The Herbal Library

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

All categories Aromatic Culinary Medicinal

Results

10 herbs

No. 001Medicinal

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. 002Medicinal

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. 003Medicinal

Botanical illustration of Indian Trumpet Tree

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. 004Medicinal

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. 005Medicinal

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. 006Medicinal

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. 007Medicinal

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. 008Medicinal

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. 009Medicinal

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. 010Medicinal

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.