The Herbal Library

Search the full collection

Browse every herb in the database by name, category, or the body system it's traditionally associated with.

All categories Aromatic Culinary Medicinal

Results

391 herbs

No. 001Medicinal

Abronia Fragrans

Abronia fragrans

Snowball sand verbena, whose roots were eaten by the Acoma and Laguna and used by the Navajo, Ute and Zuni for sores, boils and stomach troubles.

No. 002Medicinal

Abrus Precatorius

Abrus precatorius

Rosary pea or jumbee bead, a vine whose leaves are used in traditional medicine. Its bright red-and-black seeds contain abrin, one of the deadliest poisons known.

No. 003Medicinal

Ackee Leaf

Blighia sapida

Leaves of the ackee tree, whose fruit is Jamaica's national dish. The leaves are used in folk medicine for pain, fever and stomach problems. Unripe ackee fruit is poisonous.

No. 004Medicinal

Agathosma Crenulata

Agathosma crenulata

Oval-leaf or long-leaf buchu, one of the two buchu species of South Africa, long used for urinary infections and other ailments.

No. 005Medicinal

Ajos Sacha

Mansoa alliacea

A vine used in Ecuador for pain, fever, colds and more. It has only been studied in the lab and in mice.

No. 006Medicinal

Akuamma

Picralima nitida

A West African tree whose seeds are a traditional remedy for pain, fever and malaria. Its compounds act weakly on opioid receptors, and it's sold online for pain and mood.

No. 007Medicinal

Alfalfa

Medicago sativa

A widely used food and animal-feed crop, promoted as a supplement for many uses, including lowering cholesterol. Extracts have been studied on skin cells in the lab, but not on skin in people.

No. 008Medicinal

Aloe

Aloe vera

A succulent whose leaf gel is used on burns and skin conditions. Gel on the skin may speed burn healing; aloe taken by mouth carries real risks.

No. 009Medicinal

Alstonia Boonei

Alstonia boonei

God's tree, a sacred West African tree whose bark is used for malaria and fever. Lab studies support its use against malaria.

No. 010Medicinal

Botanical illustration of Alysicarpus Vaginalis

A small creeping plant of the pea family, called medina in Jamaica, where it's one of the herbs boiled into the "strong back" root tonic drunk by men for stamina. Research so far is only in the lab and in animals.

No. 011Medicinal

American Ginseng

Panax quinquefolius

North American ginseng, a root studied for preventing colds. Taken for 8 to 16 weeks, it shortened colds in healthy adults in a small number of trials.

No. 012Medicinal

Amla

Phyllanthus emblica

Indian gooseberry, a fruit rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, used in Ayurveda and as one of the three fruits in Triphala. Trials suggest it may lower cholesterol, blood sugar and a marker of inflammation.

No. 013Medicinal

Andrographis

Andrographis paniculata

A bitter herb used across Asia for infections and fevers, and traditionally for skin inflammation and wounds. It has mainly been studied for colds and flu.

No. 014Medicinal

Angelica

Angelica archangelica

Garden angelica, an aromatic plant used to flavour food and known in folk medicine as the "angel plant". Research is in the lab and in animals.

No. 015Medicinal

Angico

Anadenanthera colubrina

A South American tree whose bark is widely used in Brazil for lung and breathing problems, inflammation and infections. Its seeds, called vilca or cebil, contain hallucinogens and are used as a ritual snuff in the Andes.

No. 016Medicinal

Arcayuyo

Dysphania graveolens

A strong-smelling relative of epazote, used in Mexico for stomach pain. It eased pain in mice, but its oil is poisonous and has killed a child.

No. 017Medicinal

Arjuna

Terminalia arjuna

The bark of a large Indian tree, used in Ayurveda for centuries as a heart tonic. Trials for chest pain (angina) were too poor in quality to show whether it helps.

No. 018Medicinal

Arnica

Arnica montana

A yellow mountain daisy whose flowers are made into creams and gels, recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for bruises, sprains and muscle pain. For use on unbroken skin only.

No. 019Medicinal

Artichoke Leaf

Cynara cardunculus

Leaves of the artichoke plant, recognized in Europe for indigestion, fullness and bloating. Several small trials suggest it may lower liver enzyme levels in fatty liver disease.

No. 020Medicinal

Ashok

Saraca asoca

A sacred Indian tree whose bark is a main herb in Ayurvedic gynecology. An Ashoka-based syrup cut heavy menstrual bleeding in an open study.

No. 021Medicinal

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera

A root from Ayurvedic medicine, traditionally used to help the body cope with stress.

No. 022Medicinal

Aster Root

Aster tataricus

Zi wan, the soft purple root of Aster tataricus, a classic Chinese, Japanese and Korean remedy to moisten the lungs and relieve cough and phlegm.

No. 023Medicinal

Astragalus

Astragalus membranaceus

A root (huang qi) used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and promoted to strengthen the immune system. There isn't enough reliable evidence to know whether it helps any condition.

No. 024Medicinal

Atees

Aconitum heterophyllum

Ativisha, a Himalayan aconite used in Ayurveda for diarrhea, fever and urinary infections. Its root protected the kidneys in rats.

No. 025Medicinal

Atractylodes Macrocephala

Atractylodes macrocephala

Bai zhu, a Chinese tonic rhizome for weak digestion and an unsettled pregnancy. Formulas built around it and white peony helped IBS in trials of moderate quality.

No. 026Medicinal

Avocado Leaf

Persea americana

Leaves of the avocado tree, made into a tea and used in Caribbean folk medicine for high blood pressure. They lowered blood pressure in rats but haven't been tested in people.

No. 027Medicinal

Baccharis Articulata

Baccharis articulata

A carqueja, a shrub with flat winged stems from southern Brazil, used in folk medicine for weight loss, digestion and liver problems. It has only been studied in the lab.

No. 028Medicinal

Bai Zhi

Angelica dahurica

Angelica dahurica root, used in China, Korea and Japan for colds, headache, blocked sinuses, toothache and skin sores. Research is in the lab and in animals.

No. 029Medicinal

Balm of Gilead

Populus balsamifera

The sticky, fragrant buds of the balsam poplar, traditionally used for breathing problems and infections. In lab tests, the bud oil protected cells from a cold virus.

No. 030Medicinal

Bamboo Leaf

Lophatherum gracile

Dan zhu ye, the Chinese "bamboo leaf" herb from a bamboo-like grass, used as tea and medicine for feverish thirst, painful urination and tongue sores.

No. 031Medicinal

Barleria

Barleria prionitis

Porcupine flower, a spiny shrub used as a folk remedy for mouth infections. A barleria mouthwash reduced plaque in a small trial.

No. 032Medicinal

Batana

Elaeis oleifera

An oil from the nuts of the American oil palm, used for generations by the Miskito people of Honduras to care for hair and skin. There's no good evidence that it regrows hair.

No. 033Medicinal

Bearded Scutellaria

Scutellaria barbata

Ban zhi lian, a Chinese herb first used for snake bites and now listed for sores, sore throat, swelling and jaundice. In China it's used alongside cancer treatment; most research is in the lab.

No. 034Medicinal

Bee Balm

Monarda didyma

A red-flowered North American mint, also called Oswego tea, used by the Cherokee as a tea and as a poultice for colds and headaches. Human research is very limited.

No. 035Medicinal

Bellaco-Caspi

Himatanthus sucuuba

An Amazonian shrub whose milky latex is used in Peru for wounds, ulcers and inflammation. It has only been studied in the lab and in animals.

No. 036Medicinal

Belladonna

Atropa belladonna

Deadly nightshade, a poisonous plant whose alkaloids can cause confusion, a racing heart, seizures, coma and death.

No. 037Medicinal

Bengal Quince

Aegle marmelos

Bael, a sacred Indian tree whose fruit is eaten as food and used in traditional medicine for diarrhea, stomach ulcers and fever. Its gut effects have only been tested in animals.

No. 038Medicinal

Berberine

Berberis vulgaris

A natural compound found in barberry (shown here) and other plants such as goldenseal. It is widely used in China for diarrhea, and has been studied for H. pylori infection and blood sugar.

No. 039Medicinal

Bermuda Grass

Cynodon dactylon

A common lawn grass, known as durva in India, traditionally used for women's hormonal problems. Research on its juice (durva swaras) so far is in rats and mice. Its pollen is a common allergy trigger.

No. 040Medicinal

Bharangi

Rotheca serrata

An Asian folk remedy for allergies and, in Thailand, hemorrhoids. Its root extract eased allergic asthma in rats.

No. 041Medicinal

Bhringaraj

Eclipta prostrata

A daisy-family plant used in India, Nepal and Bangladesh for jaundice and other liver problems, skin problems and hair loss. Its hair and liver effects have only been tested in animals.

No. 042Medicinal

Bidens Pilosa

Bidens pilosa

A common weed, also called blackjack or Spanish needles, studied widely in Africa, Asia and South America. Lab and animal studies show antioxidant activity and may help reduce inflammation.

No. 043Medicinal

Big Sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata

The great sagebrush of the American West, called chamiso in northern New Mexico. It was one of the most widely used Native American remedies for colds, coughs and upset stomachs.

No. 044Medicinal

Bitter Kola

Garcinia kola

A West African nut chewed in social ceremonies and as a folk remedy for breathing problems, stomach upsets and malaria.

No. 045Medicinal

Bitter Orange

Citrus aurantium

Seville orange, a sour citrus whose fruit, peel and oils flavor food, drinks and perfume. It's sold in weight-loss supplements, but trials found no real weight loss and higher blood pressure.

No. 046Medicinal

Black Cohosh

Actaea racemosa

A root used traditionally by Native Americans and recognized in Europe for menopausal hot flushes. Rare liver problems have been reported.

No. 047Medicinal

Black Seed

Nigella sativa

Black cumin seed, a spice and traditional remedy in India, Arabia and Europe. Reviews of small trials suggest it lowers blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar slightly.

No. 048Medicinal

Black Walnut

Juglans nigra

A North American tree whose nut hulls contain juglone and other compounds. Black walnut hull is an ingredient in herbal gut formulas, but it hasn't been studied on its own in people.

No. 049Medicinal

Bladderwrack

Fucus vesiculosus

A brown seaweed recognised in the EU as a traditional herbal medicine to help weight loss alongside a reduced-calorie diet. It can affect the thyroid.

