From the kitchen
Recipes
Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play the leading role, with ingredients, steps and points of attention. Each recipe links to the herbs it contains.
These are traditional dishes, not treatments. Also read the safety information for each herb, especially during pregnancy, when taking medication, or for children.
Recipes by tradition
Africa
Ancient Egyptian medicine
1 recipe
Local African healing traditions
2 recipes
AfricaKinkeliba teaThe morning tea of Senegal and its neighbours, made from the leaves of a Sahel shrub.EverydayKinkeliba4 cups · 15 minutes
Noahalorwu · CC BY-SA 4.0AfricaBissap, cold hibiscus drinkA deep red, tart drink of hibiscus calyces, found at every party and market in West Africa.Celebration and hospitalityHot daysRoselle (hibiscus) · Mint · GingerAbout 1.5 litres · 20 minutes, plus cooling
Recipes by tradition
Asia
Ayurveda
1 recipe
Chinese medical traditions
32 recipes
Asia · Chinese viewSweating tea with elder, yarrow and mintA classic hot tea for the start of a cold with fever and little sweating.ColdsSore throatElderberry · Yarrow · MintAbout 4 cups · Steep 15–30 minutes
Asia · Chinese viewCooling sun teaHerbs that steep in the sun for a few hours: a refreshing drink for warm days.Hot daysBorage · Lemon balm · Bitter orange3 litres · 4–6 hours in the sun
Asia · Chinese kitchenWhite radish soup with Chinese asparagusClear soup with tian men dong and white radish: moistening and cooling.Cough and lungsRecovery after illness or childbirthChinese asparagus root (tian men dong) · Radish4 people · Preparation 5 min, cooking 25 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenPoached egg with mushrooms in clear brothChicken broth with pine nuts, shiitake and a poached egg.Tiredness and strengthPine · Shiitake5 people · Preparation 20 min (plus 30 min soaking), cooking 1 h 20 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenLingzhi soup with lean porkLong-simmered soup with lingzhi, Chinese yam, jujubes and goji.Health and long lifeTiredness and strengthLingzhi (reishi) · Chinese yam (shan yao) · Jujube (red date)4–6 people · Preparation 5 min, cooking 2 h 45 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenBrown rice with bamboo shoots and Chinese dodderRice cooked together with tu si zi seeds.Lower back and kidneysMenstruation and fertilityChinese dodder (tu si zi)4 people · Preparation 5 min, cooking 50 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenFish ball soup with spinach and niu xiHomemade fish balls, prawns and spinach in an 'ox knee' broth.Menstruation and fertilityLower back and kidneysAchyranthes root (huai niu xi)4 people · Preparation 30 min, cooking 25 min
Alpha from Melbourne, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0Asia · Chinese kitchenWatercress and spare rib soup with dried figsA cooling family soup with watercress, figs and apricot kernels.Hot daysCough and lungsWatercress · Apricot · Fig4 people · Preparation 10 min (plus 1 hour soaking), cooking 2 h 30 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenFish and vegetable soup with celosia seedLight soup with white fish, kelp and qing xiang zi seeds.Eyes and blood pressureCelosia seed (qing xiang zi) · Kelp4 people · Preparation 15 min (plus 30 min soaking), cooking 1 h 15 min- Asia · Chinese kitchenMiso fish soup with daikon and Chinese yamQuick miso soup with white fish and mashed yam.DigestionChinese yam (shan yao) · Radish · Kelp4 people · Preparation 30 min, cooking 15 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenPigeon stew with Chinese yam and gojiOne of the classic strengthening dishes of Chinese herbal cooking.Tiredness and strengthImmunityChinese yam (shan yao) · Goji (Chinese wolfberry)4 people · Preparation 10 min, cooking 2 h 5 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenCurry rice with Chinese cinnamonBrown rice with vegetable curry on a cinnamon bark broth.Feeling coldRecovery after illness or childbirthCinnamon6 people · Preparation 30 