From Ayurveda to Rongoā Māori
Communities around the world learned how plants nourish, care and heal. Here their traditions stand beside present-day use, with respect for every culture.
GrapeFolk magic and herbal magic
BuchuLocal African healing traditions
Indian tobaccoCherokee medicine
Lignum vitaeHerbal knowledge of the Caribbean
Yerba mateKallawaya healing knowledge
CautionEurope · Herb · № 213
Laurus nobilis
Bay leaf is a culinary herb containing cineole and eugenol. The oil of the berries was used externally for muscle pain; a medicinal effect has hardly been studied.
CautionAfrica · Other · № 28
Commiphora myrrha
A gum resin with a long history in medicine, ritual, perfume, and incense. Modern treatment claims are not established.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 380
Salvia sclarea
The essential oil is used in relaxing baths and massages. A small study pointed to a relaxing effect when inhaled; the evidence is limited.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 882
Bursera graveolens
A tree of the frankincense and myrrh family, with strongly scented wood that contains essential oil.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 241
Pogostemon cablin
Traditionally attributed effects: inhibits sebum production, draws oil from the skin, fights acne bacteria; against dandruff.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 590
Mentha pulegium
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, astringent, promotes menstruation, induces sweating; brings on delayed menstruation, calms the stomach, lowers sudden high fever.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 941
Angelica atropurpurea
A tall umbellifer with a purple stem, related to European garden angelica. Contains essential oil and furanocoumarins, which make the skin sensitive to sunlight.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 989
Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (syn. Gnaphalium obtusifolium)
An annual, grey-felted herb of the daisy family, with straw-coloured flower heads that keep their shape when dried. The dried herb smells sweet. Flavonoids and essential oil have been found in it; its effect is little studied.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 2
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.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 201
Pelargonium graveolens
Traditionally attributed effects: antidepressant, pain-relieving, diuretic, calming, tonic.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 45
Salvia officinalis
A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 633
Sassafras albidum
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind, dampness and cold in joint complaints, also when heat is involved, moves the blood in stasis after trauma or in absent menstruation, and is used for itchy skin.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 91
Salix alba
The bark contains salicin, which the body partly converts to salicylic acid. There are hints of a moderate effect on low back pain and joint pain.
CautionAsia · Food · № 220
Citrus sinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: against dandruff; sweet oranges good for skin and hair.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 72
Foeniculum vulgare
The seed is traditionally used for wind, bloating and cramps. There are some small studies, but evidence is limited.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 694
Dictamnus dasycarpus
Traditionally attributed effects: drains heat, dampness and wind in itchy, weeping skin conditions.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 190
Thuja occidentalis
Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, astringent, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, stimulates muscles, antiseptic.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 373
Boswellia sacra
The resin is mainly used as incense and fragrance. Extracts of related Boswellia species have been studied for osteoarthritis, with modest and variable results.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 242
Ruta graveolens
Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, stimulating, promotes menstruation, expectorant, antispasmodic, expels worms (children); strengthens capillaries (rutin); for hysteria, flatulence and colic, incipient paralysis, indigestion; oil diuretic and skin-irritant.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 634
Gaultheria procumbens
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness and cools heat in hot, swollen joints and muscle pain, drains damp heat in the urinary tract and moves stagnant qi and blood in pain.
Featured · Central America and the Caribbean · Curanderismo
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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43 traditions
How communities built up and passed on their knowledge of plants, region by region.
113 recipes
Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play a leading role.
146 formulas
The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.