No. 050Medicinal

Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

A woodland wildflower whose red root sap was used by Indigenous peoples for fever and rheumatism. It's an ingredient in black salve, a corrosive paste that has caused severe disfiguring injuries.

No. 051Medicinal

Bloodwiss

Vitis tiliifolia

A wild grapevine. Old Mexican records list it for increasing urination, fever and gout, and the vine has been used as a source of drinking water. Very little research exists.

No. 052Medicinal

Blue Cohosh Root

Caulophyllum thalictroides

An eastern North American root used to bring on labor. It has caused severe heart, circulation and gut problems in mothers and newborns.

No. 053Medicinal

Blue Lotus

Nymphaea caerulea

A water lily that was used in rituals in ancient Egypt. It's now sold as teas, vapes and gummies for calming or euphoric effects, and has sent some users to the emergency room.

No. 054Medicinal

Bobinsana

Calliandra angustifolia

A small Amazonian riverbank tree with pink powder-puff flowers. Indigenous communities use it for tiredness, stomach aches and bites, and it's one of the "teacher plants" used alongside ayahuasca. It has barely been studied.

No. 055Medicinal

Boldo

Peumus boldus

A Chilean shrub whose leaf tea is a recognized traditional European remedy for indigestion and mild gut cramps.

No. 056Medicinal

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

A North American wildflower long used as a tea for fever, flu, colds and coughs. In the lab, an extract stopped flu viruses from infecting cells, but it hasn't been tested in people.

No. 057Medicinal

Boswellia

Boswellia serrata

Indian frankincense, a gum resin from a tree used for centuries in Ayurveda for inflammation. It is marketed for arthritis and colitis, and has been studied with curcumin for IBS bloating.

No. 058Medicinal

Brahmi

Bacopa monnieri

Bacopa, long used in Ayurvedic medicine for nerve and behavior problems. Reviews of trials suggest it may modestly improve memory and attention speed.

No. 059Medicinal

Brazilian Ginseng

Hebanthe eriantha

Suma, a South American root used in folk medicine and sold as a supplement, nicknamed "cure-everything" in Brazil. It isn't related to true ginseng and has only been studied in the lab.

No. 060Medicinal

Brazilian Mint

Hyptis crenata

A fragrant Brazilian mint-family herb. In stressed mice its leaf oil reduced anxious behavior, and its compounds relax smooth muscle in animal tissue tests.

No. 061Medicinal

Buchu

Agathosma betulina

A fragrant South African shrub long used by the Khoisan, and later in Europe and the US, for urinary infections and other ailments. It has only been studied in the lab and in animals.

No. 062Medicinal

Burdock

Arctium lappa

A plant whose root has been eaten as food in Asia for centuries. It is traditionally used as a "blood purifier" and for skin problems, but there is little evidence in people.

No. 063Medicinal

Burkea Africana

Burkea africana

An African tree whose stem bark is used for mouth sores, stomach problems and malaria. Lab and animal studies found activity against malaria and flu viruses.

No. 064Medicinal

Butterbur

Petasites hybridus

A plant with huge leaves whose extracts are promoted for migraine and hay fever. Some studies suggest benefit, but there are safety concerns.

No. 065Medicinal

Calamus Root

Acorus calamus

The root of sweet flag, a marsh plant used in traditional medicine around the world for stomach cramps and asthma. It contains beta-asarone, which caused cancer in animal studies; adding it to food is banned in the US.

No. 066Medicinal

Calea Zacatechichi

Calea zacatechichi

A Mexican shrub in the daisy family, known as dream herb, used in rituals to bring on vivid dreams and in folk medicine for coughs, asthma and stomach problems. Its safety hasn't been properly studied.

No. 067Medicinal

Calendula

Calendula officinalis

The pot marigold, used in creams and ointments to soothe the skin. It is recognized in Europe for minor skin inflammation such as sunburn and to help minor wounds heal.

No. 068Medicinal

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

A red-flowered lobelia of the Americas. Its main alkaloid, lobinaline, is being studied in the lab for Parkinson's disease and addiction.

No. 069Medicinal

Cardiospermum Halicacabum

Cardiospermum halicacabum

Balloon vine, a climbing plant with papery, balloon-like seed pods, eaten as a leafy vegetable in India and used in traditional Indian medicine for rheumatism, pain, coughs and skin diseases.

No. 070Medicinal

Carica Papaya

Carica papaya

The papaya tree, whose leaf extract has been studied for raising low platelet counts during chemotherapy and dengue fever, with promising but early results.

No. 071Medicinal

Cascara Sagrada

Rhamnus purshiana

The dried bark of a tree, accepted in the EU as a stimulant laxative for short-term use in occasional constipation. It shouldn't be used for more than a week.

No. 072Medicinal

Cassia Occidentalis

Senna occidentalis

A tropical weed, also called coffee senna, used in Ayurveda and other traditional medicine. Its seeds have caused deadly poisoning in children in India, and the leaves have caused fatal liver failure.

No. 073Medicinal

Castor Oil

Ricinus communis

Oil pressed from castor seeds, a strong traditional laxative also used to bring on labour. The seeds themselves contain ricin, one of the most toxic plant substances.

No. 074Medicinal

Cat's Claw

Uncaria tomentosa

A woody vine from the Amazon rainforest, named for its hooked thorns, used by Indigenous Amazonian peoples for centuries and now promoted for arthritis. There's no conclusive evidence it helps any health condition.

No. 075Medicinal

Cataia

Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus

A clove-scented Brazilian tree whose leaf tea is a folk remedy for emotional tension, as an aphrodisiac and to increase urination. In mice, its leaves reduced anxiety and inflammatory pain.

No. 076Medicinal

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

A plant in the mint family traditionally used for colic, coughs, asthma and nervous upset. Its oil is also an effective mosquito repellent.

No. 077Medicinal

Cattail

Typha angustifolia

A common wetland plant whose pollen reduced inflammation in rat studies.

No. 078Medicinal

Caulis Spatholobus

Spatholobus suberectus

Ji xue teng, or "chicken blood vine", a woody vine whose cut stem oozes red sap. It's used in Chinese medicine for anemia, irregular periods and rheumatic joint pain.

No. 079Medicinal

Cedar

Thuja occidentalis

Northern white cedar, or arborvitae, a North American evergreen. Indigenous people in Canada showed it to 16th-century explorers as a remedy for scurvy. Its fresh leaves contain thujone and can be poisonous.

No. 080Medicinal

Cerasee

Momordica charantia

A bitter plant known in Jamaica as cerasee and elsewhere as bitter melon, widely used as a folk remedy for diabetes and high blood pressure.

No. 081Medicinal

Ceylon Betel Leaf

Piper betle

The heart-shaped leaf of the betel vine, chewed across Asia and used in folk medicine for the mouth, skin and joints. Betel quid, the leaf wrapped around areca nut, causes mouth cancer.

No. 082Medicinal

Chaga

Inonotus obliquus

A dark, crusty fungus that grows on birch trees, long used as a folk remedy in Siberia and Russia for immunity. It is very high in oxalate, and long-term use has caused kidney damage.

No. 083Medicinal

Chamiso

Atriplex canescens

Four-wing saltbush, a shrub of the western US. Southwestern peoples put its leaves on ant bites and used its ashes like baking soda to keep blue corn blue.

No. 084Medicinal

Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla

A daisy-like flower, usually made into tea, traditionally used for relaxation and digestive comfort.

No. 085Medicinal

Chanca Piedra

Phyllanthus niruri

A plant traditionally used in Malay, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for kidney stones and liver problems. It has been studied for both, with mixed results.

No. 086Medicinal

Chaney Root

Smilax balbisiana

A Jamaican climbing plant related to sarsaparilla. Its root is boiled into the popular "root tonic" drunk for stamina, and into teas for colds and flu. It hasn't been studied in people.

No. 087Medicinal

Chasteberry

Vitex agnus-castus

The berries of the chaste tree (vitex), recognized in Europe for easing PMS (premenstrual syndrome).

No. 088Medicinal

Cheesewood

Pittosporum napaulense

A Himalayan evergreen tree whose bark paste is put on injuries and broken bones in Nepal. Its bark stopped drug-resistant bacteria in a lab study.

No. 089Medicinal

Chickweed

Stellaria media

A wild weed found worldwide, eaten as a leafy green and traditionally used for skin problems such as burns, cuts and scratches. It hasn't been studied in people.

No. 090Medicinal

Chicory

Cichorium intybus

A plant whose root is made into tea. Recognized in Europe as a traditional remedy for mild digestive problems and loss of appetite.

No. 091Medicinal

Chinaberry Bark

Melia azedarach

Bark of the chinaberry tree, whose compound toosendanin was developed in China as a roundworm medicine. The plant is toxic: toosendanin damages the liver, and chinaberry has poisoned many kinds of animals.

No. 092Medicinal

Chitrak

Plumbago zeylanica

An Ayurvedic plant whose root is used for liver disorders and long-lasting inflammation. Ayurveda purifies the root before use, and root extracts damaged the liver and kidneys in rats.

No. 093Medicinal

Chitvan

Alstonia scholaris

An Asian tree whose bark has been used by healers since medieval times. Lab and animal studies found a range of effects, but high doses damaged the liver in rats.

No. 094Medicinal

Cleavers

Galium aparine

A sticky, fast-growing plant traditionally used to increase urination and relieve bloating, and for swollen glands, fever and wounds. In the lab, an extract helped skin cells heal a scratch.

No. 095Medicinal

Clematis Root

Clematis chinensis

The root of a Chinese climbing plant, known as wei ling xian, used in traditional Chinese medicine for rheumatic joint pain and stiff, numb limbs. It can be toxic.

No. 096Medicinal

Cloves

Syzygium aromaticum

A kitchen spice from the clove tree, whose oil is recognized in Europe for toothache and minor mouth and throat inflammation. In the lab, clove oil kills bacteria and fungi.

No. 097Medicinal

Codonopsis

Codonopsis pilosula

Dang shen, a Chinese tonic root used alongside or in place of ginseng for about 1,000 years to strengthen the spleen, stomach and lungs. Research is in the lab and in animals.

