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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

    Asia · Herb · № 552

    Country mallow

    Sida cordifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, astringent, stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, soothing, diuretic; contains an ephedrine-like substance.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 310

    Balloon flower

    Platycodon grandiflorus

    Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, antifungal, antibacterial, lowers blood sugar.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 134

    Bamboo

    Phyllostachys nigra

    In Chinese medicine bamboo shavings (zhu ru) and bamboo sap are used for coughs with yellow phlegm, nausea and restlessness. Ayurveda uses silica-rich bamboo manna. Clinical research is scarce.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 247

    Banana

    Musa spp.

    A fruit rich in starch and potassium. Ripe banana is easily digestible and belongs to the old BRAT diet after diarrhoea; green bananas contain resistant starch.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 496

    Banyan

    Ficus benghalensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cooling, stops bleeding, lowers blood sugar; leaves for diarrhoea and dysentery; milky sap externally for pain, bruises, ulcers, rheumatism, lumbago; bark for diabetes, gonorrhoea.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 431

    Porcupine flower

    Barleria prionitis

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, diuretic, tonic, fever-reducing; catarrh in children, prevents cracked feet, bleeding gums, toothache, ear infection, oedema, whooping cough, snake bites.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 293

    Pubescent angelica (du huo)

    Angelica pubescens

    Traditionally attributed effects: antirheumatic, pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 229

    Benzoin

    Styrax benzoin

    Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, astringent, antispasmodic.

    Chinese medical traditions+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 747

    Prepared aconite (fu zi)

    Aconitum carmichaelii (bereide zijwortel)

    Traditionally attributed effects: the most strongly warming remedy in Chinese medicine, for collapse of yang and pain from cold.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 831

    Betel leaf (sirih)

    Piper betle

    An aromatic leaf used in jamu for the mouth and for women's intimate hygiene.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 419

    Areca nut

    Areca catechu

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, astringent, expels tapeworm, laxative, carminative, aphrodisiac; against roundworms and tapeworms, strengthens the gums, for urinary complaints, heartburn during pregnancy, lumbago.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 465

    Bhant

    Clerodendrum infortunatum

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, antipyretic, expels worms, laxative, promotes bile; externally for tumours and skin diseases, root for sluggish bowels.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 551

    Marking nut

    Semecarpus anacardium

    Traditionally attributed effects: pungent, stimulating, aids digestion, antispasmodic, cleansing, strengthens the nerves, caustic, strengthens the heart; for leprosy, scrofula, syphilis, skin diseases, epilepsy, nervous weakness, nerve pain, asthma, indigestion, haemorrhoids, enlarged spleen.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 354

    Bhringraj

    Eclipta prostrata

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the liver, decongestant, tonic, cleansing, antiviral; for enlarged liver and spleen, skin diseases, fever, oedema, rheumatism; hair oil for black and full hair; for swollen glands, elephantiasis, headache and toothache.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 563

    Bibhitaki

    Terminalia bellerica

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, expectorant, laxative (unripe fruit), cleansing.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 123

    Bitter orange

    Citrus × aurantium

    The dried unripe fruit (zhi shi) and peel are used in Chinese medicine for bloating and sluggish digestion. NCCIH warns that weight-loss products containing bitter orange (synephrine) pose risks to the heart and blood pressure.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 101

    Bilberry

    Vaccinium myrtillus en V. vitis-idaea

    Rich in anthocyanins. Dried berries are an old remedy for diarrhoea. NCCIH reports there is not enough evidence for eye, blood-vessel or other claims.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 439

    Blepharis

    Blepharis edulis

    Traditionally attributed effects: resolvent, diuretic, aphrodisiac, expectorant; for impotence, blood, chest, lung and liver diseases; leaves for fever, urinary discharge, leucoderma; root regulates menstruation.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 735

    Bletilla rhizome (bai ji)

    Bletilla striata

    Traditionally attributed effects: stops bleeding in lung and stomach and promotes wound healing.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 440

    Blumea

    Blumea lacera

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, antispasmodic, promotes menstruation, diuretic; for purulent eye discharge, worms, catarrh.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 284

    Buckwheat

    Fagopyrum esculentum

    Traditionally attributed effects: lowers blood pressure, vasodilating, restores the vessel walls.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 447

    Bonduc nut

    Caesalpinia crista

    Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, antispasmodic, bitter tonic, expels worms, fever-reducing; for fever, intermittent fever, asthma, colic, swellings, bleeding, liver disorders, convulsions and nervous complaints.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 781

    Borax (peng sha)

    Borax (natriumtetraboraat)

    Traditionally attributed effects: externally for small ulcers in mouth, throat and vagina and for athlete's foot.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Other · № 770

    Borneol (bing pian)

    Dryobalanops aromatica (borneol)

    Traditionally attributed effects: opens the sense orifices, cools heat and relieves pain; mainly external.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 73

    Wild strawberry

    Fragaria vesca

    The tannin-rich leaf was traditionally used for mild diarrhoea; the fruit is a treat rich in vitamin C. Medical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 463

    Bone setter

    Cissus quadrangularis

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, stomachic; speeds bone healing in fractures, stem juice for irregular menstruation and scurvy, for asthma, indigestion, ear infection and nosebleeds.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 557

    Nux vomica

    Strychnos nux-vomica

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, stomachic, tonic, aphrodisiac, stimulates the spinal cord, breathing and heart.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 353

    Brahmi

    Bacopa monnieri

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart and nerves, diuretic, mildly laxative, calming; for urinary retention with constipation, acute bronchitis and cough in children, exhaustion and nervous breakdown, hysteria, epilepsy, hoarseness.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 688

    Java brucea fruit (ya dan zi)

    Brucea javanica

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used for amoebic dysentery, malaria and externally for warts.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 783

    Calcite (han shui shi)

    Calcitum (calciumcarbonaat)

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat in fever with thirst and summer heat; externally on hot small ulcers and burns.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 448

    Priyangu

    Callicarpa macrophylla

    Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, tonic, purifies the blood; for stomach complaints, rheumatic joint pain, skin diseases.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 798

    Calomel (qing fen)

    Calomelas (kwikchloride)

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally against scabies and sores; contains mercury.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 379

    Camellia

    Camellia japonica / C. oleifera

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing oil that does not feel greasy.

    Chinese medical traditions+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 710

    Capillaris (yin chen hao)

    Artemisia capillaris

    Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat from liver and gallbladder; main herb for jaundice.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 428

    Star fruit

    Averrhoa carambola

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, cooling, antiscorbutic, antidysenteric; cooling thirst-quencher in fever, ripe fruit for bleeding (internal) haemorrhoids.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 396

    Catechu

    Acacia catechu

    Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent; for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, bleeding haemorrhoids, uterine bleeding, leucorrhoea; bleeding or inflamed gums, mouth ulcers, enlarged tonsils; bedsores; promotes milk flow.

    Ayurveda+2
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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