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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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Recipes
Sweating tea with elder, yarrow and mintWhite radish soup with Chinese asparagusPoached egg with mushrooms in clear brothFish and vegetable soup with celosia seedChicken soup with tian qiSteamed egg with shiitake and fox nutSteamed black chicken with jujubes and longanElderflower cordialHerbal honey for colds and fluClarifying shampoo
Chinese formulas
Ma zi ren wanLi zhong wanCi zhu wanXiao qing long tang
Treatment by condition
Allergies of the upper airwaysImproving eyesight
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 649

    Glehnia root (sha shen)

    Glehnia littoralis

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the lungs and is good for the stomach; for persistent dry cough and to dissolve phlegm.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 62

    Greater burdock

    Arctium lappa

    In Europe the root was considered a 'blood-cleansing' herb for skin problems such as eczema and acne; the seed is used in Chinese medicine for sore throats. Clinical evidence is weak.

    Western herbal medicine+5
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 174

    Gumbi gumbi

    Pittosporum spp.

    Leaves, seeds or wood were steeped in hot water and drunk or used externally, for example for colds, coughs, eczema and cramps. Laboratory research points to antimicrobial compounds; clinical studies are lacking.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+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

    South America · Herb · № 237

    Heliotrope

    Heliotropium arborescens

    An ornamental plant with strongly vanilla-scented flowers. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is poisonous if swallowed; it is grown only for its scent.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 305

    Hemp seed

    Cannabis sativa

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulant laxative.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 480

    Bermuda grass

    Cynodon dactylon

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, astringent, diuretic, stops bleeding, mildly laxative; for oedema, blood in the urine, vomiting, chronic diarrhoea, hysteria, bleeding haemorrhoids, bladder irritation, bladder stones, gout and rheumatism.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 501

    Indian gamboge

    Garcinia morella

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms, wound-healing; for oedema, absent menstruation, stubborn constipation, worms.

    Ayurveda
  • 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

    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 · 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

    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
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 7

    Kava

    Piper methysticum

    The drink slightly numbs the mouth and tongue and is relaxing. Research points to a modest effect on anxiety, but results vary and the safety of supplements is disputed.

    Kava in Pacific island traditions+2
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 583

    Queen of the night

    Selenicereus grandiflorus

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, relaxing; strengthens the heart muscle and heart function (also in the elderly), relieves chest tightness and restricted breathing.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 68

    Cabbage

    Brassica oleracea

    A vegetable rich in vitamin C and fibre. In folk medicine cold cabbage leaves are placed on engorged breasts or painful joints; small studies give mixed results.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
  • 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 · № 6

    Lovage

    Levisticum officinale

    The leaf tastes of stock and celery. In folk medicine the root was used as a diuretic and for bloating; research is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 795

    Magnetite (ci shi)

    Magnetitum (ijzeroxide)

    Traditionally attributed effects: calms the mind and rising liver yang and helps the kidneys hold the lung energy.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 800

    Minium (qian dan)

    Minium (loodoxide)

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally to draw out pus and heal wounds; contains lead.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 3

    Mint

    Mentha × piperita

    Peppermint oil has been studied in irritable bowel syndrome and may reduce abdominal pain. The tea is used for a full stomach and nausea. With heartburn peppermint can make complaints worse.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 39

    Neem

    Azadirachta indica

    Used for centuries in traditional medicine in India, but there is insufficient clinical evidence of medical benefits.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 129

    Nutmeg

    Myristica fragrans

    A spice used in small amounts in Ayurveda and Arabic medicine for diarrhoea, nausea and insomnia. There is no good clinical evidence.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 906

    Ololiuqui

    Ipomoea corymbosa (syn. Turbina corymbosa, Rivea corymbosa)

    A woody morning glory with white flowers. The small, round seeds contain ergine (LSA) and related ergoline alkaloids, chemically related to LSD. They bring an intoxication with visions, often with nausea and lethargy.

    Curanderismo
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 868

    Palqui (green cestrum)

    Cestrum parqui

    A fast-growing, foul-smelling shrub of the nightshade family. All parts are poisonous because of alkaloids.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 241

    Patchouli

    Pogostemon cablin

    Traditionally attributed effects: inhibits sebum production, draws oil from the skin, fights acne bacteria; against dandruff.

    Chinese medical traditions+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 219

    Parsley

    Petroselinum crispum

    A culinary herb rich in vitamins C and K. Root and seed were used as a diuretic. Large amounts of seed or oil are toxic and can induce contractions.

    Greco-Roman medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Mushroom · № 146

    Poria (fu ling)

    Wolfiporia cocos

    One of the most widely used remedies in Chinese medicine, for fluid retention, poor digestion and restless sleep. Clinical research on fu ling alone is scarce.

    Chinese medical traditions+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 784

    Pumice (fu hai shi)

    Pumex

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools hot phlegm in the lungs, softens lumps and promotes urination.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 791

    Pyrite (zi ran tong)

    Pyritum (ijzersulfide)

    Traditionally attributed effects: resolves blood stagnation and helps fractures and ligaments recover.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 545

    Radish

    Raphanus sativus

    Traditionally attributed effects: seeds and leaves diuretic, laxative, dissolve stones; juice against scurvy; for painful and difficult urination, stones, urinary diseases, haemorrhoids, stomach ache; syrup for hoarseness, whooping cough and chest complaints.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 799

    Realgar (xiong huang)

    Realgar (arseensulfide)

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally against parasites, itching and sores; contains arsenic.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 2

    Rosemary

    Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)

    An aromatic culinary herb with carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. A few small studies point to a slight effect of the scent on alertness; that it improves memory has not been shown. The leaf is used for digestive complaints.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 45

    Sage

    Salvia officinalis

    A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 875

    San Pedro cactus

    Echinopsis pachanoi (syn. Trichocereus pachanoi)

    A fast-growing columnar cactus containing mescaline, a powerful mind-altering substance.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
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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