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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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42 results

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Chinese formulas
Zuo gui wanAn gong niu huang wanBai he gu jin tangLiu wei di huang wanQing hao bie jia tangZhen wu tang
Treatment by condition
TuberculosisPleurisy
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 318

    Lesser celandine

    Ficaria verna (syn. Ranunculus ficaria)

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, used for haemorrhoids.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 467

    Ivy gourd

    Coccinia indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative (bark), antispasmodic and expectorant (leaf and stem), lowers blood sugar; for incipient diabetes, swollen glands, skin diseases, smallpox rash, gonorrhoea, bronchitis.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 29

    Umckaloabo (African geranium)

    Pelargonium sidoides

    Root extract is sold for respiratory complaints. A Cochrane review found little to no evidence of benefit for acute bronchitis, colds, or sinusitis.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 515

    Malabar nut

    Justicia adhatoda

    Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, diuretic, antispasmodic, cleansing, bronchodilator; well-known Ayurvedic remedy for bronchitis, asthma, cough, fever, jaundice and tuberculosis; root for malaria, diphtheria and gonorrhoea.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 587

    Western larch

    Larix occidentalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, prebiotic; improves digestion and gut flora, strengthens the immune system, studied in tumours, helps with middle ear infections in children.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 475

    Black musli

    Curculigo orchiodes

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter aromatic tonic, soothing, diuretic, aphrodisiac, cleansing; for haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, jaundice, asthma, itching and skin diseases, urinary stones, bronchitis, lumbago, recovery after illness.

    Ayurveda+1
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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