No. 098Medicinal

Comfrey

Symphytum officinale

A plant whose root is made into creams for minor sprains and bruises, recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy. Never take comfrey by mouth: it contains substances that damage the liver.

No. 099Medicinal

Common Garden Moss

Brachythecium rutabulum

Rough-stalked feather-moss, a common lawn and garden moss probably used in 17th- and 18th-century Europe for dressing wounds and stopping bleeding.

No. 100Medicinal

Common Osier

Salix viminalis

A basket willow, grown for weaving and medicine. Its buds are rich in the antioxidant catechin, and its bark contains salicylic acid.

No. 101Medicinal

Contrajerva

Dorstenia contrajerva

A small fig relative from tropical America, one of the most commonly reported traditional snakebite remedies in Central America. Its effects haven't been tested in people.

No. 102Medicinal

Contribo

Aristolochia trilobata

An Aristolochia vine used in Caribbean and Latin American folk medicine for stomach aches, colic and asthma. It contains aristolochic acids, which cause kidney failure and urinary tract cancer.

No. 103Medicinal

Cordyceps

Ophiocordyceps sinensis

The Chinese caterpillar fungus, used for over 700 years as a lung and kidney tonic. Low-quality Chinese trials suggest cultured cordyceps products may help people with kidney disease on dialysis.

No. 104Medicinal

Corn Silk

Zea mays

The silky threads of the corn plant, used in traditional Chinese medicine since at least 1476 to increase urination and reduce swelling. Lab and animal studies suggest it may affect blood sugar, blood fats and blood pressure.

No. 105Medicinal

Cornelian Cherry

Cornus officinalis

Shan zhu yu, the sour fruit of an Asian dogwood, used in Chinese medicine for about 2,000 years as a liver and kidney tonic and for dizziness, ringing in the ears, frequent urination and heavy sweating. Research so far is in the lab and in animals.

No. 106Medicinal

Country Mallow

Abutilon indicum

Thuthi, a yellow-flowered mallow used in Indian traditional medicine for bronchitis, diabetes, jaundice and piles. Its leaf extract protected cells from oxidative damage in the lab.

No. 107Medicinal

Cramp Bark

Viburnum opulus

The bark of the guelder rose, traditionally used for bleeding from the stomach or uterus and for haemorrhoids; the plant is used for coughs, colds and kidney problems. Research is in the lab and in animals.

No. 108Medicinal

Cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon

A North American berry best known for helping prevent repeated urinary tract infections. A Cochrane review found it probably lowers the risk in some groups, but it doesn't treat an existing UTI.

No. 109Medicinal

Crepe Ginger

Hellenia speciosa

A plant from South East Asia whose rhizome is traditionally used for inflammation and pain. In Puerto Rico it's used alongside diabetes treatment, and one small study tested rhizome nose drops for sore throat.

No. 110Medicinal

Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta Root

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta

A West African vine whose root is used in Ghana, often with neem, in herbal malaria medicines. In lab tests it strongly killed malaria parasites, including drug-resistant ones.

No. 111Medicinal

Cuscuta

Cuscuta chinensis

Dodder, a leafless-looking parasitic vine. Its seed, tu si zi, is a top-grade Chinese tonic for the liver and kidneys, eyesight, fertility and keeping pregnancies stable.

No. 112Medicinal

Cutch Tree

Senegalia catechu

Khair, an Asian tree whose heartwood gives katha and cutch. A cutch mouthrinse reduced decay-causing bacteria in children.

No. 113Medicinal

Cynomorium Songaricum

Cynomorium songaricum

Suo yang, a parasitic desert plant used in Chinese medicine to "tonify kidney yang" and enrich the blood. Lab and animal studies suggest effects on metabolism.

No. 114Medicinal

Da Huang

Rheum palmatum

Chinese rhubarb root, a Chinese medicine used for thousands of years as a purgative, and accepted in the EU as a stimulant laxative for occasional constipation, for no more than a week.

No. 115Medicinal

Dalea Compacta

Dalea compacta

Compact prairie clover, a purple-flowered prairie plant whose root the Zuni used for stomachaches and as a poultice for sores and rashes.

No. 116Medicinal

Damiana

Turnera diffusa

A plant used in folk medicine as an aphrodisiac. Lab and animal studies suggest effects on sexual function, but it hasn't been tested on its own in people.

No. 117Medicinal

Dan Shen

Salvia miltiorrhiza

The root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, widely used in Chinese medicine for the heart and circulation. Small trials suggest possible heart benefits, but it raises bleeding risk with blood thinners.

No. 118Medicinal

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

A plant whose root and leaves have long been used for indigestion and, historically, for problems with bile flow. There is very little research on it in people.

No. 119Medicinal

Datura

Datura stramonium

Also called jimsonweed or thorn apple, a highly poisonous plant once used in Ayurveda for asthma, pain and wounds. All parts, especially the seeds, can cause hallucinations, seizures and death.

No. 120Medicinal

Devil's Claw

Harpagophytum procumbens

A southern African root recognised in the EU as a traditional medicine for minor joint pain and mild digestive problems. Trials of variable quality suggest it helps osteoarthritis and back pain.

No. 121Medicinal

Devil's Cotton

Abroma augusta

Ulatkambal, a shrub whose slimy leaf drink is used in Bangladesh and India for diabetes. It slowed sugar absorption in rats.

No. 122Medicinal

Devil's Horsewhip

Achyranthes aspera

Prickly chaff flower, a weedy plant used in folk medicine around the world, including for menstrual problems and fertility control. Research so far is in lab and animal studies.

No. 123Medicinal

Dong Quai

Angelica sinensis

A root that is one of the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine for women's health, including period pain and menopause.

No. 124Medicinal

Dragon's Blood

Croton lechleri

Sangre de drago, the blood-red sap of an Amazon tree, traditionally used to heal wounds. A drug purified from it, crofelemer, is an approved medicine for some types of diarrhea.

No. 125Medicinal

Drynaria Rhizome

Drynaria fortunei

Gu sui bu, the rhizome of a fern used in Chinese medicine to prevent and treat bone diseases such as osteoporosis. In rats it helped bone formation.

No. 126Medicinal

Duppy Gun

Ruellia tuberosa

Ruellia tuberosa, also called Mexican bluebell, a folk medicine for diabetes in Asia. It lowered blood sugar in diabetic rats but hasn't been tested in people.

No. 127Medicinal

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea

A purple coneflower traditionally used to support the immune system, especially for colds.

No. 128Medicinal

Echinopsis Pachanoi

Echinopsis pachanoi

The San Pedro cactus of the Andes, used in traditional medicine for centuries. It contains mescaline, a hallucinogen, whose effects and safety are poorly studied.

No. 129Medicinal

Elderberry

Sambucus nigra

The European elder, whose berries are used in folk medicine for colds and flu and whose flowers are recognized in Europe for early cold symptoms. Raw berries, leaves and stems are poisonous.

No. 130Medicinal

Elecampane

Inula helenium

A root used for centuries in European medicine, including medieval Ireland, for coughs, bronchitis and other chest complaints. Germany's Commission E didn't approve it, citing weak evidence and possible side effects.

No. 131Medicinal

Elephant Creeper

Argyreia nervosa

Hawaiian baby woodrose, a climbing vine whose leaves helped wounds heal in rats and whose seeds contain the hallucinogen LSA.

No. 132Medicinal

Eleuthera

Croton eluteria

The bitter, aromatic bark of a small Bahamian tree, also called cascarilla. It was once a standard medicine for indigestion, gas, diarrhea and vomiting, and is now mainly a flavoring for drinks.

No. 133Medicinal

Emu Bush

Eremophila spp.

A group of about 200 Australian desert shrubs, many of them traditional medicines of the First Australians for colds, flu, wounds and skin infections.

No. 134Medicinal

English Plantain

Plantago lanceolata

A plant (also called ribwort plantain) whose leaves are recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for coughs, sore throats and minor skin inflammation.

No. 135Medicinal

Epazote

Dysphania ambrosioides

An herb used in Jamaican and Latin American folk medicine against worms. It can cause serious, even deadly, poisoning, especially in children.

No. 136Medicinal

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus globulus

Leaves of the eucalyptus tree, taken as tea or inhaled in steam, and recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for cough with a cold.

No. 137Medicinal

European Birch

Betula pendula

Silver birch, whose leaf is recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine to increase urine flow. Gels made from its bark helped burns and blistering skin wounds heal in trials.

No. 138Medicinal

Evening Primrose

Oenothera biennis

A plant whose seed oil, rich in the fatty acid GLA, is promoted for eczema, PMS and breast pain. A Cochrane review found it doesn't help eczema.

No. 139Medicinal

Evodia Fruit

Tetradium ruticarpum

Wu zhu yu, a Chinese medicine fruit used to dispel cold, relieve pain and stop vomiting and diarrhoea, including for headache and period pain. It's mildly toxic and has caused liver damage.

No. 140Medicinal

Ewe Akintola

Chromolaena odorata

Siam weed, used by the Yoruba to stop bleeding and on fresh wounds, and for malaria and skin disease. Its leaf extract killed wound bacteria in the lab.

No. 141Medicinal

Ewe Owu Akese

Gossypium barbadense

Sea-island cotton leaves, used by the Yoruba for infertility, malaria, ulcers and wounds, and in the Caribbean for itchy skin, bellyache and cuts.

No. 142Medicinal

Ewe Taba

Nicotiana tabacum

Tobacco, called taba in Yoruba. In southwestern Nigeria the leaf is used for nosebleeds and many other ailments, and as snuff.

No. 143Medicinal

Eyebright

Euphrasia officinalis

A plant traditionally used on the eyes and in nasal ointments for colds. European regulators declined to approve it because its benefits aren't documented and home-made eye washes aren't safe.

No. 144Medicinal

Fenugreek

Trigonella foenum-graecum

A maple-scented seed used as a spice and traditional medicine for about 6,000 years. It may lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, but it isn't safe in pregnancy beyond food amounts.

No. 145Medicinal

Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium

A daisy-like herb recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy to help prevent migraines. Research results are mixed. Don't take it during pregnancy.

No. 146Medicinal

Field Pumpkin

Cucurbita pepo

The common pumpkin. Its seeds are an EU traditional medicine for urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate or overactive bladder, and Native Americans used them for urinary problems and worms.

