C

Cannabis sativa

Marijuana (Cannabis spp.)<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-read-12">

See the main articles on this topic: Marijuana and Marijuana woo

In TCM: C. sativa or dàmá (大麻). The flowers are used for 風 "wind" diseases, menstrual disorders and wounds.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-stuart-5"> The seeds (actually the achene) are used for many diseases.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-stuart-5"> In modern analyses are generally considered to be low in psychoactivity, but have measurable levels of cannabidiol (CBD).<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-154">
Effects may include mild euphoria, relaxed muscles, increased appetite and… wait, what? Did I say that out loud? Whoa… Have you ever looked at your hand? I mean REALLY looked at your hand? Side effects include paranoia and apathy. Marijuana and other cannabis products have little or no 'healing' purposes, but may relieve symptoms of other conditions or diseases.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-theherbbook-7"> It is considered one of the safest substances of abuse, including legal drugs, such as alcohol, which is not to say that it is risk free.

Citrus × aurantium

Bitter orange (Citrus × aurantium)

Also called: Seville orange, sour orange, bigarade orange, marmalade orange
Claimed to: help expel farts, be a stimulant, aid the stomach, also used as a general tonic<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-theherbbook-7">
Beneficial effects: May be effective as a topical treatment for fungus infections.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-orange-42">
Harmful effects: Internal use may increase risk of high blood pressure, fainting, heart attack, stroke, and other severe side effects, especially if taken with caffeine.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-orange-42"> The essential oil is phototoxic<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-43">; topical use of the undiluted essential oil can cause phytophotodermatitis upon exposure to UV light.

Chelidonium majus

Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus)

Usage: Everything.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-celanc-55"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-celanw-56"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-57">
Useful for: Nothing.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-celanc-55"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-celanw-56">
Harmful effects:

May cause hepatitis.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-celanc-55"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-celanw-56">

Chrysanthemum × morifolium

Chrysanthemum (Asteraceae family)

In TCM: Jú (菊.)<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-read-12"> Aster trinervius (mǎ lán, 馬嵐) is used to treat hemorrhaging, animal poisoning, malaria, and a disease called 沙 (shā) (literally, "sand disease").<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-stuart-5"> Chrysanthemum sinense (菊花, júhuā) is used for many diseases.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-stuart-5">
Insufficient research to evaluate efficacy.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-chrysanthemum-63"> Chrysanthemum can cause the skin to be more sensitive to the sun.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-chrysanthemum-63">

Cinnamomum cassia bark

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)

Most of the spice sold in the U.S. as culinary cinnamon is from the species C. cassia, a.k.a. Chinese cinnamon. Most of the health studies have been on true cinnamon (C. verum).
In TCM: several species of Cinnamomum (zhāng, 樟) are used: C. camphora (camphor); C. cassia C. japonicum, C. loureiroi, C. obtusifolium and C. pedunculatum.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-read-12"> It is used as a stomachic, stimulant, carminative, astringent, sedative, and tonic.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-stuart-5"> It is used for colic, excessive sweating, postpartum difficulties and hair treatments.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-stuart-5"> It was said that "if cassia was taken with toad's brains for seven years, one could walk on the surface of the water and never grow old or die; and Chao, the hunch-back, took the drug continuously for twenty years, with the result that hair grew on the bottom of his feet; he was able to walk five hundred li ( miles) in a day, and lift a weight of one thousand chin (, pounds)."<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-stuart-5">
Claims: Lowers LDL cholestrol, maintains blood sugar, promotes appetite for elderly and sick, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, stops tumor growth, anti inflammatory, arthritis, hair loss and bladder infections, colds, upset stomach, and even pimples.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-64">
Truth: Apparently, it really does stop tumor growth — when it is injected into tumors in mice. Clearly, it's not really a home remedy.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-65"> The indications are quite good that it has an effect on blood sugar, however the details remain unknown.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-66"> None of the other claims seem to hold up, however.

