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
CautionAsia · Herb · № 125
Ephedra sinica
Contains ephedrine, which widens the airways and stimulates the nervous system and heart. It is the origin of modern ephedrine and pseudoephedrine medicines. As a supplement it has proved dangerous.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 679
Gentiana scabra
Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat and fire from liver and gallbladder.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 663
Asarum sieboldii (en A. heterotropoides)
Traditionally attributed effects: warms in wind-cold, relieves pain from cold and loosens cold phlegm in the lungs.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 665
Actaea cimicifuga (syn. Cimicifuga foetida)
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat, helps rashes come out and lifts the energy in prolapse.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 124
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.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 183
Erythroxylum coca
The leaf contains a small amount of cocaine and other alkaloids. Chewing it or drinking it as tea is used in the Andes against hunger, fatigue and altitude sickness; evidence for the latter is limited. Cocaine, the first local anaesthetic and today mainly an addictive drug, was isolated from the leaf.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 56
Achillea millefolium
Traditionally used to stop bleeding from minor wounds, for fevers and colds, and as a digestive bitter. Clinical evidence is limited.
CautionOceania · Herb · № 54
Eremophila longifolia
One of the most important plants for Aboriginal peoples of Central Australia, with ceremonial and medicinal uses. Clinical evidence is lacking.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 751
Eucommia ulmoides
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens liver and kidneys, tendons and bones; calms rising liver yang and a restless foetus.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 336
Tetradium ruticarpum (syn. Evodia rutaecarpa)
Traditionally attributed effects: pain-relieving, antibacterial, warming, stimulating.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 503
Gmelina arborea
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, stomachic, bitter tonic, cooling, laxative, promotes milk flow; fruit in cooling decoctions for fever and bile complaints, headache, fever and indigestion; to prevent miscarriage.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 1
Zingiber officinale
Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 88
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.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 300
Cnicus benedictus
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter digestive stimulant, expectorant, antiseptic, wound-healing.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 668
Gypsum fibrosum (calciumsulfaat)
Traditionally attributed effects: strongly cooling in high fever with thirst and sweating, lung heat and stomach fire.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 315
Ligustrum lucidum
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, diuretic, stimulates the immune system.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 218
Mentha spicata
The classic culinary mint, with the milder carvone instead of menthol. It is drunk as tea for a full stomach and nausea; studies on concentration are small and inconclusive.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 62
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 144
Tinospora cordifolia
In Ayurveda a rejuvenating remedy (rasayana) for fevers and the immune system. Studies are small; it has no proven effect against infections.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 87
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.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 796
Haematitum (ijzeroxide)
Traditionally attributed effects: anchors rising liver yang, makes rebellious qi descend and cools the blood in bleeding.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 103
Verbena officinalis
Traditionally used for nervousness, exhaustion and as a digestive bitter. Scientific evidence is largely lacking.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 432
Barringtonia acutangula
Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, carminative, emetic; for nasal and respiratory catarrh, chest pain, headache (snuff), diarrhoea and dysentery, bitter tonic; root cooling and antipyretic.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 451
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 127
Lonicera japonica en L. periclymenum
The flower buds (jin yin hua) are an important 'cooling' herb in Chinese medicine for fever, sore throats and colds. There is plenty of laboratory research but few good clinical studies.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 126
Jasminum officinale / J. grandiflorum
Best known as a fragrance and in jasmine tea; jasmine aromatherapy is used for relaxation. Medical claims are unproven.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 130
Nardostachys jatamansi
Used in Ayurveda as a calming remedy for insomnia and restlessness. There is mostly animal research; clinical evidence is lacking.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 19
Matricaria chamomilla (Duitse kamille)
Flowers are used in teas and topical or oral products. Reliable evidence is insufficient for most claimed conditions.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 1008
Margyricarpus pinnatus
A low, prickly shrublet of the rose family with fine, pinnate leaves and edible white or pink berries ('perlilla'). Root and leaf are regarded as diuretic and astringent; research in people is lacking.
CautionOceania · Herb · № 7
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.
CautionOceania · Herb · № 843
Cordyline fruticosa
A plant with large leaves, used in Hawaiʻi for fever and headache and to wrap food.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 565
Tribulus terrestris
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, soothing, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 231
Coriandrum sativum
Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, stimulating, carminative, stomachic, cooling, tonic, diuretic; for flatulence, colic, rheumatism, nerve pain, sore throat, indigestion, vomiting, colds, bile complaints.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 136
Pueraria montana var. lobata
The root (ge gen) is used in Chinese medicine for fever, stiff neck and thirst. Small studies have looked at kudzu for reducing alcohol use, with mixed results.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 5
Curcuma longa
A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 44
Lavandula angustifolia
A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.
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.
Read moreFrom plant to use
Discover more
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.