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: Steamed pears with bei mu
Chinese formulas: Xing su san Ding chuan tang Qing zao jiu fei tang Sheng mai san Bai he gu jin tang Xiao qing long tang Mai men dong yin zi
Treatment by condition: Tuberculosis Eczema, dermatitis, itching, acne, erysipelas and psoriasis

Caution
Asia · Herb · № 686
Houttuynia (yu xing cao)
Houttuynia cordata
Traditionally attributed effects: detoxifies and drains pus, especially in lung infections; diuretic.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 699
Kansui root (gan sui)
Euphorbia kansui
Traditionally attributed effects: was used as a very strong fluid-draining purgative for fluid in chest and abdomen.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 205
Lily
Lilium spp.
The bulb scales of some lilies (bai he) are used in Chinese medicine for dry cough, restlessness and sleeplessness after fever. Lilies are deadly poisonous to cats.
Chinese medical traditions+1Folklore
Caution
Europe · Other · № 588
Lungwort lichen
Lobaria pulmonaria
Traditionally attributed effects: antioxidant, expectorant; reduces inflammation in the airways and intestines, supports the lungs and helps with sinusitis.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Asia · Food · № 763
Monk fruit (luo han guo)
Siraitia grosvenorii (syn. Momordica grosvenori)
Traditionally attributed effects: moistens and cools the lungs in a dry cough and reduces swollen glands.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Food · № 792
Maltose (yi tang)
Saccharum granorum (maltose)
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens qi and spleen, eases pain from cold in the middle and moistens the lungs.
Chinese medical traditions+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
North America · Herb · № 989
Rabbit tobacco
Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (syn. Gnaphalium obtusifolium)
An annual, grey-felted herb of the daisy family, with straw-coloured flower heads that keep their shape when dried. The dried herb smells sweet. Flavonoids and essential oil have been found in it; its effect is little studied.
Cherokee medicine
Caution
Asia · Food · № 545
Radish
Raphanus sativus
Traditionally attributed effects: seeds and leaves diuretic, laxative, dissolve stones; juice against scurvy; for painful and difficult urination, stones, urinary diseases, haemorrhoids, stomach ache; syrup for hoarseness, whooping cough and chest complaints.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 669
Reed rhizome (lu gen)
Phragmites australis (syn. P. communis)
Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat and moistens in thirst, cough with yellow phlegm, vomiting from stomach heat and painful urination.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 45
Sage
Salvia officinalis
A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 650
Saposhnikovia root (fang feng)
Saposhnikovia divaricata
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind; for muscle pain, painful diarrhoea, rheumatic complaints and cramps.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 719
Sargassum (hai zao)
Sargassum pallidum (en S. fusiforme)
Traditionally attributed effects: softens hardenings from phlegm-fire such as goitre and swollen glands; drains fluid.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 749
Siberian Solomon's seal (huang jing)
Polygonatum sibiricum
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens spleen and kidneys, moistens the lungs and replenishes the essence.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 180
Opium poppy
Papaver somniferum
The latex of the unripe seed capsule (opium) contains morphine, codeine and other alkaloids. Morphine and related opioids are indispensable painkillers in modern medicine, but highly addictive. The seeds (poppy seeds) are an ordinary food.
Ayurveda+4
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 313
Dwarf lilyturf (mai men dong)
Ophiopogon japonicus
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes the secretion of body fluids, tonic, calming, cough-suppressing, lowers blood sugar, antibacterial.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
Asia · Mineral · № 794
Stalactite (e guan shi)
Stalactitum (calciumcarbonaat)
Traditionally attributed effects: makes lung energy descend in asthma and chronic bronchitis and promotes milk flow.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 724
Stemona root (bai bu)
Stemona sessilifolia (en S. japonica)
Traditionally attributed effects: moistens the lungs in acute and chronic cough; externally against lice and fleas.
Chinese medical traditions
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 · № 776
Chinese nutmeg yew (fei zi)
Torreya grandis
Traditionally attributed effects: was used against intestinal worms and moistens the lungs.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 718
Trichosanthes fruit (gua lou)
Trichosanthes kirilowii
Traditionally attributed effects: fruit and seed dissolve hot phlegm and open the chest; the root (tian hua fen) cools and moistens.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Asia · Food · № 803
Water chestnut
Eleocharis dulcis
Traditionally attributed effects: peeled water chestnuts go with carrot and Chinese dates into a sweetish pork soup that by tradition strengthens lungs and spleen, dissolves phlegm and soothes cough.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 921
Wild dagga
Leonotis leonurus
A shrub of the mint family, two to three metres tall, with orange, tubular flowers in whorls around the square stems. Contains marrubiin and leonurine, as well as labdane compounds. Considered mildly calming; which substance causes the effect is not yet clear.
Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos+1
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
Asia · Herb · № 18
Licorice root
Glycyrrhiza glabra
A root with long use in several traditions; high-quality evidence does not support most health claims.
Ayurveda+9Folklore

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 →