min, cooking 50 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenShellfish soup with chuanxiongWarming winter soup with clams, ginger and chuanxiong.Menstruation and fertilityRecovery after illness or childbirthBlood and circulationSzechuan lovage (chuan xiong)4–6 people · Preparation 30 min, cooking 1 h 10 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenFish soup with papaya and tofuSimple, protein-rich soup for young and old.EverydayPapaya · Soy · Ginger4 people · Preparation 15 min, cooking 30 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenPork soup with water chestnuts and jujubesSweetish soup with carrot, water chestnut and red jujubes.Tiredness and strengthCough and lungsJujube (red date) · Water chestnut · Carrot4 people · Preparation 30 min, cooking 2 h 30 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenChicken soup with tian qiClear chicken soup with notoginseng and ginger.Blood and circulationTiredness and strengthNotoginseng (san qi)4–6 people · Preparation 10 min, cooking 2 h 30 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenPork soup with cordyceps and fish mawRich, strengthening soup with cordyceps, Chinese yam and fish maw.Tiredness and strengthImmunityCaterpillar fungus (cordyceps) · Chinese yam (shan yao)4–6 people · Preparation 10 min (plus 3 hours soaking), cooking 2 h 30 min
Zheng Zhou · CC BY-SA 4.0Asia · Chinese kitchenSpare rib soup with lotus root and four herbsSoup with dang shen, yu zhu, sha shen and lily bulb for recovery after cough and colds.Recovery after illness or childbirthCough and lungsCodonopsis (dang shen) · Fragrant Solomon's seal (yu zhu) · Glehnia root (sha shen)4 people · Preparation 15 min, cooking 2 h 30 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenBrown rice with shiitake, peas and fu lingRice cooked with finely mashed fu ling and shiitake.Rest and sleepImmunityPoria (fu ling) · Shiitake4 people · Preparation 15 min (plus 1 hour soaking), cooking 50 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenChicken stewed with Job's tearsStew with chicken, mushrooms, ginger and the nutty grain of Job's tears.Joints and musclesJob's tears (coix seed) · Ginger6 people · Preparation 20 min (plus overnight soaking), cooking 2 h 10 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenLongan chicken soup with three seedsSweet broth with privet fruit, Chinese raspberry, goji and longan.Menstruation and fertilityBlood and circulationGlossy privet (nu zhen zi) · Chinese raspberry (fu pen zi) · Goji (Chinese wolfberry)4–6 people · Preparation 5 min, cooking 2 hours
Asia · Chinese kitchenFour-herb tonic soupWarming soup with fox nut, Chinese yam, lotus seed, fu ling and Job's tears.Tiredness and strengthRest and sleepFeeling coldFox nut (qian shi) · Chinese yam (shan yao) · Sacred lotus4–6 people · Preparation 10 min (plus overnight soaking), cooking 1 h 10 min- Asia · Chinese kitchenSteamed egg with shiitake and fox nutSoft egg custard with prawns and mushrooms on a fox nut broth.Health and long lifeTiredness and strengthFox nut (qian shi) · Shiitake4 people · Preparation 15 min, cooking 1 hour
Kembangraps · CC BY-SA 4.0Asia · Chinese kitchenCongee with Job's tears and brown riceRice porridge for breakfast, savoury or sweet.Joints and musclesDigestionTiredness and strengthJob's tears (coix seed)4 people · Preparation 5 min (plus overnight soaking), cooking 1 hour
Asia · Chinese kitchenSweetcorn soup with astragalusCorn soup on a 'jade windscreen' broth.ImmunityColdsAstragalus (huang qi) · White atractylodes (bai zhu) · Saposhnikovia root (fang feng)4–6 people · Preparation 15 min, cooking 35 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenSteamed black chicken with jujubes and longanThe traditional recovery dish after childbirth.Recovery after illness or childbirthBlood and circulationJujube (red date) · Longan · Sesame4 people · Preparation 20 min (plus 30 min marinating), steaming 1 hour
