Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Asia · Herb · № 540

Agnimantha

Premna obtusifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart, stomachic, carminative, cleansing, tonic, anti-inflammatory, lowers blood sugar; for swellings, pain and diabetes; part of 'dashamula'.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 569

Little ironweed

Vernonia cinerea

Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, induces sweating, cleansing; decoction promotes sweating in fever; seeds antidote, expel worms, for leprosy and chronic skin diseases; plant for bladder cramps, difficult urination, haemorrhoids; flowers for conjunctivitis.

Europe · Other · № 597

Usnea

Usnea barbata

Traditionally attributed effects: antimicrobial, antifungal, immunomodulating, soothing, laxative, nourishing; against streptococci (sore throat), staphylococci, cellulitis and infected wounds, antiviral (HPV), yeast infections.

Asia · Herb · № 677

Baikal skullcap (huang qin)

Scutellaria baicalensis

Traditionally attributed effects: cools and dries damp heat, especially in the lungs and upper body; calms a restless foetus from heat.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 293

Pubescent angelica (du huo)

Angelica pubescens

Traditionally attributed effects: antirheumatic, pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory.

Europe · Herb · № 276

Bearberry

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Traditionally attributed effects: urinary antiseptic, astringent.

Europe · Herb · № 67

Borage

Borago officinalis

The seed oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid, has been studied for eczema and joint inflammation with mixed results. The leaf was traditionally used to reduce fever and as a tonic.

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 · № 280

Blue cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, stimulates the uterus, diuretic, antirheumatic.

North America · Herb · № 372

Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, emetic, expectorant, restorative; part of escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia, warms lungs/stomach/uterus, promotes coughing up.

Asia · Herb · № 463

Bone setter

Cissus quadrangularis

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, stomachic; speeds bone healing in fractures, stem juice for irregular menstruation and scurvy, for asthma, indigestion, ear infection and nosebleeds.

South America · Herb · № 985

Cayaponia ophthalmica

Cayaponia ophthalmica

A climber of the gourd family, described by Schultes; the species name means 'for the eye'. Its chemistry is unknown; plants of the gourd family often contain bitter, irritating cucurbitacins.

Europe · Mushroom · № 578

Chaga

Inonotus obliquus

Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, adaptogen, antioxidant; regulates the immune system (also in autoimmune diseases), lowers cholesterol, balances blood sugar, anti-inflammatory.

Africa · Herb · № 453

Chaksu

Cassia absus

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, lowers blood pressure; leaves for cough; seeds for ringworm, skin diseases, conjunctivitis and eye inflammation.

Asia · Herb · № 290

Bupleurum (chai hu)

Bupleurum chinense

Traditionally attributed effects: energy tonic, stimulates the liver, cooling, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, promotes bile, lowers cholesterol.

Asia · Herb · № 684

Chinese violet (zi hua di ding)

Viola yedoensis (syn. V. philippica)

Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat and 'toxin' in abscesses, boils, sore throat and inflamed eyes.

Asia · Herb · № 304

Chinese goldthread (huang lian)

Coptis chinensis

Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, antibacterial, pain-relieving, calming, anti-inflammatory.

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.

South America · Herb · № 855

Copaiba

Copaifera officinalis en verwante soorten

A tree whose oleoresin is rich in beta-caryophyllene. Used on the skin for inflammation and small wounds; the evidence comes mainly from animal and laboratory studies.

North America · Herb · № 579

Chaparral

Larrea divaricata

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stimulating, cleansing, diuretic; detoxifies the liver and body, anti-inflammatory, for arthritis, strengthens bladder and kidneys, externally for haemorrhoids, boils, bedsores and bruises.

Asia · Herb · № 692

Barbat skullcap (ban zhi lian)

Scutellaria barbata

Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood, moves blood stagnation and reduces swellings; for hepatitis.

Asia · Herb · № 556

East Indian globe thistle

Sphaeranthus indicus

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, tonic, stomachic, stimulating, cleansing; for bile complaints, tumours, worms, skin diseases (purifies the blood), bleeding haemorrhoids, syphilis, urethral discharge, conjunctivitis.

Asia · Food · № 343

Pomegranate

Punica granatum

Traditionally attributed effects: root and stem bark astringent and strongly expel tapeworm; flowers and peel astringent and stomachic; juice cooling.

Asia · Herb · № 564

Himalayan meadow rue

Thalictrum foliolosum

Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, mildly laxative, laxative, diuretic, fever-reducing; for chronic indigestion, recovery after illness, eye inflammation, jaundice, flatulence, colds (snuff), toothache, conjunctivitis and keratitis.

Asia · Herb · № 469

Gold thread

Coptis teeta

Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, fever-reducing; stimulates appetite, restores digestion, against flatulence, for jaundice, weakness, recovery after fever; eye ointment for conjunctivitis; in China against diabetes.

Asia · Herb · № 532

Turpeth

Operculina turpethum

Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, anti-inflammatory; mild fluid-expelling laxative for chronic constipation, ascites, enlarged spleen; for rheumatism, paralysis, oedema, melancholy, gout, leprosy.

Asia · Food · № 571

Indian jujube

Zizyphus martiana

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic; leaves for gonorrhoea, conjunctivitis, boils and abscesses, painful urination; bark for diarrhoea, dysentery, colic and gum inflammation.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 533

Indian trumpet tree

Oroxylum indicum

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, bitter tonic, stomachic, pain-relieving, induces sweating; for diarrhoea, dysentery, acute rheumatism, oedema, ear infection; young fruit carminative, seeds laxative.

Asia · Herb · № 491

Java plum

Eugenia jambolana

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, diuretic, lowers blood sugar; seeds for diabetes, bark for chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, heavy menstruation, spongy gums, stomatitis; diarrhoea in children.

Asia · Herb · № 417

Kadam

Anthocephalus indicus

Traditionally attributed effects: bark tonic, fever-reducing, astringent; fruit cooling; for fever, mouth ulcers and stomatitis, eye inflammation, stomach irritation in children, snake bites.

Asia · Herb · № 686

Houttuynia (yu xing cao)

Houttuynia cordata

Traditionally attributed effects: detoxifies and drains pus, especially in lung infections; diuretic.

Europe · Herb · № 292

Cornflower

Centaurea cyanus

Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, stimulating, anti-inflammatory.

Asia · Herb · № 5

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.