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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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124 results

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Chinese formulas
Si ni tangHuo xiang zheng qi sanYi gan sanYin chen hao tangGui zhi long gu mu li tangBao he wanDang gui shao yao sanJiao ai tangDang gui long hui wanWu pi yinSi jun zi tangShen ling bai zhu sanLi zhong wanXuan fu dai zhe tangPing wei sanWei ling tangDa chai hu tangDa cheng qi tangXiao jian zhong tangTao he cheng qi tangBan xia xie xin tangGe xia zhu yu tangDa huang mu dan pi tangLiu jun zi tang+3
Treatment by condition
Stomach ulcer and gastritisUlcerative colitisHepatitis
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 772

    Grass-leaved sweet flag (shi chang pu)

    Acorus tatarinowii (syn. A. gramineus)

    Traditionally attributed effects: opens the sense orifices, clears the mind and expels dampness and phlegm.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 139

    Haritaki and triphala

    Terminalia chebula

    Haritaki is used in Ayurveda as a rejuvenating remedy and gentle laxative. Triphala, a blend of three fruits, is the best-known Ayurvedic formula for digestion. Clinical research is limited.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 987

    Hearts-a-bustin'

    Euonymus americanus

    A shrub of the spindle family, up to two metres tall. In autumn the warty pink fruits burst open to show seeds in a bright red aril. Seeds and fruits are strongly purgative, as in other spindles, and the genus is considered poisonous.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 415

    Himalayan angelica

    Angelica glauca

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart, stimulating; for flatulence, constipation and indigestion.

    Ayurveda+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

    Asia · Food · № 697

    Hyacinth bean (bian dou)

    Lablab purpureus (syn. Dolichos lablab)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the spleen and drains dampness in summer heat with diarrhoea and vomiting.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 537

    Indian dill

    Peucedanum graveolens

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, antispasmodic; for flatulence, hiccups, colic and stomach ache, reduces cramps from laxatives and dysentery; drink for women after childbirth; leaves on boils and abscesses.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 983

    Iochroma

    Iochroma fuchsioides

    A shrub of the nightshade family with clusters of tubular orange-red flowers. Withanolides, substances also found in ashwagandha, have been isolated from it. Why the plant acts as an intoxicant has not been explained.

    Kamëntšá and Inga medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 715

    Chinese quince (mu gua)

    Chaenomeles speciosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: relaxes tendons and muscles in cramps and rheumatic pain and drives dampness from the stomach.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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

    North America · Herb · № 940

    Joe-Pye weed

    Eutrochium purpureum en E. maculatum (syn. Eupatorium)

    Tall, purple-pink flowering plants of the daisy family, related to European hemp agrimony. They may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which damage the liver with long use.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 970

    Barestem lomatium

    Lomatium nudicaule (in Boas: Peucedanum)

    An umbellifer with blue-green leaves and yellow umbels. The seeds are strongly aromatic; related lomatiums are being studied for antiviral effects.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 402

    Sweet flag

    Acorus calamus

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, tonic, stimulating; restores throat and voice (singers), improves concentration/clear thinking, for flatulence and heartburn.

    Ayurveda+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 19

    Chamomile

    Matricaria chamomilla (Duitse kamille)

    Flowers are used in teas and topical or oral products. Reliable evidence is insufficient for most claimed conditions.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+7Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 38

    Cinnamon

    Cinnamomum verum

    A spice made from inner bark. Research on health effects is preliminary; cinnamon is not a treatment.

    Ayurveda+8Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 811

    Cancer bush (sutherlandia)

    Lessertia frutescens (syn. Sutherlandia frutescens)

    A shrub used as a tonic and for a range of complaints. Claims against cancer or HIV are unproven.

    Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 699

    Kansui root (gan sui)

    Euphorbia kansui

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used as a very strong fluid-draining purgative for fluid in chest and abdomen.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 109

    Catnip

    Nepeta cataria

    Traditionally used as a mild tea for colds, fevers, restlessness and colic. Nepetalactone from the plant is being researched as an insect repellent.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 23

    Kawakawa

    Piper excelsum

    In rongoā Māori the leaf is used for toothache, skin complaints, wounds and bladder and kidney complaints. It contains myristicin among other compounds; clinical evidence for these uses is lacking.

    Rongoā Māori+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 337

    Nut grass

    Cyperus rotundus

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, pain-relieving, antispasmodic for the uterus, promotes the flow of qi.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 725

    Korean mint (huo xiang)

    Agastache rugosa (ook Pogostemon cablin)

    Traditionally attributed effects: transforms dampness blocking spleen and stomach and curbs nausea, also in summer colds.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 42

    Clove

    Syzygium aromaticum

    A spice. Clove oil containing eugenol may help with toothache; other claims are unproven.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 338

    Yellow dock

    Rumex crispus

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

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 5

    Turmeric

    Curcuma longa

    A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 661

    Green onion (cong bai)

    Allium fistulosum

    Traditionally attributed effects: diaphoretic at the start of a cold from cold; externally on swellings.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 949

    Liverleaf

    Hepatica nobilis (incl. H. americana en H. acutiloba)

    An early spring flower of the buttercup family with three-lobed leaves. Fresh, the plant contains irritating compounds.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 732

    Lindera root (wu yao)

    Lindera aggregata (syn. L. strychnifolia)

    Traditionally attributed effects: warms and moves qi in pain from cold; warms the kidneys in frequent urination.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Mushroom · № 41

    Lingzhi (reishi)

    Ganoderma lucidum

    A bracket fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine; evidence for treatment effects in people is limited.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    South America · Food · № 32

    Maca

    Lepidium meyenii

    A root crop eaten as food. Claims about fertility and energy are unproven.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 727

    Magnolia bark (hou po)

    Magnolia officinalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: makes qi descend, dries dampness and resolves food stagnation and phlegm.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 883

    Manayupa

    Desmodium molliculum

    A low plant of the pea family. Traditionally used for inflammation and wounds; research is limited.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 730

    Tangerine peel (chen pi)

    Citrus reticulata

    Traditionally attributed effects: the ripe peel (chen pi) moves the qi of spleen and lung and dissolves phlegm; the green peel (qing pi) moves liver qi.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 216

    Marjoram

    Origanum majorana

    A mildly aromatic culinary herb related to oregano. It was drunk as tea for bloating, colds and restlessness; studies in humans are scarce.

    Unani medicine+2Folklore
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 96

    Feverfew

    Tanacetum parthenium

    Best known for preventing migraine. NCCIH notes the evidence is conflicting: some studies find a small effect, others do not.

    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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