Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Asia · Herb · № 340

Ajwain

Trachyspermum ammi

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, tonic, aromatic, antispasmodic, antiseptic; for flatulence, indigestion, colic, diarrhoea, cholera, intestinal cramps; source of thymol; against worms.

Asia · Herb · № 405

Sage-leaved alangium

Alangium salviifolium

Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, laxative, emetic, diuretic; antidote in poisoning, for diarrhoea, leprosy and skin diseases, dog bites, worms, acute rheumatism.

Africa · Herb · № 422

Worm killer

Aristolochia bracteata

Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, promotes menstruation, cleansing, antipyretic, expels worms; strengthens contractions, for colic, absent or painful menstruation, intermittent fever, worms, skin diseases.

Asia · Herb · № 542

Babchi

Psoralea corylifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms, diuretic, induces sweating, antibacterial; for leprosy and leucoderma (vitiligo) internally and externally, bile complaints.

Asia · Herb · № 419

Areca nut

Areca catechu

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, astringent, expels tapeworm, laxative, carminative, aphrodisiac; against roundworms and tapeworms, strengthens the gums, for urinary complaints, heartburn during pregnancy, lumbago.

Asia · Herb · № 465

Bhant

Clerodendrum infortunatum

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, antipyretic, expels worms, laxative, promotes bile; externally for tumours and skin diseases, root for sluggish bowels.

Asia · Herb · № 440

Blumea

Blumea lacera

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, antispasmodic, promotes menstruation, diuretic; for purulent eye discharge, worms, catarrh.

Asia · Herb · № 447

Bonduc nut

Caesalpinia crista

Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, antispasmodic, bitter tonic, expels worms, fever-reducing; for fever, intermittent fever, asthma, colic, swellings, bleeding, liver disorders, convulsions and nervous complaints.

Asia · Herb · № 683

Chinese pulsatilla (bai tou weng)

Pulsatilla chinensis

Traditionally attributed effects: for hot, bloody dysentery, amoebae and vaginal trichomonas.

Asia · Herb · № 558

Chiretta

Swertia chirata

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, stomachic, expels worms, laxative, cleansing, antidiarrhoeal, antipyretic; for intermittent fever, skin diseases, intestinal worms, asthma, hiccups and vomiting, gout; scorpion stings.

Europe · Herb · № 325

Southernwood

Artemisia abrotanum

Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, antiseptic, bitter, stimulates the uterus.

North America · Mineral · № 364

Colloidal silver

Silver particles in water. There is no evidence that colloidal silver treats infections, HIV or other diseases; it can, however, cause argyria, a permanent blue-grey discoloration of the skin and organs.

Asia · Herb · № 471

Crepe ginger

Costus speciosus

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, stimulating, aids digestion, expels worms, cleansing, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory; for fever with catarrh, cough, indigestion, worms, skin diseases, snake bites.

Asia · Herb · № 474

Purging croton

Croton tiglium

Traditionally attributed effects: drastically laxative, irritant, skin-irritant; for stroke, insanity, convulsions, stubborn constipation, worms, ascites, oedema, colic, gout; wood in small doses induces sweating.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 460

Mexican tea

Dysphania ambrosioides (syn. Chenopodium ambrosioides)

A strong-smelling culinary herb traditionally used against intestinal worms and wind. The essential oil contains ascaridole, which kills worms but is also toxic to humans.

Asia · Herb · № 528

Velvet bean

Mucuna pruriens

Traditionally attributed effects: seeds astringent, expel worms, strengthen the nerves, aphrodisiac; root tonic, stimulating, diuretic, laxative; for nervous diseases (paralysis), kidney diseases, oedema, elephantiasis, leucorrhoea, heavy menstruation, seminal loss.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 501

Indian gamboge

Garcinia morella

Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms, wound-healing; for oedema, absent menstruation, stubborn constipation, worms.

Asia · Herb · № 490

Indian coral tree

Erythrina variegata

Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, expectorant, fever-reducing, expels worms; for dysentery, worms, eye inflammation, rheumatic joints, liver complaints, diabetes, painful menstruation and infertility, promotes milk flow.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 514

Japanese morning glory

Ipomoea nil

Traditionally attributed effects: strongly laxative, expels worms; for constipation, substitute for jalap root.

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.

Africa · Herb · № 510

Kurchi

Holarrhena antidysenterica

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, stomachic, astringent, strongly antidysenteric, fever-reducing, expels worms; for acute and chronic (amoebic) dysentery and diarrhoea, bile complaints, fever, haemorrhoids, roundworms and threadworms.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 319

Quassia

Picrasma excelsa

Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, bitter.

Asia · Herb · № 530

Night jasmine

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, expels worms, laxative, fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 452

Papaya

Carica papaya

Traditionally attributed effects: aids digestion, expels worms, stomachic, promotes menstruation; ripe fruit mildly laxative; leaves against amoebic dysentery and fever; seeds against roundworms; promotes milk flow; unripe fruit abortifacient.

Asia · Herb · № 522

Chinaberry

Melia azedarach

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

Africa · Herb · № 502

Flame lily

Gloriosa superba

Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, antipyretic, promotes bile, expels worms, cleansing, laxative; against lice, for gonorrhoea, leprosy, colic, worms; promotes contractions; compress for rheumatism and nerve pain.

Asia · Herb · № 775

Rangoon creeper (shi jun zi)

Combretum indicum (syn. Quisqualis indica)

Traditionally attributed effects: was used against roundworms and for poor digestion in children.

Asia · Food · № 408

Giant taro

Alocasia macrorrhiza

Traditionally attributed effects: aids digestion, laxative, diuretic, promotes milk flow; for colic, constipation, haemorrhoids, oedema, worms, mouth ulcers, scorpion stings.

Europe · Herb · № 595

Sheep sorrel

Rumex acetosella

Traditionally attributed effects: induces sweating, diuretic, fever-reducing, stops bleeding; traditionally for cancer (ingredient of Essiac tea), relieves 'hot' conditions (fever, thirst, inflammation), boils, transient jaundice.

Asia · Herb · № 406

Siris

Albizzia lebbek

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, insect-repellent, anti-allergic; for bronchitis, leprosy, paralysis, gum inflammation, worms, snake bites and scorpion stings, night blindness.

Asia · Herb · № 724

Stemona root (bai bu)

Stemona sessilifolia (en S. japonica)

Traditionally attributed effects: moistens the lungs in acute and chronic cough; externally against lice and fleas.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 456

Sickle senna

Cassia tora

Traditionally attributed effects: mildly laxative, cleansing; intestinal complaints and fever when teething, compress for gout, sciatica and joint pain; seeds for ringworm, scabies and eczema; root for snake bites.

Asia · Herb · № 776

Chinese nutmeg yew (fei zi)

Torreya grandis

Traditionally attributed effects: was used against intestinal worms and moistens the lungs.

Asia · Herb · № 707

Knotgrass (bian xu)

Polygonum aviculare

Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat in cystitis, stops itching and was used against worms.

Asia · Herb · № 489

Vidanga

Embelia ribes

Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, expels worms, stimulating, cleansing; against intestinal worms, ringworm and skin diseases, headache, sore throat and mouth ulcers, bark paste for pneumonia.