Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Europe · Food · № 10

Bergamot

Citrus bergamia

The peel yields bergamot oil, a fragrance in perfume and Earl Grey tea. The oil contains bergapten, which makes the skin sensitive to sunlight. Health claims are not well studied.

South America · Food · № 262

Potato

Solanum tuberosum

A starchy tuber and one of the most important food crops in the world. In folk use raw slices or grated potato are laid on burns, swollen eyes and for headaches; this has not been studied.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 818

Annatto (achiote)

Bixa orellana

The red seeds are used as a colouring and spice; traditionally also as a remedy.

Asia · Herb · № 376

Alfalfa

Medicago sativa

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

South America · Food · № 916

Algarrobo (Peruvian mesquite)

Neltuma pallida (syn. Prosopis pallida)

A thorny tree of the pea family, related to mesquite, with sweet pods full of sugars. With its deep roots the tree holds the dry forest together.

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.

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 374

Amaranth

Amaranthus spp.

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

North America · Food · № 934

American chestnut

Castanea dentata

Once one of the largest trees of the eastern forests, with sweet, edible nuts. Related to the sweet chestnut.

North America · Herb · № 593

Skunk cabbage

Lysichiton americanus

Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, stimulating, antispasmodic, induces sweating, expectorant; opens the lungs and reduces cough and bronchial spasms (acute asthma), ointment against ringworm, relieves muscle and joint pain.

South America · Herb · № 866

Monkey puzzle (pehuén)

Araucaria araucana

An ancient conifer that lives for more than a thousand years. The large, starchy seeds are a nourishing food; the resin was used on wounds.

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.

Africa · Herb · № 8

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.

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 · № 123

Bitter orange

Citrus × aurantium

The dried unripe fruit (zhi shi) and peel are used in Chinese medicine for bloating and sluggish digestion. NCCIH warns that weight-loss products containing bitter orange (synephrine) pose risks to the heart and blood pressure.

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.

Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 265

Beans

Phaseolus vulgaris

A legume rich in protein and fibre. Raw or undercooked beans contain the toxic phytohaemagglutinin; thorough cooking is needed. Beans are otherwise mainly food, not medicine.

Europe · Food · № 48

Stinging nettle

Urtica dioica

A food and fiber plant with a long tradition in folk medicine. Medical claims are not established.

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.

North America · Herb · № 978

California bay laurel

Umbellularia californica

An evergreen tree of the laurel family with strongly scented leaves. The leaf contains umbellulone, which causes headache when inhaled and is poisonous in large amounts.

North America · Herb · № 959

Horseweed

Erigeron canadensis (syn. Conyza canadensis)

An annual of the daisy family with an upright, hairy stem and countless small white flower heads. Contains volatile oil, tannins and flavonoids; the oil was once used as 'oil of erigeron' for bleeding and diarrhoea.

South America · Herb · № 867

Chilean strawberry (kelleñ)

Fragaria chiloensis

A wild strawberry with large, fragrant fruits, one of the parents of the garden strawberry. The leaf contains tannins.

Asia · Food · № 636

Jujube (red date)

Ziziphus jujuba

Traditionally attributed effects: sweet and strengthening in fatigue, anaemia and low energy; builds strength and blood and softens herbal dishes.

Asia · Food · № 802

Chinese chestnut

Castanea mollissima

Traditionally attributed effects: dried, peeled chestnuts give sweet soups such as the eight-treasure soup their sweetness; in Chinese food therapy they strengthen spleen and kidneys.

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.

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.

North America · Food · № 13

Cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon

A food berry. Products may help lower recurrent UTI risk for some women, but findings are mixed; it does not treat an existing UTI.

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.

North America · Herb · № 14

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea

Studied for colds and respiratory infections. It may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold; effects on duration and other conditions are uncertain.

Oceania · Food · № 177

Emu berry (dysentery bush)

Grewia retusifolia

The small fruits are edible; the name dysentery bush refers to its traditional use for diarrhoea. There is no clinical research.

Asia · Food · № 260

Peas

Pisum sativum

A legume rich in protein and fibre. In Chinese medicine (wan dou) the pea is regarded as a mild remedy for the spleen and for mild diarrhoea.

Asia · Herb · № 778

Gac seed (mu bie zi)

Momordica cochinchinensis

Traditionally attributed effects: externally for inflamed sores, breast abscesses and bruises.

Asia · Herb · № 200

Gardenia (zhi zi)

Gardenia jasminoides

Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, calming, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, promotes bile.

Asia · Other · № 789

Medicated leaven (shen qu)

Massa medicata fermentata

Traditionally attributed effects: helps with food stagnation and poor digestion.

Asia · Herb · № 1

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

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

Asia · Food · № 269

Barley

Hordeum vulgare

Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, light; good for skin and hair.

Europe · Herb · № 49

Pot marigold (calendula)

Calendula officinalis

An edible flower historically used as medicine and dye. Its oil is widely used in skin products.