Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 319

Quassia

Picrasma excelsa

Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, bitter.

Europe · Herb · № 580

Couch grass

Elymus repens

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing, astringent; for kidney and bladder complaints (kidney stones, interstitial cystitis), helps regulate blood sugar.

Europe · Herb · № 6

Lovage

Levisticum officinale

The leaf tastes of stock and celery. In folk medicine the root was used as a diuretic and for bloating; research is lacking.

Europe · Herb · № 44

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.

Europe · Herb · № 226

Linden

Tilia × europaea

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

Europe · Other · № 588

Lungwort lichen

Lobaria pulmonaria

Traditionally attributed effects: antioxidant, expectorant; reduces inflammation in the airways and intestines, supports the lungs and helps with sinusitis.

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.

North America · Herb · № 370

Oregon grape

Mahonia aquifolium

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, purifies the blood, tonic, stimulating, supports the liver; improves appetite and digestion, promotes liver and bile secretion, purifies the blood, helps with skin problems, sudden diarrhoea and chronic constipation.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 266

Maize

Zea mays

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, heals the urinary tract lining, tonic, soothing.

South America · Herb · № 859

Maitén

Maytenus boaria

A graceful tree with drooping twigs and fine leaves that cattle love to eat. Traditionally for fever and skin rash; research is lacking.

Europe · Herb · № 113

White horehound

Marrubium vulgare

A bitter herb traditionally used for coughs with sticky phlegm and bronchitis. In Europe it is recognised as a traditional herbal medicine; clinical evidence is limited.

Oceania · Herb · № 844

Māmaki

Pipturus albidus

A native Hawaiian plant whose leaves are drunk as a tea.

South America · Herb · № 883

Manayupa

Desmodium molliculum

A low plant of the pea family. Traditionally used for inflammation and wounds; research is limited.

Asia · Herb · № 348

Gotu kola

Centella asiatica

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, diuretic, locally stimulating, calming; for chronic ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, epilepsy, insanity, swollen glands, abscesses, chronic rheumatism, diarrhoea in children.

Oceania · Herb · № 273

Manuka and kanuka

Leptospermum scoparium en Kunzea ericoides

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antimicrobial, antiseptic, expels worms (leptospermone); for ulcers, infections and fever.

Oceania · Food · № 51

Mānuka honey

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

Europe · Herb · № 239

Mistletoe

Viscum album

Traditionally attributed effects: slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, antitumour.

Europe · Herb · № 199

Ox-eye daisy

Leucanthemum vulgare

Young leaves are edible. In folk medicine a tea of the flowers was used for coughs and as a wash; a medicinal effect has not been studied.

Europe · Herb · № 46

Milk thistle

Silybum marianum

Promoted for liver disorders, but there is not enough high-quality evidence of effects in people.

Asia · Herb · № 216

Marjoram

Origanum majorana

A mildly aromatic culinary herb related to oregano. It was drunk as tea for bloating, colds and restlessness; studies in humans are scarce.

South America · Herb · № 853

Matico

Buddleja globosa

A shrub with orange, ball-shaped flowers. The leaf contains anti-inflammatory compounds such as verbascoside; clinical research on wound healing is lacking.

Europe · Herb · № 47

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata (en C. pinnatifida)

Studied for heart failure with conflicting results. For most conditions there is little or no good evidence.

Europe · Herb · № 96

Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium

Best known for preventing migraine. NCCIH notes the evidence is conflicting: some studies find a small effect, others do not.

Europe · Herb · № 110

Marsh cudweed

Gnaphalium uliginosum

An astringent herb traditionally used as a gargle for sore throats and inflamed upper airways. There is no clinical research.

Europe · Herb · № 71

Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria

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

Asia · Food · № 763

Monk fruit (luo han guo)

Siraitia grosvenorii (syn. Momordica grosvenori)

Traditionally attributed effects: moistens and cools the lungs in a dry cough and reduces swollen glands.

Asia · Herb · № 527

Moringa

Moringa oleifera

Traditionally attributed effects: antispasmodic, stimulating, expectorant, diuretic, dissolves stones; leaves for scurvy and catarrh, flatulence in children, wounds and swellings; bark stimulates the heart in asthma and cough.

North America · Herb · № 629

Mormon tea

Ephedra viridis, E. nevadensis, E. californica

Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold with sneezing and a watery nose, mildly eases wheezing and promotes urination.

Asia · Food · № 792

Maltose (yi tang)

Saccharum granorum (maltose)

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens qi and spleen, eases pain from cold in the middle and moistens the lungs.

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.

South America · Herb · № 816

Muña

Minthostachys mollis

A mint-like plant used in the Andes for stomach complaints and wind.

Europe · Herb · № 3

Mint

Mentha × piperita

Peppermint oil has been studied in irritable bowel syndrome and may reduce abdominal pain. The tea is used for a full stomach and nausea. With heartburn peppermint can make complaints worse.

South America · Herb · № 864

Murta (Chilean guava)

Ugni molinae

A shrub of the myrtle family with fragrant red berries. Mainly a food plant; the leaf was used as an astringent.

Asia · Herb · № 509

Musk mallow

Hibiscus abelmoschus

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, cooling, diuretic, soothing, stomachic, antispasmodic, tonic; for nervous weakness, hysteria, indigestion, gonorrhoea, catarrh of the bladder and airways, itching.

Asia · Herb · № 530

Night jasmine

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, expels worms, laxative, fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory.