Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Europe · Herb · № 104

Guelder rose

Viburnum opulus en V. prunifolium

The bark is traditionally used for muscle cramps and period pain; its English name is cramp bark. Clinical evidence is lacking.

South America · Herb · № 884

Peruvian elder

Sambucus peruviana

A tree with white flower umbels and dark berries, related to the European elder. Flowers and leaves are considered sweat-inducing and anti-inflammatory.

Europe · Food · № 61

Celery

Apium graveolens

Vegetable and spice. The seed was traditionally used for gout, joint complaints and as a diuretic. Convincing clinical evidence is lacking.

Europe · Food · № 21

Elderberry

Sambucus nigra

Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.

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 · Herb · № 303

Achyranthes root (huai niu xi)

Achyranthes bidentata

Traditionally attributed effects: promotes circulation, liver tonic, pain-relieving.

Asia · Mineral · № 793

Actinolite (yang qi shi)

Actinolitum

Traditionally attributed effects: was used to strengthen kidney yang; actinolite is a form of asbestos.

Asia · Herb · № 739

Cogon grass root (bai mao gen)

Imperata cylindrica

Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood and stops bleeding; promotes urination and cools lung and stomach.

South America · Food · № 916

Algarrobo (Peruvian mesquite)

Neltuma pallida (syn. Prosopis pallida)

A thorny tree of the pea family, related to mesquite, with sweet pods full of sugars. With its deep roots the tree holds the dry forest together.

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 · Mineral · № 780

Alum (ming fan)

Alumen (kaliumaluminiumsulfaat)

Traditionally attributed effects: externally astringent and anti-itch; stanches bleeding.

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.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 93

Betony

Betonica officinalis (syn. Stachys officinalis)

Traditionally used for tension headaches and nervousness. Modern clinical research is lacking.

North America · Herb · № 281

Blue flag

Iris versicolor

Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, diuretic, stimulating, laxative.

Asia · Mineral · № 781

Borax (peng sha)

Borax (natriumtetraboraat)

Traditionally attributed effects: externally for small ulcers in mouth, throat and vagina and for athlete's foot.

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.

North America · Herb · № 627

California spikenard

Aralia californica

Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold and fever without sweating, warms the lung and stops cough with abundant white or clear phlegm, and (roasted with honey) strengthens the energy of lung and spleen.

Asia · Mineral · № 798

Calomel (qing fen)

Calomelas (kwikchloride)

Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally against scabies and sores; contains mercury.

South America · Herb · № 902

Chacruna

Psychotria viridis

A shrub of the coffee family up to five metres tall. The leaves contain DMT, a short-acting, powerfully mind-altering substance that only works by mouth together with an MAO inhibitor such as ayahuasca.

South America · Herb · № 919

Chanca piedra (stonebreaker)

Phyllanthus niruri (en P. stipulatus, P. urinaria)

A small herb with rows of fine leaflets and tiny fruits beneath them. In experiments it inhibited the formation of kidney stone crystals and acted as a diuretic; small studies in people do not yet give clear evidence.

Asia · Herb · № 766

Cherokee rose (jin ying zi)

Rosa laevigata

Traditionally attributed effects: holds in the essence and curbs diarrhoea and frequent urination.

Asia · Mineral · № 797

Cinnabar (zhu sha)

Cinnabaris (kwiksulfide)

Traditionally attributed effects: was used to calm the mind and stop convulsions; contains mercury.

Asia · Herb · № 760

Cistanche (rou cong rong)

Cistanche deserticola

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, moistens the bowel and warms the uterus.

Europe · Herb · № 85

Lemon balm

Melissa officinalis

Traditionally used for restlessness, sleep problems and a nervous stomach; externally for cold sores. Small studies suggest a mild calming effect, but evidence is limited.

South America · Herb · № 183

Coca

Erythroxylum coca

The leaf contains a small amount of cocaine and other alkaloids. Chewing it or drinking it as tea is used in the Andes against hunger, fatigue and altitude sickness; evidence for the latter is limited. Cocaine, the first local anaesthetic and today mainly an addictive drug, was isolated from the leaf.

Asia · Mushroom · № 147

Caterpillar fungus (cordyceps)

Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis)

A fungus that parasitises caterpillars. Used in Tibetan and Chinese medicine for fatigue, lung complaints and low libido. Studies are small and there is no convincing evidence.

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 · № 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.

North America · Herb · № 14

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea

Studied for colds and respiratory infections. It may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold; effects on duration and other conditions are uncertain.

Africa · Food · № 360

Bottle gourd

Lagenaria siceraria

Young fruits are eaten as a mild, easily digestible vegetable. Medical claims, for example about the heart or peace of mind, have not been studied.

Asia · Herb · № 1

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

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

Asia · Food · № 827

Ghee

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

Asia · Herb · № 37

Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba

There is no conclusive evidence that ginkgo helps any health condition. A modest effect on dementia symptoms is possible, but results are inconsistent.

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.

Asia · Mineral · № 698

Glauber's salt (mang xiao)

Mirabilitum (natriumsulfaat)

Traditionally attributed effects: softens the stool in constipation from heat and dryness.