No. 147Medicinal

Firebush

Hamelia patens

A tropical American shrub with fiery red-orange tubular flowers, traditionally used for skin infections, inflammation and stomach problems.

No. 148Medicinal

Flanders Red

Salix viminalis

A basket willow variety of common osier (Salix viminalis). Its buds are rich in the antioxidant catechin, and its bark contains salicylic acid.

No. 149Medicinal

Fo-Ti

Reynoutria multiflora

He shou wu, a popular Chinese root traditionally taken to darken graying hair, as an anti-ageing tonic, and for dizziness and constipation. Hundreds of cases of liver injury have been linked to it, a few of them fatal.

No. 150Medicinal

Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

A tall garden flower and the source of digitalis heart medicines. All parts of the plant are poisonous and affect the heart.

No. 151Medicinal

Gambir Hook Vine

Uncaria rhynchophylla

Gou teng, the hooked stems of a climbing shrub used in Chinese medicine for over 1,500 years for convulsions, tremors, and high blood pressure with headache and dizziness.

No. 152Medicinal

Gastrodia Elata Rhizome

Gastrodia elata

Tian ma, the tuber of an orchid recorded over 2,000 years ago and used in Chinese medicine for headache, dizziness, high blood pressure and stroke. Research is mostly in the lab and in animals.

No. 153Medicinal

Gentiana Nitida

Gentianella nitida

A small Andean gentian sold in Peruvian markets as "hercampuri", mainly as a remedy for diabetes. It hasn't been studied for its effects or safety.

No. 154Medicinal

Gentianella Alborosea

Gentianella alborosea

The Andean gentian usually called "hercampuri" in Peru, traditionally used for diabetes, cholesterol, the liver and digestion. It has only been studied in the lab.

No. 155Medicinal

Giloy (Guduchi)

Tinospora cordifolia

An Ayurvedic climbing vine promoted in India as an immunity booster, including during COVID-19. Cases of liver injury have been reported, though some may involve a look-alike plant.

No. 156Medicinal

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

A spicy, warming root traditionally used for nausea and inflammation. Research suggests it may help with nausea during pregnancy.

No. 157Medicinal

Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba

Leaves of the ginkgo tree, sometimes called the fossil tree, traditionally used in Europe for minor circulation problems and in Chinese medicine for cough.

No. 158Medicinal

Ginseng

Panax ginseng

A root long used in traditional Chinese medicine as a calming herb and an adaptogen. Research on its effects is mixed.

No. 159Medicinal

Glehnia Root

Glehnia littoralis

Bei sha shen, a root recorded in the Shennong Herbal Classic and used to clear the lungs, ease dry cough and dry mouth, and help the stomach.

No. 160Medicinal

Gold Coin Grass

Lysimachia christinae, Desmodium styracifolium

A name used in traditional Chinese medicine for two plants, Lysimachia christinae (jin qian cao) and Desmodium styracifolium (guang jin qian cao). Both are used for gallstones and urinary stones; a large trial found a Desmodium extract helped small stones pass.

No. 161Medicinal

Golden Eye Grass

Curculigo orchioides

Kali musli or xian mao, an endangered herb valued in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine as a tonic and aphrodisiac, and used for rheumatic conditions. Research so far is in the lab and in animals.

No. 162Medicinal

Goldenrod

Solidago virgaurea

European goldenrod, recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy to increase urine flow alongside treatment for minor urinary complaints.

No. 163Medicinal

Goldenseal

Hydrastis canadensis

A North American plant with a bright yellow root, used by Native Americans on wounds and for skin and eye conditions. There isn't enough research to know whether it helps any health condition.

No. 164Medicinal

Gotu Kola

Centella asiatica

A plant used in traditional medicine for circulation, wounds and memory. Small studies suggest possible benefits for anxiety and thinking, but the evidence isn't strong.

No. 165Medicinal

Grape Leaf

Vitis vinifera

Grapevine leaf, recognized in Europe as a medicine for long-term poor circulation in the leg veins, with swollen, heavy legs and varicose veins.

No. 166Medicinal

Grape Seed

Vitis vinifera

An extract made from the seeds of wine grapes. Reviews suggest it may lower LDL cholesterol and the bottom number of blood pressure, but the studies were small.

No. 167Medicinal

Grecian Rose

Geum quellyon

Chilean avens, or hierba del clavo, whose root is used in Mapuche medicine for tooth pain, stomach inflammation and prostatitis. It raised a transplant patient's cyclosporine to dangerous levels.

No. 168Medicinal

Green Tea

Camellia sinensis

Unfermented leaves of the tea plant, drunk for thousands of years. Drinking the tea is considered safe, but concentrated green tea extract supplements have rarely caused serious liver damage.

No. 169Medicinal

Grindelia

Grindelia robusta

Gumweed, a daisy-family plant whose above-ground parts are recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for cough with a cold in adults.

No. 170Medicinal

Guarana

Paullinia cupana

An Amazonian plant whose caffeine-rich seeds are used for energy. Studies on cancer-related tiredness disagree.

No. 171Medicinal

Guava Leaf

Psidium guajava

The leaves of the guava tree, widely used as a tea for diarrhea in the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa and Asia. Small trials have tested it for diarrhea, blood sugar after meals and gum inflammation.

No. 172Medicinal

Gudmar

Gymnema sylvestre

Gurmar, the "sugar destroyer", an Ayurvedic climbing plant used for diabetes. It lowered blood sugar in animal studies, with mixed results in people.

No. 173Medicinal

Guggulu

Commiphora wightii

The resin of the guggul tree, used in Ayurveda for thousands of years for arthritis, skin diseases and more. Studies on whether it lowers cholesterol are mixed, and it may make some medicines less effective.

No. 174Medicinal

Gui Pi Wan

Panax ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis and 9 other herbs

A classical 12-herb Chinese formula used to tonify qi and blood, for palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia, poor appetite and tiredness. Small Chinese trials suggest it may help heart failure and anaemia alongside standard treatment.

No. 175Medicinal

Gynostemma

Gynostemma pentaphyllum

A plant from the cucumber family, known in China as jiaogulan and used in traditional medicine and teas. It has been studied for lowering cholesterol.

No. 176Medicinal

Haritaki

Terminalia chebula

The dried fruit of the chebulic myrobalan tree, called the "king of Tibetan medicines" and one of the three fruits in Triphala. It's used for constipation, digestion, coughs and dental health.

No. 177Medicinal

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna

A flowering shrub of the rose family, traditionally used for the heart. Recognized in Europe for nervous heart complaints such as palpitations.

No. 178Medicinal

Heart Flower

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Better known as bleeding heart, a garden plant with heart-shaped pink flowers. Compounds from it have only been studied in the lab, and eating it has caused poisoning.

No. 179Medicinal

Helichrysum Cymosum

Helichrysum cymosum

Gold carpet, a silvery South African everlasting with yellow flower heads, used for coughs, colds, fever, menstrual pain and wounds. Its oil was active against the malaria parasite in the lab.

No. 180Medicinal

Helichrysum Petiolare

Helichrysum petiolare

Licorice plant or kooigoed, a silvery South African everlasting used for colds, coughs, fever, menstrual problems and skin care. Lab studies suggest it may help with blood sugar.

No. 181Medicinal

Hibiscus

Hibiscus sabdariffa

The tart red calyces of this flower are made into a tea known as roselle or sour tea. Reviews of trials suggest it may lower blood pressure.

No. 182Medicinal

Himalayan Birch

Betula utilis

Bhojpatra, a high-Himalayan birch whose bark is used in traditional medicine. Its compounds harmed cancer cells in the lab and a bark dressing healed wounds in rats.

No. 183Medicinal

Holly-leaved Acanthus

Acanthus ilicifolius

A mangrove plant used in folk medicine for wounds and skin, breathing and digestive problems. Research so far is in animals.

No. 184Medicinal

Holy Basil

Ocimum tenuiflorum

Tulsi, a highly revered plant in India used in Ayurveda for stress, coughs, asthma and many other conditions. Small studies suggest it may ease stress and anxiety.

No. 185Medicinal

Honey Bract

Renealmia alpinia

A wild ginger relative from tropical America used in folk medicine for snakebites. A compound from it blocked a rattlesnake venom toxin in mice.

No. 186Medicinal

Honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica

Japanese honeysuckle, or jin yin hua, is a widely used herb in traditional Chinese medicine, taken for fevers, sore throats, skin sores and infections. Most research so far is in the lab and in animals.

No. 187Medicinal

Hops

Humulus lupulus

The cone-like flowers of the hop vine, best known for flavoring beer. Recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy for mild stress and to help sleep.

No. 188Medicinal

Horehound

Marrubium vulgare

White horehound, a bitter mint-family herb recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine to help bring up phlegm with a cold, and for indigestion and poor appetite.

No. 189Medicinal

Horse Chestnut

Aesculus hippocastanum

A European tree whose standardized seed extract is used for chronic venous insufficiency (poor blood flow in the leg veins). The raw plant is toxic.

No. 190Medicinal

Horsetail

Equisetum arvense

A plant recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for minor urinary complaints and, as a wash or dressing, for superficial wounds. One small trial found a horsetail ointment helped episiotomy wounds heal.

No. 191Medicinal

Hygrophila Auriculata

Hygrophila auriculata

An herb used in Ayurveda for the liver, kidney stones, swelling and as an aphrodisiac. Studied only in animals.

No. 192Medicinal

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis

A blue-flowered herb of the mint family, used for colds, coughs and poor appetite and as a flavoring. Its essential oil can cause seizures at high doses.

No. 193Medicinal

Iceland Moss

Cetraria islandica

A lichen, not a true moss, recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine to soothe throat irritation and dry cough, and for temporary loss of appetite.

No. 194Medicinal

Ilex Guayusa

Ilex guayusa

A caffeine-rich holly from the Ecuadorian Amazon whose leaf tea has been drunk for thousands of years as a stimulant and in morning rituals.

No. 195Medicinal

Indian Gum

Vachellia nilotica

Babul, a thorny acacia whose gum, bark and pods are used in traditional medicine, and the most widely used acacia for treating livestock in Africa.

