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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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619 results

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Flatulence
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 956

    Fringed sage

    Artemisia frigida

    A low, silver-grey, strongly scented wormwood shrub. Contains a volatile oil with camphor and cineole and, like other wormwoods, thujone.

    Lakota medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 264

    Leek

    Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum

    A vegetable with fibre, vitamin K and sulphur compounds, related to onion and garlic. Leek soup is an old home remedy for colds and hoarseness.

    Anglo-Saxon medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 251

    Plum

    Prunus domestica

    Prunes contain fibre and sorbitol and help with constipation; there is some research on this.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 299

    Herb Robert

    Geranium robertianum

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stops bleeding.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 25

    Roselle (hibiscus)

    Hibiscus sabdariffa

    The red calyces make a tart drink. Folk medicine links it to blood pressure; it is not a substitute for treatment.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 366

    Rhodiola

    Rhodiola rosea

    Roseroot is sold as an adaptogen for tiredness and stress. Some studies find a small effect on stress-related fatigue, but they are small and of varying quality. There is no evidence that it prevents colds.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 399

    Prickly chaff flower

    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.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 854

    Dragon's blood (sangre de drago)

    Croton lechleri

    A tree with a thick, blood-red sap. On the skin it dries quickly into a protective layer. Crofelemer, approved in the US since 2013 for diarrhoea in people with HIV, was developed from the sap.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 595

    Sheep sorrel

    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.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 61

    Celery

    Apium graveolens

    Vegetable and spice. The seed was traditionally used for gout, joint complaints and as a diuretic. Convincing clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 356

    Sesame

    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.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 43

    St. John's wort

    Hypericum perforatum

    Research suggests it may help mild to moderate depression; evidence for other uses is insufficient.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 943

    Skunk cabbage

    Symplocarpus foetidus

    A marsh arum that flowers in late winter and makes its own heat, melting its way through the snow. It smells of carrion and contains calcium oxalate.

    Haudenosaunee medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 95

    Comfrey

    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.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 849

    Bitter melon

    Momordica charantia

    A bitter climbing plant whose fruit, leaves and vines are used. In folk medicine mainly taken to lower blood sugar; research shows a small effect at most.

    Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 318

    Lesser celandine

    Ficaria verna (syn. Ranunculus ficaria)

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, used for haemorrhoids.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 577

    Alder buckthorn

    Frangula alnus

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative, antiparasitic, bitter; mild laxative without cramps, stops bleeding and helps with warts, mouthwash for gum problems, hair rinse for scalp irritation.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 279

    Black horehound

    Ballota nigra

    Traditionally attributed effects: against vomiting, stimulating, antispasmodic.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 298

    Greater celandine

    Chelidonium majus

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, cleansing, stimulates the liver, anti-inflammatory.

    Greco-Roman medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 236

    Heather

    Calluna vulgaris

    The flowering herb was drunk as tea for bladder complaints and sleeplessness. Heather honey is a prized, jelly-like honey. A medicinal effect has not been studied.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 549

    Toothbrush tree

    Salvadora persica

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, diuretic, decongestant; leaves for rheumatism, scurvy, painful tumours, haemorrhoids, asthma and cough; flower oil for flatulence, mucus, worms, leprosy, gonorrhoea, headache and rheumatic pain.

    Local African healing traditions+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 171

    Evening primrose

    Oenothera biennis

    The seed oil contains gamma-linolenic acid and is sold for eczema, premenstrual symptoms and hot flushes. NCCIH reports it does not help eczema and that evidence for other conditions is insufficient.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 328

    Tormentil

    Potentilla erecta

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, especially for the intestinal wall.

    Western herbal medicine
  • 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 · № 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

    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

    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

    Europe · Food · № 654

    Watercress

    Nasturtium officinale

    Traditionally attributed effects: rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene and vitamin E; used to support detoxification, cool body heat and support the lungs.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+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

    Africa · Herb · № 373

    Frankincense

    Boswellia sacra

    The resin is mainly used as incense and fragrance. Extracts of related Boswellia species have been studied for osteoarthritis, with modest and variable results.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 242

    Rue

    Ruta graveolens

    Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, stimulating, promotes menstruation, expectorant, antispasmodic, expels worms (children); strengthens capillaries (rutin); for hysteria, flatulence and colic, incipient paralysis, indigestion; oil diuretic and skin-irritant.

    Greco-Roman medicine+6Folklore
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 838

    Wild thyme

    Thymus serpyllum

    An aromatic herb traditionally used for coughs and digestive complaints.

    Hildegard of Bingen
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 331

    White deadnettle

    Lamium album

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antispasmodic, tonic for the reproductive organs.

    Western herbal 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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