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

Also found

Recipes: Cucumber eye gel
Chinese formulas: Jia wei xiao yao san Yin chen hao tang Dang gui long hui wan Wu yao shun qi san Qi ju di huang wan
Treatment by condition: Hepatitis Overactive thyroid Flu and pneumonia Allergies of the upper airways Epilepsy Improving eyesight

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
Asia · Herb · № 315
Glossy privet (nu zhen zi)
Ligustrum lucidum
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, diuretic, stimulates the immune system.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Asia · Mineral · № 698
Glauber's salt (mang xiao)
Mirabilitum (natriumsulfaat)
Traditionally attributed effects: softens the stool in constipation from heat and dryness.
Chinese medical traditions+1
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
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 · № 942
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
An arum with a green or striped hood over the spadix. All parts contain needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate, which raw cause a fiercely burning mouth and swelling.
Haudenosaunee medicine
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
Europe · Herb · № 834
Chervil
Anthriscus cerefolium
A mild, aniseed-like kitchen herb, traditionally used as a cleansing spring herb and for digestive complaints.
Monastic and folk knowledge+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 565
Puncture vine
Tribulus terrestris
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, soothing, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 92
Figwort
Scrophularia nodosa (en S. ningpoensis)
Used in Western herbalism for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and for swollen glands. There is no good clinical evidence.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2
Caution
Asia · Food · № 261
Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
Traditionally attributed effects: fruit nourishing and soothing; seeds cooling, diuretic, tonic; for throat complaints, strongly diuretic with sugar, in fever.
Ayurveda+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 292
Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, stimulating, anti-inflammatory.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 655
Magnolia flower bud (xin yi hua)
Magnolia biondii (syn. M. liliflora)
Traditionally attributed effects: warms and opens the nose in blocked sinuses and headache from wind-cold.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 420
Mexican prickly poppy
Argemone mexicana
Traditionally attributed effects: root diuretic, cleansing, pain-relieving, sleep-inducing; seeds laxative, emetic, expectorant; for oedema, jaundice, skin diseases, warts, scabies, gonorrhoea, tapeworm, cough and asthma.
Curanderismo+1
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
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 380
Clary sage
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.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 235
Eyebright
Euphrasia officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: anticatarrhal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 97
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
The leaf is mildly diuretic; the bitter root was used for the liver and digestion. NCCIH notes there is little human research.
Avicenna's Canon in European universities+6Folklore
Caution
Europe · Food · № 259
Carrot
Daucus carota
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, tonic, carminative; expels kidney and bladder stones, relieves lower back pain from the kidneys, reduces oedema, restores the bladder, stimulates digestion; seed traditionally as a contraceptive.
Western herbal medicine+4Folklore
Caution
Oceania · Herb · № 178
Asthma weed
Euphorbia hirta
Traditionally used for asthma and bronchitis (the name asthma weed comes from Queensland), for diarrhoea and externally for warts. There is laboratory research but no good clinical evidence.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+4
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 132
Chinese peony (bai shao)
Paeonia lactiflora en P. suffruticosa
The peeled root (bai shao, white peony) is used in Chinese medicine for cramps, period pain and muscle pain. There are studies of combination formulas but few of peony alone.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
South America · Herb · № 900
Sabadilla
Schoenocaulon officinale
A lily-like plant with highly poisonous seeds containing alkaloids such as veratridine and cevadine. Pharmacists around the world made louse treatments and insecticides from them.
Kallawaya healing knowledge
Caution
North America · Herb · № 633
Sassafras
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.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 456
Sickle senna
Cassia tora
Traditionally attributed effects: mildly laxative, cleansing; intestinal complaints and fever when teething, compress for gout, sciatica and joint pain; seeds for ringworm, scabies and eczema; root for snake bites.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
North America · Herb · № 152
Witch hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
Strongly astringent due to tannins. Witch hazel water and ointment are used externally for minor skin irritation, bruises and haemorrhoids; there is limited but reasonably supportive evidence.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4Folklore
Caution
South America · Herb · № 874
Tupa (devil's tobacco)
Lobelia tupa
A robust lobelia with red flowers and felted leaves. Contains lobeline and other alkaloids; poisonous.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 72
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
The seed is traditionally used for wind, bloating and cramps. There are some small studies, but evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+9Folklore
Caution
Europe · Food · № 21
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 86
Greater plantain
Plantago major
The leaf is traditionally bruised and applied to insect bites, small wounds and grazes, and taken as tea for coughs. Clinical evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+9Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 128
White mulberry
Morus alba en M. nigra
The leaf (sang ye) is being studied for post-meal blood sugar and is used in Chinese medicine for coughs and fevers; bark, twigs and berries each have their own use too. Evidence is preliminary.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 837
Deadly nightshade (belladonna)
Atropa belladonna
A deadly poisonous plant. Its compound atropine is used in controlled form in modern medicine.
Folk magic and herbal magic
Caution
North America · Herb · № 986
Yellowroot
Xanthorhiza simplicissima
A low shrub of the buttercup family, one of the few woody species in that family. Root and stem are bright yellow from berberine, a bitter substance also found in goldenseal and barberry that inhibits bacteria and fungi.
Cherokee medicine

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.

From plant to use

Ways to prepare herbs

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Discover more

Traditions, kitchen and classical formulas

43 traditions

Cultures & traditions

How communities built up and passed on their knowledge of plants, region by region.

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113 recipes

Recipes

Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play a leading role.

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146 formulas

Chinese formulas

The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.

Treatment by condition →All formulas →