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: Hupa acorn soup
Chinese formulas: Bao he wan Yue ju wan
Treatment by condition: Flatulence Hepatitis Allergies of the upper airways

Caution
Asia · Food · № 16
Green tea
Camellia sinensis
A brewed tea. Evidence does not establish most health claims; extracts differ from the ordinary beverage.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
North America · Food · № 962
Ground plum
Astragalus crassicarpus
A low legume with purple-pink flowers and thick, round pods that lie on the ground like small plums. Only the young pods are edible.
Lakota medicine+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 62
Greater burdock
Arctium lappa
In Europe the root was considered a 'blood-cleansing' herb for skin problems such as eczema and acne; the seed is used in Chinese medicine for sore throats. Clinical evidence is weak.
Western herbal medicine+5
Caution
Oceania · Herb · № 174
Gumbi gumbi
Pittosporum spp.
Leaves, seeds or wood were steeped in hot water and drunk or used externally, for example for colds, coughs, eczema and cramps. Laboratory research points to antimicrobial compounds; clinical studies are lacking.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+1
Caution
Europe · Food · № 66
Oats
Avena sativa
Oat flakes provide beta-glucan, a fibre that according to approved health claims can help maintain normal cholesterol. Oatmeal is also used in baths for dry, itchy skin. Its traditional role as a nerve tonic is unproven.
Western herbal medicine+1
Caution
South America · Herb · № 895
Huacatay (black mint)
Tagetes minuta
A tall, strongly scented marigold with small flower heads. Its essential oil is used in perfume and soft drinks.
Kallawaya healing knowledge
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 127
Japanese honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica en L. periclymenum
The flower buds (jin yin hua) are an important 'cooling' herb in Chinese medicine for fever, sore throats and colds. There is plenty of laboratory research but few good clinical studies.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 514
Japanese morning glory
Ipomoea nil
Traditionally attributed effects: strongly laxative, expels worms; for constipation, substitute for jalap root.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
North America · Other · № 384
Jojoba
Simmondsia chinensis
The liquid wax from the seeds resembles the sebum of human skin and is quickly absorbed. It is used for dry skin and hair; medical claims have been little studied.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America
Caution
Oceania · Food · № 53
Kakadu plum (gubinge)
Terminalia ferdinandiana
A bush food with exceptionally high vitamin C, measured at 2,300–3,150 mg per 100 grams.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 402
Sweet flag
Acorus calamus
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, tonic, stimulating; restores throat and voice (singers), improves concentration/clear thinking, for flatulence and heartburn.
Ayurveda+4
Caution
Europe · Other · № 382
Kelp
Laminaria spp. / Ascophyllum nodosum
Brown seaweeds are rich in iodine and alginate. They are used in scrubs and as food supplements; too much iodine can disrupt the thyroid.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 830
Kencur (aromatic ginger)
Kaempferia galanga
An aromatic rhizome used in jamu for coughs, tiredness and muscle pain.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Oceania · Herb · № 843
Kī (ti plant)
Cordyline fruticosa
A plant with large leaves, used in Hawaiʻi for fever and headache and to wrap food.
Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi
Caution
Africa · Food · № 12
Garlic
Allium sativum
A food with a long history of use. Supplement research suggests only limited effects and does not establish a treatment.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+7Folklore
Caution
Europe · Food · № 68
Cabbage
Brassica oleracea
A vegetable rich in vitamin C and fibre. In folk medicine cold cabbage leaves are placed on engorged breasts or painful joints; small studies give mixed results.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 136
Kudzu
Pueraria montana var. lobata
The root (ge gen) is used in Chinese medicine for fever, stiff neck and thirst. Small studies have looked at kudzu for reducing alcohol use, with mixed results.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
Asia · Food · № 653
Longan
Dimocarpus longan
Traditionally attributed effects: a sweet, warming tonic for heart and blood; good for digestion and calming.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Food · № 131
Sacred lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
Almost every part is used: seeds for diarrhoea and restlessness, rhizome as food, leaf for 'summer heat'. Scientific evidence is mostly laboratory research.
Ayurveda+3Folklore
Caution
South America · Food · № 32
Maca
Lepidium meyenii
A root crop eaten as food. Claims about fertility and energy are unproven.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 727
Magnolia bark (hou po)
Magnolia officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: makes qi descend, dries dampness and resolves food stagnation and phlegm.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 266
Maize
Zea mays
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, heals the urinary tract lining, tonic, soothing.
Maya healing knowledge+7Folklore
Caution
Oceania · Herb · № 847
Mamaku (black tree fern)
Sphaeropteris medullaris
The slimy pith and sap of this black tree fern were traditionally used on sores and wounds, and for diarrhoea.
Rongoā Māori
Caution
Asia · Food · № 730
Tangerine peel (chen pi)
Citrus reticulata
Traditionally attributed effects: the ripe peel (chen pi) moves the qi of spleen and lung and dissolves phlegm; the green peel (qing pi) moves liver qi.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
South America · Herb · № 851
Maqui
Aristotelia chilensis
A shrub with dark purple berries rich in anthocyanins. The leaf was traditionally used for wounds and sore throats. Health claims for 'superfood' products are unproven.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 47
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata (en C. pinnatifida)
Studied for heart failure with conflicting results. For most conditions there is little or no good evidence.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
South America · Herb · № 816
Muña
Minthostachys mollis
A mint-like plant used in the Andes for stomach complaints and wind.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
Caution
Asia · Food · № 358
Mung bean
Vigna radiata
Traditionally attributed effects: light and easily digestible, sattvic (calm in the head); for fever, ulcers and blood disorders; khichadi with takra for 7–10 days as a cleansing cure; soap substitute makes the skin soft.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
South America · Herb · № 864
Murta (Chilean guava)
Ugni molinae
A shrub of the myrtle family with fragrant red berries. Mainly a food plant; the leaf was used as an astringent.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
South America · Herb · № 865
Nalca (Chilean rhubarb)
Gunnera tinctoria
A giant plant with leaves up to two metres across. The peeled stalks are edible; root and stalks are rich in tannins.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
Oceania · Food · № 50
Noni
Morinda citrifolia
Traditionally used for colds, infections, fever, and stomach complaints. There is no good evidence of treatment effects.
Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi+1
Caution
Europe · Food · № 362
Olive
Olea europaea
Olive oil is the basis of the Mediterranean diet, which is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Olive leaf extract is sold as a remedy for infections and high blood pressure; the evidence for this is limited and there is no evidence that it treats flu or other viral infections.
Greco-Roman medicine+1
Caution
North America · Herb · № 974
Pacific crabapple
Malus fusca
A small apple tree with small, sour, oval apples and very tough wood. The bark contains tannins.
Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
Caution
South America · Herb · № 898
Balsam of Peru
Myroxylon balsamum (var. pereirae)
A large tree whose resin, the balsam, smells of vanilla and cinnamon. The balsam contains cinnamic acid, benzyl benzoate and vanillin, among other compounds, and is used in perfume, food and ointments for skin and wounds.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
Caution
South America · Herb · № 860
Peumo
Cryptocarya alba
An evergreen tree of the laurel family with fragrant leaves and edible red fruits. Traditionally for liver and joint complaints; research is lacking.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 391
Arrowroot
Maranta arundinacea
Traditionally attributed effects: absorbs moisture.

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 →