Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Europe · Herb · № 218

Spearmint

Mentha spicata

The classic culinary mint, with the milder carvone instead of menthol. It is drunk as tea for a full stomach and nausea; studies on concentration are small and inconclusive.

Europe · Herb · № 62

Greater burdock

Arctium lappa

In Europe the root was considered a 'blood-cleansing' herb for skin problems such as eczema and acne; the seed is used in Chinese medicine for sore throats. Clinical evidence is weak.

Europe · Herb · № 87

Cowslip

Primula veris

The root contains saponins and is traditionally used to loosen phlegm in coughs; the flowers as a calming tea. There is some research on combination cough preparations.

Europe · Herb · № 82

Motherwort

Leonurus cardiaca

Traditionally used for stress-related palpitations, nervousness and menstrual complaints. Clinical research is scarce.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 765

Tree of heaven (chun pi)

Ailanthus altissima

Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat, dries dampness and curbs diarrhoea, discharge and bleeding.

Asia · Herb · № 564

Himalayan meadow rue

Thalictrum foliolosum

Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, mildly laxative, laxative, diuretic, fever-reducing; for chronic indigestion, recovery after illness, eye inflammation, jaundice, flatulence, colds (snuff), toothache, conjunctivitis and keratitis.

South America · Herb · № 1010

Huamanpinta

Chuquiraga spinosa (en C. rotundifolia)

A prickly shrub with hard, pointed little leaves and orange-yellow flower heads. Contains phenolic acids, flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids; animal studies point to an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect.

Asia · Food · № 697

Hyacinth bean (bian dou)

Lablab purpureus (syn. Dolichos lablab)

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the spleen and drains dampness in summer heat with diarrhoea and vomiting.

Europe · Herb · № 103

Vervain

Verbena officinalis

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

Asia · Herb · № 400

Indian aconite

Aconitum ferox

Traditionally attributed effects: in very small doses induces sweating, diuretic, pain-relieving, fever-reducing; for nerve pain, muscular rheumatism, gout, sore throat, colds, paralysis; highly poisonous in larger doses.

Asia · Herb · № 687

Japanese climbing fern (jin sha teng)

Lygodium japonicum

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic in cystitis and stones; also for sore throat and mumps.

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 · Other · № 141

Camphor

Cinnamomum camphora

Used externally in rubs for muscle pain, itching and blocked noses; it gives a cooling, numbing feeling. There is some evidence of short-term relief.

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.

Africa · Herb · № 811

Cancer bush (sutherlandia)

Lessertia frutescens (syn. Sutherlandia frutescens)

A shrub used as a tonic and for a range of complaints. Claims against cancer or HIV are unproven.

Oceania · Herb · № 843

Kī (ti plant)

Cordyline fruticosa

A plant with large leaves, used in Hawaiʻi for fever and headache and to wrap food.

Africa · Herb · № 806

Kinkeliba

Combretum micranthum

The leaves are drunk as an everyday tea; traditionally also for fever and digestive complaints. Little studied scientifically.

Europe · Herb · № 75

Cleavers

Galium aparine

Used in Western herbalism as a 'lymphatic' herb for swollen glands and skin conditions. Scientific evidence is lacking.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 92

Figwort

Scrophularia nodosa (en S. ningpoensis)

Used in Western herbalism for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and for swollen glands. There is no good clinical evidence.

Asia · Herb · № 746

Vaccaria seed (wang bu liu xing)

Gypsophila vaccaria (syn. Vaccaria segetalis)

Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow, promotes menstruation and milk flow and reduces painful swellings.

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.

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.

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 · Herb · № 5

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

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

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 319

Quassia

Picrasma excelsa

Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, bitter.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 226

Linden

Tilia × europaea

Traditionally attributed effects: calming nerve remedy, induces sweating, vasodilating, restores the vessel walls, lowers blood pressure.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 211

Sweet violet

Viola odorata

Traditionally attributed effects: V. odorata anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic, antitumour; V. tricolor expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antirheumatic, laxative, strengthens capillaries.

Asia · Herb · № 655

Magnolia flower bud (xin yi hua)

Magnolia biondii (syn. M. liliflora)

Traditionally attributed effects: warms and opens the nose in blocked sinuses and headache from wind-cold.

Oceania · Food · № 51

Mānuka honey

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

South America · Herb · № 851

Maqui

Aristotelia chilensis

A shrub with dark purple berries rich in anthocyanins. The leaf was traditionally used for wounds and sore throats. Health claims for 'superfood' products are unproven.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 71

Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria

Contains salicylates. Traditionally used for heartburn, an irritated stomach and joint pain. Clinical research is scarce.