No. 196Medicinal

Indian Trumpet Tree

Oroxylum indicum

An Asian tree with huge sword-shaped seed pods, called shyonaka in Ayurveda, where its root bark and seeds are used for diarrhea, fever, coughs and joint pain. Its safety hasn't been studied in detail.

No. 197Medicinal

Iron Bush

Fagonia schweinfurthii

A spiny desert shrublet of India used for liver problems. In lab and rat studies it protected the liver.

No. 198Medicinal

Isatis Root

Isatis indigotica

Ban lan gen, a Chinese medicine root used for centuries for flu and viral infections, fever, cough and sore throat. Its compounds acted against viruses in lab studies.

No. 199Medicinal

Jacaranda Decurrens

Jacaranda decurrens

Carobinha, a small jacaranda of Brazil's Cerrado savanna popularly used for skin diseases. In animal studies, its leaves sped wound healing and reduced weight gain.

No. 200Medicinal

Jack in the Bush

Chromolaena odorata

One of Jamaica's most popular bush teas for colds and flu, also used in Africa and Asia for fever, wounds and diabetes. Research so far is in the lab and in animals.

No. 201Medicinal

Jamaican Mojo Healing Herb

Senna auriculata

Avaram (Cassia auriculata), a yellow-flowered shrub used in Ayurveda and Siddha medicine, especially for diabetes. A small trial of an herbal powder containing it lowered blood sugar.

No. 202Medicinal

Jamaican Rat Ears

Peperomia pellucida

A small weed of damp, shady places, also called shining bush, used in Caribbean folk medicine as a cooling remedy and for skin sores. Research so far is limited and often weak.

No. 203Medicinal

James's Buckwheat

Eriogonum jamesii

A southwestern buckwheat whose root the Zuni ate for stomachaches and the Navajo used to ease labor pains.

No. 204Medicinal

Jasmine

Jasminum sambac

Arabian jasmine, a fragrant white flower. Jasmine flowers placed on the breasts have been tested as a way to stop breast milk after childbirth, and a trial found they worked about as well as a standard medicine.

No. 205Medicinal

Jewelweed

Impatiens capensis

A North American wildflower crushed into a mash by Native American tribes for poison ivy rash. Studies are mixed: fresh mash helped prevent a rash, but soap worked better.

No. 206Medicinal

John Charles

Hyptis verticillata

A Caribbean bush in the mint family, used since Maya and Aztec times for breathing, digestive, women's health and skin problems. It hasn't been tested in clinical trials.

No. 207Medicinal

Ju Hua

Chrysanthemum morifolium

Chrysanthemum flowers, drunk as tea in China for over 3,000 years and used in Chinese medicine for colds, dizziness, headaches and the eyes. It hasn't been tested on its own in clinical trials.

No. 208Medicinal

Juniper

Juniperus communis

An evergreen shrub whose berries are a recognized traditional European remedy to increase urination and ease indigestion and gas.

No. 209Medicinal

Kadsura Pepper Stem

Piper kadsura

Hai feng teng, the stem of a pepper plant, used in East Asian medicine for over 2,000 years for rheumatism and joint pain.

No. 210Medicinal

Kakadu Plum

Terminalia ferdinandiana

A small northern Australian fruit, the richest known source of vitamin C. Aboriginal Australians use it as food and as a remedy for colds, flu and headaches.

No. 211Medicinal

Katuki

Picrorhiza kurroa

Kutki, a bitter root used in Ayurveda for thousands of years for fever, jaundice, the liver and breathing problems. It is now endangered in the wild.

No. 212Medicinal

Kava

Piper methysticum

A root from the South Pacific, drunk in ceremonies for thousands of years. It may ease anxiety short term, but it has been linked to rare, sometimes fatal, liver damage.

No. 213Medicinal

Ketaki

Cheilocostus speciosus

Crepe ginger, an Indian plant with red cone-like flower spikes, long used in traditional medicine. It eased pain and fever in rats.

No. 214Medicinal

Korean Bellflower

Platycodon grandiflorus

Jie geng or doraji, the root of the balloon flower, eaten as a vegetable and used since the Han Dynasty to clear phlegm, ease sore throats and treat cough.

No. 215Medicinal

Lapacho

Handroanthus impetiginosus

Also called pau d'arco, a South American tree whose inner bark is made into a tea and sold as a supplement for infections and cancer. Its benefits haven't been shown in people.

No. 216Medicinal

Leaf of Life

Bryophyllum pinnatum

One of Jamaica's most popular bush medicines, used for colds and flu. In Switzerland, tablets made from its leaf juice have been studied for overactive bladder and sleep.

No. 217Medicinal

Lemon Balm

Melissa officinalis

A lemon-scented relative of mint, traditionally used to ease stress and help with sleep.

No. 218Medicinal

Lemon Verbena

Aloysia citrodora

A lemon-scented shrub whose leaves make a herbal tea. It's recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy for mild stress, to help sleep, and for mild digestive complaints such as bloating and gas.

No. 219Medicinal

Lespedeza

Lespedeza spp.

Bush clover, a group of about 40 plants used in East Asian folk medicine for skin rashes, inflammation and the liver. Research so far is in the lab.

No. 220Medicinal

Lesser Galangal

Alpinia officinarum

Gao liang jiang, an aromatic ginger-family rhizome used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years to warm the stomach and relieve stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.

No. 221Medicinal

Licorice

Glycyrrhiza glabra

A root used since ancient times in Egyptian, Greek, Chinese and Indian medicine for coughs, asthma and wounds. Recognized in Europe for cough with a cold and for indigestion, but too much can raise blood pressure and upset heart rhythm.

No. 222Medicinal

Linden

Tilia cordata

Flowers of the lime (linden) tree, traditionally made into tea for colds, stress and nervous heart complaints.

No. 223Medicinal

Lindera Root

Lindera aggregata

Wu yao, the root of a laurel-family shrub used in China for thousands of years for digestive, urinary and inflammatory problems; its leaves are drunk as tea. Research is in the lab and in animals.

No. 224Medicinal

Lion's Ear

Leonotis nepetifolia

A plant in the mint family, known as shandilay in Trinidad, where it's a popular traditional remedy for colds and coughs. Research so far is limited to lab and animal studies.

No. 225Medicinal

Lion's Mane

Hericium erinaceus

An edible mushroom studied for memory and mood. Small trials suggest it may help thinking in older adults with mild memory problems.

No. 226Medicinal

Lippia Javanica

Lippia javanica

Fever tea, a fragrant African shrub used in South Africa to keep ticks off livestock. In rats, its tea protected the brain from lead damage.

No. 227Medicinal

Lodgepole Pine

Pinus contorta

A western North American pine whose trunks were used as tipi poles. Its pitch was a favorite Native American remedy for colds, coughs, sore throats and sores.

No. 228Medicinal

Luehea Divaricata

Luehea divaricata

A South American tree whose leaves Mbya-Guarani women use in a decoction meant to prevent pregnancy. No evidence supports that use, and the leaves contain potentially harmful compounds.

No. 229Medicinal

Lung Lichen

Lobaria pulmonaria

A leafy forest lichen that looks like lung tissue and has been used for lung problems since the 1400s. In the lab it was active against drug-resistant tuberculosis.

No. 230Medicinal

Maca

Lepidium meyenii

A root vegetable from the high Andes of Peru, used for centuries as food and to boost energy and fertility. Its effects haven't been proven in rigorous trials.

No. 231Medicinal

Magnolia Bark

Magnolia officinalis

Hou po, the bark of a magnolia tree used in Chinese medicine to ease bloating, stomach pain, diarrhoea and asthma, often paired with coptis root.

No. 232Medicinal

Malabar Nut

Justicia adhatoda

Vasaka, an Ayurvedic shrub used for coughs and asthma. Its compound vasicine led to the cough medicines bromhexine and ambroxol.

No. 233Medicinal

Mandrake

Mandragora autumnalis

A Mediterranean plant with a forked root, famous in myth and used in old herbal medicine for sleep, pain and fertility. Its root contains poisonous tropane alkaloids.

No. 234Medicinal

Mango Leaf

Mangifera indica

The leaves of the mango tree, made into a folk tea in Asia and Africa and traditionally used for diabetes, breathing problems and diarrhea. Research is mostly in the lab and in animals.

No. 235Medicinal

Manjistha

Rubia cordifolia

A climbing plant with long red roots, used in Chinese medicine to stop bleeding and in Ayurveda for inflammation, skin problems and menstrual pain. Most research is in labs and animals.

No. 236Medicinal

Maral Root

Rhaponticum carthamoides

Russian leuzea, a plant whose root has been used for centuries in eastern Russia. Researchers have suggested it may be an adaptogen, but most research is from Russian lab and animal studies.

No. 237Medicinal

Marigold

Tagetes erecta

The orange-flowered Mexican marigold, or cempasúchil, used in folk medicine from Mexico to India for fevers, colds, stomach upsets and skin sores. It's a different plant from calendula (pot marigold).

No. 238Medicinal

Maritime Pine Bark

Pinus pinaster

The bark of the French maritime pine, sold as the extract Pycnogenol. A Cochrane review found too little evidence to support it for any long-term condition.

No. 239Medicinal

Marshmallow Root

Althaea officinalis

A root recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for mouth and throat irritation with a dry cough, and for mild stomach and gut discomfort.

No. 240Medicinal

Maytenus Aquifolium

Maytenus aquifolium

One of the Brazilian "espinheira-santa" shrubs used for stomach problems. In rats, its leaf extract protected against stomach ulcers.

No. 241Medicinal

Mediterranean Saltbush

Atriplex halimus

A salty-leaved shrub of the Mediterranean and North Africa, eaten as a vegetable and drunk as a tea for diabetes. It lowered blood sugar in rats.

No. 242Medicinal

Milk Thistle

Silybum marianum

A tall, purple-flowered thistle from Europe, long used for liver problems. Studies of it and its extract silymarin in liver disease have been conflicting or too limited to show a clear benefit.

No. 243Medicinal

Milky Oats

Avena sativa

The green oat plant, sold as milky oats or oat herb. Oat herb harvested before flowering is recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy for mild stress and to help sleep.

No. 244Medicinal

Mistletoe

Viscum album

European mistletoe, used for centuries for seizures and headaches. Injected extracts are widely prescribed in Europe for people with cancer, but it isn't a proven cancer treatment.

