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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 drinkMaqui drinkHaudenosaunee strawberry juiceManoomin with blueberries and maple syrupHerbal honey for colds and fluBath for joints and musclesWarm massage compressMassage oil for aching muscles
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 844

    Māmaki

    Pipturus albidus

    A native Hawaiian plant whose leaves are drunk as a tea.

    Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi
  • 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 · № 291

    Chaste tree

    Vitex agnus-castus

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulates the pituitary gland and hormone production.

    Greco-Roman medicine+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 897

    Mullaca

    Muehlenbeckia volcanica

    A low, creeping shrublet with small, round, leathery leaves and blue-black berries. Tannins and flavonoids have been found in the extract; in rats it was anti-inflammatory.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 858

    Natre

    Solanum crispum (incl. S. ligustrinum)

    A shrub of the nightshade family with very bitter leaves. Traditionally a fever remedy; the berries are poisonous.

    Mapuche medicine
  • 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

    South America · Herb · № 884

    Peruvian elder

    Sambucus peruviana

    A tree with white flower umbels and dark berries, related to the European elder. Flowers and leaves are considered sweat-inducing and anti-inflammatory.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 212

    Allspice

    Pimenta dioica

    The dried berries contain eugenol, like cloves, and give a warm flavour. In Caribbean folk medicine they are used for stomach ache and wind; research is lacking.

    Maya healing knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 822

    Pirul (Peruvian pepper tree)

    Schinus molle

    A tree with aromatic leaves and pink berries, used in cleansing rituals and as a folk remedy.

    Curanderismo+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 594

    Solomon's seal

    Polygonatum biflorum

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, astringent, relaxing; strengthens and lubricates tendons, ligaments and joints, helps with prolapse of the uterus and bladder, calms the heart rhythm, moistens dry conditions (dry skin, stool, airways).

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 592

    Schisandra

    Schisandra chinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, astringent, stimulating, adaptogen; supports exhausted adrenals (fatigue), promotes sleep and well-being, protects the liver.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 168

    Northern prickly ash

    Zanthoxylum americanum

    Bark and berries give a tingling, numbing feeling in the mouth; they were traditionally used for toothache, poor circulation and rheumatism. Clinical research is lacking.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 848

    Tutu

    Coriaria arborea

    A highly poisonous shrub. Its poison, tutin, can cause convulsions and be fatal.

    Rongoā Māori
  • Caution

    North America · Food · № 937

    Virginia strawberry

    Fragaria virginiana

    A wild strawberry with small, very tasty fruits. Its cross with the Chilean strawberry gave rise to the garden strawberry in eighteenth-century Europe.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+1
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 640

    Fragrant Solomon's seal (yu zhu)

    Polygonatum odoratum

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the stomach and promotes the production of body fluids; for fatigue, poor appetite, weak digestion and exhaustion.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 194

    European honeysuckle

    Lonicera caprifolium, L. periclymenum

    The sweet-scented flowers were used as tea or syrup for coughs. The berries are poisonous. In Chinese medicine the related Japanese honeysuckle (jin yin hua) is used for fever and sore throat.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 837

    Deadly nightshade (belladonna)

    Atropa belladonna

    A deadly poisonous plant. Its compound atropine is used in controlled form in modern medicine.

    Folk magic and herbal magic
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 35

    Saw palmetto

    Serenoa repens

    Promoted for urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate, but NCCIH concludes it probably does not help for this.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 973

    Salmonberry

    Rubus spectabilis

    A bramble with pink flowers and yellow-orange to red berries. Leaves and bark contain tannins and are astringent.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 108

    Barberry

    Berberis vulgaris

    Bark and root contain berberine, which is being studied for blood sugar and cholesterol. The berries are rich in vitamin C. Evidence for barberry itself is limited.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 554

    Black nightshade

    Solanum nigrum

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, calming, induces sweating and urination, expectorant; for oedema, chronically enlarged liver, jaundice, chronic skin diseases, coughing up blood, haemorrhoids, kidney and bladder inflammation, gonorrhoea, eye diseases; pain-relieving wash.

    Greco-Roman medicine+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 575

    Black haw

    Viburnum prunifolium

    Traditionally attributed effect: antispasmodic and relaxing, especially for menstrual and uterine cramps. Clinical research is lacking; that it can prevent miscarriage has not been shown.

    Eclectic medicine+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 971

    Black twinberry

    Lonicera involucrata

    A honeysuckle with yellow flowers in pairs, which later form two shiny black berries in red bracts. Effects not studied.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
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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