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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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Recipes
Sweating tea with elder, yarrow and mint
Chinese formulas
Si ni tangZuo gui wanZhi bai di huang wanXing su sanJia wei xiao yao sanGui zhi tangLong gu mu li tangDing chuan tangMa xing shi gan tangMa huang tangYou gui wanZhi zi dou chi tangSheng mai sanBu zhong yi qi tangShi gao tangYu ping feng sanQing shu yi qi tangXiao qing long tangJiu wei qiang huo tangGe gen tangLiu wei di huang wanJing fang bai du sanFang ji huang qi tang
Treatment by condition
Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)Diabetes mellitusTuberculosis
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 868

    Palqui (green cestrum)

    Cestrum parqui

    A fast-growing, foul-smelling shrub of the nightshade family. All parts are poisonous because of alkaloids.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 656

    Perilla

    Perilla frutescens

    Traditionally attributed effects: warms in colds from cold, helps digestion and soothes cough with phlegm.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 884

    Peruvian elder

    Sambucus peruviana

    A tree with white flower umbels and dark berries, related to the European elder. Flowers and leaves are considered sweat-inducing and anti-inflammatory.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 748

    Pseudostellaria root (tai zi shen)

    Pseudostellaria heterophylla

    Traditionally attributed effects: a mild qi tonic that also replenishes body fluids.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 673

    Rehmannia

    Rehmannia glutinosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: raw it cools the blood and nourishes yin; prepared (steamed with wine) it nourishes the blood and the kidney yin.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 267

    Rice

    Oryza sativa

    Traditionally attributed effects: easily digestible, the basis of healing food; good for skin and hair.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 45

    Sage

    Salvia officinalis

    A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 592

    Schisandra

    Schisandra chinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, astringent, stimulating, adaptogen; supports exhausted adrenals (fatigue), promotes sleep and well-being, protects the liver.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 657

    Schizonepeta (jing jie)

    Schizonepeta tenuifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in colds (warm or cool, depending on the combination), helps rashes come out and, charred, stops bleeding.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 676

    Stellaria root (yin chai hu)

    Stellaria dichotoma var. lanceolata

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat from yin deficiency, fever after an illness and heat in malnourished children.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 268

    Wheat

    Triticum aestivum

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens, rejuvenates, soothes ulcers, stimulates appetite, promotes healing of fractures, gives stability, healthy complexion; mildly aphrodisiac; anti-stress breakfast.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 667

    Greater duckweed (fu ping)

    Spirodela polyrhiza

    Traditionally attributed effects: diaphoretic and diuretic; helps rashes come out.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 21

    Elderberry

    Sambucus nigra

    Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 767

    Sour jujube seed (suan zao ren)

    Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes heart yin and calms the mind in insomnia and restlessness; curbs night sweats.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 651

    White atractylodes (bai zhu)

    Atractylodes macrocephala

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the spleen and regulates the stomach; for diarrhoea and fluid retention, and traditionally to help prevent miscarriage.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 150

    Black cohosh

    Actaea racemosa

    Mainly sold for menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes. NCCIH reports that study results are mixed and there is not enough evidence that it helps.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 121

    Sweet wormwood (qing hao)

    Artemisia annua

    Source of artemisinin, the basis of today's standard malaria treatment. Teas or herbal preparations, however, are not a reliable malaria treatment; the WHO advises against them.

    Chinese medical traditions
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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