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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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701 results

  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 320

    Wild garlic

    Allium ursinum

    Traditionally attributed effects: antimicrobial, lowers blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 215

    Dill

    Anethum graveolens

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 948

    Threeleaf goldthread

    Coptis trifolia

    A small evergreen herb with golden-yellow thread-like roots. These contain berberine, a bitter compound that inhibits bacteria in laboratory tests; related to Chinese goldthread (huang lian).

    Haudenosaunee medicine
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 24

    Devil's claw

    Harpagophytum procumbens

    The tuberous roots are used in folk medicine for pain. Research suggests a possible limited effect on low back pain; the evidence is of moderate quality at best.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 966

    Devil's club

    Oplopanax horridus

    An ivy-like shrub with large, hand-shaped leaves and spines over the whole stem and the leaf veins. Research into a blood-sugar-lowering effect is at an early stage.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 995

    Devil's walking stick

    Aralia spinosa

    A shrub or small tree of the ivy family, related to American spikenard, with very prickly stems, huge doubly pinnate leaves and in late summer large sprays of small white flowers with purple berries. The fresh root is sharp and emetic.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 289

    Centaury

    Centaurium erythraea

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, stimulates the liver.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 111

    European goldenrod

    Solidago virgaurea

    In Europe it is used to flush the urinary tract in mild complaints and is listed in European herbal monographs as a traditional remedy. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 972

    Single delight

    Moneses uniflora

    A small plant of the heath family with a single nodding, white, fragrant flower. The pounded plant irritates the skin and can raise blisters.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
  • Caution

    Oceania · Food · № 177

    Emu berry (dysentery bush)

    Grewia retusifolia

    The small fruits are edible; the name dysentery bush refers to its traditional use for diarrhoea. There is no clinical research.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 908

    Epena (virola)

    Virola theiodora (en verwante Virola-soorten)

    A tree of the nutmeg family with blood-red resin in its bark. The resin contains a lot of 5-MeO-DMT and DMT, and also beta-carbolines. As snuff it brings excitement, numb limbs, nausea and visions within minutes.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 188

    Maple

    Acer spp.

    Maple syrup is the boiled-down sap of the sugar maple. It consists mainly of sugar and some minerals, such as manganese; it is a sweetener, not a medicine.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 172

    Eucalyptus

    Eucalyptus globulus

    Eucalyptus oil is used for coughs and blocked noses with colds and externally for muscle pain; the European Medicines Agency recognises these as traditional uses. Strong clinical evidence is limited.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 90

    Raspberry

    Rubus idaeus

    The fruit is a nutritious berry. Raspberry leaf has been used in folk medicine in late pregnancy to ease labour; convincing evidence is lacking.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 1000

    Galax

    Galax urceolata

    A low evergreen herb of the Diapensia family with glossy, round, toothed leaves that turn bronze to wine red in winter, and in spring a slender spike of tiny white flowers. Plants in flower smell sharp, almost like a skunk. Its effect has not been studied.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 297

    Goat's rue

    Galega officinalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: lowers blood sugar, stimulates insulin, promotes milk flow, diuretic.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 104

    Guelder rose

    Viburnum opulus en V. prunifolium

    The bark is traditionally used for muscle cramps and period pain; its English name is cramp bark. Clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 311

    Melilot

    Melilotus officinalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, diuretic, antispasmodic, anticoagulant.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 944

    Yellow pond-lily

    Nuphar lutea (incl. N. variegata)

    A water plant with floating leaves and yellow, globe-shaped flowers. The rhizome contains alkaloids whose effects are poorly studied.

    Haudenosaunee medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 327

    Fragrant sumac

    Rhus aromatica

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, antidiabetic, diuretic.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 274

    American cranesbill

    Geranium maculatum

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stops bleeding, tonic.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 300

    Blessed thistle

    Cnicus benedictus

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter digestive stimulant, expectorant, antiseptic, wound-healing.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 333

    Wild lettuce

    Lactuca virosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: calming, lowers blood sugar, sleep-inducing, suppresses libido.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 596

    Smooth sumac

    Rhus glabra

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, cleansing, tonic, wound-healing, antiseptic; strengthens the digestive tract (ulcers, diarrhoea), curbs excessive secretions (urine leakage, night sweats, bleeding), may lower blood sugar, for prolapse.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 317

    Pellitory-of-the-wall

    Parietaria judaica (syn. P. diffusa)

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing, calms the urinary tract lining.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 49

    Pot marigold (calendula)

    Calendula officinalis

    An edible flower historically used as medicine and dye. Its oil is widely used in skin products.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 170

    Gumweed

    Grindelia camporum

    The sticky herb was traditionally used for coughs, asthma and bronchitis, and externally for poison-ivy rashes. Clinical evidence is lacking.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 218

    Spearmint

    Mentha spicata

    The classic culinary mint, with the milder carvone instead of menthol. It is drunk as tea for a full stomach and nausea; studies on concentration are small and inconclusive.

    Folk magic and herbal magic+1Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Food · № 962

    Ground plum

    Astragalus crassicarpus

    A low legume with purple-pink flowers and thick, round pods that lie on the ground like small plums. Only the young pods are edible.

    Lakota medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 60

    Garden angelica

    Angelica archangelica

    An aromatic bitter traditionally used for bloating, poor appetite and colds. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 316

    Parsley piert

    Aphanes arvensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 879

    Guayusa

    Ilex guayusa

    A relative of yerba mate; the leaf contains a lot of caffeine and is stimulating.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 87

    Cowslip

    Primula veris

    The root contains saponins and is traditionally used to loosen phlegm in coughs; the flowers as a calming tea. There is some research on combination cough preparations.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 66

    Oats

    Avena sativa

    Oat flakes provide beta-glucan, a fibre that according to approved health claims can help maintain normal cholesterol. Oatmeal is also used in baths for dry, itchy skin. Its traditional role as a nerve tonic is unproven.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 987

    Hearts-a-bustin'

    Euonymus americanus

    A shrub of the spindle family, up to two metres tall. In autumn the warty pink fruits burst open to show seeds in a bright red aril. Seeds and fruits are strongly purgative, as in other spindles, and the genus is considered poisonous.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 59

    Marshmallow

    Althaea officinalis

    Root and leaf are rich in mucilage that forms a soothing layer; used for dry coughs, throat irritation and an irritated stomach. Evidence is modest.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
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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