Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 462

Velvet leaf

Cissampelos pareira

Traditionally attributed effects: mildly stomachic, bitter tonic, diuretic, dissolves stones, astringent; for intestinal complaints, indigestion, diarrhoea, prolapsed uterus, internal inflammation, urinary tract diseases, purifies the blood in skin diseases.

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.

North America · Herb · № 151

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Traditionally used for fever and flu with aching muscles; the name refers to 'break-bone fever'. There is hardly any modern clinical research.

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 · Mushroom · № 589

Maitake

Grifola frondosa

Traditionally attributed effects: adaptogen; activates immune cells against cancer (macrophages, NK cells, T cells), reduces stress and strengthens resistance to colds and flu.

Europe · Food · № 362

Olive

Olea europaea

Olive oil is the basis of the Mediterranean diet, which is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Olive leaf extract is sold as a remedy for infections and high blood pressure; the evidence for this is limited and there is no evidence that it treats flu or other viral infections.

Europe · Herb · № 217

Oregano

Origanum vulgare

A culinary herb with carvacrol and thymol, which inhibit bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There is no good evidence that oregano oil treats infections in humans; undiluted oil irritates skin and mucous membranes.

Asia · Herb · № 367

Siberian ginseng

Eleutherococcus senticosus

Traditionally attributed effects: adaptogen, increases interferon production; especially for herpes simplex, strengthens the immune system against colds and flu; further for high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, insomnia, arthritis.

Europe · Herb · № 298

Greater celandine

Chelidonium majus

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, cleansing, stimulates the liver, anti-inflammatory.

Europe · Food · № 21

Elderberry

Sambucus nigra

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

Asia · Herb · № 651

White atractylodes (bai zhu)

Atractylodes macrocephala

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the spleen and regulates the stomach; for diarrhoea and fluid retention, and traditionally to help prevent miscarriage.

Asia · Herb · № 303

Achyranthes root (huai niu xi)

Achyranthes bidentata

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

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.

Asia · Mineral · № 780

Alum (ming fan)

Alumen (kaliumaluminiumsulfaat)

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

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.

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.

Europe · Food · № 65

Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis en A. racemosus

A nutritious vegetable; root and shoots were traditionally used as a diuretic. There is no good evidence for a medicinal effect.

Asia · Herb · № 149

Astragalus (huang qi)

Astragalus membranaceus

In Chinese medicine an important strengthening herb ('qi tonic') for fatigue, catching colds easily and sweating. NCCIH notes there is little reliable human research.

Asia · Herb · № 757

Flattened milkvetch seed (sha yuan zi)

Astragalus complanatus

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, holds in the essence and strengthens the eyesight.

Asia · Herb · № 36

Asian ginseng

Panax ginseng (ook P. quinquefolius)

Research consists mostly of small, short studies; there is little evidence of health effects.

Asia · Herb · № 134

Bamboo

Phyllostachys nigra

In Chinese medicine bamboo shavings (zhu ru) and bamboo sap are used for coughs with yellow phlegm, nausea and restlessness. Ayurveda uses silica-rich bamboo manna. Clinical research is scarce.

Africa · Herb · № 8

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.

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.

Europe · Herb · № 93

Betony

Betonica officinalis (syn. Stachys officinalis)

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

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.

North America · Herb · № 281

Blue flag

Iris versicolor

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

North America · Herb · № 991

Flowering dogwood

Cornus florida

A small tree with large white bracts around a knot of tiny flowers in spring, red berries and red autumn leaves. The bark is astringent and bitter; in the American Civil War it served as a substitute for quinine, and in the laboratory compounds from the bark moderately inhibited the malaria parasite. The berries are poisonous to people.

North America · Herb · № 306

Smooth hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

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

North America · Herb · № 34

Goldenseal

Hydrastis canadensis

There is not enough evidence to determine whether goldenseal helps any health condition.

Asia · Herb · № 766

Cherokee rose (jin ying zi)

Rosa laevigata

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

Asia · Herb · № 683

Chinese pulsatilla (bai tou weng)

Pulsatilla chinensis

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

Asia · Herb · № 125

Chinese ephedra (ma huang)

Ephedra sinica

Contains ephedrine, which widens the airways and stimulates the nervous system and heart. It is the origin of modern ephedrine and pseudoephedrine medicines. As a supplement it has proved dangerous.

Asia · Herb · № 681

Korean ash bark (qin pi)

Fraxinus chinensis subsp. rhynchophylla

Traditionally attributed effects: for diarrhoea and dysentery from damp heat, red eyes and cough with heat.

Asia · Herb · № 679

Chinese gentian (long dan cao)

Gentiana scabra

Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat and fire from liver and gallbladder.

Asia · Herb · № 708

Chinese lobelia (ban bian lian)

Lobelia chinensis

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic and detoxifying in oedema, inflamed ulcers and snakebites.

Asia · Food · № 635

Chinese yam (shan yao)

Dioscorea polystachya (syn. D. opposita)

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens spleen, stomach and lungs, helps regulate the hormone system in women and is said to lower blood sugar.