Asia · Chinese kitchenPigeon egg soup with white fungusA quick soup to regain strength.Recovery after illness or childbirthSnow fungus (bai mu er)4–6 people · Preparation 10 min (plus 10 min soaking), cooking 5 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenBraised sesame beef with fennelBeef in a crust of toasted sesame, seasoned with fennel seed.DigestionFeeling coldSesame · Fennel4 people · Preparation 20 min (plus 2 hours standing), cooking 40 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenVegetarian eight-treasure soupSweet herbal soup with chestnuts, ginkgo nuts, jujubes and white fungus; warm or cold.EverydaySnow fungus (bai mu er) · Ginkgo · Jujube (red date)6–8 people · Preparation 30 min, cooking 2 h 15 min- Asia · Chinese kitchenSweet soup with white fungus, lotus root and jujubesStrengthening dessert soup with rock sugar.Tiredness and strengthBlood and circulationSnow fungus (bai mu er) · Sacred lotus · Jujube (red date)4–6 people · Preparation 15 min (plus 15 min soaking), cooking 1 h 5 min
Asia · Chinese kitchenSteamed pears with bei muWarm dessert for dry, congested lungs.Cough and lungsFritillaria bulb (bei mu) · Pear · Cinnamon4–6 people · Preparation 5 min, steaming 1 hour
2225Group8 · CC BY-SA 3.0Asia · Chinese kitchenBlack sesame drinkA warm drink in five minutes.Blood and circulationHair and scalpSkin careSesame1 glass · 5 minutes
Korean hanbang and the Donguibogam
2 recipes
AsiaSaenggang-cha, Korean ginger teaGinger preserved in honey, a spoonful of which you stir into hot water in winter.ColdsFeeling coldDigestionGingerA jar for about 15 cups · 20 minutes, plus 1 week ripening
가을들녁 · CC BY 2.0 KRAsiaDaechu-cha, jujube teaA sweet, dark tea of dried jujubes, simmered until almost syrupy.Rest and sleepTiredness and strengthJujube (red date) · Ginger4 cups · 1 hour
Jamu in Indonesia
2 recipes
Fhikri Latifi · CC BY 4.0AsiaKunyit asamTurmeric and tamarind: the best-known jamu, sold door to door in Java every day.Menstruation and fertilityHot daysTurmeric · TamarindAbout 1 litre · 30 minutes
Mallory Cessair · CC BY-SA 4.0AsiaBeras kencurA creamy jamu of soaked rice and kencur, the Javanese pick-me-up.Tiredness and strengthAppetiteRice · Kencur (aromatic ginger) · GingerAbout 1 litre · 30 minutes, plus 3 hours soaking
Unani medicine
2 recipes
Miansari66 · CC0AsiaGulkand, rose petal preserveRose petals and sugar that ripen together in the sun into a fragrant, sweet paste.Hot daysRose and rose hipA jar of about 300 g · 30 minutes, plus 2–3 weeks ripening
MRG90 · CC BY-SA 4.0AsiaSekanjabin, mint vinegar syrupAn Iranian summer drink: a syrup of honey or sugar and vinegar, with mint, topped up with ice-cold water.Hot daysMintSyrup for about 12 glasses · 30 minutes
Recipes by tradition
Europe
Greco-Roman medicine
1 recipeHildegard of Bingen
1 recipe
Recipes by tradition
Central America and the Caribbean
Cacao in Mesoamerica
1 recipe
Recipes by tradition
North America
Haudenosaunee medicine
3 recipes
North AmericaHaudenosaunee strawberry juiceThe sweet juice shared in the longhouses in June, when the first fruits are ripe.Celebration and hospitalityVirginia strawberry · MapleAbout 1.5 litres · 10 minutes
North AmericaOswego teaA fragrant tea of bergamot leaf, named after the area around Oswego in New York.EverydayBee balm2 cups · 10 minutes
North AmericaSpicebush teaA spicy tea of spicebush twigs.EverydayColdsSpicebush2 cups · 20 minutes
Anishinaabe medicine
1 recipe
Hupa medicine
1 recipe
Recipes by tradition
Oceania
Recipes by tradition
South America
Mapuche medicine
1 recipe
Herbal knowledge of the Amazon
1 recipe
Curanderismo of northern Peru
2 recipes
South AmericaMuña teaThe minty tea of the Andes, for after a meal.DigestionMuña2 cups · 10 minutes
MINISTERIO DE LA PRODUCCIÓN - PRODUCE · public domainSouth AmericaEmolienteThe warm herbal drink poured from a cart on every street corner in Peru.EverydayBarley · Flax · Giant horsetailAbout 1.5 litres · 45 minutes
From the kitchen
Modern recipes
Present-day recipes that combine herbs from different traditions. Each recipe shows where its herbs come from.
