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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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Ling yang gou teng tangXing su sanWen dan tangAn gong niu huang wanDa ding feng zhuChai hu jia long gu mu li tangYi gan sanZhu sha an shen wanJiao tai wanLong gu mu li tangZhi zi dou chi tangTian ma gou teng yinTian wang bu xin danGan mai da zao tangCi zhu wanPing wei sanWei ling tangFang ji huang qi tangSuan zao ren tang
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 64

    Mugwort

    Artemisia vulgaris

    Traditionally used as a digestive bitter and to bring on delayed periods. Clinical evidence is largely lacking.

    Anglo-Saxon medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 513

    Henbane

    Hyoscyamus niger

    Traditionally attributed effects: intoxicating, narcotic, pain-relieving, calming, antispasmodic, dilates the pupils.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 123

    Bitter orange

    Citrus × aurantium

    The dried unripe fruit (zhi shi) and peel are used in Chinese medicine for bloating and sluggish digestion. NCCIH warns that weight-loss products containing bitter orange (synephrine) pose risks to the heart and blood pressure.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    North America · Food · № 254

    Blueberry

    Vaccinium spp.

    A fibre-rich berry with plenty of anthocyanins. Observational research links eating berries to a healthy diet; a medicinal effect has not been shown.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 353

    Brahmi

    Bacopa monnieri

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart and nerves, diuretic, mildly laxative, calming; for urinary retention with constipation, acute bronchitis and cough in children, exhaustion and nervous breakdown, hysteria, epilepsy, hoarseness.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 642

    Chinese asparagus root (tian men dong)

    Asparagus cochinchinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: moistening; for recovery after illness or surgery, chronically dry skin and for the production of sex hormones.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 636

    Jujube (red date)

    Ziziphus jujuba

    Traditionally attributed effects: sweet and strengthening in fatigue, anaemia and low energy; builds strength and blood and softens herbal dishes.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 679

    Chinese gentian (long dan cao)

    Gentiana scabra

    Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat and fire from liver and gallbladder.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 729

    Chinese cardamom (sha ren)

    Amomum villosum (en A. kravanh)

    Traditionally attributed effects: warms the spleen, transforms dampness, calms a restless foetus and prevents tonics from lying heavy on the stomach.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 138

    Red sage root (dan shen)

    Salvia miltiorrhiza

    The red root is used in Chinese medicine to 'promote blood circulation', especially for heart and vascular complaints. There are many studies in China, often of limited quality.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 768

    Polygala root (yuan zhi)

    Polygala tenuifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: calms the mind and clears phlegm from 'the openings of the heart' and from the lungs.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • 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

    Asia · Mineral · № 797

    Cinnabar (zhu sha)

    Cinnabaris (kwiksulfide)

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used to calm the mind and stop convulsions; contains mercury.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 215

    Dill

    Anethum graveolens

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 24

    Devil's claw

    Harpagophytum procumbens

    The tuberous roots are used in folk medicine for pain. Research suggests a possible limited effect on low back pain; the evidence is of moderate quality at best.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa+1
  • 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 · № 751

    Eucommia bark (du zhong)

    Eucommia ulmoides

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens liver and kidneys, tendons and bones; calms rising liver yang and a restless foetus.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 118

    Fenugreek

    Trigonella foenum-graecum

    The seed has been studied for blood sugar and for increasing breast milk. NCCIH reports there is not enough strong evidence for these uses.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+5Folklore
  • 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

    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

    Europe · Herb · № 317

    Pellitory-of-the-wall

    Parietaria judaica (syn. P. diffusa)

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing, calms the urinary tract lining.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Food · № 962

    Ground plum

    Astragalus crassicarpus

    A low legume with purple-pink flowers and thick, round pods that lie on the ground like small plums. Only the young pods are edible.

    Lakota medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 87

    Cowslip

    Primula veris

    The root contains saponins and is traditionally used to loosen phlegm in coughs; the flowers as a calming tea. There is some research on combination cough preparations.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+1
  • 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

    Europe · Food · № 66

    Oats

    Avena sativa

    Oat flakes provide beta-glucan, a fibre that according to approved health claims can help maintain normal cholesterol. Oatmeal is also used in baths for dry, itchy skin. Its traditional role as a nerve tonic is unproven.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 796

    Hematite (dai zhe shi)

    Haematitum (ijzeroxide)

    Traditionally attributed effects: anchors rising liver yang, makes rebellious qi descend and cools the blood in bleeding.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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

    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

    Asia · Herb · № 451

    Indian hemp

    Cannabis indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: intoxicating, stomachic, antispasmodic, pain-relieving, stimulating, aphrodisiac, calming; sleep-inducing, for painful menstruation, itchy skin diseases, headache, mania, whooping cough, asthma, nervous vomiting.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 126

    Jasmine

    Jasminum officinale / J. grandiflorum

    Best known as a fragrance and in jasmine tea; jasmine aromatherapy is used for relaxation. Medical claims are unproven.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Other · № 384

    Jojoba

    Simmondsia chinensis

    The liquid wax from the seeds resembles the sebum of human skin and is quickly absorbed. It is used for dry skin and hair; medical claims have been little studied.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 981

    Justicia pectoralis (tilo)

    Justicia pectoralis (syn. Dianthera pectoralis)

    A low, creeping herb of the acanthus family. The dried leaf smells strongly of hay because of coumarin and umbelliferone. Reports of tryptamines in the plant have not been confirmed.

    Tukano medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 752

    Teasel root (xu duan)

    Dipsacus asper

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens liver and kidneys, helps fractures heal and calms the foetus.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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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