Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 157

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

A fruit-vegetable with vitamin C and lycopene. Research on lycopene and heart or prostate health is mostly observational and not conclusive.

Europe · Herb · № 328

Tormentil

Potentilla erecta

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, especially for the intestinal wall.

North America · Herb · № 152

Witch hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Strongly astringent due to tannins. Witch hazel water and ointment are used externally for minor skin irritation, bruises and haemorrhoids; there is limited but reasonably supportive evidence.

North America · Herb · № 947

Trailing arbutus

Epigaea repens

A creeping, evergreen dwarf shrub of the heath family with fragrant pink to white flowers in early spring. Contains arbutin.

Asia · Herb · № 210

Tulip

Tulipa spp.

An ornamental flower. The petals are edible; the bulbs were eaten in times of need but can cause eczema on contact ('tulip fingers'). In Persian poetry the red tulip stands for love and martyrdom.

Asia · Herb · № 930

Turkestan mint

Lagochilus inebrians

A small, globular shrub of the mint family with white or pale pink flowers. Contains lagochilin, a diterpene that reduces bleeding and has a calming effect. Gives a mild intoxication.

Asia · Food · № 240

Onion

Allium cepa

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, expectorant, skin-irritant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic; for cough, haemorrhoids, jaundice, indigestion, insect bites, boils, wounds, chilblains and sore joints.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 222

Vanilla

Vanilla planifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: gives a feeling of calm and comfort; fragrance.

Europe · Mushroom · № 910

Fly agaric

Amanita muscaria

The well-known red mushroom with white spots. Contains ibotenic acid and muscimol, which act on the brain. Causes nausea, muscle twitching, confusion, a dreamlike state and sometimes deep sleep. Drying partly converts ibotenic acid into the stronger muscimol.

Europe · Food · № 21

Elderberry

Sambucus nigra

Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 194

European honeysuckle

Lonicera caprifolium, L. periclymenum

The sweet-scented flowers were used as tea or syrup for coughs. The berries are poisonous. In Chinese medicine the related Japanese honeysuckle (jin yin hua) is used for fever and sore throat.

Europe · Herb · № 301

Horse chestnut

Aesculus hippocastanum

Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, astringent.

South America · Herb · № 324

Soap bark

Quillaja saponaria

Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, cleansing, anti-inflammatory.

Europe · Herb · № 187

English oak

Quercus robur

The bark contains a lot of tannins and is astringent. It is used as a decoction for diarrhoea, as a mouthwash for inflamed gums and as a sitz bath for haemorrhoids.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 135

Black pepper and long pepper

Piper nigrum

Important warming spices in Ayurveda, used for sluggish digestion and colds. Piperine from pepper increases the absorption of some substances, such as curcumin.

North America · Herb · № 955

American licorice

Glycyrrhiza lepidota

A legume with long, tough, sweet roots, related to true licorice. The root tastes of licorice; it contains less glycyrrhizin than Glycyrrhiza glabra.

North America · Food · № 934

American chestnut

Castanea dentata

Once one of the largest trees of the eastern forests, with sweet, edible nuts. Related to the sweet chestnut.

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.

South America · Herb · № 1003

Calaguala

Campyloneurum angustifolium (en verwante varens, o.a. Polypodium)

A narrow-leaved fern that grows on trees and rocks. The rhizome has been traded as a medicine for centuries; good research on its effect in people is lacking.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 111

European goldenrod

Solidago virgaurea

In Europe it is used to flush the urinary tract in mild complaints and is listed in European herbal monographs as a traditional remedy. Clinical evidence is limited.

Europe · Herb · № 76

Great yellow gentian

Gentiana lutea

The root is one of the most bitter substances known and has long been used to stimulate appetite and digestion. Studies are small.

North America · Herb · № 170

Gumweed

Grindelia camporum

The sticky herb was traditionally used for coughs, asthma and bronchitis, and externally for poison-ivy rashes. Clinical evidence is lacking.

South America · Herb · № 879

Guayusa

Ilex guayusa

A relative of yerba mate; the leaf contains a lot of caffeine and is stimulating.

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 · № 81

Juniper

Juniperus communis

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

Asia · Herb · № 830

Kencur (aromatic ginger)

Kaempferia galanga

An aromatic rhizome used in jamu for coughs, tiredness and muscle pain.

Europe · Herb · № 834

Chervil

Anthriscus cerefolium

A mild, aniseed-like kitchen herb, traditionally used as a cleansing spring herb and for digestive complaints.

Africa · Herb · № 116

Khella

Ammi visnaga

Contains khellin, a muscle relaxant that widens the airways and blood vessels. Khellin was the basis for modern drugs such as cromoglicate (for asthma) and amiodarone (for heart rhythm disorders).

South America · Herb · № 897

Mullaca

Muehlenbeckia volcanica

A low, creeping shrublet with small, round, leathery leaves and blue-black berries. Tannins and flavonoids have been found in the extract; in rats it was anti-inflammatory.

North America · Herb · № 903

Peyote

Lophophora williamsii

A small, spineless, blue-green cactus with a long taproot. Contains mescaline and over thirty other alkaloids. After a few hours mescaline brings colourful visions that last up to half a day, often after a phase of nausea and vomiting.

South America · Herb · № 870

Pichi

Fabiana imbricata

A small shrub of the nightshade family that looks like a conifer. Traditionally for bladder and urinary complaints and for digestion; laboratory research points to a stomach-protecting effect.

Asia · Herb · № 132

Chinese peony (bai shao)

Paeonia lactiflora en P. suffruticosa

The peeled root (bai shao, white peony) is used in Chinese medicine for cramps, period pain and muscle pain. There are studies of combination formulas but few of peony alone.