Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Asia · Mineral · № 793

Actinolite (yang qi shi)

Actinolitum

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

Asia · Mineral · № 780

Alum (ming fan)

Alumen (kaliumaluminiumsulfaat)

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

Europe · Mineral · № 9

Epsom salt

Magnesium sulphate. In sufficient amounts it acts as a laxative because it holds water in the bowel. In a bath it is used to relax muscles; that magnesium is absorbed through the skin has not been shown.

Europe · Other · № 74

Bladderwrack

Fucus vesiculosus

A brown seaweed rich in iodine; formerly used for an underactive thyroid and for weight loss. Weight-loss claims are unproven.

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.

Asia · Mineral · № 798

Calomel (qing fen)

Calomelas (kwikchloride)

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

Asia · Mineral · № 797

Cinnabar (zhu sha)

Cinnabaris (kwiksulfide)

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

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 · 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.

Europe · Herb · № 70

Field horsetail

Equisetum arvense

Rich in silica; traditionally used as a diuretic, for urinary infections and for hair, nails and connective tissue. Good clinical evidence is lacking.

Asia · Mineral · № 796

Hematite (dai zhe shi)

Haematitum (ijzeroxide)

Traditionally attributed effects: anchors rising liver yang, makes rebellious qi descend and cools the blood in bleeding.

Asia · Mineral · № 795

Magnetite (ci shi)

Magnetitum (ijzeroxide)

Traditionally attributed effects: calms the mind and rising liver yang and helps the kidneys hold the lung energy.

Asia · Mineral · № 800

Minium (qian dan)

Minium (loodoxide)

Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally to draw out pus and heal wounds; contains lead.

Asia · Mineral · № 784

Pumice (fu hai shi)

Pumex

Traditionally attributed effects: cools hot phlegm in the lungs, softens lumps and promotes urination.

Asia · Mineral · № 791

Pyrite (zi ran tong)

Pyritum (ijzersulfide)

Traditionally attributed effects: resolves blood stagnation and helps fractures and ligaments recover.

Asia · Mineral · № 799

Realgar (xiong huang)

Realgar (arseensulfide)

Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally against parasites, itching and sores; contains arsenic.

Asia · Mineral · № 794

Stalactite (e guan shi)

Stalactitum (calciumcarbonaat)

Traditionally attributed effects: makes lung energy descend in asthma and chronic bronchitis and promotes milk flow.

Asia · Mineral · № 702

Talc (hua shi)

Talcum (hydromagnesiumsilicaat)

Traditionally attributed effects: cooling and soothing in painful urination and summer heat; externally drying on weeping skin.

North America · Mineral · № 365

Zinc

An essential mineral. Zinc lozenges may make a cold slightly shorter if taken at the very first symptoms; for herpes, ADHD or other conditions the evidence is weak or absent.

Asia · Mineral · № 782

Sulfur (liu huang)

Sulfur

Traditionally attributed effects: externally for scabies and fungal infections.

Asia · Herb · № 376

Alfalfa

Medicago sativa

Traditionally attributed effects: calming and moisture-restoring for dry skin.

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.

Europe · Other · № 377

Dulse

Palmaria palmata

A red seaweed with protein, iodine and minerals. It is eaten as food and worked into scrubs; a medicinal effect has not been shown.

Europe · Mushroom · № 115

Penny bun (porcini)

Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, Morchella esculenta, Pleurotus ostreatus

A prized edible mushroom with protein, fibre and minerals. Medicinal claims are unproven.

North America · Herb · № 188

Maple

Acer spp.

Maple syrup is the boiled-down sap of the sugar maple. It consists mainly of sugar and some minerals, such as manganese; it is a sweetener, not a medicine.

Europe · Food · № 66

Oats

Avena sativa

Oat flakes provide beta-glucan, a fibre that according to approved health claims can help maintain normal cholesterol. Oatmeal is also used in baths for dry, itchy skin. Its traditional role as a nerve tonic is unproven.

Europe · Other · № 382

Kelp

Laminaria spp. / Ascophyllum nodosum

Brown seaweeds are rich in iodine and alginate. They are used in scrubs and as food supplements; too much iodine can disrupt the thyroid.

North America · Herb · № 584

Gravel root

Eutrochium purpureum (syn. Eupatorium purpureum)

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, strengthens the nerves, astringent, stimulating, antiseptic; dissolves kidney and bladder stones, removes mineral deposits in joints, traditionally to prevent miscarriage and to prepare for childbirth.

Asia · Herb · № 648

Celosia seed (qing xiang zi)

Celosia argentea

Traditionally attributed effects: cools the liver, reduces liver inflammation and helps with high blood pressure and the eye complaints related to it.