Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Asia · Food · № 827

Ghee

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

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 · № 17

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera

An Ayurvedic medicinal plant. Some preparations have been studied for stress and sleep, but evidence is limited and products vary.

Asia · Herb · № 557

Nux vomica

Strychnos nux-vomica

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, stomachic, tonic, aphrodisiac, stimulates the spinal cord, breathing and heart.

Asia · Herb · № 353

Brahmi

Bacopa monnieri

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart and nerves, diuretic, mildly laxative, calming; for urinary retention with constipation, acute bronchitis and cough in children, exhaustion and nervous breakdown, hysteria, epilepsy, hoarseness.

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.

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 · № 144

Guduchi (giloy)

Tinospora cordifolia

In Ayurveda a rejuvenating remedy (rasayana) for fevers and the immune system. Studies are small; it has no proven effect against infections.

Asia · Herb · № 342

Curry leaves

Murraya koenigii

Traditionally attributed effects: neither warming nor cooling; stimulates appetite and aids digestion without overheating; good for skin and hair.

Asia · Herb · № 232

Cumin

Cuminum cyminum

Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, aromatic, stomachic, stimulating, astringent, cooling; for gonorrhoea, chronic diarrhoea, indigestion, hoarseness; oil as a source of thymol against hookworms.

Asia · Herb · № 348

Gotu kola

Centella asiatica

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, diuretic, locally stimulating, calming; for chronic ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, epilepsy, insanity, swollen glands, abscesses, chronic rheumatism, diarrhoea in children.

Asia · Herb · № 341

Brown mustard

Brassica juncea

Traditionally attributed effects: plant bitter, mildly laxative, tonic; oil stimulating and skin-irritant, antiseptic; for chest complaints in children, muscular rheumatism, stiff neck, inflammation and nerve pain, abdominal cramps, persistent vomiting.

Asia · Herb · № 421

Elephant creeper

Argyreia speciosa

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, tonic, soothing; for elephantiasis, arthritis, rheumatic swelling, overweight, skin diseases, boils, ear infection.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 263

Squash

Cucurbita moschata

Traditionally attributed effects: heart-warming and nourishing for body, mind and soul; good for skin and hair.

Asia · Herb · № 345

Saffron

Crocus sativus

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, aphrodisiac, stomachic, pain-relieving, antispasmodic, calming, promotes menstruation; for absent menstruation, fever, hysteria, melancholy, leucorrhoea, haemorrhoids; paste for bruises, nerve and rheumatic pain.

Asia · Herb · № 512

Talmakhana

Hygrophila auriculata

Traditionally attributed effects: root cooling, bitter tonic, diuretic, soothing; seeds diuretic and aphrodisiac; for oedema, kidney stones and urogenital complaints, jaundice, impotence and weakness, asthma.

Europe · Herb · № 72

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

The seed is traditionally used for wind, bloating and cramps. There are some small studies, but evidence is limited.

Asia · Herb · № 475

Black musli

Curculigo orchiodes

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter aromatic tonic, soothing, diuretic, aphrodisiac, cleansing; for haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, jaundice, asthma, itching and skin diseases, urinary stones, bronchitis, lumbago, recovery after illness.