All herbs

Vitex agnus-castus

Chasteberry dry extract may help with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS); regular use for 3 months is recommended for effect.

Seed

Echinacea purpurea

Juice pressed from fresh echinacea plants may help with short-term prevention and treatment of colds. Dried echinacea tea is not covered.

Dried Herb & Tea

Linum usitatissimum

Taken with plenty of liquid, flaxseed may help soften stools in habitual constipation; drinking enough fluid with it is essential.

Seed

Zingiber officinale

Powdered ginger root taken before travel may help prevent motion-sickness nausea; it is also traditionally used for mild indigestion.

Spice

Mentha × piperita

Gastro-resistant peppermint oil capsules may ease IBS cramps, wind and pain; oil rubbed on the forehead may ease mild tension headache.

Essential Oil

Plantago ovata

Taken with plenty of water, psyllium husk helps soften stools in constipation; keep a gap between it and other medicines.

Dried Herb & Tea

Senna alexandrina

A stimulant laxative for short-term relief of occasional constipation. No longer than 1 week; not for children under 12, in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dried Herb & Tea

Hypericum perforatum

St John's wort extract may help with mild to moderate depressive episodes, but it seriously interacts with many medicines, including the pill.

Dried Herb & Tea

Valeriana officinalis

Dry extracts of valerian root may help with mild nervous tension and sleep problems; they work gradually, so use them for 2–4 weeks.

Dried Herb & Tea

Nigella sativa

A spice seed for which small studies saw modest falls in blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. Kitchen amounts are safe.

Seed

Nigella sativa

Oil pressed from black seed. Small studies saw modest falls in blood sugar and cholesterol and limited benefit in asthma.

Carrier Oil

Cuminum cyminum

An essential spice for meatballs and pulses. Small clinical studies saw mild benefit for bloating, IBS symptoms and weight control.

Seed

Boswellia sacra / Boswellia serrata

The resin of the Boswellia tree. Standardised extracts are backed by limited clinical studies for pain and mobility in knee osteoarthritis.

Resin & Gum

Hibiscus sabdariffa

A sour, red tea. Meta-analyses of small clinical trials found it slightly lowered blood pressure in mildly high blood pressure.

Dried Herb & Tea

Rosa canina

A fruit rich in vitamin C. A special rose hip powder helped reduce pain in knee and hip osteoarthritis in small clinical studies.

Dried Herb & Tea

Crocus sativus

The world's most expensive spice. Meta-analyses found 30 mg of saffron extract daily helped mild-to-moderate depression symptoms.

Spice

Pimpinella anisum

Aniseed tea is traditionally used for mild digestive complaints such as bloating and wind, and for cough that comes with a cold.

Seed

Cynara cardunculus (syn. C. scolymus)

Artichoke leaf is traditionally used for indigestion with fullness, bloating and wind; it must not be used with gallbladder disease.

Dried Herb & Tea

Calendula officinalis

Calendula flower is traditionally used for minor skin inflammation such as sunburn, as an aid to heal minor wounds and as a mouth gargle.

Dried Herb & Tea

Matricaria recutita

A gentle herbal tea traditionally used for bloating and mild stomach cramps, common cold symptoms and mouth or throat irritation.

Dried Herb & Tea

Cinnamomum verum

Ceylon cinnamon bark tea is traditionally used for mild digestive complaints such as bloating and wind, and for mild diarrhoea.

Spice

Syzygium aromaticum

Dried clove flower buds. Traditionally used for temporary toothache relief and bad breath; their main active compound is eugenol.

Spice

Zea mays

A tea made from the silky threads of corn cobs, traditionally drunk to increase urine flow in minor urinary complaints. It does not cause weight loss.

Dried Herb & Tea

Sambucus nigra

Elderflower tea is traditionally used to relieve early symptoms of the common cold. The assessment covers the flowers only.

Dried Herb & Tea