Natural skin and hair care
Body careMild lavender cleanserA liquid cleanser based on a herbal infusion.Dry or sensitive skinLavender · Chamomile · Aloe veraEuropeAfricaAbout 1 litre, for a week · 30 minutes
Body carePatchouli cleanser for oily skinA herbal cleanser for skin that quickly turns shiny.Oily skin and blemishesPatchouli · Tea tree oil · TurmericAsiaOceaniaEuropeAfricaNorth AmericaAbout 2 litres, for a week · 30 minutes
Body careChamomile cleanser for dry or mature skinA gentle cleanser for dry skin.Dry or sensitive skinChamomile · Alfalfa · Pot marigold (calendula)EuropeAsiaAfricaAbout 1.5 litres, for a week · 30 minutes- Body careRose powder cleanser for mature or dry skinA dry powder you mix with a liquid each time.Skin careRose and rose hip · LavenderEuropeAbout 180 g · 5 minutes
- Body careChamomile powder cleanserOats, milk powder and chamomile: a creamy cleanser.Dry or sensitive skinChamomile · Lavender · AlmondEuropeAsiaAbout 500 g · 5 minutes
Body careFennel powder cleanser for oily skinClay with neem and fennel, for oily skin.Oily skin and blemishesFennel · NeemEuropeAsiaAbout 150 g · 5 minutes- Body careChamomile exfoliantA mild scrub of milk powder, oats and cornmeal.Skin careChamomile · LavenderEuropeAbout 245 g · 5 minutes
Body careAlmond scrub for all skin typesGround nuts and seeds as a gentle scrub.Skin careAlmond · Sunflower · ChamomileAsiaNorth AmericaEuropeAbout 40 g · 5 minutes- Body careOrange exfoliant for oily or combination skinA scrub mask with clay, almond and orange peel.Oily skin and blemishesAlmond · Orange · MintAsiaEuropeAbout 180 g · 5 minutes
Body careRose water tonerA simple toner with rose water and aloe.Dry or sensitive skinRose and rose hip · Witch hazel · Aloe veraEuropeNorth AmericaAfricaAbout 300 ml · 5 minutes- Body careWitch hazel tonerA fresh toner with tea tree and thyme.Oily skin and blemishesWitch hazel · Aloe vera · Tea tree oilNorth AmericaAfricaOceaniaEuropeAbout 180 ml · 5 minutes
- Body careAcne tonerA herbal toner with yarrow and calendula.Oily skin and blemishesYarrow · Pot marigold (calendula) · LemonEuropeAsiaNorth AmericaOceaniaAbout 530 ml · 30 minutes
Body careAcne oil or cleanserEssential oils in a light nut or seed oil.Oily skin and blemishesRosemary · Thyme · LemonEuropeAsia180 ml cleanser or 120 ml oil · 5 minutes- Body careHealing facial tonerA decoction of comfrey and marshmallow.Dry or sensitive skinComfrey · Marshmallow · ChamomileEuropeNorth AmericaAbout 470 ml · 1 hour
- Body careToner for sensitive skinA flower toner with rose, chamomile and orange blossom.Dry or sensitive skinRose and rose hip · Chamomile · OrangeEuropeAsiaNorth AmericaAbout 765 ml · 30 minutes
Body careBasic lotionA basic lotion you scent yourself.Skin careAlmond · Evening primrose · Garden angelicaAsiaNorth AmericaEuropeAfricaAbout 470 ml · 30 minutes- Body careLight moisturizing oil or cleanserChamomile and lavender in a light base.Dry or sensitive skinChamomile · Lavender · BorageEurope120 ml cleanser or 60 ml oil · 5 minutes
