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

Chinese formulas: Wu pi yin Xiao luo wan Da huang mu dan pi tang
Treatment by condition: Haemorrhoids

Caution
Europe · Herb · № 81
Juniper
Juniperus communis
The berries are traditionally used as a diuretic, for digestive complaints and externally for joint pain. Clinical evidence is limited.
Western herbal medicine+5Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 970
Barestem lomatium
Lomatium nudicaule (in Boas: Peucedanum)
An umbellifer with blue-green leaves and yellow umbels. The seeds are strongly aromatic; related lomatiums are being studied for antiviral effects.
Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
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
Asia · Herb · № 686
Houttuynia (yu xing cao)
Houttuynia cordata
Traditionally attributed effects: detoxifies and drains pus, especially in lung infections; diuretic.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
North America · Herb · № 155
Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
Formerly used for swollen glands, tonsillitis and rheumatism. Because of its toxicity it is not a safe herb; there is no evidence of benefits that outweigh the risks.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+5
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 · № 647
Fritillaria bulb (bei mu)
Fritillaria cirrhosa
Traditionally attributed effects: dissolves phlegm and clears congested lungs; together with pear for dry airways and a heated chest.
Chinese medical traditions
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 · Herb · № 92
Figwort
Scrophularia nodosa (en S. ningpoensis)
Used in Western herbalism for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and for swollen glands. There is no good clinical evidence.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 746
Vaccaria seed (wang bu liu xing)
Gypsophila vaccaria (syn. Vaccaria segetalis)
Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow, promotes menstruation and milk flow and reduces painful swellings.
Chinese medical traditions
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
Europe · Herb · № 102
Great mullein
Verbascum thapsus
Leaves and flowers contain mucilage and are traditionally used for irritating coughs and bronchitis; the flower oil for earache. Clinical evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+4
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 338
Yellow dock
Rumex crispus
Traditionally attributed effects: strongly laxative, promotes bile, cleansing.
Western herbal medicine+1
Caution
Asia · Food · № 661
Green onion (cong bai)
Allium fistulosum
Traditionally attributed effects: diaphoretic at the start of a cold from cold; externally on swellings.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 211
Sweet violet
Viola odorata
Traditionally attributed effects: V. odorata anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic, antitumour; V. tricolor expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antirheumatic, laxative, strengthens capillaries.
Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
Caution
South America · Herb · № 859
Maitén
Maytenus boaria
A graceful tree with drooping twigs and fine leaves that cattle love to eat. Traditionally for fever and skin rash; research is lacking.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 348
Gotu kola
Centella asiatica
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, diuretic, locally stimulating, calming; for chronic ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, epilepsy, insanity, swollen glands, abscesses, chronic rheumatism, diarrhoea in children.
Ayurveda+2
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 · Food · № 425
Jackfruit
Artocarpus integrifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: ripe fruit soothing, nourishing, laxative; unripe fruit astringent; milky sap for swollen glands, abscesses and snake bites; root for diarrhoea; leaf and root for skin diseases.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 638
Notoginseng (san qi)
Panax notoginseng
Traditionally attributed effects: purifies the blood and improves circulation, stops bleeding, soothes pain and helps bruises and swellings recover.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 529
Oleander
Nerium indicum
Traditionally attributed effects: strongly diuretic and strengthens the heart (like digitalis), abortifacient.
Ayurveda
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 421
Elephant creeper
Argyreia speciosa
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, tonic, soothing; for elephantiasis, arthritis, rheumatic swelling, overweight, skin diseases, boils, ear infection.
Ayurveda
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 · Herb · № 395
Rosary pea
Abrus precatorius
Traditionally attributed effects: seeds purgative, emetic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac; leaf juice for sore throat and dry cough, purifies the blood; leaf paste for swellings and rheumatism; seed paste for sciatica and paralysis; eyewash.
Ayurveda
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 769
Persian silk tree (he huan pi)
Albizia julibrissin
Traditionally attributed effects: calms the mind in anger and low mood and lets the blood flow in pain and swelling.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 132
Chinese peony (bai shao)
Paeonia lactiflora en P. suffruticosa
The peeled root (bai shao, white peony) is used in Chinese medicine for cramps, period pain and muscle pain. There are studies of combination formulas but few of peony alone.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 263
Squash
Cucurbita moschata
Traditionally attributed effects: heart-warming and nourishing for body, mind and soul; good for skin and hair.
Maya healing knowledge+6Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 689
Purslane (ma chi xian)
Portulaca oleracea
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood in dysentery and painful urination; externally for ulcers and insect bites.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 133
Psyllium
Plantago ovata
The seed husks form a mucilaginous gel: an established bulk-forming fibre for constipation and mild diarrhoea that can also modestly lower LDL cholesterol.
Ayurveda+3
Caution
Asia · Mineral · № 784
Pumice (fu hai shi)
Pumex
Traditionally attributed effects: cools hot phlegm in the lungs, softens lumps and promotes urination.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Mineral · № 791
Pyrite (zi ran tong)
Pyritum (ijzersulfide)
Traditionally attributed effects: resolves blood stagnation and helps fractures and ligaments recover.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
South America · Herb · № 871
Quinchamalí
Quinchamalium chilense
A semi-parasitic herb with orange-yellow flowers in heads. Traditionally for wounds and colds; research is lacking.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 696
Rhaponticum root (lou lu)
Rhaponticum uniflorum
Traditionally attributed effects: reduces hot swellings, especially in the breast, and promotes milk flow.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 99
Red clover
Trifolium pratense
Contains isoflavones (plant oestrogens) and is sold for menopausal symptoms. NCCIH concludes there is no convincing evidence that it reduces hot flushes.
Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 745
Sappan wood (su mu)
Biancaea sappan (syn. Caesalpinia sappan)
Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow in menstrual pain and injury.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Africa · Food · № 560
Tamarind
Tamarindus indica
Traditionally attributed effects: ripe fruit sour, cooling, carminative, laxative, antiscorbutic, promotes bile; for inflamed swellings, bilious vomiting, conjunctivitis (flowers), bleeding haemorrhoids, throat complaints, ulcers, paralysis (bark), gonorrhoea (ash).
Local African healing traditions+3

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 →