Citrus × paradisi

Grapefruit seed extract (Citrus × paradisi)

See the main article on this topic: Grapefruit seed extract

Claimed to: be a good disinfectant. This effect is due not to the grapefruit seed extract itself, which is not antimicrobial, but to contaminants/additives such as benzethonium chloride and triclosan, which are frequently found in grapefruit seed extract products.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-114"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-115"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-116">

Camellia sinensis

Green tea (Camellia sinensis)

See the main article on this topic: Green tea

In TCM: chá (茶)
Used for weight loss.
Side effects may include stomach upset and constipation, and, in rare cases, liver damage.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-gtea-119"> Caffeine-related side effects may include headache, nervousness, sleep problems, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, irregular heartbeat, tremor, heartburn, dizziness, ringing in the ears, convulsions, confusion, and reduced absorption of iron from food.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-gtea-119"> Also implicated in outbreaks of Britishness. Jolly splendid, indeed!

clockwise from top left: C. coccinea, C. punctata var. aurea, C. ambigua, C. douglasii

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)

In TCM: C. pinnatifida is shānzhā (山楂); C. cuneata is shānzhā guǒ (山楂果). It is eaten as food, but also used for backache, diarrhea, ulcers and rashes.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-stuart-5">
In Western herbal medicine: cardio-vascular diseases, anxiety, muscle spasms<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-webmdhawthorn-122"> and insomnia<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-theherbbook-7">
Harmful effects: can adversely interact with prescription drugs for cardiovascular diseases (e.g. digoxin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, phosphodiesterase- inhibitors, and nitrates), nausea, nose bleeds, dizziness, insomnia<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-webmdhawthorn-122">
Efficacy: There is some evidence of improvement for heart failure symptoms with hawthorn extract, but also some evidence that it causes increased risk of death.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-webmdhawthorn-122"> There is insufficient evidence for treatment of other maladies.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-webmdhawthorn-122">

Convallaria majalis

Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis)

Used for: epileptic seizures, strokes, angina, conjunctivitis, leprosy, laxative, "neurasthenia", unconsciousness from stroke, epilepsy, edema and heart problems.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-theherbbook-7"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-145"> Not enough studies have been done to evaluate any of the claims.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-146">
Harmful effects: The plant is poisonous and can be fatal. Doses must be very specific and prescribed by a professional (although what with the lack of evidence, what's the point?) Self-medication or wrong doses may result in blurred vision, excessive urination at night, halos around objects, diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Stomach pain, Vomiting or nausea, irregular or slow heartbeat confusion, depression, disorientation, drowsiness, fainting, headache, lethargy, weakness, rash, and hives.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-147">

Chamaemelum nobile

Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

Also called: camomile, English chamomile, garden chamomile, ground apple, low chamomile, or whig plant. Is a subset of chamomile.
Used in: vaginal steaming
Claimed to: calm frayed nerves, treat stomach problems, relieve muscle spasms, treat skin conditions, treat infections, treat nausea, treat vomiting, treat heartburn, treat loss of appetite, treat intestinal gas, relieve anxiety, reduce inflammation from cuts or hemorrhoids, help with burns, be antibacterial, be antiviral, be antifungal, treat morning sickness, treat painful menstrual periods, treat sinusitis, treat liver and gallbladder disease, deal with gallstones, prevent heartburn, ease the discomfort of swollen gums, treat ear inflammation, treat sore throats, and "purify" the blood.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-UMMRomanchamomile-59"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WebMDRomanchamomile-183">
Beneficial effects:

May reduce flatulence; insufficient research.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WebMDRomanchamomile-183">
Insufficient evidence for treatment of painful periods.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WebMDRomanchamomile-183">

Harmful effects:

Considered "generally safe".<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-UMMRomanchamomile-59">
May be allergenic to those allergic to asters, daisies, chrysanthemums, or ragweed.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-UMMRomanchamomile-59">
May cause miscarriage when pregnant. Do not take while pregnant or breastfeeding.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-UMMRomanchamomile-59"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WebMDRomanchamomile-183">
May worsen asthma.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-UMMRomanchamomile-59"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WebMDRomanchamomile-183">
Moderate sedative.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-UMMRomanchamomile-59"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WebMDRomanchamomile-183">
Thins the blood.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-UMMRomanchamomile-59">
May lower blood sugar.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-UMMRomanchamomile-59">
If too much is drunk, may cause vomiting.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-UMMRomanchamomile-59"><wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-WebMDRomanchamomile-183">
May be dangerous to women with estrogen-sensitive conditions, such as cancer.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-UMMRomanchamomile-59">
Interacts with the liver, potentially causing changes in other drugs.<wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#cite_note-UMMRomanchamomile-59">

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C

Cannabis sativa

Citrus × aurantium

Chelidonium majus

Chrysanthemum × morifolium

Cinnamomum cassia bark

Camellia sinensis

clockwise from top left: C. coccinea, C. punctata var. aurea, C. ambigua, C. douglasii

Convallaria majalis

Chamaemelum nobile

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