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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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Chinese formulas
Zuo gui wanJi chuan jianQing e wanEr xian tangChuan xiong cha tiao sanJiao tai wanDang gui shao yao sanJiao ai tangShu jin sanDu huo ji sheng tangYou gui wanBa wei di huang wan (jin gui shen qi wan)Liu wei di huang wanEr miao san
Treatment by condition
Stomach ulcer and gastritisHaemorrhoidsUrinary tract infectionHeadache and migraineBack pain and sciatica
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 71

    Meadowsweet

    Filipendula ulmaria

    Contains salicylates. Traditionally used for heartburn, an irritated stomach and joint pain. Clinical research is scarce.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 762

    Mulberry mistletoe (sang ji sheng)

    Taxillus chinensis (syn. Loranthus parasiticus)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens liver and kidneys, expels wind and dampness, nourishes the blood and calms the foetus.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 753

    Morinda root (ba ji tian)

    Morinda officinalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang and expels wind, cold and dampness from back and legs.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 658

    Notopterygium root (qiang huo)

    Notopterygium incisum

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind, cold and dampness in colds and rheumatic pain in head, neck and shoulders.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 421

    Elephant creeper

    Argyreia speciosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, tonic, soothing; for elephantiasis, arthritis, rheumatic swelling, overweight, skin diseases, boils, ear infection.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 153

    Osha

    Ligusticum porteri, L. sinense en L. wallichii

    The root is traditionally used for sore throats, coughs and early colds. There is virtually no clinical research.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 882

    Palo santo

    Bursera graveolens

    A tree of the frankincense and myrrh family, with strongly scented wood that contains essential oil.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 326

    Partridge berry

    Mitchella repens

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulates the uterus, tonic, restorative, astringent, diuretic.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+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

    Asia · Herb · № 673

    Rehmannia

    Rehmannia glutinosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: raw it cools the blood and nourishes yin; prepared (steamed with wine) it nourishes the blood and the kidney yin.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 666

    Scouring rush (mu zei)

    Equisetum hyemale

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat around the eyes, stops bleeding and is diuretic.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 91

    White willow

    Salix alba

    The bark contains salicin, which the body partly converts to salicylic acid. There are hints of a moderate effect on low back pain and joint pain.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 749

    Siberian Solomon's seal (huang jing)

    Polygonatum sibiricum

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens spleen and kidneys, moistens the lungs and replenishes the essence.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 95

    Comfrey

    Symphytum officinale

    Topical preparations have been studied for bruises, sprains and back pain and appear to reduce pain. It contains allantoin, which is thought to support tissue repair.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 750

    Fo-ti (he shou wu)

    Reynoutria multiflora (syn. Polygonum multiflorum)

    Traditionally attributed effects: processed a tonic for blood, liver and kidneys; raw mildly laxative and detoxifying.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 94

    Chickweed

    Stellaria media

    Traditionally used externally as a cooling ointment or compress for itching, eczema and minor skin irritation. There is hardly any clinical research.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 80

    Walnut

    Juglans regia

    The nuts are a nutritious source of unsaturated fats. Leaf and green husk are astringent and were traditionally used for skin conditions and diarrhoea; clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 242

    Rue

    Ruta graveolens

    Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, stimulating, promotes menstruation, expectorant, antispasmodic, expels worms (children); strengthens capillaries (rutin); for hysteria, flatulence and colic, incipient paralysis, indigestion; oil diuretic and skin-irritant.

    Greco-Roman medicine+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 712

    Hypoglauca yam (bei xie)

    Dioscorea hypoglauca (syn. D. collettii)

    Traditionally attributed effects: clears cloudy urine and expels wind and dampness in rheumatism and skin complaints.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 150

    Black cohosh

    Actaea racemosa

    Mainly sold for menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes. NCCIH reports that study results are mixed and there is not enough evidence that it helps.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 475

    Black musli

    Curculigo orchiodes

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter aromatic tonic, soothing, diuretic, aphrodisiac, cleansing; for haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, jaundice, asthma, itching and skin diseases, urinary stones, bronchitis, lumbago, recovery after illness.

    Ayurveda+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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