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
CautionAsia · Herb · № 348
Centella asiatica
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, diuretic, locally stimulating, calming; for chronic ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, epilepsy, insanity, swollen glands, abscesses, chronic rheumatism, diarrhoea in children.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 851
Aristotelia chilensis
A shrub with dark purple berries rich in anthocyanins. The leaf was traditionally used for wounds and sore throats. Health claims for 'superfood' products are unproven.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 46
Silybum marianum
Promoted for liver disorders, but there is not enough high-quality evidence of effects in people.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 335
Stachys palustris
Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, antispasmodic, wound-healing.
CautionNorth America · Other · № 388
Limnanthes alba
Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing carrier oil.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 291
Vitex agnus-castus
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulates the pituitary gland and hormone production.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 816
Minthostachys mollis
A mint-like plant used in the Andes for stomach complaints and wind.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 509
Hibiscus abelmoschus
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, cooling, diuretic, soothing, stomachic, antispasmodic, tonic; for nervous weakness, hysteria, indigestion, gonorrhoea, catarrh of the bladder and airways, itching.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 235
Euphrasia officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: anticatarrhal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 477
Curcuma angustifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, soothing, nutritious; for dysentery, painful urination, gonorrhoea, typhoid, ulcers of the intestines and bladder; substitute for arrowroot.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 227
Tropaeolum majus
Leaves and flowers taste sharp because of mustard oil glycosides. In Germany a combination with horseradish is approved as a remedy for bladder and respiratory infections; there is little research on the plant alone.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 217
Origanum vulgare
A culinary herb with carvacrol and thymol, which inhibit bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There is no good evidence that oregano oil treats infections in humans; undiluted oil irritates skin and mucous membranes.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 882
Bursera graveolens
A tree of the frankincense and myrrh family, with strongly scented wood that contains essential oil.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 437
Bergenia ligulata
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing, astringent, tonic; known for dissolving kidney stones; for fever, diarrhoea, lung complaints, eye inflammation, teething in children.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 241
Pogostemon cablin
Traditionally attributed effects: inhibits sebum production, draws oil from the skin, fights acne bacteria; against dandruff.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 326
Mitchella repens
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulates the uterus, tonic, restorative, astringent, diuretic.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 898
Myroxylon balsamum (var. pereirae)
A large tree whose resin, the balsam, smells of vanilla and cinnamon. The balsam contains cinnamic acid, benzyl benzoate and vanillin, among other compounds, and is used in perfume, food and ointments for skin and wounds.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 860
Cryptocarya alba
An evergreen tree of the laurel family with fragrant leaves and edible red fruits. Traditionally for liver and joint complaints; research is lacking.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 1009
Ephedra americana
A leafless shrub with green, jointed stems, related to the Chinese ma huang. Ephedra species contain ephedrine, which widens the airways but also raises heart rate and blood pressure; how much this species contains has been little studied.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 822
Schinus molle
A tree with aromatic leaves and pink berries, used in cleansing rituals and as a folk remedy.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 192
Populus tremuloides
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, fever-reducing, tonic, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving (salicylates); restores the sensitive bladder (incontinence), calms the bowels in stress diarrhoea, heals wounds, lowers fever, relieves headache.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 960
Lithospermum incisum (syn. L. linearifolium)
A member of the borage family with yellow trumpet-shaped flowers and a red root, related to Chinese gromwell (zi cao). Effects not studied.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 958
Ratibida columnifera (syn. R. columnaris)
A member of the daisy family with drooping yellow or red-brown ray flowers around a long, columnar centre that smells when bruised. Effects not studied.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 584
Eutrochium purpureum (syn. Eupatorium purpureum)
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, strengthens the nerves, astringent, stimulating, antiseptic; dissolves kidney and bladder stones, removes mineral deposits in joints, traditionally to prevent miscarriage and to prepare for childbirth.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 941
Angelica atropurpurea
A tall umbellifer with a purple stem, related to European garden angelica. Contains essential oil and furanocoumarins, which make the skin sensitive to sunlight.
CautionNorth America · Food · № 936
Allium tricoccum
A wild leek with broad leaves and a small bulb, related to European wild garlic. Leaves and bulb taste of onion and garlic.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 915
Krameria lappacea (syn. Krameria triandra)
A low shrub that is partly parasitic on the roots of other plants. The red root is rich in tannins and is therefore astringent. In Europe rhatany root is listed in the pharmacopoeia and used in mouthwashes and gum remedies.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 888
Equisetum giganteum
A large horsetail, rich in silica. Traditionally used as a diuretic, like European field horsetail; good evidence is lacking.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 299
Geranium robertianum
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stops bleeding.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 323
Ulmus rubra (syn. U. fulva)
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, nourishing, astringent.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 346
Pterocarpus santalinus
Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, fever-reducing, aphrodisiac, astringent, bitter, cooling, induces sweating, expels worms; for chronic dysentery, bleeding haemorrhoids, bile complaints, skin diseases.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 366
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.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 594
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).
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 · № 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.
CautionEurope · Food · № 61
Apium graveolens
Vegetable and spice. The seed was traditionally used for gout, joint complaints and as a diuretic. Convincing clinical evidence is lacking.
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.
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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.