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

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Recipes: Mild lavender cleanser Rose water toner Custom herbal shampoo Quick fresh hair rinse

Caution
South America · Herb · № 869
Bailahuén
Haplopappus baylahuen
A resinous shrub of the daisy family. A well-known Chilean tea for liver and bowel complaints; an effect has not been proven.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 552
Country mallow
Sida cordifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, astringent, stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, soothing, diuretic; contains an ephedrine-like substance.
Ayurveda
Caution
North America · Herb · № 574
Balsam poplar
Populus balsamifera
Traditionally attributed effects: buds: stimulating, tonic, diuretic, soothing, expectorant; bark: expectorant, laxative; for skin problems (eczema, psoriasis), dry cough, constipation, kidney/bladder support, rheumatism and gout.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
Caution
North America · Herb · № 573
Balsam fir
Abies balsamea
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, antiseptic, pain-relieving; for respiratory infections, cough and sore throat, cystitis and enteritis, aid to quitting smoking; externally for burns, wounds, haemorrhoids, muscle pain.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 134
Bamboo
Phyllostachys nigra
In Chinese medicine bamboo shavings (zhu ru) and bamboo sap are used for coughs with yellow phlegm, nausea and restlessness. Ayurveda uses silica-rich bamboo manna. Clinical research is scarce.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 431
Porcupine flower
Barleria prionitis
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, diuretic, tonic, fever-reducing; catarrh in children, prevents cracked feet, bleeding gums, toothache, ear infection, oedema, whooping cough, snake bites.
Ayurveda
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 8
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 939
Perfoliate bellwort
Uvularia perfoliata
A low plant with hanging, pale yellow bells and leaves that clasp the stem. Little is known about its compounds.
Haudenosaunee medicine
Caution
North America · Herb · № 950
Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
A shrub of the laurel family with fragrant leaves and twigs and red berries.
Haudenosaunee medicine+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 276
Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Traditionally attributed effects: urinary antiseptic, astringent.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
North America · Herb · № 224
Bee balm
Monarda didyma
The fragrant leaf contains thymol and is drunk as tea. Indigenous peoples used it for colds, fever and headache; studies in humans are lacking.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 186
Birch
Betula pendula
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, antirheumatic.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 67
Borage
Borago officinalis
The seed oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid, has been studied for eczema and joint inflammation with mixed results. The leaf was traditionally used to reduce fever and as a tonic.
Western herbal medicine+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 831
Betel leaf (sirih)
Piper betle
An aromatic leaf used in jamu for the mouth and for women's intimate hygiene.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 93
Betony
Betonica officinalis (syn. Stachys officinalis)
Traditionally used for tension headaches and nervousness. Modern clinical research is lacking.
Greco-Roman medicine+3
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 354
Bhringraj
Eclipta prostrata
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the liver, decongestant, tonic, cleansing, antiviral; for enlarged liver and spleen, skin diseases, fever, oedema, rheumatism; hair oil for black and full hair; for swollen glands, elephantiasis, headache and toothache.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 563
Bibhitaki
Terminalia bellerica
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, expectorant, laxative (unripe fruit), cleansing.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 64
Mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris
Traditionally used as a digestive bitter and to bring on delayed periods. Clinical evidence is largely lacking.
Anglo-Saxon medicine+4Folklore
Caution
South America · Herb · № 889
Bilyea
Grimolobium pubescens (syn. Otholobium pubescens, Psoralea pubescens)
A shrub of the pea family with leaves in threes. It contains bakuchiol, among other compounds; extracts lowered blood sugar in experiments with mice. Studies in people are lacking.
Kallawaya healing knowledge
Caution
Europe · Other · № 74
Bladderwrack
Fucus vesiculosus
A brown seaweed rich in iodine; formerly used for an underactive thyroid and for weight loss. Weight-loss claims are unproven.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
North America · Food · № 254
Blueberry
Vaccinium spp.
A fibre-rich berry with plenty of anthocyanins. Observational research links eating berries to a healthy diet; a medicinal effect has not been shown.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+1Folklore
Caution
Europe · Food · № 101
Bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus en V. vitis-idaea
Rich in anthocyanins. Dried berries are an old remedy for diarrhoea. NCCIH reports there is not enough evidence for eye, blood-vessel or other claims.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
North America · Herb · № 372
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, emetic, expectorant, restorative; part of escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia, warms lungs/stomach/uterus, promotes coughing up.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
Caution
North America · Herb · № 991
Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida
A small tree with large white bracts around a knot of tiny flowers in spring, red berries and red autumn leaves. The bark is astringent and bitter; in the American Civil War it served as a substitute for quinine, and in the laboratory compounds from the bark moderately inhibited the malaria parasite. The berries are poisonous to people.
Cherokee medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 440
Blumea
Blumea lacera
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, antispasmodic, promotes menstruation, diuretic; for purulent eye discharge, worms, catarrh.
Ayurveda
Caution
South America · Herb · № 282
Boldo
Peumus boldus
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulates the liver, diuretic.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 447
Bonduc nut
Caesalpinia crista
Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, antispasmodic, bitter tonic, expels worms, fever-reducing; for fever, intermittent fever, asthma, colic, swellings, bleeding, liver disorders, convulsions and nervous complaints.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
North America · Herb · № 151
Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Traditionally used for fever and flu with aching muscles; the name refers to 'break-bone fever'. There is hardly any modern clinical research.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
Caution
Europe · Food · № 73
Wild strawberry
Fragaria vesca
The tannin-rich leaf was traditionally used for mild diarrhoea; the fruit is a treat rich in vitamin C. Medical evidence is lacking.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 463
Bone setter
Cissus quadrangularis
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, stomachic; speeds bone healing in fractures, stem juice for irregular menstruation and scurvy, for asthma, indigestion, ear infection and nosebleeds.
Ayurveda
Caution
Europe · Food · № 255
Blackberry
Rubus fruticosus
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent; for damp stomach and bowel complaints, diarrhoea, mucus; syrup or liqueur against sore throat.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 353
Brahmi
Bacopa monnieri
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart and nerves, diuretic, mildly laxative, calming; for urinary retention with constipation, acute bronchitis and cough in children, exhaustion and nervous breakdown, hysteria, epilepsy, hoarseness.
Ayurveda
Caution
Europe · Food · № 48
Stinging nettle
Urtica dioica
A food and fiber plant with a long tradition in folk medicine. Medical claims are not established.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
South America · Herb · № 857
Cachanlagua
Centaurium cachanlahuen
A small bitter herb with pink flowers, related to the European common centaury. Traditionally for fever and digestion; clinical research is lacking.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
Oceania · Herb · № 176
Cajeput and niaouli
Melaleuca cajuputi, M. viridiflora, M. leucadendra e.a.
Both relatives of tea tree yield an essential oil used externally for muscle pain and in inhalations for colds. Clinical evidence is limited.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+2
Caution
North America · Herb · № 978
California bay laurel
Umbellularia californica
An evergreen tree of the laurel family with strongly scented leaves. The leaf contains umbellulone, which causes headache when inhaled and is poisonous in large amounts.
Hupa 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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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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