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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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Bissap, cold hibiscus drink
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 536

    Syrian rue

    Peganum harmala

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, antipyretic, stimulating, promotes menstruation; against tapeworm, intermittent fever and chronic malaria, pain-relieving in asthma, colic, jaundice; promotes milk and menstruation; gargle for sore throat; against head lice.

    Local African healing traditions+2
  • 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

    Africa · Food · № 807

    Honeybush

    Cyclopia intermedia

    A caffeine-free, sweetish tea related to rooibos. Health effects have not been established.

    Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 909

    Iboga

    Tabernanthe iboga

    A shrub of the dogbane family up to ten metres tall. The root bark contains ibogaine and about ten other alkaloids. In small amounts stimulating; in large amounts a dreamlike state with visions that lasts for days.

    Local African healing traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 103

    Vervain

    Verbena officinalis

    Traditionally used for nervousness, exhaustion and as a digestive bitter. Scientific evidence is largely lacking.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 504

    Levant cotton

    Gossypium herbaceum

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, laxative, expectorant, aphrodisiac, promotes milk flow, promotes menstruation; seeds for intermittent fever and dysentery; oil for rheumatism, freckles, herpes, scabies, wounds, nerve pain; compress on bruises and burns.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 75

    Cleavers

    Galium aparine

    Used in Western herbalism as a 'lymphatic' herb for swollen glands and skin conditions. Scientific evidence is lacking.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 100

    Coltsfoot

    Tussilago farfara

    One of the oldest cough herbs; the leaf contains soothing mucilage. Because of its toxic alkaloids it is now advised against.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 464

    Colocynth

    Citrullus colocynthis

    Traditionally attributed effects: drastically laxative and diuretic; in large doses emetic and highly irritant; for ascites, jaundice, urinary diseases, rheumatism, bile complaints, intestinal parasites, constipation, oedema; seed oil for snake and scorpion bites.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 102

    Great mullein

    Verbascum thapsus

    Leaves and flowers contain mucilage and are traditionally used for irritating coughs and bronchitis; the flower oil for earache. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 338

    Yellow dock

    Rumex crispus

    Traditionally attributed effects: strongly laxative, promotes bile, cleansing.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 580

    Couch grass

    Elymus repens

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing, astringent; for kidney and bladder complaints (kidney stones, interstitial cystitis), helps regulate blood sugar.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Other · № 588

    Lungwort lichen

    Lobaria pulmonaria

    Traditionally attributed effects: antioxidant, expectorant; reduces inflammation in the airways and intestines, supports the lungs and helps with sinusitis.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 211

    Sweet violet

    Viola odorata

    Traditionally attributed effects: V. odorata anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic, antitumour; V. tricolor expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antirheumatic, laxative, strengthens capillaries.

    Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 239

    Mistletoe

    Viscum album

    Traditionally attributed effects: slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, antitumour.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 47

    Hawthorn

    Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata (en C. pinnatifida)

    Studied for heart failure with conflicting results. For most conditions there is little or no good evidence.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 39

    Neem

    Azadirachta indica

    Used for centuries in traditional medicine in India, but there is insufficient clinical evidence of medical benefits.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 259

    Carrot

    Daucus carota

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, tonic, carminative; expels kidney and bladder stones, relieves lower back pain from the kidneys, reduces oedema, restores the bladder, stimulates digestion; seed traditionally as a contraceptive.

    Western herbal medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 178

    Asthma weed

    Euphorbia hirta

    Traditionally used for asthma and bronchitis (the name asthma weed comes from Queensland), for diarrhoea and externally for warts. There is laboratory research but no good clinical evidence.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 590

    Pennyroyal

    Mentha pulegium

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, astringent, promotes menstruation, induces sweating; brings on delayed menstruation, calms the stomach, lowers sudden high fever.

    Greco-Roman medicine+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 192

    Aspen

    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.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 299

    Herb Robert

    Geranium robertianum

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stops bleeding.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 99

    Red clover

    Trifolium pratense

    Contains isoflavones (plant oestrogens) and is sold for menopausal symptoms. NCCIH concludes there is no convincing evidence that it reduces hot flushes.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 11

    Rooibos

    Aspalathus linearis

    A caffeine-free herbal infusion used as a beverage; it is not an established treatment.

    Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos+1
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 321

    Safflower

    Carthamus tinctorius

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

    Ayurveda+3
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 43

    St. John's wort

    Hypericum perforatum

    Research suggests it may help mild to moderate depression; evidence for other uses is insufficient.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 318

    Lesser celandine

    Ficaria verna (syn. Ranunculus ficaria)

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, used for haemorrhoids.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 577

    Alder buckthorn

    Frangula alnus

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative, antiparasitic, bitter; mild laxative without cramps, stops bleeding and helps with warts, mouthwash for gum problems, hair rinse for scalp irritation.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 279

    Black horehound

    Ballota nigra

    Traditionally attributed effects: against vomiting, stimulating, antispasmodic.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 298

    Greater celandine

    Chelidonium majus

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, cleansing, stimulates the liver, anti-inflammatory.

    Greco-Roman medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 236

    Heather

    Calluna vulgaris

    The flowering herb was drunk as tea for bladder complaints and sleeplessness. Heather honey is a prized, jelly-like honey. A medicinal effect has not been studied.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 560

    Tamarind

    Tamarindus indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: ripe fruit sour, cooling, carminative, laxative, antiscorbutic, promotes bile; for inflamed swellings, bilious vomiting, conjunctivitis (flowers), bleeding haemorrhoids, throat complaints, ulcers, paralysis (bark), gonorrhoea (ash).

    Local African healing traditions+3
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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