No. 245Medicinal

Mitragyna

Mitragyna speciosa

Kratom, a Southeast Asian tree whose leaves act like a stimulant at low doses and like an opioid at higher doses. People use it for pain and opioid withdrawal, but the FDA has warned against it and it can cause dependence.

No. 246Medicinal

Monkshood

Aconitum ferox

A deadly Himalayan aconite whose root is used in Ayurveda only after special purification. It has caused fatal poisonings.

No. 247Medicinal

Moringa

Moringa oleifera

A nutritious tree used as food and traditional medicine, including for stomach and gut problems. In animal studies it helped heal stomach ulcers; in people it has been studied mainly for blood pressure and blood sugar.

No. 248Medicinal

Mormon Tea

Ephedra trifurca

A jointfir shrub of the Southwest, drunk as a tea by the Navajo for stomach and kidney troubles. It's thought to lack the ephedrine in Chinese ephedra, but this is uncertain.

No. 249Medicinal

Mosla Herb

Mosla chinensis

Xiang ru, an aromatic mint-family herb used in China for about 1,500 years to bring on sweating and treat summer colds, heatstroke and diarrhoea.

No. 250Medicinal

Motherwort

Leonurus cardiaca

A plant from the mint family, traditionally used as a heart tonic and for women's health. Recognized in Europe for nervous heart complaints such as palpitations.

No. 251Medicinal

Mucuna

Mucuna pruriens

Velvet bean, a climbing bean whose seeds are a natural source of levodopa, the main Parkinson's medicine. Used in Ayurveda for male infertility, nerve disorders and Parkinson's disease.

No. 252Medicinal

Mugwort

Artemisia vulgaris

A common plant called the "mother of herbs" in the Middle Ages, when it was used on wounds. It is also used in Chinese moxibustion. Mugwort is a major cause of pollen allergy and can cause skin allergies.

No. 253Medicinal

Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

A plant whose flowers are made into tea and recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for sore throat with a dry cough and cold.

No. 254Medicinal

Mulungu

Erythrina mulungu

A Brazilian coral tree used traditionally for breathing problems. In a trial before dental surgery, it didn't ease anxiety better than a placebo.

No. 255Medicinal

Muna

Minthostachys mollis

Muña, an aromatic Andean mint widely used in Peruvian traditional medicine. Farmers also layer its leaves in stored potatoes to keep moths away.

No. 256Medicinal

Myrrh

Commiphora myrrha

An aromatic gum resin from Africa and Arabia, recognized in Europe as a traditional remedy for mouth ulcers, mouth inflammation and minor wounds.

No. 257Medicinal

Nagarmotha

Cyperus rotundus

Nut grass, whose rhizome has been used in Ayurveda for 2,000 years and in Chinese medicine for stomach pain and period problems.

No. 258Medicinal

Neem

Azadirachta indica

A South Asian tree used in Ayurvedic medicine on the skin and for oral hygiene. Neem works against lice, and a small trial found a neem lotion worked as well as standard treatment for scabies.

No. 259Medicinal

Nettle

Urtica dioica

A stinging plant eaten as a spring vegetable and traditionally used for joint pain and urinary complaints.

No. 260Medicinal

Nicotiana Glauca

Nicotiana glauca

Tree tobacco, a yellow-flowered shrub from South America that now grows wild in dry regions worldwide. Its leaves contain anabasine, a nicotine-like poison; eating them has stopped people breathing.

No. 261Medicinal

Old Man's Beard

Usnea barbata

Usnea, a beard-like lichen used in Chinese medicine and around the world for infections, wounds and coughs. Its usnic acid kills some microbes in the lab.

No. 262Medicinal

Olive Leaf

Olea europaea

Leaves of the olive tree, recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy for mild water retention. In one trial, olive leaf extract lowered blood pressure about as much as a standard medicine.

No. 263Medicinal

Oneseed Juniper

Juniperus monosperma

A southwestern juniper whose berries were eaten and seasoned meat, and whose leaves were used by the Apache and Hopi for colds, coughs and indigestion.

No. 264Medicinal

Ophiopogon Root

Ophiopogon japonicus

Mai dong, the small tuberous roots of a clumping plant, and one of the three herbs in the classical Chinese heart formula sheng mai. Its main compound has been studied in the lab and in animals.

No. 265Medicinal

Osha

Ligusticum porteri

A root from the Rocky Mountains, long used by Hispanic and Native American peoples for colds, flu and chest infections. It has only been studied in the lab.

No. 266Medicinal

Palasha

Butea monosperma

Flame of the forest, an Indian tree. Its leaf extract lowered blood sugar and raised insulin in diabetic rats.

No. 267Medicinal

Paneer Doda

Withania coagulans

Indian rennet, a shrub whose dried berries are used in Ayurveda and Unani medicine for diabetes. It lowered blood sugar in diabetic rats.

No. 268Medicinal

Passion Flower

Passiflora incarnata

A climbing vine from the Americas, used as a calming herb since at least the 1500s. It is recognized in Europe for mild stress and to help sleep, and small studies suggest it may ease anxiety.

No. 269Medicinal

Pellitory

Parietaria officinalis

Pellitory-of-the-wall, a plant whose close relative is used as a tea for urinary infections and swelling. Its pollen is a major cause of hay fever.

No. 270Medicinal

Penny Royal

Clinopodium brownei

Jamaican pennyroyal, one of the island's popular bush medicines for breathing and digestive problems. It is a different plant from European pennyroyal, but its oil contains the same toxic compound, pulegone.

No. 271Medicinal

Pepper Elder

Piper amalago

A plant in the pepper family whose leaves are made into a Jamaican bush tea for colds and flu. Research so far is mostly in rats.

No. 272Medicinal

Peppermint

Mentha piperita

A cooling, menthol-rich herb traditionally used for digestion and headaches. Research suggests peppermint oil may help IBS symptoms.

No. 273Medicinal

Periwinkle

Catharanthus roseus

Madagascar periwinkle, a garden plant used in Caribbean folk medicine for diabetes and the source of two cancer drugs. The plant can be poisonous.

No. 274Medicinal

Pfaffia Glomerata

Pfaffia glomerata

A Brazilian plant whose root is popular as a tonic and aphrodisiac and for pain and inflammation. It contains beta-ecdysone, a plant steroid, and has been studied in the lab and in animals.

No. 275Medicinal

Pine Needles

Pinus spp.

Needles of pine trees, brewed into a tea popular in Japan, Korea, China and Russia, and used in folk medicine for coughs, colds and flu. Some pines contain a substance that causes miscarriage in cattle.

No. 276Medicinal

Pineapple Leaf

Ananas comosus

The leaves of the pineapple plant, traditionally used for diarrhoea, pain, swelling and infections. Research so far is only in rats.

No. 277Medicinal

Pippali

Piper longum

Long pepper, a climbing shrub from India whose fruit is used in Ayurveda for cough, asthma and colds, and as a rejuvenating tonic. Small studies in people found little or uncertain benefit.

No. 278Medicinal

Pipsissewa

Chimaphila umbellata

A small evergreen woodland plant whose leaves are used in Appalachia for rheumatism. Its compound chimaphilin has been studied in the lab.

No. 279Medicinal

Pleurisy Root

Asclepias tuberosa

A milkweed whose root was traditionally used for breathing problems and to loosen mucus. It contains heart-affecting compounds, and its sap has injured people's eyes.

No. 280Medicinal

Pokeberry

Phytolacca americana

American pokeweed, a tall plant with purple-black berries. All parts are poisonous, especially the root. Some people eat the young leaves as "poke sallet" after boiling them twice, but this doesn't guarantee safety.

No. 281Medicinal

Polygonatum Sibiricum

Polygonatum sibiricum

Huang jing, a relative of Solomon's seal used in China for over 2,000 years as food and as a tonic for tiredness, weakness and slow-healing wounds. Research is in the lab.

No. 282Medicinal

Polyporus Umbellatus

Polyporus umbellatus

Zhu ling, an edible medicinal fungus used in Chinese medicine for swelling, scanty urine, urinary problems, jaundice and diarrhoea. In animal studies it increased urination.

No. 283Medicinal

Poppy

Papaver rhoeas

The red corn poppy, a common field weed, used in folk medicine for coughs, sleep problems, diarrhea and pain, and eaten in salads. Eating it has poisoned adults, causing seizures and loss of consciousness. It's a different plant from the opium poppy.

No. 284Medicinal

Poria Cocos

Wolfiporia cocos

Fu ling, an edible fungus used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years to promote urination, reduce swelling, aid digestion and calm the mind. It's in nearly 15% of Chinese Pharmacopoeia preparations.

No. 285Medicinal

Prekese

Tetrapleura tetraptera

Aidan fruit, the dried pod of a West African tree, widely used in traditional medicine. It caused no poisoning in rodent studies.

No. 286Medicinal

Prickly Ash

Zanthoxylum americanum

The "toothache tree", a thorny North American shrub whose bark Native Americans used for toothache, rheumatism, fevers, colds and coughs.

No. 287Medicinal

Prunella Vulgaris

Prunella vulgaris

Self-heal, called xia ku cao in China, a mint-family herb used in Chinese medicine since the Han Dynasty and eaten as a vegetable and tea. Low-quality trials suggest it may help when added to standard treatment for an overactive thyroid.

No. 288Medicinal

Psyllium

Plantago ovata

Ispaghula husk, a fiber that swells into a gel and works as a mild laxative. Recognized in Europe for constipation, and shown in trials to lower LDL cholesterol.

No. 289Medicinal

Punarnava

Boerhavia diffusa

A creeping Ayurvedic rejuvenating herb used for urinary, liver and digestive problems. Its root protected the kidneys in rats.

No. 290Medicinal

Qiang Li Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan

Lonicera japonica, Forsythia suspensa and other herbs

A Chinese patent medicine based on Yin Qiao San, a honeysuckle and forsythia formula used early in colds and flu for fever, sore throat and headache.

No. 291Medicinal

Queen Anne's Lace

Daucus carota

Wild carrot, whose seeds have long been used in folk medicine to prevent pregnancy. It hasn't been proven safe or effective, and it looks like deadly poison hemlock.

