Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

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.

South America · Herb · № 918

Ishpingo

Nectandra spp. (en verwante laurierachtigen, o.a. Ocotea en Aiouea)

Trees of the laurel family with fragrant seeds and bark. Little is known about the substances in the seeds and their effect in people.

South America · Herb · № 880

Mucura (guinea henweed)

Petiveria alliacea

A herb with a strong garlic smell. It has been studied for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects; clinical evidence is lacking.

South America · Herb · № 1012

Roq'e

Colletia spinosissima

A thorny shrub with green thorns set crosswise and hardly any leaves. It lives together with nitrogen-fixing Frankia bacteria. The bark contains saponins; little has been studied about its effect in people.

South America · Herb · № 900

Sabadilla

Schoenocaulon officinale

A lily-like plant with highly poisonous seeds containing alkaloids such as veratridine and cevadine. Pharmacists around the world made louse treatments and insecticides from them.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 818

Annatto (achiote)

Bixa orellana

The red seeds are used as a colouring and spice; traditionally also as a remedy.

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.

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.

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.

Asia · Food · № 223

Almond

Prunus dulcis

Traditionally attributed effects: sweet almond soothing, stimulating, nourishing, strengthens the nerves; bitter almond soothing, laxative, calming in cough.

North America · Herb · № 932

American basswood

Tilia americana

A large broadleaf tree with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant flowers, related to the European lime. The flowers contain mucilage and flavonoids. The wood is soft and easy to carve; the inner bark gives strong fibre.

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.

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.

Africa · Herb · № 8

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

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

North America · Herb · № 224

Bee balm

Monarda didyma

The fragrant leaf contains thymol and is drunk as tea. Indigenous peoples used it for colds, fever and headache; studies in humans are lacking.

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.

North America · Herb · № 991

Flowering dogwood

Cornus florida

A small tree with large white bracts around a knot of tiny flowers in spring, red berries and red autumn leaves. The bark is astringent and bitter; in the American Civil War it served as a substitute for quinine, and in the laboratory compounds from the bark moderately inhibited the malaria parasite. The berries are poisonous to people.

North America · Herb · № 931

Eastern hemlock

Tsuga canadensis

An evergreen conifer with short, flat needles. The bark is rich in tannins and was once used to tan leather. Medicinal effects have not been studied.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 233

Cypress

Cupressus sempervirens

Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, antispasmodic, calming, diuretic.

Asia · Food · № 221

Lemon

Citrus limon

Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, diuretic, strengthens the veins.

South America · Herb · № 378

Lemon verbena

Aloysia citrodora

Traditionally attributed effects: relaxing, helps you fall asleep.

North America · Herb · № 579

Chaparral

Larrea divaricata

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stimulating, cleansing, diuretic; detoxifies the liver and body, anti-inflammatory, for arthritis, strengthens bladder and kidneys, externally for haemorrhoids, boils, bedsores and bruises.

South America · Herb · № 856

Culén

Grimolobium glandulosum (syn. Otholobium glandulosum, Psoralea glandulosa)

A shrub of the pea family with glandular, fragrant leaves. Traditionally used for digestive complaints, diarrhoea and on wounds; good research is lacking.

North America · Herb · № 189

Pine

Pinus spp.

The scent of needles and resin is experienced as fresh and cleansing. Pine buds and needles contain essential oil and vitamin C; a medicinal effect has hardly been studied.

Europe · Herb · № 105

Heartsease

Viola tricolor

Traditionally used for skin conditions such as eczema and cradle cap, and for coughs. There is little clinical research.

Europe · Herb · № 56

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Traditionally used to stop bleeding from minor wounds, for fevers and colds, and as a digestive bitter. Clinical evidence is limited.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 820

Estafiate (white sagebrush)

Artemisia ludoviciana

A bitter, aromatic herb used in Mexico for stomach ache and digestive complaints.

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.

Europe · Food · № 90

Raspberry

Rubus idaeus

The fruit is a nutritious berry. Raspberry leaf has been used in folk medicine in late pregnancy to ease labour; convincing evidence is lacking.

Asia · Herb · № 1

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

Europe · Herb · № 88

Self-heal

Prunella vulgaris

In Europe an old wound herb and gargle for sore throats; in Chinese medicine used for 'heat' and swollen glands. Research is mostly laboratory work.