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: Māmaki tea Custom herbal shampoo Quick fresh hair rinse Leave-in hair oil against frizz Nourishing hair treatment
Chinese formulas: Fang feng tong sheng san Jing jie lian qiao tang
Treatment by condition: Underactive thyroid Allergies of the upper airways Hair loss Boils and carbuncles

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 · № 1
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.
Ayurveda+6Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 269
Barley
Hordeum vulgare
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, light; good for skin and hair.
Ayurveda+4Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 49
Pot marigold (calendula)
Calendula officinalis
An edible flower historically used as medicine and dye. Its oil is widely used in skin products.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 257
Grapefruit
Citrus × paradisi
A citrus fruit rich in vitamin C. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice inhibit enzymes that break down many medicines. The essential oil is used in skin and hair products, but effects on cellulite or hair growth have not been shown.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 60
Garden angelica
Angelica archangelica
An aromatic bitter traditionally used for bloating, poor appetite and colds. Clinical evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
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
Europe · Food · № 196
Hazel
Corylus avellana
The nuts are nourishing and rich in unsaturated fats and vitamin E. Hazelnut oil is a light oil for the skin; a medicinal effect has not been shown.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 59
Marshmallow
Althaea officinalis
Root and leaf are rich in mucilage that forms a soothing layer; used for dry coughs, throat irritation and an irritated stomach. Evidence is modest.
Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
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 · № 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 · 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
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
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
Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 416
Custard apple
Annona squamosa
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, expels worms, laxative, diuretic, insecticidal; unripe fruit for diarrhoea and dysentery, leaves for non-healing ulcers and fainting, seed powder against lice.
Ayurveda
Caution
Europe · Other · № 382
Kelp
Laminaria spp. / Ascophyllum nodosum
Brown seaweeds are rich in iodine and alginate. They are used in scrubs and as food supplements; too much iodine can disrupt the thyroid.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 342
Curry leaves
Murraya koenigii
Traditionally attributed effects: neither warming nor cooling; stimulates appetite and aids digestion without overheating; good for skin and hair.
Ayurveda
Caution
Africa · Food · № 383
Coffee
Coffea arabica
The beans contain caffeine, which increases alertness. Ground coffee is used in scrubs to exfoliate the skin; that caffeine reduces cellulite has not been shown.
Local African healing traditions
Caution
Asia · Food · № 357
Coconut
Cocos nucifera
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, diuretic, antiseptic, laxative; root for uterine diseases, bronchitis, liver complaints, dysentery, sore throat (gargle); coconut water for thirst, fever, urinary complaints and vomiting; ash for scabies and toothache.
Ayurveda+1
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 · 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 · Herb · № 5
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.
Ayurveda+5Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 213
Bay laurel
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.
Greco-Roman medicine+1Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 44
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.
Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 226
Linden
Tilia × europaea
Traditionally attributed effects: calming nerve remedy, induces sweating, vasodilating, restores the vessel walls, lowers blood pressure.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 211
Sweet violet
Viola odorata
Traditionally attributed effects: V. odorata anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic, antitumour; V. tricolor expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antirheumatic, laxative, strengthens capillaries.
Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 266
Maize
Zea mays
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, heals the urinary tract lining, tonic, soothing.
Maya healing knowledge+7Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 248
Mango
Mangifera indica
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling herb, prevents a burning feeling and keeps you cool in the heat; aids digestion; good for skin and hair.
Ayurveda+2Folklore
Caution
Africa · Other · № 28
Myrrh
Commiphora myrrha
A gum resin with a long history in medicine, ritual, perfume, and incense. Modern treatment claims are not established.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+6Folklore
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
North America · Other · № 388
Meadowfoam
Limnanthes alba
Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing carrier oil.
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
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
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
Europe · Food · № 362
Olive
Olea europaea
Olive oil is the basis of the Mediterranean diet, which is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Olive leaf extract is sold as a remedy for infections and high blood pressure; the evidence for this is limited and there is no evidence that it treats flu or other viral infections.
Greco-Roman medicine+1

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 →