coca coca used as coca tea or chewed, traditionally as a stimulant to overcome fatigue, hunger, thirst, and altitude sickness. also used as an anesthetic and analgesic. eschscholzia californica californian poppy used as an herbal remedy: an aqueous extract of the plant has sedative and anxiolytic actions. eucalyptus globulus eucalyptus leaves were widely used in traditional medicine as a febrifuge. eucalyptus oil is commonly used in over-the-counter cough and cold medications, as well as for an analgesic. euonymus atropurpureus wahoo plant is a purgative and might affect the heart. euphorbia hirta asthma-plant used traditionally in asia to treat bronchitic asthma and laryngeal spasm. it is used in the philippines for dengue fever. euphrasia eyebright used for eye problems, mental depression, oxygenation and radiation poisoning. euterpe oleracea açai although açai berries are a longstanding food source for indigenous people of the amazon, there is no evidence that they have effectiveness for any health-related purpose. f scientific name name description picture ferula assa-foetida asafoetida might be useful for ibs, high cholesterol, and breathing problems. frangula alnus alder buckthorn bark (and to a lesser extent the fruit) has been used as a laxative, due to its 3 – 7% anthraquinone content. bark for medicinal use is dried and stored for a year before use, as fresh bark is violently purgative; even dried bark can be dangerous if taken in excess. fumaria officinalis fumitory traditionally thought to be good for the eyes and to remove skin blemishes. in modern times herbalists use it to treat skin diseases and conjunctivitis, as well as to cleanse the kidneys. however, howard (1987) warns that fumitory is poisonous and should only be used under the direction of a medical herbalist. g scientific name name description picture galanthus snowdrop it contains an active substance called galantamine, which is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. galantamine (or galanthamine) can be helpful in the treatment of alzheimer's disease, though it is not a cure. geranium robertianum robert geranium in traditional herbalism, it was used as a remedy for toothache and nosebleeds and as a vulnerary (used for or useful in healing wounds). ginkgo biloba ginkgo the leaf extract has been used to treat asthma, bronchitis, fatigue, alzheimer's and tinnitus. glechoma hederacea ground-ivy it has been used as a "lung herb". other traditional uses include as an expectorant, astringent, and to treat bronchitis. the essential oil of the plant has been used for centuries as a general tonic for colds and coughs, and to relieve congestion of the mucous membranes. glycyrrhiza glabra licorice root purported uses include stomach ulcers, bronchitis, and sore throat. h scientific name name description picture hamamelis virginiana common witch-hazel it produces a specific kind of tannins called hamamelitannins. one of those substances displays a specific cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells. hippophae rhamnoides sea buckthorn the leaves are used as herbal medicine to alleviate cough and fever, pain, and general gastrointestinal disorders as well as to cure dermatologic disorders. similarly, the fruit juice and oils can be used in the treatment of liver disease, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic wounds or other dermatological disorders. hoodia gordonii hoodia the plant is traditionally used by kalahari san (bushmen) to reduce hunger and thirst. it is marketed as an appetite suppressant. hydrastis canadensis goldenseal although used traditionally by native americans to treat skin diseases and ulcers, there is no scientific evidence to support the use of goldenseal for treating any disease. hypericum perforatum st. john's wort widely used within herbalism for depression. evaluated for use as an antidepressant, but with ambiguous results. hyssopus officinalis hyssop it is purported for digestive and intestinal problems, and for respiratory problems. i scientific name name description picture ilex paraguariensis yerba mate mate contains compounds that may improve mood. illicium verum star anise it is the major source of the chemical compound shikimic acid, a primary precursor in the pharmaceutical synthesis of anti-influenza drug oseltamivir (tamiflu). inula helenium elecampane it is used in herbal medicine as an expectorant and for water retention. j scientific name name description picture jasminum officinale jasmine it is purported as either an antiseptic or anti-inflammatory agent. k scientific name name description picture knautia arvensis field scabious the whole plant is astringent and mildly diuretic. l scientific name name description picture larrea tridentata chaparral the leaves and twigs are used by native americans to make a herbal tea used for a variety of conditions. chaparral has also been shown to have high liver toxicity, and has led to kidney failure, and is not recommended for any use by the u.s. food and drug administration or american cancer society. laurus nobilis bay laurel aqueous extracts of bay laurel can be used as astringents and even as a reasonable salve for open wounds. lavandula angustifolia lavender it was traditionally used as an antiseptic and for mental health purposes. it was also used in ancient egypt in mummifying bodies. there is little scientific evidence that use of lavender affects health. lawsonia inermis henna leucojum aestivum summer snowflake linum usitatissimum flaxseed the plant is most commonly used as a laxative. flaxseed oil is used for different conditions, including arthritis. m scientific name name description picture magnolia officinalis magnolia-bark the bark contains magnolol and honokiol, two polyphenolic compounds. malva sylvestris mallow the seeds are used internally in a decoction or herbal tea as a demulcent and diuretic, and the leaves made into poultices as an emollient for external applications. matricaria recutita and anthemis nobilis chamomile it has been used over history for a variety of conditions, including sleeplessness and anxiety. medicago sativa alfalfa the leaves are purported to lower cholesterol, and treat kidney and urinary tract ailments, although there is insufficient scientific evidence for its efficacy. melaleuca alternifolia tea tree oil it has been used over history by australian aboriginal people. modern usage is primarily as an antibacterial or antifungal agent, but there is insufficient scientific evidence for such effects. melissa officinalis lemon balm it is purported as a sleep aid and digestive aid. mentha x piperita peppermint its oil, from a cross between water mint and spearmint, has a history of purported use for various conditions, including nausea, indigestion, and symptoms of the common cold. mitragyna