Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

South America · Herb · № 925

Jurema

Mimosa tenuiflora (syn. Mimosa hostilis)

A thorny tree or shrub of the pea family with feathery leaves and white, fragrant flower spikes. The root bark contains much DMT. Taken by mouth, DMT normally does not work without an MAO inhibitor; why the jurema drink is still said to work is not clear.

South America · Herb · № 853

Matico

Buddleja globosa

A shrub with orange, ball-shaped flowers. The leaf contains anti-inflammatory compounds such as verbascoside; clinical research on wound healing is lacking.

South America · Food · № 262

Potato

Solanum tuberosum

A starchy tuber and one of the most important food crops in the world. In folk use raw slices or grated potato are laid on burns, swollen eyes and for headaches; this has not been studied.

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.

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.

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.

North America · Herb · № 951

American spikenard

Aralia racemosa

A tall perennial of the ivy family, related to ginseng, with a thick, aromatic root. Little studied.

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.

North America · Herb · № 372

Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, emetic, expectorant, restorative; part of escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia, warms lungs/stomach/uterus, promotes coughing up.

North America · Herb · № 306

Smooth hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, laxative, stimulates the kidneys.

Europe · Food · № 48

Stinging nettle

Urtica dioica

A food and fiber plant with a long tradition in folk medicine. Medical claims are not established.

Asia · Mineral · № 783

Calcite (han shui shi)

Calcitum (calciumcarbonaat)

Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat in fever with thirst and summer heat; externally on hot small ulcers and burns.

Asia · Herb · № 790

Diverse wormwood (liu ji nu)

Artemisia anomala

Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow, promotes menstruation and relieves pain from injury.

Asia · Herb · № 137

Chinese rhubarb

Rheum palmatum

The root (da huang) contains anthraquinones, making it a strong laxative. In small amounts its tannins have the opposite, binding effect. Its mechanism is well understood.

Asia · Herb · № 703

Gold coin grass (jin qian cao)

Lysimachia christinae (ook Desmodium styracifolium)

Traditionally attributed effects: helps pass kidney and gallstones and drains damp heat from the liver.

Africa · Herb · № 118

Fenugreek

Trigonella foenum-graecum

The seed has been studied for blood sugar and for increasing breast milk. NCCIH reports there is not enough strong evidence for these uses.

Asia · Food · № 827

Ghee

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

Asia · Mineral · № 668

Gypsum (shi gao)

Gypsum fibrosum (calciumsulfaat)

Traditionally attributed effects: strongly cooling in high fever with thirst and sweating, lung heat and stomach fire.

Europe · Herb · № 49

Pot marigold (calendula)

Calendula officinalis

An edible flower historically used as medicine and dye. Its oil is widely used in skin products.

Asia · Herb · № 736

Great burnet (di yu)

Sanguisorba officinalis

Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood and stops bleeding in the lower abdomen; externally for burns.

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.

Africa · Herb · № 504

Levant cotton

Gossypium herbaceum

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, laxative, expectorant, aphrodisiac, promotes milk flow, promotes menstruation; seeds for intermittent fever and dysentery; oil for rheumatism, freckles, herpes, scabies, wounds, nerve pain; compress on bruises and burns.

Europe · Herb · № 75

Cleavers

Galium aparine

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

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.

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 · № 273

Manuka and kanuka

Leptospermum scoparium en Kunzea ericoides

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

Europe · Herb · № 3

Mint

Mentha × piperita

Peppermint oil has been studied in irritable bowel syndrome and may reduce abdominal pain. The tea is used for a full stomach and nausea. With heartburn peppermint can make complaints worse.

Asia · Herb · № 737

Oriental arborvitae (ce bai ye)

Platycladus orientalis (syn. Biota orientalis)

Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood and stops bleeding; dissolves phlegm and helps with burns.

Asia · Herb · № 674

Purple gromwell (zi cao)

Lithospermum erythrorhizon (en Arnebia euchroma)

Traditionally attributed effects: cools and moves the blood in dark rashes; externally for burns and eczema.

Asia · Food · № 689

Purslane (ma chi xian)

Portulaca oleracea

Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood in dysentery and painful urination; externally for ulcers and insect bites.

North America · Herb · № 323

Slippery elm

Ulmus rubra (syn. U. fulva)

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, nourishing, astringent.

Africa · Food · № 356

Sesame

Sesamum indicum

Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, softens the skin, diuretic, promotes menstruation and milk flow, laxative; leaves for respiratory complaints, diarrhoea and dysentery in children, bladder catarrh; seeds for bleeding haemorrhoids, absent or painful menstruation.

Europe · Herb · № 43

St. John's wort

Hypericum perforatum

Research suggests it may help mild to moderate depression; evidence for other uses is insufficient.

Asia · Food · № 258

Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

A juicy leaf vegetable with some vitamin K and folate. The milky sap of the stem is mildly calming, but much weaker than that of wild lettuce.

Asia · Herb · № 180

Opium poppy

Papaver somniferum

The latex of the unripe seed capsule (opium) contains morphine, codeine and other alkaloids. Morphine and related opioids are indispensable painkillers in modern medicine, but highly addictive. The seeds (poppy seeds) are an ordinary food.

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.