common centaury. Traditionally for fever and digestion; clinical research is lacking.

North America · Herb · № 630

California figwort

Scrophularia californica, S. lanceolata

Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat in the blood and nourishes yin, drains damp heat and disperses swellings.

North America · Herb · № 627

California spikenard

Aralia californica

Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold and fever without sweating, warms the lung and stops cough with abundant white or clear phlegm, and (roasted with honey) strengthens the energy of lung and spleen.

North America · Herb · № 34

Goldenseal

Hydrastis canadensis

There is not enough evidence to determine whether goldenseal helps any health condition.

South America · Herb · № 985

Cayaponia ophthalmica

Cayaponia ophthalmica

A climber of the gourd family, described by Schultes; the species name means 'for the eye'. Its chemistry is unknown; plants of the gourd family often contain bitter, irritating cucurbitacins.

South America · Herb · № 919

Chanca piedra (stonebreaker)

Phyllanthus niruri (en P. stipulatus, P. urinaria)

A small herb with rows of fine leaflets and tiny fruits beneath them. In experiments it inhibited the formation of kidney stone crystals and acted as a diuretic; small studies in people do not yet give clear evidence.

South America · Herb · № 890

Chilca

Baccharis latifolia (en verwante soorten, o.a. B. pentlandii)

A fast-growing, densely branched shrub with glossy, sticky leaves. Little is known from research about its effect in people.

Asia · Herb · № 684

Chinese violet (zi hua di ding)

Viola yedoensis (syn. V. philippica)

Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat and 'toxin' in abscesses, boils, sore throat and inflamed eyes.

Asia · Herb · № 641

Chinese dodder (tu si zi)

Cuscuta chinensis

Traditionally attributed effects: a remedy for male infertility and urinary complaints; a tonic that strengthens bones and tendons, soothes lower back pain and balances the female reproductive system.

Asia · Herb · № 120

Dong quai (dang gui)

Angelica sinensis

In Chinese medicine one of the most important herbs to 'nourish the blood', especially for menstrual complaints. Western studies found no clear effect on menopausal symptoms.

Asia · Herb · № 681

Korean ash bark (qin pi)

Fraxinus chinensis subsp. rhynchophylla

Traditionally attributed effects: for diarrhoea and dysentery from damp heat, red eyes and cough with heat.

Asia · Herb · № 643

Chinese raspberry (fu pen zi)

Rubus chingii

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidneys and liver; for poor vision, frequent urination and impotence.

Asia · Herb · № 729

Chinese cardamom (sha ren)

Amomum villosum (en A. kravanh)

Traditionally attributed effects: warms the spleen, transforms dampness, calms a restless foetus and prevents tonics from lying heavy on the stomach.

Asia · Herb · № 137

Chinese rhubarb

Rheum palmatum

The root (da huang) contains anthraquinones, making it a strong laxative. In small amounts its tannins have the opposite, binding effect. Its mechanism is well understood.

Asia · Herb · № 138

Red sage root (dan shen)

Salvia miltiorrhiza

The red root is used in Chinese medicine to 'promote blood circulation', especially for heart and vascular complaints. There are many studies in China, often of limited quality.

Asia · Herb · № 768

Polygala root (yuan zhi)

Polygala tenuifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: calms the mind and clears phlegm from 'the openings of the heart' and from the lungs.

Asia · Herb · № 703

Gold coin grass (jin qian cao)

Lysimachia christinae (ook Desmodium styracifolium)

Traditionally attributed effects: helps pass kidney and gallstones and drains damp heat from the liver.

Asia · Herb · № 741

Chinese bugleweed (ze lan)

Lycopus lucidus

Traditionally attributed effects: moves the blood and regulates menstruation; diuretic.

Asia · Herb · № 665

Chinese black cohosh (sheng ma)

Actaea cimicifuga (syn. Cimicifuga foetida)

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat, helps rashes come out and lifts the energy in prolapse.

South America · Herb · № 926

Chiricaspi

Brunfelsia grandiflora

A shrub of the nightshade family up to three metres tall, with fragrant flowers that fade from purple to white. Contains scopoletin, among others, and compounds that cause convulsions in animals. Gives a feeling of cold and tingling, and in larger amounts dizziness and paralysis.

Asia · Herb · № 124

Chrysanthemum (ju hua)

Chrysanthemum × morifolium

The flowers (ju hua) are used in Chinese medicine as a 'cooling' remedy for colds with fever, headaches and tired, red eyes. Clinical evidence is limited.

South America · Herb · № 917

Chuchuhuasi

Maytenus macrocarpa (syn. Monteverdia macrocarpa); in Noord-Peru ook Heisteria acuminata

A large tree with thick, reddish-brown bark. The bark contains triterpenes and sesquiterpenes, among other compounds; extracts were anti-inflammatory in experiments. Studies in people are lacking.

Asia · Herb · № 755

Cibotium (gou ji)

Cibotium barometz

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, bones and tendons in a stiff, painful lower back and knees.