Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

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 · № 520

Mahua

Madhuca longifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: flowers cooling, soothing, expectorant, tonic, nourishing; bark astringent and tonic; for diabetes and rheumatism, bleeding gums, tonsil and throat inflammation, itching, bronchitis, cough, haemorrhoids.

South America · Herb · № 863

Maillico

Caltha sagittata

A low plant of the buttercup family with arrow-shaped leaves and cream-white flowers. Related to the marsh marigold; its compounds and effects have not been studied.

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.

Oceania · Herb · № 844

Māmaki

Pipturus albidus

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 314

Mouse-ear hawkweed

Pilosella officinarum (syn. Hieracium pilosella)

Traditionally attributed effects: antispasmodic, expectorant, anticatarrhal, diuretic, wound-healing.

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.

South America · Herb · № 865

Nalca (Chilean rhubarb)

Gunnera tinctoria

A giant plant with leaves up to two metres across. The peeled stalks are edible; root and stalks are rich in tannins.

Asia · Food · № 425

Jackfruit

Artocarpus integrifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: ripe fruit soothing, nourishing, laxative; unripe fruit astringent; milky sap for swollen glands, abscesses and snake bites; root for diarrhoea; leaf and root for skin diseases.

South America · Herb · № 858

Natre

Solanum crispum (incl. S. ligustrinum)

A shrub of the nightshade family with very bitter leaves. Traditionally a fever remedy; the berries are poisonous.

Asia · Herb · № 39

Neem

Azadirachta indica

Used for centuries in traditional medicine in India, but there is insufficient clinical evidence of medical benefits.

Oceania · Food · № 50

Noni

Morinda citrifolia

Traditionally used for colds, infections, fever, and stomach complaints. There is no good evidence of treatment effects.

Asia · Herb · № 658

Notopterygium root (qiang huo)

Notopterygium incisum

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind, cold and dampness in colds and rheumatic pain in head, neck and shoulders.

Asia · Herb · № 529

Oleander

Nerium indicum

Traditionally attributed effects: strongly diuretic and strengthens the heart (like digitalis), abortifacient.

Asia · Food · № 484

Elephant apple

Dillenia indica

Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, laxative; cooling drink in fever, cough remedy; bark and leaves astringent.

Asia · Herb · № 421

Elephant creeper

Argyreia speciosa

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, tonic, soothing; for elephantiasis, arthritis, rheumatic swelling, overweight, skin diseases, boils, ear infection.

Asia · Herb · № 488

Elephant's foot

Elephantopus scaber

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart, astringent, cleansing, fever-reducing, antibiotic; for painful urination, urethral discharge, diarrhoea, dysentery, vomiting, snake bites, ulcers, eczema.

Asia · Herb · № 477

East Indian arrowroot

Curcuma angustifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, soothing, nutritious; for dysentery, painful urination, gonorrhoea, typhoid, ulcers of the intestines and bladder; substitute for arrowroot.