From Ayurveda to Rongoā Māori
Communities around the world learned how plants nourish, care and heal. Here their traditions stand beside present-day use, with respect for every culture.
GrapeFolk magic and herbal magic
BuchuLocal African healing traditions
Indian tobaccoCherokee medicine
Lignum vitaeHerbal knowledge of the Caribbean
Yerba mateKallawaya healing knowledge
CautionEurope · Herb · № 89
Rosa spp.
Rose hips are rich in vitamin C; a hip powder has been studied for osteoarthritis with modest results. Rose water and oil are used in skin care and as fragrance.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 2
Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)
An aromatic culinary herb with carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. A few small studies point to a slight effect of the scent on alertness; that it improves memory has not been shown. The leaf is used for digestive complaints.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 201
Pelargonium graveolens
Traditionally attributed effects: antidepressant, pain-relieving, diuretic, calming, tonic.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 399
Achyranthes aspera
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, diuretic, cleansing, antipyretic, laxative; for oedema from the kidneys, bronchial complaints, leprosy, stomach ache, haemorrhoids, boils, incipient diarrhoea; abortifacient in high doses.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 426
Asparagus adscendens
Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing, tonic, promotes milk flow, soothing, cooling; for seminal loss, chronic leucorrhoea, diarrhoea, dysentery, general weakness, impotence.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 321
Carthamus tinctorius
Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 345
Crocus sativus
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, aphrodisiac, stomachic, pain-relieving, antispasmodic, calming, promotes menstruation; for absent menstruation, fever, hysteria, melancholy, leucorrhoea, haemorrhoids; paste for bruises, nerve and rheumatic pain.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 45
Salvia officinalis
A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 650
Saposhnikovia divaricata
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind; for muscle pain, painful diarrhoea, rheumatic complaints and cramps.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 745
Biancaea sappan (syn. Caesalpinia sappan)
Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow in menstrual pain and injury.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 369
Smilax spp. (o.a. Smilax ornata)
The root contains saponins and was long sold as a 'blood-purifying' remedy and for skin conditions. There is no evidence that sarsaparilla treats herpes, syphilis or other infections.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 633
Sassafras albidum
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind, dampness and cold in joint complaints, also when heat is involved, moves the blood in stasis after trauma or in absent menstruation, and is used for itchy skin.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 595
Rumex acetosella
Traditionally attributed effects: induces sweating, diuretic, fever-reducing, stops bleeding; traditionally for cancer (ingredient of Essiac tea), relieves 'hot' conditions (fever, thirst, inflammation), boils, transient jaundice.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 592
Schisandra chinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, astringent, stimulating, adaptogen; supports exhausted adrenals (fatigue), promotes sleep and well-being, protects the liver.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 535
Pandanus tectorius
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, laxative, aromatic; leaves for leprosy, smallpox, scabies, syphilis, leucoderma; anthers for earache, headache and blood diseases; oil for headache and rheumatism.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 976
Hypericum scouleri (syn. H. formosum var. scouleri)
A native St John's wort with yellow, black-dotted flowers, related to common St John's wort. Like it, it contains hypericin and hyperforin.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 470
Cordia myxa
Traditionally attributed effects: fruit soothing, expectorant, diuretic, mildly laxative; bark mildly astringent and tonic; for cough and chest diseases, bile complaints, abdominal cramps, indigestion, fever, ulcers, snake bites.
CautionAfrica · Food · № 356
Sesamum indicum
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, softens the skin, diuretic, promotes menstruation and milk flow, laxative; leaves for respiratory complaints, diarrhoea and dysentery in children, bladder catarrh; seeds for bleeding haemorrhoids, absent or painful menstruation.
CautionNorth America · Food · № 935
Carya ovata
A nut tree of the walnut family, with bark that peels away in long strips. The nuts are rich and sweet.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 494
Evolvulus alsinoides
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, cleansing, fever-reducing, expels worms, anti-inflammatory; for fever, nervous weakness, memory loss, dysentery, diarrhoea and indigestion (with tulsi), chronic bronchitis and asthma.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 122
Asparagus racemosus
In Ayurveda an important rejuvenating remedy for women, used for breastfeeding and stomach complaints. Studies are small and of variable quality.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 406
Albizzia lebbek
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, insect-repellent, anti-allergic; for bronchitis, leprosy, paralysis, gum inflammation, worms, snake bites and scorpion stings, night blindness.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 95
Symphytum officinale
Topical preparations have been studied for bruises, sprains and back pain and appear to reduce pain. It contains allantoin, which is thought to support tissue repair.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 982
Souroubea guianensis
A low shrub or climber of the Marcgraviaceae family, with nectar cups that attract butterflies and moths. From two related Central American species (S. sympetala and S. gilgii) researchers isolated substances that reduce anxiety in animals: betulinic acid and amyrins. In people this has hardly been studied.
CautionAsia · Food · № 519
Luffa cylindrica
Traditionally attributed effects: seeds emetic, laxative, diuretic; fruit cooling, soothing, stimulates appetite, diuretic, promotes milk flow; oil for skin conditions.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 794
Stalactitum (calciumcarbonaat)
Traditionally attributed effects: makes lung energy descend in asthma and chronic bronchitis and promotes milk flow.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 538
Phyllanthus fraternus
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, astringent, cooling, laxative, bitter tonic; for oedema, gonorrhoea, urogenital diseases, jaundice, constipation, stomach ache, indigestion, dysentery, mild intermittent fever, heavy menstruation.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 953
Collinsonia canadensis
A perennial of the mint family with lemon-scented leaves and a very hard, knobbly root. Eclectic physicians used it for piles and varicose veins; research is lacking.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 716
Xanthium strumarium (syn. X. sibiricum)
Traditionally attributed effects: opens the nose in sinusitis and expels wind and dampness in pain and itching.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 676
Stellaria dichotoma var. lanceolata
Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat from yin deficiency, fever after an illness and heat in malnourished children.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 456
Cassia tora
Traditionally attributed effects: mildly laxative, cleansing; intestinal complaints and fever when teething, compress for gout, sciatica and joint pain; seeds for ringworm, scabies and eczema; root for snake bites.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 534
Paederia foetida
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic; for urinary retention, bladder stones, haemorrhoids, inflamed spleen, diarrhoea in children, rheumatism and stiff joints, abdomen bloated by gas.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 664
Vitex rotundifolia (syn. V. trifolia)
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat in headache and eye pain, and relieves cramps and heaviness in the limbs.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 531
Ochrocarpus longifolius
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, aromatic, stimulating, carminative, stomachic; against thirst and stomach irritation, for dysentery, toothache, indigestion, haemorrhoids, scorpion stings.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 702
Talcum (hydromagnesiumsilicaat)
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling and soothing in painful urination and summer heat; externally drying on weeping skin.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 512
Hygrophila auriculata
Traditionally attributed effects: root cooling, bitter tonic, diuretic, soothing; seeds diuretic and aphrodisiac; for oedema, kidney stones and urogenital complaints, jaundice, impotence and weakness, asthma.
Featured · Central America and the Caribbean · Curanderismo
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.
Read moreFrom plant to use
Discover more
43 traditions
How communities built up and passed on their knowledge of plants, region by region.
113 recipes
Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play a leading role.
146 formulas
The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.