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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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726 results

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Recipes
Cooling sun teaWhite radish soup with Chinese asparagusChicken soup with tian qiSweetcorn soup with astragalusOxymel with thymeRose powder cleanser for mature or dry skinWitch hazel tonerAcne oil or cleanserPlumping lip glossHerbal honey for sore throat and coughTincture for the cold seasonNerve tinctureComfrey salve for joints and bruisesRefreshing foot bathClarifying shampooCustom herbal shampooNourishing hair treatment
Chinese formulas
Zhi bai di huang wanWen dan tangShi wei bai du tangChai hu gui zhi gan jiang tangGui zhi long gu mu li tangEr xian tangChuan xiong cha tiao sanDang gui shao yao sanJiao ai tangShu jin sanSi wu tangDang gui long hui wanYou gui wanWu pi yinSi jun zi tangTian ma gou teng yinBu zhong yi qi tangShi quan da bu tangTian wang bu xin danCi zhu wanXiao jian zhong tangMai men dong yin ziBa wei di huang wan (jin gui shen qi wan)Liu wei di huang wan+2
Treatment by condition
HaemorrhoidsLiver cirrhosisDiabetes mellitusLupus (SLE)Asthma and emphysemaAngina pectorisHeadache and migraineBoils and carbunclesDeafness and tinnitus
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 187

    English oak

    Quercus robur

    The bark contains a lot of tannins and is astringent. It is used as a decoction for diarrhoea, as a mouthwash for inflamed gums and as a sitz bath for haemorrhoids.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 209

    Sunflower

    Helianthus annuus

    Sunflower seeds and oil are rich in vitamin E and linoleic acid. The oil is used for dry skin; claims about scars or skin ageing have not been shown.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 933

    Black ash

    Fraxinus nigra

    An ash of wet ground. The wood has hardly any fibre between the growth rings, so after pounding it splits into thin strips. Medicinal effects have not been studied.

    Haudenosaunee medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 411

    Black cardamom

    Amomum subulatum

    Traditionally attributed effects: stomachic, carminative, stimulates the heart, expectorant; for digestive complaints, liver congestion, tooth and gum complaints, kidney stones (with melon seed), inflamed eyelids; flavouring.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 971

    Black twinberry

    Lonicera involucrata

    A honeysuckle with yellow flowers in pairs, which later form two shiny black berries in red bracts. Effects not studied.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 576

    Black walnut

    Juglans nigra

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative, astringent, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal; cleanses and strengthens the large intestine, for skin problems, traveller's diarrhoea, sinusitis, underactive thyroid.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+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.

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