Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Africa · Food · № 807

Honeybush

Cyclopia intermedia

A caffeine-free, sweetish tea related to rooibos. Health effects have not been established.

Asia · Herb · № 127

Japanese honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica en L. periclymenum

The flower buds (jin yin hua) are an important 'cooling' herb in Chinese medicine for fever, sore throats and colds. There is plenty of laboratory research but few good clinical studies.

Oceania · Food · № 51

Mānuka honey

A monofloral honey with distinctive compounds such as leptosperin and methylglyoxal. Ordinary food honey is not a treatment.

Europe · Herb · № 194

European honeysuckle

Lonicera caprifolium, L. periclymenum

The sweet-scented flowers were used as tea or syrup for coughs. The berries are poisonous. In Chinese medicine the related Japanese honeysuckle (jin yin hua) is used for fever and sore throat.

North America · Herb · № 998

Sourwood

Oxydendrum arboreum

A tree of the heath family with drooping sprays of white, bell-shaped flowers in summer and fiery red autumn leaves. The leaves taste sour, hence the name. From the flowers bees make a light, much-prized honey.

North America · Herb · № 993

Tulip tree

Liriodendron tulipifera

The tallest broadleaf tree of eastern America, up to almost sixty metres, of the magnolia family, with tulip-shaped greenish-yellow flowers with an orange patch. The bark is bitter and contains the alkaloid liriodenine and sesquiterpenes that inhibit bacteria and fungi; it was formerly used as a tonic and quinine substitute. The flowers give much nectar for a dark honey.

North America · Herb · № 971

Black twinberry

Lonicera involucrata

A honeysuckle with yellow flowers in pairs, which later form two shiny black berries in red bracts. Effects not studied.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 347

Mexican marigold

Tagetes erecta

Traditionally attributed effects: curbs sebum in oily skin, calms and prevents dehydration in dry skin, hydrates and keeps wrinkles at bay in combination skin; spiritual symbol of inner fire.

Asia · Food · № 223

Almond

Prunus dulcis

Traditionally attributed effects: sweet almond soothing, stimulating, nourishing, strengthens the nerves; bitter almond soothing, laxative, calming in cough.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 374

Amaranth

Amaranthus spp.

Traditionally attributed effects: flowers, leaf and root strongly antiseptic; wound healing.

Africa · Herb · № 371

Gum arabic (acacia)

Acacia senegal

A soluble fibre that forms a mucilaginous solution in water. It soothes the throat and stomach and is being studied as a prebiotic; it can cause wind and bloating. There is no evidence that it treats viral infections such as HPV.

Africa · Other · № 387

Argan

Argania spinosa

The oil from the kernels is used for skin and hair and, roasted, as a cooking oil. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E; claims about skin ageing are not well studied.

South America · Herb · № 873

Arrayán (Chilean myrtle)

Luma apiculata

The Chilean myrtle, with cinnamon-coloured bark, fragrant leaves and edible black berries. Traditionally an astringent; research is lacking.

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 · № 401

Indian atees

Aconitum heterophyllum

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, astringent, fever-reducing, stomachic, aphrodisiac; for weakness after fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, cough, indigestion; in children against cough, colds, fever and vomiting.

North America · Herb · № 574

Balsam poplar

Populus balsamifera

Traditionally attributed effects: buds: stimulating, tonic, diuretic, soothing, expectorant; bark: expectorant, laxative; for skin problems (eczema, psoriasis), dry cough, constipation, kidney/bladder support, rheumatism and gout.

Asia · Herb · № 431

Porcupine flower

Barleria prionitis

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, diuretic, tonic, fever-reducing; catarrh in children, prevents cracked feet, bleeding gums, toothache, ear infection, oedema, whooping cough, snake bites.

Africa · Herb · № 413

Pellitory root

Anacyclus pyrethrum

Traditionally attributed effects: promotes salivation, strengthens the nerves; for toothache and caries, sore throat, tonsillitis, epilepsy, rheumatism.

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 · Herb · № 396

Catechu

Acacia catechu

Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent; for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, bleeding haemorrhoids, uterine bleeding, leucorrhoea; bleeding or inflamed gums, mouth ulcers, enlarged tonsils; bedsores; promotes milk flow.

Asia · Herb · № 148

Weeping forsythia (lian qiao)

Forsythia suspensa

The fruits (lian qiao) are a 'cooling' herb in Chinese medicine for early colds with sore throat and fever, and for skin inflammation. There is little clinical research on lian qiao alone.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 124

Chrysanthemum (ju hua)

Chrysanthemum × morifolium

The flowers (ju hua) are used in Chinese medicine as a 'cooling' remedy for colds with fever, headaches and tired, red eyes. Clinical evidence is limited.

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.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 774

Gastrodia (tian ma)

Gastrodia elata

Traditionally attributed effects: calms liver wind and relieves headache, dizziness and cramps.

North America · Herb · № 182

Yellow jessamine (gelsemium)

Gelsemium sempervirens

Contains alkaloids such as gelsemine that act on the nervous system. In the 19th century it was used for nerve pain, migraine and fever, but its toxicity makes any use dangerous. Homeopathic gelsemium is so diluted that it contains no active substance.

Asia · Herb · № 1

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

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

Asia · Herb · № 344

Cardamom

Elettaria cardamomum

Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, pungent, strengthens the heart, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, carminative; for asthma, bronchitis, haemorrhoids, bladder complaints, flatulence, cramps from laxatives, dizziness, indigestion, vomiting.

Asia · Herb · № 713

Large-leaf gentian (qin jiao)

Gentiana macrophylla

Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness in cold and hot joint pain and cools heat from yin deficiency.

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 · № 139

Haritaki and triphala

Terminalia chebula

Haritaki is used in Ayurveda as a rejuvenating remedy and gentle laxative. Triphala, a blend of three fruits, is the best-known Ayurvedic formula for digestion. Clinical research is limited.

South America · Herb · № 914

Huanarpo

Corynaea crassa

An unusual parasitic plant without chlorophyll that lives on the roots of trees and shrubs; only a club-shaped flower spike appears above ground. Little is known about its effect in people.

Europe · Herb · № 78

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis

Traditionally used for coughs, colds and congestion. Clinical evidence is lacking.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 548

Indian madder

Rubia cordifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: promotes menstruation, astringent, diuretic, cleansing, decongestant, tonic; for paralysis, jaundice, urinary tract obstruction, menstrual disorders, mastitis, too little lochia.