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 · № 349
Phyllanthus emblica
Traditionally attributed effects: fresh fruit cooling, diuretic, laxative, stomachic; bark astringent; for lung and eye inflammation, hair growth, asthma, bronchitis, bile complaints, bleeding, diarrhoea, dysentery, anaemia, jaundice.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 414
Andrographis paniculata
Traditionally attributed effects: stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, cleansing, expels worms, promotes bile; for flatulence, lack of appetite, intestinal complaints in children, diarrhoea, dysentery, sluggish liver, nerve pain, recovery after fever.
CautionEurope · Food · № 84
Malus domestica
A fruit rich in fibre such as pectin; grated apple is an old home remedy for mild diarrhoea. No specific medicinal effect has been proven.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 422
Aristolochia bracteata
Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, promotes menstruation, cleansing, antipyretic, expels worms; strengthens contractions, for colic, absent or painful menstruation, intermittent fever, worms, skin diseases.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 873
Luma apiculata
The Chilean myrtle, with cinnamon-coloured bark, fragrant leaves and edible black berries. Traditionally an astringent; research is lacking.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 569
Vernonia cinerea
Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, induces sweating, cleansing; decoction promotes sweating in fever; seeds antidote, expel worms, for leprosy and chronic skin diseases; plant for bladder cramps, difficult urination, haemorrhoids; flowers for conjunctivitis.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 550
Saraca indica
Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent, calms the uterus; for uterine disorders, especially heavy menstruation, internal bleeding, haemorrhoids, bloody dysentery; root aphrodisiac and tonic, for cough, asthma, rheumatism, skin diseases, indigestion.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 17
Withania somnifera
An Ayurvedic medicinal plant. Some preparations have been studied for stress and sleep, but evidence is limited and products vary.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 757
Astragalus complanatus
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, holds in the essence and strengthens the eyesight.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 901
Banisteriopsis caapi
A giant liana up to thirty metres long. The stem contains harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, which inhibit the enzyme MAO. This makes the DMT from plants such as chacruna active by mouth. The drink brings visions, and usually vomiting and diarrhoea, which the tradition regards as cleansing.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 492
Eupatorium triplinerve
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, tonic, stimulates the heart, induces sweating, stops bleeding; bitter tonic for indigestion, cough and fever, against scurvy; cleanses foul ulcers.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 36
Panax ginseng (ook P. quinquefolius)
Research consists mostly of small, short studies; there is little evidence of health effects.
CautionEurope · Other · № 597
Usnea barbata
Traditionally attributed effects: antimicrobial, antifungal, immunomodulating, soothing, laxative, nourishing; against streptococci (sore throat), staphylococci, cellulitis and infected wounds, antiviral (HPV), yeast infections.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 404
Aegle marmelos
Traditionally attributed effects: ripe fruit cooling, nourishing, mildly laxative; unripe fruit astringent and aids digestion; for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, asthma (leaves), intermittent fever, melancholy and palpitations.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 869
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 552
Sida cordifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, astringent, stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, soothing, diuretic; contains an ephedrine-like substance.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 574
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.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 573
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 134
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 431
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.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 8
Ocimum basilicum
Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 939
Uvularia perfoliata
A low plant with hanging, pale yellow bells and leaves that clasp the stem. Little is known about its compounds.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 276
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Traditionally attributed effects: urinary antiseptic, astringent.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 224
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.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 186
Betula pendula
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, antirheumatic.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 67
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.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 93
Betonica officinalis (syn. Stachys officinalis)
Traditionally used for tension headaches and nervousness. Modern clinical research is lacking.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 354
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 563
Terminalia bellerica
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, expectorant, laxative (unripe fruit), cleansing.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 64
Artemisia vulgaris
Traditionally used as a digestive bitter and to bring on delayed periods. Clinical evidence is largely lacking.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 889
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.
CautionEurope · Other · № 74
Fucus vesiculosus
A brown seaweed rich in iodine; formerly used for an underactive thyroid and for weight loss. Weight-loss claims are unproven.
CautionNorth America · Food · № 254
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.
CautionEurope · Food · № 101
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.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 372
Sanguinaria canadensis
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, emetic, expectorant, restorative; part of escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia, warms lungs/stomach/uterus, promotes coughing up.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 991
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.
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.
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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.