- Body careCucumber eye gelA cool gel for under the eyes.Skin careAloe vera · Cucumber · Witch hazelAfricaAsiaNorth America2 tablespoons · 15 minutes
Body carePlumping lip glossA glossy lip care with a warm tingle.LipsAlmond · Cinnamon · AniseAsia3 tablespoons · 15 minutes
Body careVanilla lip balmFive ingredients, a firm balm.LipsVanilla · Almond · CandelillaCentral America and the CaribbeanAsia3 tablespoons · 10 minutes
Body careCooling chamomile after-sun sprayA cold spray for skin that has had too much sun.After sunChamomile · AppleEurope235 ml · 30 minutes- Body careLavender aloe sprayAloe and lavender to spray on.After sunAloe vera · Witch hazel · LavenderAfricaNorth AmericaEuropeAbout 470 ml · 5 minutes
- Body careSoothing after-sun milkA cool compress of buttermilk, aloe and cucumber.After sunAloe vera · Cucumber · LavenderAfricaAsiaEuropeAbout 470 ml · 5 minutes
- Body careBeauty salveA rich salve for dry spots from head to toe.Skin careLavender · Roselle (hibiscus) · Rose and rose hipEuropeAfricaAbout 300 ml · 3 hours
Body careBath for joints and musclesSalt, juniper and essential oils in a bath bag.Joints and musclesJuniper · Cypress · MintEuropeOne bath bag · 5 minutes- Body careRelaxing bath bagDried flowers in a bag under the tap.Rest and sleepChamomile · Lavender · Rose and rose hipEuropeOne bath bag · 5 minutes
- Body careBath oil for colds and fluA bath oil with eucalyptus, mint and rosemary.ColdsAlmond · Basil · RosemaryAsiaAfricaEuropeOceaniaOne bath · 5 minutes
- Body careSkin-softening milk bathCoconut milk and salt for soft skin.Skin careAlmond · Vanilla · Rose geraniumAsiaCentral America and the CaribbeanAfricaEuropeOne bath · 5 minutes
- Body careRefreshing foot bathA warm herbal bath for tired feet.FeetLavender · Ginger · SageEuropeAsiaSouth AmericaOne foot bath · 20 minutes
Body careCoconut balmA smooth balm of coconut, cocoa and shea.Skin careOrange · Ginger · CoconutAsiaCentral America and the CaribbeanAfricaAbout 120 ml · 15 minutes- Body careAnti-cellulite scrubA coarse scrub of seaweed, coffee and salt.Skin careKelp · Dulse · SesameEuropeAfricaAsiaCentral America and the CaribbeanAbout 470 ml · 10 minutes
Body careBrown sugar foot scrubSugar, lemon and aloe for rough heels.FeetCoconut · Lemon · Aloe veraAsiaAfricaAbout 60 g · 5 minutes- Body carePumice foot scrubA scrub with pumice powder for hard skin.FeetSesame · EucalyptusAfricaOceaniaAbout 60 g · 5 minutes
- Body careWarm massage compressHerbal bundles in warm oil.Rest and sleepJoints and musclesAlmond · Coconut · LavenderAsiaEuropeTwo compresses · 20 minutes
Body careMassage oil for loversA warm massage oil with cinnamon and vanilla.Rest and sleepGrape · Cinnamon · VanillaEuropeAsiaCentral America and the CaribbeanAbout 295 ml · 5 minutes- Body careMassage oil for aching musclesArnica, camphor and cypress for stiff muscles.Joints and musclesGrape · Wheat · ArnicaEuropeAsiaAbout 295 ml · 5 minutes (or 25 minutes with juniper)
