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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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104 results

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Chinese formulas
Ling yang gou teng tangJia wei xiao yao sanEr xian tangSan huang xie xin tangDang gui long hui wanChai hu shu gan sanWu zhu yu tangTian ma gou teng yinLong dan xie gan tangTian wang bu xin danFang feng tong sheng sanQi ju di huang wanLing gui zhu gan tangBa wei di huang wan (jin gui shen qi wan)Liu wei di huang wan
Treatment by condition
Overactive thyroidHigh blood pressureLow blood pressure
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 33

    Cat's claw

    Uncaria tomentosa

    There is no conclusive scientific evidence that cat's claw helps any health condition.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+2
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 116

    Khella

    Ammi visnaga

    Contains khellin, a muscle relaxant that widens the airways and blood vessels. Khellin was the basis for modern drugs such as cromoglicate (for asthma) and amiodarone (for heart rhythm disorders).

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 565

    Puncture vine

    Tribulus terrestris

    Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, soothing, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac.

    Ayurveda+2
  • 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

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 583

    Queen of the night

    Selenicereus grandiflorus

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, relaxing; strengthens the heart muscle and heart function (also in the elderly), relieves chest tightness and restricted breathing.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 231

    Coriander

    Coriandrum sativum

    Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, stimulating, carminative, stomachic, cooling, tonic, diuretic; for flatulence, colic, rheumatism, nerve pain, sore throat, indigestion, vomiting, colds, bile complaints.

    Greco-Roman medicine+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Mushroom · № 41

    Lingzhi (reishi)

    Ganoderma lucidum

    A bracket fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine; evidence for treatment effects in people is limited.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • 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

    North America · Herb · № 629

    Mormon tea

    Ephedra viridis, E. nevadensis, E. californica

    Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold with sneezing and a watery nose, mildly eases wheezing and promotes urination.

    Chinese medical traditions+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

    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

    North America · Herb · № 153

    Osha

    Ligusticum porteri, L. sinense en L. wallichii

    The root is traditionally used for sore throats, coughs and early colds. There is virtually no clinical research.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 154

    Passionflower

    Passiflora incarnata

    Used for anxiety and sleep problems. NCCIH notes some indications of an effect on anxiety but limited evidence.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 787

    Birthwort fruit (ma dou ling)

    Aristolochia debilis

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used for cough with a lot of phlegm and high blood pressure; banned because of kidney damage.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1009

    Pinku pinku

    Ephedra americana

    A leafless shrub with green, jointed stems, related to the Chinese ma huang. Ephedra species contain ephedrine, which widens the airways but also raises heart rate and blood pressure; how much this species contains has been little studied.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • 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 · № 568

    Rasna orchid

    Vanda roxburghii

    Traditionally attributed effects: pain-relieving, carminative, expectorant, strengthens the nerves, lowers blood pressure; oil for rheumatism and nervous diseases; for syphilis, scorpion stings, fever, middle ear infection, indigestion, bronchitis, inflammation, hiccups and trembling.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 2

    Rosemary

    Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)

    An aromatic culinary herb with carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. A few small studies point to a slight effect of the scent on alertness; that it improves memory has not been shown. The leaf is used for digestive complaints.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+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

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 905

    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.

    Curanderismo
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 61

    Celery

    Apium graveolens

    Vegetable and spice. The seed was traditionally used for gout, joint complaints and as a diuretic. Convincing clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 456

    Sickle senna

    Cassia tora

    Traditionally attributed effects: mildly laxative, cleansing; intestinal complaints and fever when teething, compress for gout, sciatica and joint pain; seeds for ringworm, scabies and eczema; root for snake bites.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 298

    Greater celandine

    Chelidonium majus

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, cleansing, stimulates the liver, anti-inflammatory.

    Greco-Roman medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 20

    Valerian

    Valeriana officinalis

    The root has a traditional association with sleep and calm. Research on insomnia is inconsistent and does not establish benefit.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 83

    Flax

    Linum usitatissimum

    Ground flaxseed acts as a gentle bulk-forming fibre for constipation. NCCIH reports it may lower cholesterol slightly; evidence for other claims is unclear.

    Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 169

    Wax myrtle (bayberry)

    Morella cerifera

    The root bark was traditionally used for colds, sore throats and diarrhoea. There is no modern clinical evidence.

    Eclectic medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Mushroom · № 652

    Snow fungus (bai mu er)

    Tremella fuciformis

    Traditionally attributed effects: a tonic for the yin energy and the lungs; supports breathing, energy and a balanced blood pressure.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 980

    Yoco

    Paullinia yoco

    A woody liana of the soapberry family, related to guarana. The bark contains caffeine and theobromine; 0.1 to 3.6 percent caffeine has been measured, most in the inner bark of the stem. It is one of the few plants whose bark, rather than its seed or leaf, gives a caffeine drink.

    Kamëntšá and Inga medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 907

    Yopo

    Anadenanthera peregrina

    A tree of the pea family with flat pods. The seeds contain a lot of bufotenine and also DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. As snuff they cause almost immediate muscle twitching, nausea and short visions in which things often seem very large.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+1
  • 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 · № 363

    Black seed

    Nigella sativa

    Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, diuretic and sudorific, promotes bile, stomachic, stimulating, carminative, expels worms, promotes menstruation and milk flow, antibacterial.

    Ayurveda+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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