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Herbs & Cultures

From Ayurveda to Rongoā Māori

Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Communities around the world learned how plants nourish, care and heal. Here their traditions stand beside present-day use, with respect for every culture.

All 980 herbs from 43 traditions

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  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 570

    Timur pepper

    Zanthoxylum alatum

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, stomachic, carminative, aromatic; for fever, indigestion, cholera and toothache.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 467

    Ivy gourd

    Coccinia indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative (bark), antispasmodic and expectorant (leaf and stem), lowers blood sugar; for incipient diabetes, swollen glands, skin diseases, smallpox rash, gonorrhoea, bronchitis.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 152

    Witch hazel

    Hamamelis virginiana

    Strongly astringent due to tannins. Witch hazel water and ointment are used externally for minor skin irritation, bruises and haemorrhoids; there is limited but reasonably supportive evidence.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 947

    Trailing arbutus

    Epigaea repens

    A creeping, evergreen dwarf shrub of the heath family with fragrant pink to white flowers in early spring. Contains arbutin.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 945

    Purple pitcher plant

    Sarracenia purpurea

    A carnivorous plant with pitcher-shaped leaves that hold rainwater, in which insects drown. Little research exists on effects in people.

    Haudenosaunee medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 497

    Cluster fig

    Ficus racemosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, carminative, stomachic, kills worms, lowers blood sugar; wound rinse, for dysentery, bile complaints, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, heavy menstruation, coughing up blood, sore throat, diabetes.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 993

    Tulip tree

    Liriodendron tulipifera

    The tallest broadleaf tree of eastern America, up to almost sixty metres, of the magnolia family, with tulip-shaped greenish-yellow flowers with an orange patch. The bark is bitter and contains the alkaloid liriodenine and sesquiterpenes that inhibit bacteria and fungi; it was formerly used as a tonic and quinine substitute. The flowers give much nectar for a dark honey.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 40

    Tulsi (holy basil)

    Ocimum tenuiflorum

    An aromatic plant drunk as herbal tea; treatment claims are not established.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1013

    Turpay

    Nototriche (o.a. N. mandoniana en N. porphyrantha)

    A small, cushion-forming mallow that grows flat against the ground, with a thick taproot. Mallows contain soothing mucilage; these species themselves have hardly been studied.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 240

    Onion

    Allium cepa

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, expectorant, skin-irritant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic; for cough, haemorrhoids, jaundice, indigestion, insect bites, boils, wounds, chilblains and sore joints.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 20

    Valerian

    Valeriana officinalis

    The root has a traditional association with sleep and calm. Research on insomnia is inconsistent and does not establish benefit.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 114

    Arnica

    Arnica montana

    Used externally for bruises and muscle aches. Studies give mixed results. Homeopathic arnica is so diluted that it contains no active substance.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 72

    Fennel

    Foeniculum vulgare

    The seed is traditionally used for wind, bloating and cramps. There are some small studies, but evidence is limited.

    Greco-Roman medicine+9Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 403

    Maidenhair fern

    Adiantum philippense

    Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, diuretic, cleansing, expels worms, cooling; for cough and respiratory complaints, fever, leprosy, erysipelas.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 230

    Cinquefoil

    Potentilla reptans

    The tannin-rich herb was used as a mouthwash and for diarrhoea. A medicinal effect has not been studied.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    North America · Food · № 937

    Virginia strawberry

    Fragaria virginiana

    A wild strawberry with small, very tasty fruits. Its cross with the Chilean strawberry gave rise to the garden strawberry in eighteenth-century Europe.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 285

    Bugleweed

    Lycopus virginicus

    Traditionally attributed effects: calming, astringent, tonic, vasoconstricting, cough-suppressing, stops bleeding.

    Eclectic medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 83

    Flax

    Linum usitatissimum

    Ground flaxseed acts as a gentle bulk-forming fibre for constipation. NCCIH reports it may lower cholesterol slightly; evidence for other claims is unclear.

    Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 21

    Elderberry

    Sambucus nigra

    Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 466

    Butterfly pea

    Clitoria ternatea

    Traditionally attributed effects: root mildly laxative, diuretic, expels worms; seeds strongly laxative; for ascites, enlarged abdominal organs, migraine (flower juice), gonorrhoea, bladder irritation, ulcers, swollen joints.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 94

    Chickweed

    Stellaria media

    Traditionally used externally as a cooling ointment or compress for itching, eczema and minor skin irritation. There is hardly any clinical research.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 58

    Lady's mantle

    Alchemilla xanthochlora

    An astringent herb used in folk medicine mainly for heavy periods and diarrhoea. There is little clinical research.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 586

    Lady's slipper

    Cypripedium parviflorum (syn. C. pubescens)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, antispasmodic, tonic, relaxing, diuretic; for menstrual pain and irregular menstruation, overstimulated nerves and insomnia from stress, pain-relieving.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 80

    Walnut

    Juglans regia

    The nuts are a nutritious source of unsaturated fats. Leaf and green husk are astringent and were traditionally used for skin conditions and diarrhoea; clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 479

    Dodder

    Cuscuta reflexa

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, expels worms, cleansing, antispasmodic; for stomach ache, constipation, flatulence, liver complaints, bile complaints; externally for itching and skin diseases.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 106

    Bogbean

    Menyanthes trifoliata

    A strong bitter traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion and for rheumatic complaints. Clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Oceania · Food · № 173

    Wattle

    Acacia spp. (o.a. A. holosericea, A. decurrens)

    Roasted wattleseed is a protein- and fibre-rich bushfood. The bark of some species is rich in tannins and was used for wounds and diarrhoea. There is little clinical research.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 86

    Greater plantain

    Plantago major

    The leaf is traditionally bruised and applied to insect bites, small wounds and grazes, and taken as tea for coughs. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+9Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 969

    Western hemlock

    Tsuga heterophylla

    A large conifer with a drooping top and short, flat needles. The bark is very rich in tannins; the young needles contain vitamin C.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 587

    Western larch

    Larix occidentalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, prebiotic; improves digestion and gut flora, strengthens the immune system, studied in tumours, helps with middle ear infections in children.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 190

    Arborvitae

    Thuja occidentalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, astringent, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, stimulates muscles, antiseptic.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 810

    African wormwood

    Artemisia afra

    A bitter, aromatic herb widely used in southern Africa for coughs, colds, fever and flu.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 961

    Wild bergamot

    Monarda fistulosa

    A mint with lilac flowers and strongly scented leaves, related to Oswego tea. The volatile oil is rich in carvacrol and thymol, which are antiseptic.

    Lakota medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 194

    European honeysuckle

    Lonicera caprifolium, L. periclymenum

    The sweet-scented flowers were used as tea or syrup for coughs. The berries are poisonous. In Chinese medicine the related Japanese honeysuckle (jin yin hua) is used for fever and sore throat.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 156

    Wild black cherry

    Prunus serotina

    The dried bark was long used in cough syrups to calm irritating coughs. Modern clinical evidence is lacking.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 957

    Wild four-o'clock

    Mirabilis nyctaginea (syn. Allionia nyctaginea)

    Related to the marvel of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa), with a thick taproot and small pink flowers that open in the afternoon. Taken internally the root is strongly laxative.

    Lakota medicine
Image of Salvia divinorum

Featured · Central America and the Caribbean · Curanderismo

Salvia divinorum

Salvia divinorum

A sage with large leaves containing salvinorin A, a very potent substance acting on the kappa opioid receptor. Brings short-lived, often intense changes in perception and the feeling of leaving the body.

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