Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

South America · Herb · № 908

Epena (virola)

Virola theiodora (en verwante Virola-soorten)

A tree of the nutmeg family with blood-red resin in its bark. The resin contains a lot of 5-MeO-DMT and DMT, and also beta-carbolines. As snuff it brings excitement, numb limbs, nausea and visions within minutes.

South America · Herb · № 876

Floripondio (angel's trumpet)

Brugmansia spp. (o.a. B. arborea, B. sanguinea)

A shrub or small tree with large hanging trumpet flowers. All parts contain tropane alkaloids such as scopolamine and atropine, which cause confusion and hallucinations.

Asia · Herb · № 119

Galangal

Alpinia galanga

A relative of ginger traditionally used for nausea, wind and sluggish digestion. Clinical evidence is limited.

North America · Herb · № 944

Yellow pond-lily

Nuphar lutea (incl. N. variegata)

A water plant with floating leaves and yellow, globe-shaped flowers. The rhizome contains alkaloids whose effects are poorly studied.

Asia · Food · № 827

Ghee

Clarified butter used in Ayurveda as food and as a carrier for herbs.

Asia · Herb · № 37

Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba

There is no conclusive evidence that ginkgo helps any health condition. A modest effect on dementia symptoms is possible, but results are inconsistent.

Asia · Herb · № 649

Glehnia root (sha shen)

Glehnia littoralis

Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the lungs and is good for the stomach; for persistent dry cough and to dissolve phlegm.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 144

Guduchi (giloy)

Tinospora cordifolia

In Ayurveda a rejuvenating remedy (rasayana) for fevers and the immune system. Studies are small; it has no proven effect against infections.

Europe · Herb · № 87

Cowslip

Primula veris

The root contains saponins and is traditionally used to loosen phlegm in coughs; the flowers as a calming tea. There is some research on combination cough preparations.

Oceania · Herb · № 845

Harakeke (New Zealand flax)

Phormium tenax

The gel-like sap from the leaf base is traditionally applied to wounds, burns, ulcers and grazes; the root was regarded as laxative and worm-expelling. Scientific evidence is limited.

Asia · Herb · № 541

Himalayan cherry

Prunus puddum

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent; fruit sour and astringent, stone for kidney stones and gravel.

Asia · Food · № 518

Ridged gourd

Luffa acutangula

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, diuretic, bitter tonic, nourishing, expectorant, lowers blood sugar; seeds emetic and laxative; for enlarged spleen, dysentery; leaves on ulcers, ringworm, haemorrhoids, leprosy, insect and snake bites.

Europe · Herb · № 77

Hops

Humulus lupulus

The cones are traditionally used for restlessness and sleep problems, often with valerian. There are hints of a mild sedative effect, but evidence is limited.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 202

Grape hyacinth and bluebell

Muscari racemosum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Hyacinths and grape hyacinths are ornamental plants. The bulbs are poisonous and can cause itching on contact ('hyacinth itch' among bulb peelers).

Europe · Herb · № 234

Elm

Ulmus spp.

The inner bark of the European elm is, like that of the American slippery elm, mucilaginous and was used for skin complaints and diarrhoea. There is little research.

Europe · Herb · № 499

Indian fumitory

Fumaria indica

Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, mildly laxative, cooling, induces sweating and urination, fever-reducing, lowers blood pressure; for syphilis, scrofula, leprosy, constipation, indigestion from a sluggish liver, fever, jaundice, skin diseases.

Asia · Herb · № 451

Indian hemp

Cannabis indica

Traditionally attributed effects: intoxicating, stomachic, antispasmodic, pain-relieving, stimulating, aphrodisiac, calming; sleep-inducing, for painful menstruation, itchy skin diseases, headache, mania, whooping cough, asthma, nervous vomiting.

Asia · Herb · № 508

Indian sarsaparilla

Hemidesmus indicus

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, soothing, induces sweating and urination, purifies the blood; for lack of appetite, indigestion, fever, skin diseases, syphilis, leucorrhoea, urogenital diseases, chronic cough, rheumatic joints.

Asia · Herb · № 566

Indian squill

Urginea indica

Traditionally attributed effects: in small doses expectorant, stimulates the heart, diuretic, decongestant, promotes menstruation; in large doses emetic and laxative.

Asia · Herb · № 546

Wax tree

Rhus succedanea

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, expectorant, stimulating, promotes bile; for cough, tuberculosis, asthma, fever, lack of appetite, stomach irritation, diarrhoea (also in teething children); paste for psoriasis.

North America · Herb · № 155

Pokeweed

Phytolacca americana

Formerly used for swollen glands, tonsillitis and rheumatism. Because of its toxicity it is not a safe herb; there is no evidence of benefits that outweigh the risks.

Oceania · Herb · № 23

Kawakawa

Piper excelsum

In rongoā Māori the leaf is used for toothache, skin complaints, wounds and bladder and kidney complaints. It contains myristicin among other compounds; clinical evidence for these uses is lacking.

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).

Africa · Food · № 12

Garlic

Allium sativum

A food with a long history of use. Supplement research suggests only limited effects and does not establish a treatment.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 455

Coffee senna

Cassia occidentalis

Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, fever-reducing, diuretic, antipyretic; root as an antidote and for fever and nerve pain, cramps in hysteria, flatulence; seeds for cough and whooping cough.

Oceania · Herb · № 846

Kōwhai

Sophora microphylla

A tree with yellow flowers, a national symbol of New Zealand. The bark was traditionally used on wounds and bruises.

Oceania · Herb · № 842

Kukui (candlenut)

Aleurites moluccanus

A tree whose oil cares for the skin; the nuts are laxative.

North America · Herb · № 949

Liverleaf

Hepatica nobilis (incl. H. americana en H. acutiloba)

An early spring flower of the buttercup family with three-lobed leaves. Fresh, the plant contains irritating compounds.

Asia · Food · № 359

Red lentil

Lens culinaris

Traditionally attributed effects: easily digestible, beneficial in bleeding and fever; purifies the blood internally and externally; scrub improves circulation.

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.

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.

Oceania · Herb · № 847

Mamaku (black tree fern)

Sphaeropteris medullaris

The slimy pith and sap of this black tree fern were traditionally used on sores and wounds, and for diarrhoea.

Oceania · Food · № 51

Mānuka honey

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

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 420

Mexican prickly poppy

Argemone mexicana

Traditionally attributed effects: root diuretic, cleansing, pain-relieving, sleep-inducing; seeds laxative, emetic, expectorant; for oedema, jaundice, skin diseases, warts, scabies, gonorrhoea, tapeworm, cough and asthma.