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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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Manoomin with blueberries and maple syrup
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 658

    Notopterygium root (qiang huo)

    Notopterygium incisum

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind, cold and dampness in colds and rheumatic pain in head, neck and shoulders.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 165

    Pau d'arco

    Handroanthus impetiginosus (syn. Tabebuia avellanedae)

    The inner bark is sold for fungal infections, inflammation and as a 'cancer remedy'. There is no reliable human evidence; its active compound lapachol proved too toxic at effective doses.

    The Guaraní and the mate tradition+2
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 813

    Pepper-bark tree

    Warburgia salutaris

    A tree with a peppery, pungent bark, traditionally used for colds, coughs and mouth complaints.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 903

    Peyote

    Lophophora williamsii

    A small, spineless, blue-green cactus with a long taproot. Contains mescaline and over thirty other alkaloids. After a few hours mescaline brings colourful visions that last up to half a day, often after a phase of nausea and vomiting.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 275

    Pinellia (ban xia)

    Pinellia ternata

    Traditionally attributed effects: cough-suppressing, expectorant, against vomiting, anticatarrhal.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1014

    Queñua

    Polylepis (o.a. P. besseri en P. tarapacana)

    Gnarled trees and shrubs of the rose family with reddish-brown bark that peels in thin layers and protects against the cold. Nothing has been studied about its effect in people.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    North America · Food · № 936

    Ramps

    Allium tricoccum

    A wild leek with broad leaves and a small bulb, related to European wild garlic. Leaves and bulb taste of onion and garlic.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 181

    Indian snakeroot

    Rauvolfia serpentina

    The root contains reserpine, which lowers blood pressure and has a sedative effect. In the 1950s reserpine was one of the first modern antihypertensives and antipsychotics, but it has largely been replaced by drugs with fewer side effects.

    Ayurveda+2
  • 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

    South America · Herb · № 854

    Dragon's blood (sangre de drago)

    Croton lechleri

    A tree with a thick, blood-red sap. On the skin it dries quickly into a protective layer. Crofelemer, approved in the US since 2013 for diarrhoea in people with HIV, was developed from the sap.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 964

    Seneca snakeroot

    Polygala senega (syn. Senega officinalis)

    A low milkwort with white flower spikes. The root contains saponins that loosen phlegm and promote coughing; it is in the European Pharmacopoeia as a cough remedy.

    Anishinaabe medicine+1
  • 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

    North America · Herb · № 993

    Tulip tree

    Liriodendron tulipifera

    The tallest broadleaf tree of eastern America, up to almost sixty metres, of the magnolia family, with tulip-shaped greenish-yellow flowers with an orange patch. The bark is bitter and contains the alkaloid liriodenine and sesquiterpenes that inhibit bacteria and fungi; it was formerly used as a tonic and quinine substitute. The flowers give much nectar for a dark honey.

    Cherokee medicine
  • 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

    North America · Herb · № 294

    False unicorn root

    Chamaelirium luteum

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, uterine tonic, emetic.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 586

    Lady's slipper

    Cypripedium parviflorum (syn. C. pubescens)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, antispasmodic, tonic, relaxing, diuretic; for menstrual pain and irregular menstruation, overstimulated nerves and insomnia from stress, pain-relieving.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    North America · Food · № 965

    Wild rice

    Zizania palustris (en Z. aquatica)

    An aquatic grass, not true rice. The long, dark grain contains more protein and fibre than white rice.

    Anishinaabe medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 893

    Yareta

    Azorella compacta (en verwante soorten)

    An evergreen cushion plant that grows over the ground like a green boulder. It grows about one and a half centimetres a year; some plants are estimated to be over 3,000 years old. The plant contains a sticky resin.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 980

    Yoco

    Paullinia yoco

    A woody liana of the soapberry family, related to guarana. The bark contains caffeine and theobromine; 0.1 to 3.6 percent caffeine has been measured, most in the inner bark of the stem. It is one of the few plants whose bark, rather than its seed or leaf, gives a caffeine drink.

    Kamëntšá and Inga medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 933

    Black ash

    Fraxinus nigra

    An ash of wet ground. The wood has hardly any fibre between the growth rings, so after pounding it splits into thin strips. Medicinal effects have not been studied.

    Haudenosaunee 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.

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