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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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104 results

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Chinese formulas
Ling yang gou teng tangJia wei xiao yao sanEr xian tangSan huang xie xin tangDang gui long hui wanChai hu shu gan sanWu zhu yu tangTian ma gou teng yinLong dan xie gan tangTian wang bu xin danFang feng tong sheng sanQi ju di huang wanLing gui zhu gan tangBa wei di huang wan (jin gui shen qi wan)Liu wei di huang wan
Treatment by condition
Overactive thyroidHigh blood pressureLow blood pressure
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 17

    Ashwagandha

    Withania somnifera

    An Ayurvedic medicinal plant. Some preparations have been studied for stress and sleep, but evidence is limited and products vary.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 149

    Astragalus (huang qi)

    Astragalus membranaceus

    In Chinese medicine an important strengthening herb ('qi tonic') for fatigue, catching colds easily and sweating. NCCIH notes there is little reliable human research.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 901

    Ayahuasca

    Banisteriopsis caapi

    A giant liana up to thirty metres long. The stem contains harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, which inhibit the enzyme MAO. This makes the DMT from plants such as chacruna active by mouth. The drink brings visions, and usually vomiting and diarrhoea, which the tradition regards as cleansing.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 36

    Asian ginseng

    Panax ginseng (ook P. quinquefolius)

    Research consists mostly of small, short studies; there is little evidence of health effects.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 677

    Baikal skullcap (huang qin)

    Scutellaria baicalensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools and dries damp heat, especially in the lungs and upper body; calms a restless foetus from heat.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 8

    Basil

    Ocimum basilicum

    Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 93

    Betony

    Betonica officinalis (syn. Stachys officinalis)

    Traditionally used for tension headaches and nervousness. Modern clinical research is lacking.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 306

    Smooth hydrangea

    Hydrangea arborescens

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, laxative, stimulates the kidneys.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 857

    Cachanlagua

    Centaurium cachanlahuen

    A small bitter herb with pink flowers, related to the European common centaury. Traditionally for fever and digestion; clinical research is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 34

    Goldenseal

    Hydrastis canadensis

    There is not enough evidence to determine whether goldenseal helps any health condition.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+6Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 891

    Carqueja

    Baccharis genistelloides (en B. trimera)

    A perennial with flat, winged stems and hardly any leaves. One of the best-studied Baccharis species; it contains flavonoids that may be anti-inflammatory. Clinical evidence is lacking.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 924

    Cebil (vilca)

    Anadenanthera colubrina

    A thorny tree of the pea family, related to yopo. The seeds contain much bufotenine, up to over twelve per cent, as well as some DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. As a snuff they cause violent physical effects and short visions.

  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 919

    Chanca piedra (stonebreaker)

    Phyllanthus niruri (en P. stipulatus, P. urinaria)

    A small herb with rows of fine leaflets and tiny fruits beneath them. In experiments it inhibited the formation of kidney stone crystals and acted as a diuretic; small studies in people do not yet give clear evidence.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 124

    Chrysanthemum (ju hua)

    Chrysanthemum × morifolium

    The flowers (ju hua) are used in Chinese medicine as a 'cooling' remedy for colds with fever, headaches and tired, red eyes. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 85

    Lemon balm

    Melissa officinalis

    Traditionally used for restlessness, sleep problems and a nervous stomach; externally for cold sores. Small studies suggest a mild calming effect, but evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+7Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 183

    Coca

    Erythroxylum coca

    The leaf contains a small amount of cocaine and other alkaloids. Chewing it or drinking it as tea is used in the Andes against hunger, fatigue and altitude sickness; evidence for the latter is limited. Cocaine, the first local anaesthetic and today mainly an addictive drug, was isolated from the leaf.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 14

    Echinacea

    Echinacea purpurea

    Studied for colds and respiratory infections. It may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold; effects on duration and other conditions are uncertain.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 111

    European goldenrod

    Solidago virgaurea

    In Europe it is used to flush the urinary tract in mild complaints and is listed in European herbal monographs as a traditional remedy. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 774

    Gastrodia (tian ma)

    Gastrodia elata

    Traditionally attributed effects: calms liver wind and relieves headache, dizziness and cramps.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • 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

    North America · Herb · № 182

    Yellow jessamine (gelsemium)

    Gelsemium sempervirens

    Contains alkaloids such as gelsemine that act on the nervous system. In the 19th century it was used for nerve pain, migraine and fever, but its toxicity makes any use dangerous. Homeopathic gelsemium is so diluted that it contains no active substance.

    Eclectic medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 1

    Ginger

    Zingiber officinale

    Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • 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

    Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 257

    Grapefruit

    Citrus × paradisi

    A citrus fruit rich in vitamin C. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice inhibit enzymes that break down many medicines. The essential oil is used in skin and hair products, but effects on cellulite or hair growth have not been shown.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 170

    Gumweed

    Grindelia camporum

    The sticky herb was traditionally used for coughs, asthma and bronchitis, and externally for poison-ivy rashes. Clinical evidence is lacking.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 16

    Green tea

    Camellia sinensis

    A brewed tea. Evidence does not establish most health claims; extracts differ from the ordinary beverage.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 163

    Guarana

    Paullinia cupana

    The seeds contain about twice as much caffeine as coffee beans. Guarana is used in energy drinks and soft drinks; its stimulating effect comes from caffeine.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 879

    Guayusa

    Ilex guayusa

    A relative of yerba mate; the leaf contains a lot of caffeine and is stimulating.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 808

    Hoodia

    Hoodia gordonii

    A succulent whose stem the San chewed against hunger and thirst. Not proven as a slimming aid.

    Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 307

    Indian tobacco

    Lobelia inflata

    Traditionally attributed effects: relaxing, expectorant, induces sweating, emetic, antispasmodic, anti-asthmatic.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 499

    Indian fumitory

    Fumaria indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, mildly laxative, cooling, induces sweating and urination, fever-reducing, lowers blood pressure; for syphilis, scrofula, leprosy, constipation, indigestion from a sluggish liver, fever, jaundice, skin diseases.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 127

    Japanese honeysuckle

    Lonicera japonica en L. periclymenum

    The flower buds (jin yin hua) are an important 'cooling' herb in Chinese medicine for fever, sore throats and colds. There is plenty of laboratory research but few good clinical studies.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 81

    Juniper

    Juniperus communis

    The berries are traditionally used as a diuretic, for digestive complaints and externally for joint pain. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Western herbal medicine+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Other · № 141

    Camphor

    Cinnamomum camphora

    Used externally in rubs for muscle pain, itching and blocked noses; it gives a cooling, numbing feeling. There is some evidence of short-term relief.

    Ayurveda+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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