Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Asia · Herb · № 418

Agarwood

Aquilaria agallocha

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, strengthens the heart, tonic, carminative, promotes bile; for skin diseases, gout and rheumatism, vomiting, snake bites, pain from wounds, bronchitis in children, headache, dizziness.

Asia · Herb · № 405

Sage-leaved alangium

Alangium salviifolium

Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, laxative, emetic, diuretic; antidote in poisoning, for diarrhoea, leprosy and skin diseases, dog bites, worms, acute rheumatism.

South America · Food · № 916

Algarrobo (Peruvian mesquite)

Neltuma pallida (syn. Prosopis pallida)

A thorny tree of the pea family, related to mesquite, with sweet pods full of sugars. With its deep roots the tree holds the dry forest together.

South America · Herb · № 896

Altamisa

Ambrosia peruviana

An aromatic, hairy ragweed. In its native range it is used as a painkilling, anti-inflammatory, deworming and antiseptic remedy; good research is lacking.

North America · Herb · № 992

American sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua

A tall tree with star-shaped leaves, splendid autumn colours and spiky round seed balls. When the bark is wounded a fragrant resin, American storax, seeps out; for centuries it has gone into ointments, perfume and incense. The resin is mildly antiseptic.

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.

Africa · Herb · № 450

Apple of Sodom

Calotropis procera

Traditionally attributed effects: root bark for dysentery and elephantiasis; leaves for intermittent fever; milky sap irritant and laxative; flowers for colds, cough, asthma and indigestion.

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 · № 550

Ashoka tree

Saraca indica

Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent, calms the uterus; for uterine disorders, especially heavy menstruation, internal bleeding, haemorrhoids, bloody dysentery; root aphrodisiac and tonic, for cough, asthma, rheumatism, skin diseases, indigestion.

Asia · Herb · № 149

Astragalus (huang qi)

Astragalus membranaceus

In Chinese medicine an important strengthening herb ('qi tonic') for fatigue, catching colds easily and sweating. NCCIH notes there is little reliable human research.

Asia · Herb · № 542

Babchi

Psoralea corylifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms, diuretic, induces sweating, antibacterial; for leprosy and leucoderma (vitiligo) internally and externally, bile complaints.

Asia · Herb · № 134

Bamboo

Phyllostachys nigra

In Chinese medicine bamboo shavings (zhu ru) and bamboo sap are used for coughs with yellow phlegm, nausea and restlessness. Ayurveda uses silica-rich bamboo manna. Clinical research is scarce.

Asia · Herb · № 465

Bhant

Clerodendrum infortunatum

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, antipyretic, expels worms, laxative, promotes bile; externally for tumours and skin diseases, root for sluggish bowels.

Europe · Herb · № 64

Mugwort

Artemisia vulgaris

Traditionally used as a digestive bitter and to bring on delayed periods. Clinical evidence is largely lacking.

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 · № 372

Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, emetic, expectorant, restorative; part of escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia, warms lungs/stomach/uterus, promotes coughing up.

Europe · Food · № 73

Wild strawberry

Fragaria vesca

The tannin-rich leaf was traditionally used for mild diarrhoea; the fruit is a treat rich in vitamin C. Medical evidence is lacking.

North America · Herb · № 631

Brewer's angelica

Angelica breweri, A. arguta, A. hendersonii

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind, dampness and cold in stiff, painful joints, opens the surface in wind-cold and moves qi and blood in pain.

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.

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 · № 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.

South America · Herb · № 852

Canelo (Winter's bark)

Drimys winteri

A tree with a peppery, bitter bark. As Winter's bark it was a remedy for scurvy for centuries; otherwise its effects are little studied.

Asia · Herb · № 396

Catechu

Acacia catechu

Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent; for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, bleeding haemorrhoids, uterine bleeding, leucorrhoea; bleeding or inflamed gums, mouth ulcers, enlarged tonsils; bedsores; promotes milk flow.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 161

Cayenne pepper

Capsicum frutescens

Capsaicin from chilli peppers is used externally for nerve pain and joint pain; high-dose capsaicin patches are an approved medicine. Internally it is mainly a warming spice.

South America · Herb · № 1002

Chachacomo

Escallonia resinosa (en verwante soorten, o.a. E. micrantha)

A shrub or tree of 2 to 10 metres with reddish, papery bark and small, finely toothed leaves full of resin and essential oil. Almost nothing has been studied about its effect in people.

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 · № 714

Chinese clematis root (wei ling xian)

Clematis chinensis

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness and moves the qi in pain anywhere in the body.

Asia · Food · № 572

Chinese jujube

Zizyphus vulgaris

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, lowers blood sugar, soothing, soothing to the chest.

Asia · Herb · № 558

Chiretta

Swertia chirata

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, stomachic, expels worms, laxative, cleansing, antidiarrhoeal, antipyretic; for intermittent fever, skin diseases, intestinal worms, asthma, hiccups and vomiting, gout; scorpion stings.

Asia · Herb · № 471

Crepe ginger

Costus speciosus

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, stimulating, aids digestion, expels worms, cleansing, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory; for fever with catarrh, cough, indigestion, worms, skin diseases, snake bites.

Asia · Herb · № 473

Croton

Croton oblongifolius

Traditionally attributed effects: bark and root cleansing and promote bile; seeds laxative; bark for sprains and liver diseases, poultices on swellings, for snake bites.

Asia · Herb · № 409

Dita bark

Alstonia scholaris

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, bitter tonic, astringent, expectorant, fever-reducing, antipyretic; quinine substitute for intermittent fever, for indigestion, weakness, skin diseases, liver complaints, chronic diarrhoea; promotes milk flow, expels worms.

North America · Herb · № 966

Devil's club

Oplopanax horridus

An ivy-like shrub with large, hand-shaped leaves and spines over the whole stem and the leaf veins. Research into a blood-sugar-lowering effect is at an early stage.

North America · Herb · № 995

Devil's walking stick

Aralia spinosa

A shrub or small tree of the ivy family, related to American spikenard, with very prickly stems, huge doubly pinnate leaves and in late summer large sprays of small white flowers with purple berries. The fresh root is sharp and emetic.

North America · Herb · № 972

Single delight

Moneses uniflora

A small plant of the heath family with a single nodding, white, fragrant flower. The pounded plant irritates the skin and can raise blisters.

Oceania · Herb · № 54

Emu bush (berrigan)

Eremophila longifolia

One of the most important plants for Aboriginal peoples of Central Australia, with ceremonial and medicinal uses. Clinical evidence is lacking.