No. 292Medicinal

Quercetin

Plant flavonoid (found in apples, onions and other foods)

A natural plant compound found in apples, onions, grapes, citrus and parsley, and sold as a supplement. In a trial of 1,002 people it didn't prevent colds overall.

No. 293Medicinal

Ra-Moon

Trophis racemosa

Ramoon, a Jamaican tree whose bark is made into tea and roots drinks as a traditional remedy for libido, and whose leaves feed livestock. It hasn't been studied in people.

No. 294Medicinal

Ramie Root

Boehmeria nivea

Zhu ma gen, the root of a nettle-family plant used in Chinese medicine for threatened miscarriage, colic in pregnancy and skin infections. It hasn't been tested on its own in people.

No. 295Medicinal

Raspberry Leaf

Rubus idaeus

Leaves of the raspberry plant, made into tea. Traditionally used for period cramps and widely used in pregnancy, though its safety in pregnancy hasn't been proven.

No. 296Medicinal

Red Cinchona

Cinchona pubescens

The Andean "fever tree" whose bark gave the world quinine, the first effective malaria treatment. Quinine is now a prescription drug with serious side effects.

No. 297Medicinal

Red Clover

Trifolium pratense

A pink-flowered clover traditionally used for skin problems and whooping cough. It has been studied for menopausal hot flashes, with inconsistent results.

No. 298Medicinal

Red Jurema

Mimosa ophthalmocentra

A thorny tree of northeastern Brazil whose bark is used for coughs and bronchitis. Its roots contain DMT and have been used by Indigenous peoples to make a hallucinogenic ceremonial drink.

No. 299Medicinal

Red Peony Root

Paeonia lactiflora

Chi shao, a root from Paeonia lactiflora, used to "cool the blood" and relieve "blood stasis" and pain: for nosebleeds, sore eyes, period pain and injuries. Research is in animals.

No. 300Medicinal

Red Tower Ginger

Costus comosus

An Ecuadorian plant with tall red flower cones, traditionally used for fever, asthma, worms, diabetes and liver problems. Its stem has only been studied in the lab.

No. 301Medicinal

Redstem Stork's Bill

Erodium cicutarium

Filaree, a small weedy geranium eaten as greens and used by the Zuni for sores, rashes and stomachache.

No. 302Medicinal

Reed Rhizome

Phragmites australis

Lu gen, the underground stem of the common reed, used in Chinese medicine to clear heat and increase urination, for fever, nausea and urinary problems.

No. 303Medicinal

Rehmannia Root

Rehmannia glutinosa

Di huang, a Chinese medicine root used raw or steamed black, recorded in the Shennong Herbal Classic for injuries, joint pain and as a "kidney" tonic. Research is in the lab and in animals.

No. 304Medicinal

Reishi

Ganoderma lucidum

A mushroom prized for centuries in traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean medicine. A Cochrane review found it didn't lower heart disease risk factors.

No. 305Medicinal

Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola rosea

Golden root, recognised in the EU as a traditional herbal medicine for stress symptoms such as tiredness and exhaustion. Small trials suggest it may help exercise performance.

No. 306Medicinal

Rose Heath

Chaetopappa ericoides

A low white-flowered desert plant used by several Southwestern peoples for swelling, rheumatism, digestive troubles and toothache.

No. 307Medicinal

Rosehips

Rosa canina

The fruit of wild roses such as the dog rose, rich in vitamin C. Rosehip seed oil and powder have been studied for scars and wrinkles in small trials.

No. 308Medicinal

Sacred Thornapple

Datura wrightii

A datura of the American Southwest. Its withanolides have been studied against cancer cells in the lab.

No. 309Medicinal

Sanddune Wallflower

Erysimum capitatum

A yellow-flowered western wallflower used by several peoples for muscle aches, headache, toothache and wounds.

No. 310Medicinal

Sarsaparilla

Smilax ornata

A plant whose root is boiled into Jamaican roots tonics and used for colds and flu. Research on sarsaparilla plants is mostly preliminary lab and animal work.

No. 311Medicinal

Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

An eastern North American tree whose fragrant root was made into tea and used for bronchitis and as a tonic. Its oil, safrole, causes cancer, and sassafras tea is banned as a food in the US.

No. 312Medicinal

Sausage Tree

Kigelia africana

An African tree with huge sausage-shaped fruit, an established plant in African traditional medicine. Its fruit extract slowed colon cancer cells in the lab.

No. 313Medicinal

Saw Palmetto

Serenoa repens

A small palm whose berries are promoted for urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate. A 2023 Cochrane review found little or no benefit over placebo.

No. 314Medicinal

Scarlet Globemallow

Sphaeralcea coccinea

A mallow of western and central North America. Plains and Southwestern peoples chewed it into a cooling salve for sores and wounds.

No. 315Medicinal

Sceletium Tortuosum

Sceletium tortuosum

A South African succulent, known as kanna, chewed for centuries by the San and Khoi peoples to ease hunger, thirst and tiredness and to lift mood. Small trials of an extract found it well tolerated.

No. 316Medicinal

Schisandra

Schisandra chinensis

A fruit known in Chinese as wu wei zi ("five-flavor fruit"), long used in traditional Chinese medicine for the liver, coughs and energy. Studies in people are few and small.

No. 317Medicinal

Scrophularia Root

Scrophularia ningpoensis

Xuan shen, a Chinese medicine root recorded in the Shennong Herbal Classic and used for sore throat, abscesses and constipation. Research is in the lab and in animals.

No. 318Medicinal

Scutellaria Baicalensis

Scutellaria baicalensis

Chinese skullcap, or huang qin, a root used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years for diarrhoea, bleeding, sleeplessness and lung infections. Most research is in the lab or on multi-herb formulas.

No. 319Medicinal

Sea Buckthorn

Hippophae rhamnoides

An orange berry eaten as juice, oil and food, and used in traditional Chinese medicine for cough and digestion. Trials suggest it may improve blood fats in people with abnormal levels.

No. 320Medicinal

Search Mi Heart

Rhytidophyllum tomentosum

A Jamaican plant whose dried leaves are made into a bush tea, traditionally used for colds and flu, the heart, breathing problems and digestion. It hasn't been studied in research.

No. 321Medicinal

Senna

Senna alexandrina

A stimulant laxative from the leaves and pods, recognized in Europe for short-term relief of occasional constipation.

No. 322Medicinal

Serpentina

Rauvolfia serpentina

Indian snakeroot, the root that gave the blood pressure medicine reserpine. Doctors used it widely for high blood pressure in the 1940s and 1950s until side effects, especially depression, made it fall out of favour.

No. 323Medicinal

Shal Leafed Bush

Clerodendrum infortunatum

Bhant, an Ayurvedic shrub used after childbirth, on wounds, and for jaundice, fever and asthma. Its leaf extract lowered blood sugar in rats.

No. 324Medicinal

Shame O' Lady

Mimosa pudica

The sensitive plant, whose leaves fold up when touched. TRAMIL, the Caribbean traditional-medicine network, recommends it as a tea for period cramps.

No. 325Medicinal

Shan Zha

Crataegus pinnatifida

Chinese hawthorn fruit, eaten and used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years for indigestion, especially after meat, and for high blood fats. Research is mostly in the lab and in animals.

No. 326Medicinal

Shatavari

Asparagus racemosus

A root used in Ayurveda as a tonic and to increase breast milk. Research on it is limited.

No. 327Medicinal

Sheep Sorrel

Rumex acetosella

A common weed best known as one of the four herbs in Essiac, a tea sold as a cancer remedy. The US National Cancer Institute found no good evidence that Essiac works against cancer.

No. 328Medicinal

Sheng Mai Yin Wan

Panax ginseng, Ophiopogon japonicus, Schisandra chinensis

A classical Chinese formula of ginseng, ophiopogon and schisandra, used for about 1,000 years to "supplement qi and yin" and for heart symptoms. Low-quality trials in viral myocarditis suggest possible benefit.

No. 329Medicinal

Shi Hu

Dendrobium nobile

Dendrobium, the fleshy stem of an orchid ranked a premium herb in the Shennong Herbal Classic and used in Chinese medicine to strengthen the eyes and nourish yin. Research is in the lab and in animals.

No. 330Medicinal

Shilajit

Mineral pitch, a resin-like substance from mountain rocks

A blackish-brown, gummy substance that oozes from rocks in the Himalayas, used in Ayurveda as a rejuvenator. Unpurified shilajit and some products can contain heavy metals and other toxins.

No. 331Medicinal

Siamese Cassia

Senna siamea

A tree whose leaves are eaten in Thailand, where it is called khi lek and traditionally used for sleep. A calming product made from it caused cases of hepatitis.

No. 332Medicinal

Siberian Ginseng

Eleutherococcus senticosus

Eleuthero, a root recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for tiredness and weakness.

No. 333Medicinal

Siris Tree

Albizia lebbeck

Shirisha, the main herb in an Ayurvedic formula for allergies. Its stem bark improved breathing in people with asthma in clinical studies.

No. 334Medicinal

Skullcap

Scutellaria lateriflora

A North American mint-family herb, taken as a tea or extract for anxiety, stress and sleep. It has been linked to rare cases of liver injury, often in mixed products.

No. 335Medicinal

Slippery Elm

Ulmus rubra

The inner bark of a North American elm, taken by mouth for sore throat and stomach upset and used on the skin for rashes. It is generally recognized as safe.

No. 336Medicinal

Snake Gourd Root

Trichosanthes kirilowii

Tian hua fen, a Chinese medicine root used for centuries for diabetes, swelling and menstrual problems. Its protein, trichosanthin, ends pregnancies and was once widely used in China for abortion.

No. 337Medicinal

Snakeroot

Ageratina pichinchensis

A plant native to Mexico, known there as axihuitl, long used in traditional Mexican medicine for skin problems and wounds. Small trials in Mexico have tested extracts for fungal skin and nail infections and leg ulcers.

No. 338Medicinal

Snapdragon

Antirrhinum majus

A Mediterranean garden flower. In Iraqi folk medicine the whole plant is boiled for liver problems and as a wash, and in lab tests its flower extract slowed some bacteria and fungi.

No. 339Medicinal

Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum odoratum

Angular Solomon's seal, or yu zhu, a root eaten as both food and medicine in China for over 2,000 years, used for dry coughs, thirst and a dry throat. Most research is in the lab and in animals.

