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: Cooling sun tea Congee with Job's tears and brown rice Steamed pears with bei mu Black sesame drink Helba, Egyptian fenugreek tea Boiled rooibos Haldi doodh, warm turmeric milk Gulkand, rose petal preserve Saenggang-cha, Korean ginger tea Daechu-cha, jujube tea Sekanjabin, mint vinegar syrup Oxymel with thyme Cacao drink with chilli and vanilla Sumac lemonade Maqui drink Muña tea Emoliente Oswego tea Mild lavender cleanser Patchouli cleanser for oily skin Chamomile cleanser for dry or mature skin Chamomile powder cleanser Chamomile exfoliant Almond scrub for all skin types+7
Chinese formulas: Si ni tang Huo xiang zheng qi san Zhi gan cao tang Da ding feng zhu Xiao yao san Jia wei xiao yao san Chai hu gui zhi gan jiang tang Gui zhi tang Gui zhi shao yao zhi mu tang Er chen tang Qing ying tang Yi yi ren tang Ge gen huang qin huang lian tang Dang gui si ni tang Ba zheng san Chai hu shu gan san Ba zhen tang Ma xing shi gan tang Ma huang tang Liang ge san Si jun zi tang Shen ling bai zhu san Shi quan da bu tang Li zhong wan+12

