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Herbs & Cultures

From plant to use

Powder and kitchen

Dried and ground as a spice in food and drink.

Herbs prepared this way (400)
Level
Easy
Ratio
The amounts used in recipes: a teaspoon to a tablespoon per dish.
Time
Grinding takes a few minutes; drying days to weeks, depending on the material.
Shelf life
Ground spices 6–12 months, airtight, dark and cool. Whole seeds and pieces of bark keep longer.

Many herbs on this site are first and foremost food and spice: ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, garlic and thyme. In that form they have been used daily for centuries, usually in small amounts and together with fat, pepper or other spices. Ground herbs also go into honey or into drinks such as golden milk.

Suited to

Spices, roots, seeds and culinary herbs known as food.

Step by step

  1. Dry the herb completely, in an airy place out of the sun or in a dehydrator at no more than 40 °C.
  2. Toast seeds briefly in a dry pan for more aroma, if you like.
  3. Grind finely in a mortar or grinder and sieve if needed.
  4. Store airtight and dark, and preferably grind small amounts at a time.

Tips

  • Turmeric is traditionally combined with black pepper and fat.
  • Whole spices stay aromatic much longer than ground ones.

Registry

Herbs prepared this way

Herbs on this site whose description mentions this preparation. That does not mean every herb is safe to prepare yourself: read the safety information for each one.

  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 816

    Muña

    Minthostachys mollis

    A mint-like plant used in the Andes for stomach complaints and wind.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 358

    Mung bean

    Vigna radiata

    Traditionally attributed effects: light and easily digestible, sattvic (calm in the head); for fever, ulcers and blood disorders; khichadi with takra for 7–10 days as a cleansing cure; soap substitute makes the skin soft.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 3

    Mint

    Mentha × piperita

    Peppermint oil has been studied in irritable bowel syndrome and may reduce abdominal pain. The tea is used for a full stomach and nausea. With heartburn peppermint can make complaints worse.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 530

    Night jasmine

    Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

    Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, expels worms, laxative, fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 39

    Neem

    Azadirachta indica

    Used for centuries in traditional medicine in India, but there is insufficient clinical evidence of medical benefits.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 482

    Nirbisi

    Delphinium denudatum

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, cleansing, stomachic, tonic, pain-relieving; for syphilis and rheumatism, recovery after fever, toothache, antidote for snake bites and aconite poisoning.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Oceania · Food · № 50

    Noni

    Morinda citrifolia

    Traditionally used for colds, infections, fever, and stomach complaints. There is no good evidence of treatment effects.

    Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 129

    Nutmeg

    Myristica fragrans

    A spice used in small amounts in Ayurveda and Arabic medicine for diarrhoea, nausea and insomnia. There is no good clinical evidence.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 638

    Notoginseng (san qi)

    Panax notoginseng

    Traditionally attributed effects: purifies the blood and improves circulation, stops bleeding, soothes pain and helps bruises and swellings recover.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 529

    Oleander

    Nerium indicum

    Traditionally attributed effects: strongly diuretic and strengthens the heart (like digitalis), abortifacient.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 421

    Elephant creeper

    Argyreia speciosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, tonic, soothing; for elephantiasis, arthritis, rheumatic swelling, overweight, skin diseases, boils, ear infection.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 412

    Elephant foot yam

    Amorphophallus campanulatus

    Traditionally attributed effects: stomachic, carminative, tonic; for haemorrhoids, indigestion and weakness, boils, eye inflammation, acute rheumatism; promotes menstruation.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 906

    Ololiuqui

    Ipomoea corymbosa (syn. Turbina corymbosa, Rivea corymbosa)

    A woody morning glory with white flowers. The small, round seeds contain ergine (LSA) and related ergoline alkaloids, chemically related to LSD. They bring an intoxication with visions, often with nausea and lethargy.

    Curanderismo
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 227

    Nasturtium

    Tropaeolum majus

    Leaves and flowers taste sharp because of mustard oil glycosides. In Germany a combination with horseradish is approved as a remedy for bladder and respiratory infections; there is little research on the plant alone.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 434

    Orchid tree

    Bauhinia variegata

    Traditionally attributed effects: bark cleansing, tonic, astringent; root carminative; flowers laxative; for sore throat, cough, bleeding haemorrhoids, heavy menstruation, swollen neck glands, ulcers, diarrhoea, worms, overweight.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 217

    Oregano

    Origanum vulgare

    A culinary herb with carvacrol and thymol, which inhibit bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There is no good evidence that oregano oil treats infections in humans; undiluted oil irritates skin and mucous membranes.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 97

    Dandelion

    Taraxacum officinale

    The leaf is mildly diuretic; the bitter root was used for the liver and digestion. NCCIH notes there is little human research.

