Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Asia · Herb · № 754

Sharp-leaf galangal fruit (yi zhi ren)

Alpinia oxyphylla

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang and holds in urine and semen; warms the spleen in diarrhoea and drooling.

Asia · Herb · № 414

King of bitters

Andrographis paniculata

Traditionally attributed effects: stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, cleansing, expels worms, promotes bile; for flatulence, lack of appetite, intestinal complaints in children, diarrhoea, dysentery, sluggish liver, nerve pain, recovery after fever.

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.

Africa · Food · № 814

Bitter kola

Garcinia kola

A bitter seed that is chewed and offered as a sign of hospitality and at ceremonies; as a folk remedy also for coughs and sore throats.

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.

Africa · Herb · № 464

Colocynth

Citrullus colocynthis

Traditionally attributed effects: drastically laxative and diuretic; in large doses emetic and highly irritant; for ascites, jaundice, urinary diseases, rheumatism, bile complaints, intestinal parasites, constipation, oedema; seed oil for snake and scorpion bites.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 849

Bitter melon

Momordica charantia

A bitter climbing plant whose fruit, leaves and vines are used. In folk medicine mainly taken to lower blood sugar; research shows a small effect at most.

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 · № 857

Cachanlagua

Centaurium cachanlahuen

A small bitter herb with pink flowers, related to the European common centaury. Traditionally for fever and digestion; clinical research is lacking.

South America · Herb · № 911

Canchalagua

Schkuhria pinnata

A small, finely branched annual herb of the daisy family with tiny yellow flowers. It tastes bitter. There is laboratory research on compounds that act on blood sugar, but studies in people are lacking.

South America · Herb · № 913

Corpus way

Gentianella bicolor

A small, very bitter herb of the gentian family, related to hercampuri. Gentians contain bitter compounds that stimulate digestion. Clinical studies are lacking.

Europe · Herb · № 76

Great yellow gentian

Gentiana lutea

The root is one of the most bitter substances known and has long been used to stimulate appetite and digestion. Studies are small.

Europe · Herb · № 60

Garden angelica

Angelica archangelica

An aromatic bitter traditionally used for bloating, poor appetite and colds. Clinical evidence is limited.

South America · Herb · № 881

Hercampuri

Gentianella alborosea (en G. nitida)

A small, very bitter herb of the gentian family. It is sold for liver, gallbladder and cholesterol complaints and for weight loss; good research is lacking.

Asia · Herb · № 143

Kutki

Picrorhiza kurroa

A very bitter herb used in Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine for liver complaints, fever and digestive problems. Research is mainly in animals.

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.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 97

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

The leaf is mildly diuretic; the bitter root was used for the liver and digestion. NCCIH notes there is little human research.

North America · Herb · № 993

Tulip tree

Liriodendron tulipifera

The tallest broadleaf tree of eastern America, up to almost sixty metres, of the magnolia family, with tulip-shaped greenish-yellow flowers with an orange patch. The bark is bitter and contains the alkaloid liriodenine and sesquiterpenes that inhibit bacteria and fungi; it was formerly used as a tonic and quinine substitute. The flowers give much nectar for a dark honey.

Europe · Herb · № 106

Bogbean

Menyanthes trifoliata

A strong bitter traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion and for rheumatic complaints. Clinical evidence is lacking.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 922

Zacatechichi

Calea ternifolia (syn. Calea zacatechichi)

A shrub of the daisy family with very bitter leaves. Contains caleicine and other sesquiterpene lactones, among others. Said to make sleep light and dreams clear and vivid; in a small study an extract caused a slight change of perception, drowsiness and a short sleep with vivid dreams.

Europe · Food · № 10

Bergamot

Citrus bergamia

The peel yields bergamot oil, a fragrance in perfume and Earl Grey tea. The oil contains bergapten, which makes the skin sensitive to sunlight. Health claims are not well studied.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 418

Agarwood

Aquilaria agallocha

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, strengthens the heart, tonic, carminative, promotes bile; for skin diseases, gout and rheumatism, vomiting, snake bites, pain from wounds, bronchitis in children, headache, dizziness.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 705

Akebia stem (mu tong)

Akebia trifoliata (en A. quinata)

Traditionally attributed effects: drains heat via the urine in painful urination, mouth ulcers and restlessness; promotes milk flow.

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.

Asia · Food · № 223

Almond

Prunus dulcis

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

Asia · Herb · № 743

Sweetgum fruit (lu lu tong)

Liquidambar formosana

Traditionally attributed effects: lets qi and blood flow and opens the meridians.

North America · Herb · № 160

American ginseng

Panax quinquefolius

Chinese medicine regards it as more 'cooling' than Asian ginseng and uses it for fatigue and thirst. Some studies find a slight effect on post-meal blood sugar and colds; evidence is limited.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 678

Amur cork tree bark (huang bai)

Phellodendron amurense

Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat from the lower body and cools heat from kidney yin deficiency.

South America · Food · № 250

Pineapple

Ananas comosus

Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, cleansing, bitter tonic; ripe fruit diuretic, induces sweating, cooling, digests protein; leaf laxative and expels worms; unripe fruit strongly diuretic, promotes menstruation and abortifacient.