Caution
Asia · Herb · № 695
Glabrous greenbrier (tu fu ling)
Smilax glabra
Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat, especially via the skin and in joint complaints.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 555
Yellow-berried nightshade
Solanum surattense
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, strongly diuretic, expectorant, fever-reducing, aids digestion, astringent; for fever, cough, asthma, toothache, sore throat, gonorrhoea, rheumatism; promotes conception.
Ayurveda
Caution
South America · Herb · № 1007
Kiswara
Buddleja coriacea (en verwante Andes-soorten)
A tough shrub or tree with small, leathery leaves, rusty-brown underneath, and fragrant orange-yellow flowers. Little has been studied about its effect in people.
Kallawaya healing knowledge
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 746
Vaccaria seed (wang bu liu xing)
Gypsophila vaccaria (syn. Vaccaria segetalis)
Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow, promotes menstruation and milk flow and reduces painful swellings.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Africa · Food · № 27
Kola nut
Cola nitida en Cola acuminata
Contains about 2–4% caffeine plus theobromine and acts as a stimulant. It is chewed both privately and in social and ceremonial settings.
Local African healing traditions+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 102
Great mullein
Verbascum thapsus
Leaves and flowers contain mucilage and are traditionally used for irritating coughs and bronchitis; the flower oil for earache. Clinical evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+4
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
Asia · Food · № 238
Lime
Citrus aurantiifolia
A sour citrus fruit rich in vitamin C. The juice was given against scurvy and is used in Asia with honey or salt for coughs and sore throat.
Jamu in Indonesia+1Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 113
White horehound
Marrubium vulgare
A bitter herb traditionally used for coughs with sticky phlegm and bronchitis. In Europe it is recognised as a traditional herbal medicine; clinical evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 730
Tangerine peel (chen pi)
Citrus reticulata
Traditionally attributed effects: the ripe peel (chen pi) moves the qi of spleen and lung and dissolves phlegm; the green peel (qing pi) moves liver qi.
Chinese medical traditions+2
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 · № 530
Night jasmine
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, expels worms, laxative, fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory.
Ayurveda
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 · Food · № 452
Papaya
Carica papaya
Traditionally attributed effects: aids digestion, expels worms, stomachic, promotes menstruation; ripe fruit mildly laxative; leaves against amoebic dysentery and fever; seeds against roundworms; promotes milk flow; unripe fruit abortifacient.
Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 437
Pashanbheda
Bergenia ligulata
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing, astringent, tonic; known for dissolving kidney stones; for fever, diarrhoea, lung complaints, eye inflammation, teething in children.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Europe · Food · № 244
Pear
Pyrus communis
A fibre-rich fruit with sorbitol, which is mildly laxative. In Chinese medicine pear (li) is cooked with rock sugar for a dry cough; no effect is described for other uses.
Folk magic and herbal magic+1Folklore
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 · Food · № 408
Giant taro
Alocasia macrorrhiza
Traditionally attributed effects: aids digestion, laxative, diuretic, promotes milk flow; for colic, constipation, haemorrhoids, oedema, worms, mouth ulcers, scorpion stings.
Ayurveda
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 89
Rose and rose hip
Rosa spp.
Rose hips are rich in vitamin C; a hip powder has been studied for osteoarthritis with modest results. Rose water and oil are used in skin care and as fragrance.
Avicenna's Canon in European universities+6Folklore
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
Africa · Herb · № 399
Prickly chaff flower
Achyranthes aspera
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, diuretic, cleansing, antipyretic, laxative; for oedema from the kidneys, bronchial complaints, leprosy, stomach ache, haemorrhoids, boils, incipient diarrhoea; abortifacient in high doses.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 140
Sandalwood
Santalum album
Used in Ayurveda as a 'cooling' remedy for skin irritation and urinary complaints; the oil is used in aromatherapy. Clinical evidence is limited.
Ayurveda+6Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 91
White willow
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.
Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Africa · Food · № 356
Sesame
Sesamum indicum
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, softens the skin, diuretic, promotes menstruation and milk flow, laxative; leaves for respiratory complaints, diarrhoea and dysentery in children, bladder catarrh; seeds for bleeding haemorrhoids, absent or painful menstruation.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 849
Bitter melon
Momordica charantia
A bitter climbing plant whose fruit, leaves and vines are used. In folk medicine mainly taken to lower blood sugar; research shows a small effect at most.
Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 236
Heather
Calluna vulgaris
The flowering herb was drunk as tea for bladder complaints and sleeplessness. Heather honey is a prized, jelly-like honey. A medicinal effect has not been studied.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 512
Talmakhana
Hygrophila auriculata
Traditionally attributed effects: root cooling, bitter tonic, diuretic, soothing; seeds diuretic and aphrodisiac; for oedema, kidney stones and urogenital complaints, jaundice, impotence and weakness, asthma.
Ayurveda
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 722
Tatarian aster root (zi wan)
Aster tataricus
Traditionally attributed effects: dissolves phlegm and stops cough in cough from cold with much phlegm.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 98
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Traditionally used for coughs and bronchitis; thymol from the oil inhibits bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There are some studies of thyme-based cough syrups.
Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 40
Tulsi (holy basil)
Ocimum tenuiflorum
An aromatic plant drunk as herbal tea; treatment claims are not established.
Ayurveda
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 930
Turkestan mint
Lagochilus inebrians
A small, globular shrub of the mint family with white or pale pink flowers. Contains lagochilin, a diterpene that reduces bleeding and has a calming effect. Gives a mild intoxication.
Caution
Oceania · Herb · № 848
Tutu
Coriaria arborea
A highly poisonous shrub. Its poison, tutin, can cause convulsions and be fatal.
Rongoā Māori
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 667
Greater duckweed (fu ping)
Spirodela polyrhiza
Traditionally attributed effects: diaphoretic and diuretic; helps rashes come out.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 446
Flame of the forest
Butea monosperma
Traditionally attributed effects: leaves astringent, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac; seeds expel worms and laxative; flowers tonic; for diarrhoea, heartburn, diabetes (lowers blood sugar), flatulence, haemorrhoids, worms, leucorrhoea, inflamed throat.
Ayurveda
Caution
Europe · Food · № 83
Flax
Linum usitatissimum
Ground flaxseed acts as a gentle bulk-forming fibre for constipation. NCCIH reports it may lower cholesterol slightly; evidence for other claims is unclear.
Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
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

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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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.

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