    Avicenna's Canon in European universities+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 487

    Horse gram

    Dolichos biflorus

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, diuretic, tonic, fever-reducing, expels worms, promotes menstruation, dissolves stones; for haemorrhoids, bronchitis, heart complaints, kidney stones, enlarged spleen, hiccups, asthma, leucoderma, leucorrhoea, menstrual cramps.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 452

    Papaya

    Carica papaya

    Traditionally attributed effects: aids digestion, expels worms, stomachic, promotes menstruation; ripe fruit mildly laxative; leaves against amoebic dysentery and fever; seeds against roundworms; promotes milk flow; unripe fruit abortifacient.

    Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 154

    Passionflower

    Passiflora incarnata

    Used for anxiety and sleep problems. NCCIH notes some indications of an effect on anxiety but limited evidence.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 522

    Chinaberry

    Melia azedarach

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, antipyretic, expels worms; fruit laxative; oil insecticidal and antiseptic.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 395

    Rosary pea

    Abrus precatorius

    Traditionally attributed effects: seeds purgative, emetic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac; leaf juice for sore throat and dry cough, purifies the blood; leaf paste for swellings and rheumatism; seed paste for sciatica and paralysis; eyewash.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 165

    Pau d'arco

    Handroanthus impetiginosus (syn. Tabebuia avellanedae)

    The inner bark is sold for fungal infections, inflammation and as a 'cancer remedy'. There is no reliable human evidence; its active compound lapachol proved too toxic at effective doses.

    The Guaraní and the mate tradition+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 259

    Carrot

    Daucus carota

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, tonic, carminative; expels kidney and bladder stones, relieves lower back pain from the kidneys, reduces oedema, restores the bladder, stimulates digestion; seed traditionally as a contraceptive.

    Western herbal medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 244

    Pear

    Pyrus communis

    A fibre-rich fruit with sorbitol, which is mildly laxative. In Chinese medicine pear (li) is cooked with rock sugar for a dry cough; no effect is described for other uses.

    Folk magic and herbal magic+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 813

    Pepper-bark tree

    Warburgia salutaris

    A tree with a peppery, pungent bark, traditionally used for colds, coughs and mouth complaints.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 656

    Perilla

    Perilla frutescens

    Traditionally attributed effects: warms in colds from cold, helps digestion and soothes cough with phlegm.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 898

    Balsam of Peru

    Myroxylon balsamum (var. pereirae)

    A large tree whose resin, the balsam, smells of vanilla and cinnamon. The balsam contains cinnamic acid, benzyl benzoate and vanillin, among other compounds, and is used in perfume, food and ointments for skin and wounds.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 219

    Parsley

    Petroselinum crispum

    A culinary herb rich in vitamins C and K. Root and seed were used as a diuretic. Large amounts of seed or oil are toxic and can induce contractions.

    Greco-Roman medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 391

    Arrowroot

    Maranta arundinacea

    Traditionally attributed effects: absorbs moisture.

  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 212

    Allspice

    Pimenta dioica

    The dried berries contain eugenol, like cloves, and give a warm flavour. In Caribbean folk medicine they are used for stomach ache and wind; research is lacking.

    Maya healing knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1009

    Pinku pinku

    Ephedra americana

    A leafless shrub with green, jointed stems, related to the Chinese ma huang. Ephedra species contain ephedrine, which widens the airways but also raises heart rate and blood pressure; how much this species contains has been little studied.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 822

    Pirul (Peruvian pepper tree)

    Schinus molle

    A tree with aromatic leaves and pink berries, used in cleansing rituals and as a folk remedy.

    Curanderismo+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Mushroom · № 146

    Poria (fu ling)

    Wolfiporia cocos

    One of the most widely used remedies in Chinese medicine, for fluid retention, poor digestion and restless sleep. Clinical research on fu ling alone is scarce.

    Chinese medical traditions+4
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 956

    Fringed sage

    Artemisia frigida

    A low, silver-grey, strongly scented wormwood shrub. Contains a volatile oil with camphor and cineole and, like other wormwoods, thujone.

    Lakota medicine+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 960

    Fringed puccoon

    Lithospermum incisum (syn. L. linearifolium)

    A member of the borage family with yellow trumpet-shaped flowers and a red root, related to Chinese gromwell (zi cao). Effects not studied.

    Lakota medicine