Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Oceania · Food · № 173

Wattle

Acacia spp. (o.a. A. holosericea, A. decurrens)

Roasted wattleseed is a protein- and fibre-rich bushfood. The bark of some species is rich in tannins and was used for wounds and diarrhoea. There is little clinical research.

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.

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.

Oceania · Food · № 177

Emu berry (dysentery bush)

Grewia retusifolia

The small fruits are edible; the name dysentery bush refers to its traditional use for diarrhoea. There is no clinical research.

Oceania · Herb · № 172

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus globulus

Eucalyptus oil is used for coughs and blocked noses with colds and externally for muscle pain; the European Medicines Agency recognises these as traditional uses. Strong clinical evidence is limited.

Oceania · Herb · № 174

Gumbi gumbi

Pittosporum spp.

Leaves, seeds or wood were steeped in hot water and drunk or used externally, for example for colds, coughs, eczema and cramps. Laboratory research points to antimicrobial compounds; clinical studies are lacking.

Oceania · Food · № 53

Kakadu plum (gubinge)

Terminalia ferdinandiana

A bush food with exceptionally high vitamin C, measured at 2,300–3,150 mg per 100 grams.

Oceania · Food · № 51

Mānuka honey

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

Oceania · Herb · № 178

Asthma weed

Euphorbia hirta

Traditionally used for asthma and bronchitis (the name asthma weed comes from Queensland), for diarrhoea and externally for warts. There is laboratory research but no good clinical evidence.

Oceania · Other · № 22

Tea tree oil

Melaleuca alternifolia

An essential oil for external use. Limited research suggests possible effects for acne or athlete’s foot; evidence is preliminary.

Africa · Herb · № 371

Gum arabic (acacia)

Acacia senegal

A soluble fibre that forms a mucilaginous solution in water. It soothes the throat and stomach and is being studied as a prebiotic; it can cause wind and bloating. There is no evidence that it treats viral infections such as HPV.

Asia · Herb · № 551

Marking nut

Semecarpus anacardium

Traditionally attributed effects: pungent, stimulating, aids digestion, antispasmodic, cleansing, strengthens the nerves, caustic, strengthens the heart; for leprosy, scrofula, syphilis, skin diseases, epilepsy, nervous weakness, nerve pain, asthma, indigestion, haemorrhoids, enlarged spleen.

Asia · Herb · № 557

Nux vomica

Strychnos nux-vomica

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, stomachic, tonic, aphrodisiac, stimulates the spinal cord, breathing and heart.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 394

Devil's cotton

Abroma augusta

Traditionally attributed effects: leaves and stem soothing, root bark promotes menstruation; for painful menstruation, regulates menstruation, uterine tonic, for gonorrhoea; can cause skin irritation.

Asia · Herb · № 556

East Indian globe thistle

Sphaeranthus indicus

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, tonic, stomachic, stimulating, cleansing; for bile complaints, tumours, worms, skin diseases (purifies the blood), bleeding haemorrhoids, syphilis, urethral discharge, conjunctivitis.

Europe · Herb · № 591

Purple loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, antibiotic, antispasmodic, diuretic, induces sweating, tonic, soothing; for dysentery and bacterial diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's), strengthens kidneys and bladder, for the eyes.

Asia · Herb · № 505

Gulsakri

Grewia hirsuta

Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, diuretic, expectorant, antiviral; fruit for diarrhoea and dysentery, wound healing, heart disease, seminal loss and leucorrhoea.

Asia · Herb · № 506

Gymnema

Gymnema sylvestre

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, tonic, cooling, diuretic, lowers blood sugar (suppresses sweet taste); for diabetes and sugar in the urine, snake bites, fever, cough, swollen glands.

Africa · Herb · № 480

Bermuda grass

Cynodon dactylon

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, astringent, diuretic, stops bleeding, mildly laxative; for oedema, blood in the urine, vomiting, chronic diarrhoea, hysteria, bleeding haemorrhoids, bladder irritation, bladder stones, gout and rheumatism.

Asia · Herb · № 432

Indian oak

Barringtonia acutangula

Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, carminative, emetic; for nasal and respiratory catarrh, chest pain, headache (snuff), diarrhoea and dysentery, bitter tonic; root cooling and antipyretic.

Asia · Herb · № 532

Turpeth

Operculina turpethum

Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, anti-inflammatory; mild fluid-expelling laxative for chronic constipation, ascites, enlarged spleen; for rheumatism, paralysis, oedema, melancholy, gout, leprosy.

Asia · Herb · № 458

Staff tree

Celastrus paniculatus

Traditionally attributed effects: oil skin-irritant; seeds cleansing, stimulating, strengthen the nerves, improve memory and intellect; for rheumatism, gout, paralysis, leprosy, beriberi; leaf juice as an antidote in opium poisoning; bark abortifacient.

Asia · Herb · № 521

Kamala tree

Mallotus philippensis

Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms (specifically tapeworm), astringent; ointment for ringworm, scabies, herpes and parasitic skin diseases, leprosy rash, syphilitic ulcers.

Asia · Herb · № 555

Yellow-berried nightshade

Solanum surattense

Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, strongly diuretic, expectorant, fever-reducing, aids digestion, astringent; for fever, cough, asthma, toothache, sore throat, gonorrhoea, rheumatism; promotes conception.

Europe · Herb · № 75

Cleavers

Galium aparine

Used in Western herbalism as a 'lymphatic' herb for swollen glands and skin conditions. Scientific evidence is lacking.

Asia · Herb · № 516

Indian laurel

Litsea glutinosa

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, astringent, softens the skin, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic; for diarrhoea and dysentery; externally for bruises, sprains, rheumatic and gouty joints, scorpion stings, fractures.

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 · № 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 · № 273

Manuka and kanuka

Leptospermum scoparium en Kunzea ericoides

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

Oceania · Herb · № 840

Old man weed

Centipeda cunninghamii

A small herb traditionally used for colds, skin complaints and inflammation.

South America · Herb · № 868

Palqui (green cestrum)

Cestrum parqui

A fast-growing, foul-smelling shrub of the nightshade family. All parts are poisonous because of alkaloids.

Asia · Herb · № 522

Chinaberry

Melia azedarach

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, antipyretic, expels worms; fruit laxative; oil insecticidal and antiseptic.

Oceania · Herb · № 841

Pituri

Duboisia hopwoodii

A shrub containing nicotine and related compounds; the dried leaves were chewed as a stimulant.

Asia · Herb · № 561

Purple tephrosia

Tephrosia purpurea

Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, promotes bile, diuretic, decongestant, tonic, laxative, purifies the blood, expels worms; for liver and spleen diseases, indigestion, distended abdomen, chronic diarrhoea, bronchitis, asthma, inflammation; oil for eczema.

Asia · Herb · № 442

Silk cotton tree

Bombax ceiba

Traditionally attributed effects: gum astringent and stops bleeding; root and bark soothing, diuretic, aphrodisiac; for abnormal uterine bleeding, diarrhoea, dysentery, coughing up blood, heavy menstruation, bladder and kidney stones, boils, itching.