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 · 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 · Herb · № 405

Sage-leaved alangium

Alangium salviifolium

Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, laxative, emetic, diuretic; antidote in poisoning, for diarrhoea, leprosy and skin diseases, dog bites, worms, acute rheumatism.

Europe · Herb · № 835

Mandrake

Mandragora officinarum

A highly poisonous plant containing tropane alkaloids, used in antiquity as a painkiller and sleeping draught.

Europe · Herb · № 63

Wormwood

Artemisia absinthium

One of the most bitter herbs; traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion and against intestinal worms. Clinical evidence is limited.

South America · Herb · № 896

Altamisa

Ambrosia peruviana

An aromatic, hairy ragweed. In its native range it is used as a painkilling, anti-inflammatory, deworming and antiseptic remedy; good research is lacking.

North America · Herb · № 826

Mayapple

Podophyllum peltatum

A poisonous plant whose resin, podophyllin, was once used as a laxative. Now only used in the form of medicines against warts.

Africa · Herb · № 450

Apple of Sodom

Calotropis procera

Traditionally attributed effects: root bark for dysentery and elephantiasis; leaves for intermittent fever; milky sap irritant and laxative; flowers for colds, cough, asthma and indigestion.

Africa · Herb · № 422

Worm killer

Aristolochia bracteata

Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, promotes menstruation, cleansing, antipyretic, expels worms; strengthens contractions, for colic, absent or painful menstruation, intermittent fever, worms, skin diseases.

Asia · Herb · № 542

Babchi

Psoralea corylifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms, diuretic, induces sweating, antibacterial; for leprosy and leucoderma (vitiligo) internally and externally, bile complaints.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 747

Prepared aconite (fu zi)

Aconitum carmichaelii (bereide zijwortel)

Traditionally attributed effects: the most strongly warming remedy in Chinese medicine, for collapse of yang and pain from cold.

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.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 551

Marking nut

Semecarpus anacardium

Traditionally attributed effects: pungent, stimulating, aids digestion, antispasmodic, cleansing, strengthens the nerves, caustic, strengthens the heart; for leprosy, scrofula, syphilis, skin diseases, epilepsy, nervous weakness, nerve pain, asthma, indigestion, haemorrhoids, enlarged spleen.

Europe · Herb · № 513

Henbane

Hyoscyamus niger

Traditionally attributed effects: intoxicating, narcotic, pain-relieving, calming, antispasmodic, dilates the pupils.

North America · Herb · № 281

Blue flag

Iris versicolor

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

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.

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.

Asia · Herb · № 557

Nux vomica

Strychnos nux-vomica

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

Europe · Herb · № 283

Broom

Cytisus scoparius

Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, laxative, raises blood pressure, stimulates the uterus.

Asia · Herb · № 688

Java brucea fruit (ya dan zi)

Brucea javanica

Traditionally attributed effects: was used for amoebic dysentery, malaria and externally for warts.

South America · Herb · № 886

Cabalonga (yellow oleander)

Cascabela thevetia (syn. Thevetia peruviana)

A shrub with yellow trumpet flowers, related to oleander. All parts, especially the seeds, contain cardiac glycosides that act on the heart.

Oceania · Herb · № 176

Cajeput and niaouli

Melaleuca cajuputi, M. viridiflora, M. leucadendra e.a.

Both relatives of tea tree yield an essential oil used externally for muscle pain and in inhalations for colds. Clinical evidence is limited.

Asia · Mineral · № 798

Calomel (qing fen)

Calomelas (kwikchloride)

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

Asia · Herb · № 511

Chaulmoogra

Hydnocarpus laurifolia

Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, stimulating, inhibits bacterial growth; chaulmoogra oil for leprosy (reduces nodules and skin lesions) and skin diseases.

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 · № 663

Chinese wild ginger (xi xin)

Asarum sieboldii (en A. heterotropoides)

Traditionally attributed effects: warms in wind-cold, relieves pain from cold and loosens cold phlegm in the lungs.

South America · Herb · № 926

Chiricaspi

Brunfelsia grandiflora

A shrub of the nightshade family up to three metres tall, with fragrant flowers that fade from purple to white. Contains scopoletin, among others, and compounds that cause convulsions in animals. Gives a feeling of cold and tingling, and in larger amounts dizziness and paralysis.

Asia · Mineral · № 797

Cinnabar (zhu sha)

Cinnabaris (kwiksulfide)

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

Asia · Herb · № 720

Arisaema rhizome (tian nan xing)

Arisaema heterophyllum (en A. erubescens)

Traditionally attributed effects: dries phlegm and expels wind and phlegm from the meridians in convulsions and paralysis.

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 · Herb · № 779

Cremastra (shan ci gu)

Cremastra appendiculata (ook Pleione en Tulipa edulis)

Traditionally attributed effects: externally for swollen glands, lumps, sores and abscesses.

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 · № 473

Croton

Croton oblongifolius

Traditionally attributed effects: bark and root cleansing and promote bile; seeds laxative; bark for sprains and liver diseases, poultices on swellings, for snake bites.