No. 340Medicinal

Sophora Root

Sophora flavescens

Ku shen, a bitter root used in Chinese medicine for over 1,700 years for dysentery, jaundice and skin diseases. Low-quality trials of a Chinese capsule containing it suggest it may help ulcerative colitis.

No. 341Medicinal

Soursop

Annona muricata

A tropical fruit (graviola) used in folk medicine for stomachache, diarrhea and intestinal parasites. Eating it has been linked to more severe Parkinson's disease in the Caribbean.

No. 342Medicinal

Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

A large evergreen magnolia tree from the southeastern United States. The Choctaw and Koasati used its bark as a wash for heat rash and sores, and one small trial tested a bark mouthwash against tooth-decay bacteria.

No. 343Medicinal

Spanish Moss

Tillandsia usneoides

A flowering plant in the pineapple family, not a true moss, that hangs from trees. Traditionally used for diabetes, high blood pressure and rheumatism; research so far is only in the lab and in mice.

No. 344Medicinal

Speranskia

Speranskia tuberculata

A Chinese medicinal herb used to "dispel wind and dampness", promote circulation and relieve pain. Very little research has been published on it.

No. 345Medicinal

Sphagnum Moss

Sphagnum spp.

Peat moss, a very absorbent bog moss used in Europe for centuries as a wound dressing and as nappies and bedding for babies.

No. 346Medicinal

Spiked Pepper

Piper aduncum

A tropical American pepper shrub, also called matico, whose leaves are traditionally used for stomach pain and indigestion. In mice, its leaf oil protected the stomach from ulcers.

No. 347Medicinal

Spiral Ginger

Costus spiralis

A tropical American plant with spiraling stems, used in Brazil since the 1600s for kidney problems, urinary infections and inflammation. It has been studied in rats and mice.

No. 348Medicinal

St. John's Wort

Hypericum perforatum

A yellow-flowered herb traditionally used to support mood. It interacts with many common medicines.

No. 349Medicinal

Staff Tree

Celastrus paniculatus

Jyotishmati, an Ayurvedic climbing shrub whose seed oil is used as a brain tonic for memory. In mice it eased pain and had antidepressant-like effects.

No. 350Medicinal

Stemona Root

Stemona species

Bai bu, the root of Stemona plants used across South and East Asia for cough and asthma, and to kill lice and other pests.

No. 351Medicinal

Stinkingtoe

Hymenaea courbaril

Jatobá, a tropical American tree with large woody pods of edible pulp, used in Brazil for wounds, coughs, rheumatism and stomach problems.

No. 352Medicinal

Strong Back Root

Morinda royoc

Redgal, a root boiled into Jamaica's "strong back" roots tonic, used by men for impotence and stamina. It hasn't been studied in people.

No. 353Medicinal

Supari

Areca catechu

Areca nut, the seed of a palm chewed by about 600 million people, usually in betel quid. It causes mouth and throat cancer.

No. 354Medicinal

Sutherlandia

Lessertia frutescens

"Cancer bush", one of South Africa's most popular medicinal plants. A critical review found its cancer research unconvincing and doesn't recommend it for cancer.

No. 355Medicinal

Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua

A North American tree whose fragrant resin, storax, has long been used for coughs, skin problems and ulcers. Its seeds are a source of shikimic acid, used to make the flu medicine Tamiflu. It hasn't been studied in people.

No. 356Medicinal

Sword Plant

Echinodorus grandiflorus

A Brazilian water plant (chapéu-de-couro) whose leaves are a folk remedy for high blood pressure, swelling and fluid retention. Studied only in animals.

No. 357Medicinal

Tayuya

Cayaponia tayuya

A climbing vine of the gourd family whose large root is used in Brazil, Peru and Colombia for inflammation and rheumatism. It has only been studied in mice and the lab.

No. 358Medicinal

Tea Tree

Melaleuca alternifolia

An Australian tree whose leaves Aboriginal Australians used for wounds, burns and insect bites. Its oil, used on the skin, may modestly help acne. Never swallow it.

No. 359Medicinal

Tepezcohuite

Mimosa tenuiflora

A tree from southern Mexico to Brazil whose bark is used on wounds and burns. Two small trials of a bark gel for leg ulcers disagreed.

No. 360Medicinal

Three-Leafed Caper

Crateva nurvala

An Asian tree used in traditional medicine for kidney and bladder stones, inflammation and fever. Its extracts eased pain and lowered blood sugar in animals.

No. 361Medicinal

Tourist Plant

Dimorphocarpa wislizeni

Spectacle pod, a desert mustard that the Hopi, Navajo and Apache used on wounds, sores, swellings and itching.

No. 362Medicinal

Trichosanthes Peel

Trichosanthes kirilowii

Gua lou pi, the dried fruit peel of the snake gourd plant, used in Chinese medicine for about 2,000 years for heart conditions such as angina and for cough with phlegm.

No. 363Medicinal

Triphala

Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula

A classic Ayurvedic blend of three dried fruits (amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki), used as a cornerstone of digestive care and as a laxative. Research in people is limited.

No. 364Medicinal

Turkey Tail

Trametes versicolor

A mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic. Extracts from it are used alongside cancer treatment in Japan and China.

No. 365Medicinal

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

A golden root used in curries, known for its natural compound curcumin and traditionally used for inflammation.

No. 366Medicinal

Uva Ursi

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Bearberry leaf, recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy for mild, repeated bladder infections in adult women. Use it for no more than a week.

No. 367Medicinal

Valerian

Valeriana officinalis

A root traditionally used to help with sleep.

No. 368Medicinal

Velvetweed

Abutilon theophrasti

Velvetleaf, used in traditional Chinese medicine for inflammation, swelling and pain. Its leaf flavonoids eased lung inflammation in mice.

No. 369Medicinal

Vervain

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

Called vervain in Jamaica and vervine in Antigua and Trinidad, a weedy plant whose leaves make a "cooling" tea used for the stomach, colds and coughs, and to clean wounds.

No. 370Medicinal

Water Fern

Azolla spp.

A small floating fern used for centuries as a natural fertilizer in Asian rice paddies. Extracts have been tested only in rats.

No. 371Medicinal

Wereke

Ibervillea sonorae

The root of a wild gourd from northwestern Mexico, sold as dried "chips" and boiled into a tea for diabetes in Mexican folk medicine. Lab and animal studies suggest it may lower blood sugar, but it hasn't been tested in people.

No. 372Medicinal

West Indian Milkberry

Chiococca alba

A tropical American shrub, called cainca in Brazil, used by Maya healers for fever and rheumatism. In lab tests its root blocked two mosquito-borne viruses.

No. 373Medicinal

Western Mugwort

Artemisia ludoviciana

A silvery sagebrush of North America, called estafiate in Mexico, where it's used for gastritis. Lab and mouse studies found it active against H. pylori.

No. 374Medicinal

White Hellebore

Veratrum album

A poisonous mountain plant of Europe and northern Asia. In Bulgaria, a decoction of it has been made for hair loss.

No. 375Medicinal

White Lead Tree

Leucaena leucocephala

A fast-growing tropical tree used in Indonesia for diabetes. Its extracts lowered blood sugar in the lab, but it contains the toxic compound mimosine.

No. 376Medicinal

White Mulberry Leaf

Morus alba

The leaf of the white mulberry tree. A review of 12 trials found it lowered fasting blood sugar and HbA1c.

No. 377Medicinal

White Willow

Salix alba

Willow bark, a natural source of salicin, a relative of aspirin. Recognized in Europe for short-term lower back pain, and traditionally for joint pain, fever and headache.

No. 378Medicinal

Wild Cherry

Prunus serotina

Black cherry (capulín), a North American tree whose bark was a Native American remedy for breathing infections and is now used in cough syrups. Its seeds and leaves contain compounds that can release cyanide.

No. 379Medicinal

Wild Lettuce

Lactuca virosa

Opium lettuce, historically used as a painkiller and to bring on sleep. Eating it raw has caused poisoning with confusion and hallucinations.

No. 380Medicinal

Wintergreen

Gaultheria procumbens

A low North American shrub whose aspirin-like oil has long been used for rheumatism, muscle pain, colds and fever. The oil is highly poisonous if swallowed.

No. 381Medicinal

Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

A North American shrub whose leaves are recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for minor skin inflammation, itchy piles and mouth inflammation.

No. 382Medicinal

Wormwood

Artemisia absinthium

A bitter herb recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for temporary loss of appetite and mild heartburn and stomach and gut complaints.

No. 383Medicinal

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

An herb recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy for loss of appetite, mild digestive problems, period cramps and small wounds.

No. 384Medicinal

Yauhtli

Tagetes lucida

Mexican mint marigold, a fragrant golden-flowered herb used in Mexico for rheumatic pain and nervous-system problems. In animal studies it eased gout pain and calmed psychosis-like behavior.

No. 385Medicinal

Yavasca

Alhagi maurorum

Camel thorn, a spiny desert shrub used in Iran for kidney stones. In a trial, its extract cleared stones as well as a standard drug.

No. 386Medicinal

Yellow Dock

Rumex crispus

Curly dock, a plant whose root and leaves are traditional laxatives and tonics, also used for skin problems and jaundice. Research is in the lab and in rats.

No. 387Medicinal

Yerba Mansa

Anemopsis californica

A plant of the Southwest and California, one of the region's most used Native American remedies for wounds, colds and sore throats. Its root compounds stopped some germs in lab tests.

No. 388Medicinal

Yerba Santa

Eriodictyon californicum

A shrub from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico whose leaves have been used by Indigenous peoples for centuries, especially for breathing problems.

No. 389Medicinal

Yew

Taxus baccata

An evergreen tree whose leaves and seeds contain taxine alkaloids, deadly poisons that stop the heart. It isn't used as a remedy.

No. 390Medicinal

Yohimbe

Pausinystalia johimbe

The bark of a central and west African tree, promoted for erectile dysfunction, sports performance and weight loss. There's little research in people, and yohimbine, its main compound, has been linked to heart attacks and seizures.

No. 391Medicinal

Yucca Root

Yucca schidigera

A desert plant of the southwestern US and northern Mexico, used by Native Americans for arthritis. It's rich in soapy compounds called saponins and is approved as a food additive in the US, but evidence for arthritis is weak.