Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

North America · Herb · № 587

Western larch

Larix occidentalis

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, prebiotic; improves digestion and gut flora, strengthens the immune system, studied in tumours, helps with middle ear infections in children.

Asia · Food · № 272

Apricot

Prunus armeniaca

Traditionally attributed effects: cough-suppressing, astringent, antibacterial, pain-relieving, diuretic, anti-inflammatory; wild cherry suppresses cough.

Asia · Herb · № 303

Achyranthes root (huai niu xi)

Achyranthes bidentata

Traditionally attributed effects: promotes circulation, liver tonic, pain-relieving.

Europe · Herb · № 277

Bistort

Bistorta officinalis (syn. Polygonum bistorta)

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stops diarrhoea and bleeding, anticatarrhal.

Europe · Herb · № 57

Agrimony

Agrimonia eupatoria

An astringent, tannin-rich herb traditionally used for diarrhoea, sore throats and minor wounds. Good human research is lacking.

Europe · Herb · № 79

Elecampane

Inula helenium

The root is traditionally used for productive coughs and bronchitis; it is rich in inulin. Clinical evidence is limited.

Africa · Herb · № 4

Aloe vera

Aloe vera

The gel from the leaf is used externally to soothe the skin and for minor burns. Research on wound healing gives mixed results; the gel is no substitute for wound care.

Europe · Herb · № 835

Mandrake

Mandragora officinarum

A highly poisonous plant containing tropane alkaloids, used in antiquity as a painkiller and sleeping draught.

Europe · Herb · № 63

Wormwood

Artemisia absinthium

One of the most bitter herbs; traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion and against intestinal worms. Clinical evidence is limited.

North America · Herb · № 158

American skullcap

Scutellaria lateriflora (en S. baicalensis)

Used in Western herbalism for nervousness, tension and sleep problems. A few small studies suggest a mild calming effect.

North America · Herb · № 628

North American wild ginger

Asarum caudatum, A. canadense en verwante soorten

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-cold, opens a blocked nose, warms the lung in cough with clear phlegm and expels cold and dampness in menstrual pain and other pain.

North America · Herb · № 593

Skunk cabbage

Lysichiton americanus

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, stimulating, antispasmodic, induces sweating, expectorant; opens the lungs and reduces cough and bronchial spasms (acute asthma), ointment against ringworm, relieves muscle and joint pain.

Europe · Food · № 84

Apple

Malus domestica

A fruit rich in fibre such as pectin; grated apple is an old home remedy for mild diarrhoea. No specific medicinal effect has been proven.

Europe · Food · № 296

Globe artichoke

Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus

Traditionally attributed effects: liver tonic and restorative, promotes bile.

Asia · Herb · № 17

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera

An Ayurvedic medicinal plant. Some preparations have been studied for stress and sleep, but evidence is limited and products vary.

Europe · Food · № 65

Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis en A. racemosus

A nutritious vegetable; root and shoots were traditionally used as a diuretic. There is no good evidence for a medicinal effect.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 166

Avocado

Persea americana

A fruit rich in monounsaturated fats, fibre and potassium; it fits a diet that is favourable for cholesterol. Avocado oil is used in skin care.

Asia · Herb · № 36

Asian ginseng

Panax ginseng (ook P. quinquefolius)

Research consists mostly of small, short studies; there is little evidence of health effects.

Europe · Other · № 597

Usnea

Usnea barbata

Traditionally attributed effects: antimicrobial, antifungal, immunomodulating, soothing, laxative, nourishing; against streptococci (sore throat), staphylococci, cellulitis and infected wounds, antiviral (HPV), yeast infections.

Asia · Herb · № 310

Balloon flower

Platycodon grandiflorus

Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, antifungal, antibacterial, lowers blood sugar.

North America · Herb · № 574

Balsam poplar

Populus balsamifera

Traditionally attributed effects: buds: stimulating, tonic, diuretic, soothing, expectorant; bark: expectorant, laxative; for skin problems (eczema, psoriasis), dry cough, constipation, kidney/bladder support, rheumatism and gout.

North America · Herb · № 573

Balsam fir

Abies balsamea

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, antiseptic, pain-relieving; for respiratory infections, cough and sore throat, cystitis and enteritis, aid to quitting smoking; externally for burns, wounds, haemorrhoids, muscle pain.

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.

Africa · Herb · № 8

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.

Asia · Herb · № 293

Pubescent angelica (du huo)

Angelica pubescens

Traditionally attributed effects: antirheumatic, pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory.

Asia · Herb · № 229

Benzoin

Styrax benzoin

Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, astringent, antispasmodic.

Europe · Herb · № 276

Bearberry

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Traditionally attributed effects: urinary antiseptic, astringent.

Europe · Herb · № 186

Birch

Betula pendula

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, antirheumatic.

Europe · Herb · № 67

Borage

Borago officinalis

The seed oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid, has been studied for eczema and joint inflammation with mixed results. The leaf was traditionally used to reduce fever and as a tonic.

Europe · Herb · № 93

Betony

Betonica officinalis (syn. Stachys officinalis)

Traditionally used for tension headaches and nervousness. Modern clinical research is lacking.

Europe · Herb · № 278

Bitter candytuft

Iberis amara

Traditionally attributed effects: antispasmodic, relaxing, strengthens the digestive tract, carminative; traditionally for gout and rheumatism.

Asia · Herb · № 123

Bitter orange

Citrus × aurantium

The dried unripe fruit (zhi shi) and peel are used in Chinese medicine for bloating and sluggish digestion. NCCIH warns that weight-loss products containing bitter orange (synephrine) pose risks to the heart and blood pressure.

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.

Europe · Other · № 74

Bladderwrack

Fucus vesiculosus

A brown seaweed rich in iodine; formerly used for an underactive thyroid and for weight loss. Weight-loss claims are unproven.

Europe · Food · № 101

Bilberry

Vaccinium myrtillus en V. vitis-idaea

Rich in anthocyanins. Dried berries are an old remedy for diarrhoea. NCCIH reports there is not enough evidence for eye, blood-vessel or other claims.

North America · Herb · № 281

Blue flag

Iris versicolor

Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, diuretic, stimulating, laxative.