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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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112 results

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Chinese formulas
Wu mei wan
Treatment by condition
Worms
  • Caution

    Europe · Other · № 377

    Dulse

    Palmaria palmata

    A red seaweed with protein, iodine and minerals. It is eaten as food and worked into scrubs; a medicinal effect has not been shown.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 460

    Mexican tea

    Dysphania ambrosioides (syn. Chenopodium ambrosioides)

    A strong-smelling culinary herb traditionally used against intestinal worms and wind. The essential oil contains ascaridole, which kills worms but is also toxic to humans.

    Curanderismo+3
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 820

    Estafiate (white sagebrush)

    Artemisia ludoviciana

    A bitter, aromatic herb used in Mexico for stomach ache and digestive complaints.

    Curanderismo+1
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 172

    Eucalyptus

    Eucalyptus globulus

    Eucalyptus oil is used for coughs and blocked noses with colds and externally for muscle pain; the European Medicines Agency recognises these as traditional uses. Strong clinical evidence is limited.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 528

    Velvet bean

    Mucuna pruriens

    Traditionally attributed effects: seeds astringent, expel worms, strengthen the nerves, aphrodisiac; root tonic, stimulating, diuretic, laxative; for nervous diseases (paralysis), kidney diseases, oedema, elephantiasis, leucorrhoea, heavy menstruation, seminal loss.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 433

    Yellow bauhinia

    Bauhinia tomentosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: against dysentery, expels worms; fruit diuretic; seeds tonic and aphrodisiac; for hepatitis, dysentery, tumours and wounds, snake bites.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 556

    East Indian globe thistle

    Sphaeranthus indicus

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, tonic, stomachic, stimulating, cleansing; for bile complaints, tumours, worms, skin diseases (purifies the blood), bleeding haemorrhoids, syphilis, urethral discharge, conjunctivitis.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 343

    Pomegranate

    Punica granatum

    Traditionally attributed effects: root and stem bark astringent and strongly expel tapeworm; flowers and peel astringent and stomachic; juice cooling.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 845

    Harakeke (New Zealand flax)

    Phormium tenax

    The gel-like sap from the leaf base is traditionally applied to wounds, burns, ulcers and grazes; the root was regarded as laxative and worm-expelling. Scientific evidence is limited.

    Rongoā Māori
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 139

    Haritaki and triphala

    Terminalia chebula

    Haritaki is used in Ayurveda as a rejuvenating remedy and gentle laxative. Triphala, a blend of three fruits, is the best-known Ayurvedic formula for digestion. Clinical research is limited.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 765

    Tree of heaven (chun pi)

    Ailanthus altissima

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat, dries dampness and curbs diarrhoea, discharge and bleeding.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 78

    Hyssop

    Hyssopus officinalis

    Traditionally used for coughs, colds and congestion. Clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 499

    Indian fumitory

    Fumaria indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, mildly laxative, cooling, induces sweating and urination, fever-reducing, lowers blood pressure; for syphilis, scrofula, leprosy, constipation, indigestion from a sluggish liver, fever, jaundice, skin diseases.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 501

    Indian gamboge

    Garcinia morella

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms, wound-healing; for oedema, absent menstruation, stubborn constipation, worms.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 490

    Indian coral tree

    Erythrina variegata

    Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, expectorant, fever-reducing, expels worms; for dysentery, worms, eye inflammation, rheumatic joints, liver complaints, diabetes, painful menstruation and infertility, promotes milk flow.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 553

    Indian nightshade

    Solanum indicum

    Traditionally attributed effects: aphrodisiac, astringent, carminative, strengthens the heart, diuretic, expectorant; for asthma, dry cough, difficult childbirth, chronic fever, colic, worms, painful urination, oedema, catarrh, vomiting, itching.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 764

    Japanese apricot (wu mei)

    Prunus mume

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent in chronic cough and diarrhoea, replenishes body fluids and was used against worms.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 126

    Jasmine

    Jasminum officinale / J. grandiflorum

    Best known as a fragrance and in jasmine tea; jasmine aromatherapy is used for relaxation. Medical claims are unproven.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 521

    Kamala tree

    Mallotus philippensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms (specifically tapeworm), astringent; ointment for ringworm, scabies, herpes and parasitic skin diseases, leprosy rash, syphilitic ulcers.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 416

    Custard apple

    Annona squamosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, expels worms, laxative, diuretic, insecticidal; unripe fruit for diarrhoea and dysentery, leaves for non-healing ulcers and fainting, seed powder against lice.

    Ayurveda
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 337

    Nut grass

    Cyperus rotundus

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, pain-relieving, antispasmodic for the uterus, promotes the flow of qi.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 232

    Cumin

    Cuminum cyminum

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, aromatic, stomachic, stimulating, astringent, cooling; for gonorrhoea, chronic diarrhoea, indigestion, hoarseness; oil as a source of thymol against hookworms.

    Ayurveda+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 920

    Kratom

    Mitragyna speciosa

    A tree of the coffee family up to twenty-five metres tall with large, glossy leaves. The leaves contain mitragynine and, in smaller amounts, 7-hydroxymitragynine, which act on the opioid receptors. For many people a little leaf is stimulating, more leaf sedating and pain-relieving.

  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 510

    Kurchi

    Holarrhena antidysenterica

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, stomachic, astringent, strongly antidysenteric, fever-reducing, expels worms; for acute and chronic (amoebic) dysentery and diarrhoea, bile complaints, fever, haemorrhoids, roundworms and threadworms.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 5

    Turmeric

    Curcuma longa

    A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 319

    Quassia

    Picrasma excelsa

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, bitter.

    Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+1
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 273

    Manuka and kanuka

    Leptospermum scoparium en Kunzea ericoides

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antimicrobial, antiseptic, expels worms (leptospermone); for ulcers, infections and fever.

    Rongoā Māori+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 96

    Feverfew

    Tanacetum parthenium

    Best known for preventing migraine. NCCIH notes the evidence is conflicting: some studies find a small effect, others do not.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 527

    Moringa

    Moringa oleifera

    Traditionally attributed effects: antispasmodic, stimulating, expectorant, diuretic, dissolves stones; leaves for scurvy and catarrh, flatulence in children, wounds and swellings; bark stimulates the heart in asthma and cough.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 530

    Night jasmine

    Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

    Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, expels worms, laxative, fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 39

    Neem

    Azadirachta indica

    Used for centuries in traditional medicine in India, but there is insufficient clinical evidence of medical benefits.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 434

    Orchid tree

    Bauhinia variegata

    Traditionally attributed effects: bark cleansing, tonic, astringent; root carminative; flowers laxative; for sore throat, cough, bleeding haemorrhoids, heavy menstruation, swollen neck glands, ulcers, diarrhoea, worms, overweight.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 487

    Horse gram

    Dolichos biflorus

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, diuretic, tonic, fever-reducing, expels worms, promotes menstruation, dissolves stones; for haemorrhoids, bronchitis, heart complaints, kidney stones, enlarged spleen, hiccups, asthma, leucoderma, leucorrhoea, menstrual cramps.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 452

    Papaya

    Carica papaya

    Traditionally attributed effects: aids digestion, expels worms, stomachic, promotes menstruation; ripe fruit mildly laxative; leaves against amoebic dysentery and fever; seeds against roundworms; promotes milk flow; unripe fruit abortifacient.

    Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+2
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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