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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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336 results

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Recipes
Vegetarian eight-treasure soupPatchouli cleanser for oily skinChamomile cleanser for dry or mature skinRose powder cleanser for mature or dry skinFennel powder cleanser for oily skinAlmond scrub for all skin typesOrange exfoliant for oily or combination skinToner for sensitive skinCooling chamomile after-sun spraySkin-softening milk bathPumice foot scrub
Chinese formulas
Shi wei bai du tangGui zhi tangXiao feng sanDang gui shao yao sanSi wu tangWu pi yinGui pi tangXiao luo wanShi gao tangZeng ye tangYu ping feng sanFang feng tong sheng sanMai men dong yin ziFang ji huang qi tangTai shan pan shi san
Treatment by condition
HaemorrhoidsHepatitisDiabetes mellitusUnderactive thyroidThrombocytopenic purpuraInjuries, wounds, burns and cutsEczema, dermatitis, itching, acne, erysipelas and psoriasis
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 921

    Wild dagga

    Leonotis leonurus

    A shrub of the mint family, two to three metres tall, with orange, tubular flowers in whorls around the square stems. Contains marrubiin and leonurine, as well as labdane compounds. Considered mildly calming; which substance causes the effect is not yet clear.

    Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos+1
  • 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
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 517

    Wild tobacco

    Lobelia nicotianaefolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, antifungal, antispasmodic (in combination with other remedies).

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 838

    Wild thyme

    Thymus serpyllum

    An aromatic herb traditionally used for coughs and digestive complaints.

    Hildegard of Bingen
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 634

    Wintergreen

    Gaultheria procumbens

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness and cools heat in hot, swollen joints and muscle pain, drains damp heat in the urinary tract and moves stagnant qi and blood in pain.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+3
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 598

    White oak

    Quercus alba

    Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent; strengthens lax tissue (diarrhoea, inflamed gums, chronic nasal congestion, weak bladder), stops bleeding (nosebleeds, internal bleeding).

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 429

    Desert date

    Balanites aegyptiaca

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms; seeds for cough and colic, oil on burns and freckles, seed extract lowers blood pressure.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+2
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 893

    Yareta

    Azorella compacta (en verwante soorten)

    An evergreen cushion plant that grows over the ground like a green boulder. It grows about one and a half centimetres a year; some plants are estimated to be over 3,000 years old. The plant contains a sticky resin.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 478

    Zedoary

    Curcuma zedoaria

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, expectorant, soothing, diuretic, skin-irritant, purifies the blood.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 363

    Black seed

    Nigella sativa

    Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, diuretic and sudorific, promotes bile, stomachic, stimulating, carminative, expels worms, promotes menstruation and milk flow, antibacterial.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 135

    Black pepper and long pepper

    Piper nigrum

    Important warming spices in Ayurveda, used for sluggish digestion and colds. Piperine from pepper increases the absorption of some substances, such as curcumin.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
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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