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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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743 results

  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 201

    Rose geranium

    Pelargonium graveolens

    Traditionally attributed effects: antidepressant, pain-relieving, diuretic, calming, tonic.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 321

    Safflower

    Carthamus tinctorius

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 345

    Saffron

    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.

    Ayurveda+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 45

    Sage

    Salvia officinalis

    A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 594

    Solomon's seal

    Polygonatum biflorum

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, astringent, relaxing; strengthens and lubricates tendons, ligaments and joints, helps with prolapse of the uterus and bladder, calms the heart rhythm, moistens dry conditions (dry skin, stool, airways).

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 650

    Saposhnikovia root (fang feng)

    Saposhnikovia divaricata

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind; for muscle pain, painful diarrhoea, rheumatic complaints and cramps.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 745

    Sappan wood (su mu)

    Biancaea sappan (syn. Caesalpinia sappan)

    Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow in menstrual pain and injury.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 719

    Sargassum (hai zao)

    Sargassum pallidum (en S. fusiforme)

    Traditionally attributed effects: softens hardenings from phlegm-fire such as goitre and swollen glands; drains fluid.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 369

    Sarsaparilla

    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.

    Curanderismo+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 633

    Sassafras

    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.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 666

    Scouring rush (mu zei)

    Equisetum hyemale

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat around the eyes, stops bleeding and is diuretic.

    Chinese medical traditions+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

    Asia · Herb · № 592

    Schisandra

    Schisandra chinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, astringent, stimulating, adaptogen; supports exhausted adrenals (fatigue), promotes sleep and well-being, protects the liver.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 657

    Schizonepeta (jing jie)

    Schizonepeta tenuifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in colds (warm or cool, depending on the combination), helps rashes come out and, charred, stops bleeding.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 507

    East Indian screw tree

    Helicteres isora

    Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, soothing, mildly astringent, stomachic; for colic, flatulence, diarrhoea, chronic dysentery, diabetes, ear infection, snake bites.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 535

    Screwpine

    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.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 976

    Scouler's St John's wort

    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.

    Hupa medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 470

    Sebesten plum

    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.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 964

    Seneca snakeroot

    Polygala senega (syn. Senega officinalis)

    A low milkwort with white flower spikes. The root contains saponins that loosen phlegm and promote coughing; it is in the European Pharmacopoeia as a cough remedy.

    Anishinaabe medicine+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 117

    Senna

    Senna alexandrina

    Leaves and pods contain sennosides, a stimulant laxative that works for short-term constipation. It is used in modern over-the-counter laxatives.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+5
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 204

    Lilac

    Syringa vulgaris

    An ornamental shrub with fragrant flowers. The flowers are edible but bitter; the bark was once tried as a bitter remedy for fever.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • 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

    North America · Food · № 935

    Shagbark hickory

    Carya ovata

    A nut tree of the walnut family, with bark that peels away in long strips. The nuts are rich and sweet.

    Haudenosaunee medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 494

    Shankhpushpi

    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.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Africa · Other · № 385

    Shea

    Vitellaria paradoxa

    Shea butter softens dry skin and protects hair; it is also an important cooking fat. Medical claims are not well studied.

    Local African healing traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 351

    Shikakai

    Senegalia rugata (syn. Acacia concinna)

    Traditionally attributed effects: natural shampoo, cleanses scalp and hair.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 367

    Siberian ginseng

    Eleutherococcus senticosus

    Traditionally attributed effects: adaptogen, increases interferon production; especially for herpes simplex, strengthens the immune system against colds and flu; further for high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, insomnia, arthritis.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 749

    Siberian Solomon's seal (huang jing)

    Polygonatum sibiricum

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens spleen and kidneys, moistens the lungs and replenishes the essence.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 644

    Szechuan lovage (chuan xiong)

    Ligusticum chuanxiong (syn. L. striatum)

    Traditionally attributed effects: promotes circulation, helps with menstrual complaints and as a restorative tonic after childbirth, and is said to lower high blood pressure; warming.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 220

    Orange

    Citrus sinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: against dandruff; sweet oranges good for skin and hair.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 406

    Siris

    Albizzia lebbek

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, insect-repellent, anti-allergic; for bronchitis, leprosy, paralysis, gum inflammation, worms, snake bites and scorpion stings, night blindness.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 258

    Lettuce

    Lactuca sativa

    A juicy leaf vegetable with some vitamin K and folate. The milky sap of the stem is mildly calming, but much weaker than that of wild lettuce.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 286

    California poppy

    Eschscholzia californica

    Traditionally attributed effects: pain-relieving, sleep-inducing, calming.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+1
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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