Table 4.
Usages of alternative medicines
| Name Scientific name |
Ethnomedical use | Verified scientific use | Use in Danish setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artichoke, in Boldocynara Cynara scolymus |
Loss of appetite, dyspeptic complains, and prophylactic against reemission of gallstones and as a tonic in convalescence [30] | No data of clinical efficacya | Against flatulencec |
| Boldo, in Boldocynara Peumus boldus |
Dyspeptic complaints [30] | No data of clinical efficacya | Against flatulencec |
| Brown Kelp, in Krauterblüt® Macrocystis pyrifera |
Weight reduction, against hypertension and anemia in pregnancy [30] | No clinical data | Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin Cc |
| Caraway, in MK oil Carum carvi |
Gastrointestinal cramps, flatulence, feelings of fullness, improve lactation, an emmenagogue [30] | Insufficient data of clinical efficacya | Anti-ageing properties with vital vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoidsc |
| Cascarilla, in Krauterblüt® Croton eluteria |
Digestive disorders, diarrhea and vomiting [30] | No clinical data | Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin Cc |
| Cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon |
Against urinary tract irritation, gout, rheumatism and calculus [30] | Mixed data of clinical efficacy [35] | Prevention and treatment of lighter, recurrent urinary tract infectionsb |
| Dandelion, in Boldocynara Taraxacum officinale |
Acute mastitis, urinary disorders, chronic ulcers, tuberculosis, flatulence, colic, kidney disease, gout, jaundice and biliary stones [30] | No data of clinical efficacya | Against flatulencec |
| Evening primrose, in MK oil Oenothera biennis |
Neurodermatitis, premenstrual syndrome, dietary aid, high cholesterol levels, menopausal hot flashes, mastalgia and treatment of hyperactivity in children [30] | Insufficient data of clinical efficacya | Anti-ageing properties with vital vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoidsc |
| Fennel, in Krauterblüt® Foeniculum vulgare |
Peptic discomforts, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, feeling of fullness, flatulence and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract [30] | Clinical data limited. Pharmacological data supports the use against mild spasmodic gastro-intestinal complaints, menstrual cramps and expectorants in cough with coldsa | Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin Cc |
| Field Horsetail, in Krauterblüt® Equisetum arvense |
Tuberculosis, catarrh in the kidney and bladder regions, a hematostatic for profuse menstruation, nasal, pulmonary and gastric hemorrhages, rheumatic diseases, gout, poorly healing wounds, swelling, fractures, frostbite and loss of hair [30] | Insufficient data of clinical efficacya | Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin Cc |
| Garden angelica, in Krauterblüt® Angelica archangelica |
Used against loss of appetite, dyspeptic and menstruation complaints, liver and biliary duct conditions, coughs and bronchitis [30] | Insufficient data of clinical efficacy. However, coumarin-derivatives in Angelica archangelica are phototoxica | Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin Cc |
| Ginger Zingiber officinale |
Used as a carminative, expectorant, and astringent. To treat colds, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, dyspeptic symptoms and pharyngitis [30] | Antiemetica | No available data |
| Glucosamines | Originally used in veterinary medicine | Limited data | Prevention and treatment of osteoarthritisc |
| Green tea Camellia sinensis |
Stomach disorders, nausea, migraine, symptoms of fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac and circulatory conditions, states of agitation, states of depression, pain, fever and fatigue [30] | Stimulatory effecta (corroborated with the caffeine content) | No available data |
| Hibiscus, in Krauterblüt® Hibiscus sabdariffa |
Diuretic, mild laxative, treatment of hypertension, pyrexia, cough, colds, malaria and skin inflammations [36] | Insufficient data of antihypertensive efficacy [37] | Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin Cc |
| Kefir (fermented probiotic milk product) | Limited data | Limited data | No available data |
| Kombucha tea | Weight loss and anticancer properties [38] | No clinical data | No available data |
| Lactic Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria (fermented probiotic milk product) | Introduced in the early twentieth century. To normalize the bacterial flora in the gut. | Mixed data of clinical efficacy [39] | Normalization of the intestinal florab |
| Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra |
Sore throats, appendicitis, constipation, and to increase milk production and micturition [30] | Insufficient data of clinical efficacya | Mucous release effect for cough in shorter periodsb |
| Linseed, in MK oil Linum usitatissimum |
For coughs, bronchial conditions, urethritis, diarrhea and gonorrhea [30] | Mixed data of clinical efficacy. However, effectiveness of treatment of habitual constipation and softening of stool is plausiblea | Anti-ageing properties with vital vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoidsc |
| L-lysine | Limited data | Limited data | |
| Mint Mentha piperita |
Nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, respiratory infections, dysmenorrhea and colds [30] | Symptomatic relief of digestive disordersa | Indigestion and flatulenceb |
| Nettle, in Krauterblüt® Urtica dioica |
Hematogenic, rheumatic remedy, diuretic [30]. For diabetes, hypertension and prostate cancer [40] | Insufficient data of clinical efficacya | Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin Cc |
| Oregano Origanum vulgare |
Colds, fever, cough, vomiting, dyspepsia painful menstruation, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract disorders, dysentery, jaundice and malnutrition for children [30] | Limited data | No available data |
| Physillium Husk Fibre Plantago ovata |
Against inflammation of the mucous membrane in the urogenital and gastrointestinal tract [30] | Treatment of habitual constipation, desirable soft stool and adjuvant to diet in hypercholesterolemiaa | Against constipation, diarrhea, to increase fiber intake and adjuvant to diet in hypercholesteremiab |
| Quackgrass, in Krauterblüt® Agropyron repens |
Urinary tract infections [30] | No data of clinical efficacya | Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin Cc |
| Raspberry leavesRubus idaeus | Relieve nausea and induce labour [30] | Insufficient data of clinical efficacya | No available data |
| Rosehip, in MK oilRosa rugosa | Disorders in the efferent urinary tract, the kidneys, kidney stones, rheumatic conditions, gout, colds, scurvy, febrile conditions [30] | Limited data | Anti-ageing properties with vital vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoidsc |
| Spinach, in Krauterblüt® Spinacia oleracea |
Ailments of the gastrointestinal tract and blood generating [30] | Limited data | Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin Cc |
| Thyme Thymus vulgaris |
Catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, asthma, laryngitis, cough, gastritis and dyspepsia [30] | No data of clinical efficacya | Expectorate by productive cough in combination with Primula verisb |
| Turmeric Curcuma longa |
Dyspeptic disorders and inflammations [30] | No data of clinical efficacya | No available data |
| Yarrow, in Krauterblüt® Achillea millefolium |
Laxative and treatments against bleeding hemorrhoids, menstrual complaints and gynecological agents [30] | No data of clinical efficacya | Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin Cc |
| Wormwood, in Krauterblüt® Artemisia absinthium |
Ailments of gastrointestinal tract, liver disorders, bloating, anemia, irregular menstruation, intermittent fever, loss of appetite and worm infestation [30] | No data of clinical efficacya | Ensure a good supply of iron, riboflavin, pyridoxines, cobalamin and vitamin Cc |
aAccording to scientific rapports by European Medicines Agency (EMA)
bApproved by the Danish Medicines Agency
Please note that in a Danish context an herbal remedy can only be sold if approved by the authorities. However, this approval does not demand any scientific evidence and all though the remedies can only be advertised according to their approval they are sold freely and may be used for other purposes
cNot approved as an herbal remedy. Therefore, stating manufacturers own clarification of remedy on the Danish market
Overview of the common ethnomedical indications and possible scientific verified use concerning the reported use of alternative medicines and their potential indication for use in a Danish setting