speciosa kratom kratom leaves are chewed to relieve musculoskeletal pain and increase energy, appetite, and sexual desire in ways similar to khat and coca. momordica charantia bitter melon morinda citrifolia noni it is purported for joint pain and skin conditions. moringa oleifera drumstick tree it is used for food and traditional medicine. n scientific name name description picture nasturtium officinale watercress nelumbo nucifera lotus insufficient evidence for any biological effect. nigella sativa nigella, black-caraway, black-cumin, and kalonji one meta-analysis of clinical trials concluded that n. sativa has a short-term benefit on lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure. o scientific name name description picture ocimum tenuiflorum tulsi or holy basil it is used for a variety of purposes in traditional medicine; tulsi is taken in many forms: as herbal tea, dried powder, fresh leaf or mixed with ghee. essential oil extracted from karpoora tulasi is mostly used for medicinal purposes and in herbal cosmetics. oenothera evening primrose its oil has been used since the 1930s for eczema, and more recently as an anti-inflammatory, but there is insufficient evidence for it having any effect. origanum vulgare oregano p scientific name name description picture panax spec. ginseng asian ginseng may affect glucose metabolism and lower blood sugar levels, but the poor quality of research prevents conclusions about such effects. papaver somniferum opium poppy the plant is the plant source of morphine, used for pain relief. morphine made from the refined and modified sap is used for pain control in people with severe cancer. passiflora passion flower peganum harmala syrian rue (common name harmal) pelargonium sidoides umckaloabo, or south african geranium possibly useful for treating respiratory infections. piper methysticum kava the plant has been used for centuries in the south pacific to make a ceremonial drink with sedative and anesthetic properties, with potential for causing liver injury. piscidia erythrina / piscidia piscipula jamaica dogwood the plant is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety, despite serious safety concerns. a 2006 study suggested medicinal potential. plantago lanceolata plantain it is used frequently in herbal teas and other herbal remedies. a tea from the leaves is used as a highly effective cough medicine. in the traditional austrian medicine plantago lanceolata leaves have been used internally (as syrup or tea) or externally (fresh leaves) for treatment of disorders of the respiratory tract, skin, insect bites, and infections. platycodon grandiflorus platycodon, balloon flower the extracts and purified platycoside compounds (saponins) from the roots may exhibit neuroprotective, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergy, improved insulin resistance, and cholesterol-lowering properties. polemonium reptans abscess root it is used to reduce fever, inflammation, and cough. psidium guajava guava it has a rich history of use in traditional medicine. it is traditionally used to treat diarrhea; however, evidence of its effectiveness is very limited. ptelea trifoliata wafer ash the root bark is used for the digestive system. also known as hoptree. pulmonaria officinalis lungwort used since the middle ages to treat and/or heal various ailments of the lungs and chest. q scientific name name description picture quassia amara amargo, bitter-wood a 2012 study found a topical gel with 4% quassia extract to be a safe and effective cure of rosacea. r scientific name name description picture reichardia tingitana false sowthistle uses in folk medicine have been recorded in the middle east, its leaves being used to treat ailments such as constipation, colic and inflamed eyes. rosa majalis cinnamon rose it yields edible hip fruits rich in vitamin c, which are used in medicine and to produce rose hip syrup. rosmarinus officinalis rosemary it has been used medicinally from ancient times. ruellia tuberosa minnieroot, fever root, snapdragon root in folk medicine and ayurvedic medicine it has been used as a diuretic, anti-diabetic, antipyretic, analgesic, antihypertensive, gastroprotective, and to treat gonorrhea. rumex crispus curly dock or yellow dock in western herbalism the root is often used for treating anemia, due to its high level of iron. the plant will help with skin conditions if taken internally or applied externally to things like itching, scrofula, and sores. it is also used for respiratory conditions, specifically those with a tickling cough that is worse when exposed to cold air. it mentions also passing pains, excessive itching, and that it helps enlarged lymphs. s scientific name name description picture salix alba white willow plant source of salicylic acid, white willow is like the chemical known as aspirin, although more likely to cause stomach upset as a side effect than aspirin itself which can cause the lining of the stomach to be destroyed. used from ancient times for the same uses as aspirin. salvia officinalis sage shown to improve cognitive function in patients with mild to moderate alzheimer's disease. sambucus nigra elderberry the berries and leaves have traditionally been used to treat pain, swelling, infections, coughs, and skin conditions and, more recently, flu, common cold, fevers, constipation, and sinus infections. santalum album indian sandalwood sandalwood oil has been widely used in folk medicine for treatment of common colds, bronchitis, skin disorders, heart ailments, general weakness, fever, infection of the urinary tract, inflammation of the mouth and pharynx, liver and gallbladder complaints and other maladies. santolina chamaecyparissus cotton lavender most commonly, the flowers and leaves are made into a decoction used to expel intestinal parasites. saraca indica ashoka tree the plant is used in ayurvedic traditions to treat gynecological disorders. the bark is also used to combat oedema or swelling. satureja hortensis summer savory its extracts show antibacterial and antifungal effects on several species including some of the antibiotic resistant strains. sceletium tortuosum kanna african treatment for depression. suggested to be an ssri or have similar effects, but unknown mechanism of activity. senna auriculata avaram senna the root is used in decoctions against fevers, diabetes, diseases of urinary system and constipation. the leaves have laxative properties. the dried flowers and flower buds are used as a substitute for tea in case of diabetes patients. the powdered seed is also applied to the eye, in case of chronic purulent conjunctivitis. sesuvium portulacastrum shoreline purslane the plant extract showed antibacterial and anticandidal activities and moderate antifungal activity. silybum marianum milk thistle it has