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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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Sorrel, Caribbean Christmas drink
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 819

    Tobacco

    Nicotiana rustica

    A ceremonial plant of many Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Tobacco is addictive and harmful to health.

    Maya healing knowledge+10
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Mushroom · № 904

    Teonanácatl (sacred mushrooms)

    Psilocybe mexicana (en andere Psilocybe-soorten)

    Small mushrooms containing psilocybin and psilocin. After half an hour to an hour they bring visions and an altered sense of time and space that last several hours.

    Curanderismo
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 157

    Tomato

    Solanum lycopersicum

    A fruit-vegetable with vitamin C and lycopene. Research on lycopene and heart or prostate health is mostly observational and not conclusive.

    Maya healing knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 222

    Vanilla

    Vanilla planifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: gives a feeling of calm and comfort; fragrance.

    Maya healing knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 169

    Wax myrtle (bayberry)

    Morella cerifera

    The root bark was traditionally used for colds, sore throats and diarrhoea. There is no modern clinical evidence.

    Eclectic medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 397

    Sweet acacia

    Acacia farnesiana

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, soothing, cleansing; for bleeding gums, gonorrhoea; gum as a substitute for gum arabic.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 632

    Yerba mansa

    Anemopsis californica

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness in joint pain that worsens in cold, wet weather, opens blocked sinuses and dries dampness in slow-healing wounds and swellings.

    Curanderismo+2
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 922

    Zacatechichi

    Calea ternifolia (syn. Calea zacatechichi)

    A shrub of the daisy family with very bitter leaves. Contains caleicine and other sesquiterpene lactones, among others. Said to make sleep light and dreams clear and vivid; in a small study an extract caused a slight change of perception, drowsiness and a short sleep with vivid dreams.

    Curanderismo
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 850

    Soursop

    Annona muricata

    A tree with a large, sweet-sour fruit. The leaf is drunk as a calming tea. Claims that soursop cures cancer are unproven.

    Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 4

    Aloe vera

    Aloe vera

    The gel from the leaf is used externally to soothe the skin and for minor burns. Research on wound healing gives mixed results; the gel is no substitute for wound care.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 381

    Lemongrass

    Cymbopogon citratus

    Traditionally attributed effects: for oily hair.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 981

    Justicia pectoralis (tilo)

    Justicia pectoralis (syn. Dianthera pectoralis)

    A low, creeping herb of the acanthus family. The dried leaf smells strongly of hay because of coumarin and umbelliferone. Reports of tryptamines in the plant have not been confirmed.

    Tukano medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 238

    Lime

    Citrus aurantiifolia

    A sour citrus fruit rich in vitamin C. The juice was given against scurvy and is used in Asia with honey or salt for coughs and sore throat.

    Jamu in Indonesia+1Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 880

    Mucura (guinea henweed)

    Petiveria alliacea

    A herb with a strong garlic smell. It has been studied for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects; clinical evidence is lacking.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • 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

    South America · Herb · № 907

    Yopo

    Anadenanthera peregrina

    A tree of the pea family with flat pods. The seeds contain a lot of bufotenine and also DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. As snuff they cause almost immediate muscle twitching, nausea and short visions in which things often seem very large.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+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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