Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

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.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 265

Beans

Phaseolus vulgaris

A legume rich in protein and fibre. Raw or undercooked beans contain the toxic phytohaemagglutinin; thorough cooking is needed. Beans are otherwise mainly food, not medicine.

Europe · Other · № 377

Dulse

Palmaria palmata

A red seaweed with protein, iodine and minerals. It is eaten as food and worked into scrubs; a medicinal effect has not been shown.

Europe · Mushroom · № 115

Penny bun (porcini)

Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, Morchella esculenta, Pleurotus ostreatus

A prized edible mushroom with protein, fibre and minerals. Medicinal claims are unproven.

Asia · Food · № 260

Peas

Pisum sativum

A legume rich in protein and fibre. In Chinese medicine (wan dou) the pea is regarded as a mild remedy for the spleen and for mild diarrhoea.

Asia · Herb · № 200

Gardenia (zhi zi)

Gardenia jasminoides

Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, calming, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, promotes bile.

Asia · Food · № 827

Ghee

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

Asia · Food · № 246

Kiwifruit

Actinidia deliciosa

A fruit rich in vitamin C and fibre. Small studies point to a slightly beneficial effect on constipation, and also on sleep; the enzyme actinidin tenderises meat.

Asia · Food · № 359

Red lentil

Lens culinaris

Traditionally attributed effects: easily digestible, beneficial in bleeding and fever; purifies the blood internally and externally; scrub improves circulation.

Asia · Herb · № 527

Moringa

Moringa oleifera

Traditionally attributed effects: antispasmodic, stimulating, expectorant, diuretic, dissolves stones; leaves for scurvy and catarrh, flatulence in children, wounds and swellings; bark stimulates the heart in asthma and cough.

Asia · Food · № 358

Mung bean

Vigna radiata

Traditionally attributed effects: light and easily digestible, sattvic (calm in the head); for fever, ulcers and blood disorders; khichadi with takra for 7–10 days as a cleansing cure; soap substitute makes the skin soft.

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.

South America · Herb · № 1009

Pinku pinku

Ephedra americana

A leafless shrub with green, jointed stems, related to the Chinese ma huang. Ephedra species contain ephedrine, which widens the airways but also raises heart rate and blood pressure; how much this species contains has been little studied.

Asia · Food · № 390

Soy

Glycine max

Traditionally attributed effects: base for a gentle cleanser.

South America · Food · № 1011

Tarwi

Lupinus mutabilis

A lupin with white to purple flowers and protein-rich, oily beans. The raw beans are bitter from lupin alkaloids, which are removed by days of soaking and rinsing.

Asia · Herb · № 718

Trichosanthes fruit (gua lou)

Trichosanthes kirilowii

Traditionally attributed effects: fruit and seed dissolve hot phlegm and open the chest; the root (tian hua fen) cools and moistens.

Oceania · Food · № 173

Wattle

Acacia spp. (o.a. A. holosericea, A. decurrens)

Roasted wattleseed is a protein- and fibre-rich bushfood. The bark of some species is rich in tannins and was used for wounds and diarrhoea. There is little clinical research.

North America · Food · № 965

Wild rice

Zizania palustris (en Z. aquatica)

An aquatic grass, not true rice. The long, dark grain contains more protein and fibre than white rice.