Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Asia · Herb · № 648

Celosia seed (qing xiang zi)

Celosia argentea

Traditionally attributed effects: cools the liver, reduces liver inflammation and helps with high blood pressure and the eye complaints related to it.

Asia · Herb · № 376

Alfalfa

Medicago sativa

Traditionally attributed effects: calming and moisture-restoring for dry skin.

Africa · Herb · № 4

Aloe vera

Aloe vera

The gel from the leaf is used externally to soothe the skin and for minor burns. Research on wound healing gives mixed results; the gel is no substitute for wound care.

Europe · Herb · № 63

Wormwood

Artemisia absinthium

One of the most bitter herbs; traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion and against intestinal worms. Clinical evidence is limited.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 374

Amaranth

Amaranthus spp.

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

North America · Herb · № 593

Skunk cabbage

Lysichiton americanus

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, stimulating, antispasmodic, induces sweating, expectorant; opens the lungs and reduces cough and bronchial spasms (acute asthma), ointment against ringworm, relieves muscle and joint pain.

Africa · Herb · № 371

Gum arabic (acacia)

Acacia senegal

A soluble fibre that forms a mucilaginous solution in water. It soothes the throat and stomach and is being studied as a prebiotic; it can cause wind and bloating. There is no evidence that it treats viral infections such as HPV.

South America · Herb · № 873

Arrayán (Chilean myrtle)

Luma apiculata

The Chilean myrtle, with cinnamon-coloured bark, fragrant leaves and edible black berries. Traditionally an astringent; research is lacking.

Africa · Herb · № 8

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.

Asia · Herb · № 419

Areca nut

Areca catechu

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, astringent, expels tapeworm, laxative, carminative, aphrodisiac; against roundworms and tapeworms, strengthens the gums, for urinary complaints, heartburn during pregnancy, lumbago.

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 · Other · № 74

Bladderwrack

Fucus vesiculosus

A brown seaweed rich in iodine; formerly used for an underactive thyroid and for weight loss. Weight-loss claims are unproven.

Oceania · Herb · № 176

Cajeput and niaouli

Melaleuca cajuputi, M. viridiflora, M. leucadendra e.a.

Both relatives of tea tree yield an essential oil used externally for muscle pain and in inhalations for colds. Clinical evidence is limited.

North America · Herb · № 978

California bay laurel

Umbellularia californica

An evergreen tree of the laurel family with strongly scented leaves. The leaf contains umbellulone, which causes headache when inhaled and is poisonous in large amounts.

Asia · Mineral · № 798

Calomel (qing fen)

Calomelas (kwikchloride)

Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally against scabies and sores; contains mercury.

North America · Herb · № 959

Horseweed

Erigeron canadensis (syn. Conyza canadensis)

An annual of the daisy family with an upright, hairy stem and countless small white flower heads. Contains volatile oil, tannins and flavonoids; the oil was once used as 'oil of erigeron' for bleeding and diarrhoea.

Asia · Mineral · № 797

Cinnabar (zhu sha)

Cinnabaris (kwiksulfide)

Traditionally attributed effects: was used to calm the mind and stop convulsions; contains mercury.

North America · Mineral · № 364

Colloidal silver

Silver particles in water. There is no evidence that colloidal silver treats infections, HIV or other diseases; it can, however, cause argyria, a permanent blue-grey discoloration of the skin and organs.

Asia · Herb · № 761

Dendrobium (shi hu)

Dendrobium nobile (en verwante soorten)

Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the yin of lung and stomach, replenishes body fluids and cools heat from deficiency.

Europe · Other · № 377

Dulse

Palmaria palmata

A red seaweed with protein, iodine and minerals. It is eaten as food and worked into scrubs; a medicinal effect has not been shown.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 662

Elsholtzia (xiang ru)

Elsholtzia splendens

Traditionally attributed effects: for summer colds from cold and dampness, and for oedema.

Asia · Herb · № 778

Gac seed (mu bie zi)

Momordica cochinchinensis

Traditionally attributed effects: externally for inflamed sores, breast abscesses and bruises.

Asia · Herb · № 200

Gardenia (zhi zi)

Gardenia jasminoides

Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, calming, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, promotes bile.

Asia · Other · № 789

Medicated leaven (shen qu)

Massa medicata fermentata

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

Asia · Herb · № 1

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

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 · Herb · № 344

Cardamom

Elettaria cardamomum

Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, pungent, strengthens the heart, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, carminative; for asthma, bronchitis, haemorrhoids, bladder complaints, flatulence, cramps from laxatives, dizziness, indigestion, vomiting.

South America · Herb · № 163

Guarana

Paullinia cupana

The seeds contain about twice as much caffeine as coffee beans. Guarana is used in energy drinks and soft drinks; its stimulating effect comes from caffeine.

Africa · Herb · № 536

Syrian rue

Peganum harmala

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, antipyretic, stimulating, promotes menstruation; against tapeworm, intermittent fever and chronic malaria, pain-relieving in asthma, colic, jaundice; promotes milk and menstruation; gargle for sore throat; against head lice.

Asia · Herb · № 765

Tree of heaven (chun pi)

Ailanthus altissima

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

South America · Herb · № 895

Huacatay (black mint)

Tagetes minuta

A tall, strongly scented marigold with small flower heads. Its essential oil is used in perfume and soft drinks.

Asia · Herb · № 127

Japanese honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica en L. periclymenum

The flower buds (jin yin hua) are an important 'cooling' herb in Chinese medicine for fever, sore throats and colds. There is plenty of laboratory research but few good clinical studies.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 514

Japanese morning glory

Ipomoea nil

Traditionally attributed effects: strongly laxative, expels worms; for constipation, substitute for jalap root.

Europe · Herb · № 81

Juniper

Juniperus communis

The berries are traditionally used as a diuretic, for digestive complaints and externally for joint pain. Clinical evidence is limited.

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.