- Body careBody powderA soft powder of clay, arrowroot and rice.Skin careLavender · Arrowroot · Garden angelicaEuropeCentral America and the CaribbeanAfricaAsiaAbout 330 g · 5 minutes
- Body careClarifying shampooA herbal shampoo with apple cider vinegar.Hair and scalpLavender · Rosemary · BasilEuropeAfricaAsiaAbout 470 ml · 30 minutes
Body careCustom herbal shampooA basic shampoo you adapt to your hair.Hair and scalpAloe vera · Lemon balm · LemongrassAfricaEuropeAsiaOceaniaCentral America and the CaribbeanAbout 180 ml · 30 minutes
Body careQuick fresh hair rinseMint tea with vinegar as a final rinse.Hair and scalpMint · AppleEurope235 ml · 20 minutes
Body careDry shampooRice flour and orange peel for in between.Hair and scalpOrange · PatchouliAsiaAbout 200 g · 5 minutes- Body careLeave-in hair oil against frizzA few drops for dry ends.Hair and scalpAvocado · Coconut · Rose geraniumCentral America and the CaribbeanAsiaAfricaEuropeAbout 60 ml · 10 minutes
- Body careNourishing hair treatmentFour plant oils as an intensive treatment.Hair and scalpAvocado · Olive · WatermelonCentral America and the CaribbeanEuropeAfricaAsiaOceaniaAbout 235 ml · 5 minutes
Herbal home remedies: tea, honey, tincture and salve
Home remediesSleep teaAn evening tea with chamomile as the base.Rest and sleepChamomile · Oats · PassionflowerEuropeNorth AmericaSouth AmericaLoose herb blend · 20–30 minutes- Home remediesStress teaA gentle, fruity tea for the daytime.Rest and sleepChamomile · Rose and rose hip · Lemon balmEuropeAsiaLoose herb blend · 20–30 minutes
- Home remediesHeadache teaFeverfew in a mild blend.HeadacheLemon balm · Feverfew · LavenderEuropeLoose herb blend · 20–30 minutes
Home remediesTea for a starting coldA fresh mint tea for the first day of a cold.ColdsSore throatEchinacea · Mint · YarrowNorth AmericaEuropeLoose herb blend · 20–30 minutes
Home remediesHerbal honey for sore throat and coughThyme and fenugreek, slowly steeped in honey.Sore throatThyme · Fenugreek · MintEuropeAfricaOne jar · Steep at least a week- Home remediesHerbal honey for colds and fluRosemary, elder and ginger in honey.ColdsRosemary · Elderberry · GingerEuropeAsiaOne jar · Steep at least a week
Home remediesTincture for the cold seasonFive herbs in alcohol, for the cold season.ColdsThyme · Echinacea · Sweet violetEuropeNorth AmericaOne bottle · Steep 2–4 weeks- Home remediesNerve tinctureA tincture of calming herbs.Rest and sleepChamomile · Lemon balm · LavenderEuropeNorth AmericaOne bottle · Steep 2–4 weeks
- Home remediesCalendula and amaranth wound salveA herbal salve for small grazes.Small cuts and bruisesPot marigold (calendula) · Greater plantain · AmaranthEuropeCentral America and the CaribbeanAfricaAbout 300 ml · 3 hours
- Home remediesComfrey salve for joints and bruisesComfrey with thyme and rosemary, for external use.Small cuts and bruisesJoints and musclesComfrey · Thyme · RosemaryEuropeAfricaAbout 300 ml · 3 hours