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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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302 results

  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 105

    Heartsease

    Viola tricolor

    Traditionally used for skin conditions such as eczema and cradle cap, and for coughs. There is little clinical research.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 245

    Grape

    Vitis vinifera

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, laxative, cooling, stomachic, diuretic; for bilious indigestion, bleeding, painful urination, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, gout; juice for constipation in children.

    Folk magic and herbal magic+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 56

    Yarrow

    Achillea millefolium

    Traditionally used to stop bleeding from minor wounds, for fevers and colds, and as a digestive bitter. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Greco-Roman medicine+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Other · № 377

    Dulse

    Palmaria palmata

    A red seaweed with protein, iodine and minerals. It is eaten as food and worked into scrubs; a medicinal effect has not been shown.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 289

    Centaury

    Centaurium erythraea

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, stimulates the liver.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 107

    Wall germander

    Teucrium chamaedrys

    Formerly used as a digestive bitter, for gout and as a slimming aid. The risk of liver damage outweighs any possible benefit.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Mushroom · № 115

    Penny bun (porcini)

    Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, Morchella esculenta, Pleurotus ostreatus

    A prized edible mushroom with protein, fibre and minerals. Medicinal claims are unproven.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 193

    Ash

    Fraxinus excelsior

    The leaf was used as a mild diuretic and laxative and for gout. There is little research; a medicinal effect has not been shown.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 90

    Raspberry

    Rubus idaeus

    The fruit is a nutritious berry. Raspberry leaf has been used in folk medicine in late pregnancy to ease labour; convincing evidence is lacking.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 297

    Goat's rue

    Galega officinalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: lowers blood sugar, stimulates insulin, promotes milk flow, diuretic.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 104

    Guelder rose

    Viburnum opulus en V. prunifolium

    The bark is traditionally used for muscle cramps and period pain; its English name is cramp bark. Clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 76

    Great yellow gentian

    Gentiana lutea

    The root is one of the most bitter substances known and has long been used to stimulate appetite and digestion. Studies are small.

    Greco-Roman medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 311

    Melilot

    Melilotus officinalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, diuretic, antispasmodic, anticoagulant.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 836

    Poison hemlock

    Conium maculatum

    A deadly poisonous member of the carrot family. Its poison, coniine, paralyses the muscles, including those used for breathing.

    Greco-Roman medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 88

    Self-heal

    Prunella vulgaris

    In Europe an old wound herb and gargle for sore throats; in Chinese medicine used for 'heat' and swollen glands. Research is mostly laboratory work.

    Western herbal medicine+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 300

    Blessed thistle

    Cnicus benedictus

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter digestive stimulant, expectorant, antiseptic, wound-healing.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 333

    Wild lettuce

    Lactuca virosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: calming, lowers blood sugar, sleep-inducing, suppresses libido.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 317

    Pellitory-of-the-wall

    Parietaria judaica (syn. P. diffusa)

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing, calms the urinary tract lining.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 49

    Pot marigold (calendula)

    Calendula officinalis

    An edible flower historically used as medicine and dye. Its oil is widely used in skin products.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 218

    Spearmint

    Mentha spicata

    The classic culinary mint, with the milder carvone instead of menthol. It is drunk as tea for a full stomach and nausea; studies on concentration are small and inconclusive.

    Folk magic and herbal magic+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 60

    Garden angelica

    Angelica archangelica

    An aromatic bitter traditionally used for bloating, poor appetite and colds. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 591

    Purple loosestrife

    Lythrum salicaria

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, antibiotic, antispasmodic, diuretic, induces sweating, tonic, soothing; for dysentery and bacterial diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's), strengthens kidneys and bladder, for the eyes.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 62

    Greater burdock

    Arctium lappa

    In Europe the root was considered a 'blood-cleansing' herb for skin problems such as eczema and acne; the seed is used in Chinese medicine for sore throats. Clinical evidence is weak.

    Western herbal medicine+5
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 316

    Parsley piert

    Aphanes arvensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 339

    Water plantain (ze xie)

    Alisma plantago-aquatica (syn. A. orientale)

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, cleanses the liver.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 87

    Cowslip

    Primula veris

    The root contains saponins and is traditionally used to loosen phlegm in coughs; the flowers as a calming tea. There is some research on combination cough preparations.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 82

    Motherwort

    Leonurus cardiaca

    Traditionally used for stress-related palpitations, nervousness and menstrual complaints. Clinical research is scarce.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 66

    Oats

    Avena sativa

    Oat flakes provide beta-glucan, a fibre that according to approved health claims can help maintain normal cholesterol. Oatmeal is also used in baths for dry, itchy skin. Its traditional role as a nerve tonic is unproven.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 196

    Hazel

    Corylus avellana

    The nuts are nourishing and rich in unsaturated fats and vitamin E. Hazelnut oil is a light oil for the skin; a medicinal effect has not been shown.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 59

    Marshmallow

    Althaea officinalis

    Root and leaf are rich in mucilage that forms a soothing layer; used for dry coughs, throat irritation and an irritated stomach. Evidence is modest.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 70

    Field horsetail

    Equisetum arvense

    Rich in silica; traditionally used as a diuretic, for urinary infections and for hair, nails and connective tissue. Good clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 69

    Shepherd's purse

    Capsella bursa-pastoris

    Traditionally used to slow bleeding, such as heavy periods or nosebleeds. Clinical evidence is very limited.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 112

    Ground ivy

    Glechoma hederacea

    Traditionally used for blocked noses, sinus complaints and coughs. There is hardly any clinical research.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 77

    Hops

    Humulus lupulus

    The cones are traditionally used for restlessness and sleep problems, often with valerian. There are hints of a mild sedative effect, but evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 202

    Grape hyacinth and bluebell

    Muscari racemosum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta

    Hyacinths and grape hyacinths are ornamental plants. The bulbs are poisonous and can cause itching on contact ('hyacinth itch' among bulb peelers).

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 78

    Hyssop

    Hyssopus officinalis

    Traditionally used for coughs, colds and congestion. Clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
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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