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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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75 results

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Recipes
Pork soup with water chestnuts and jujubesSweetcorn soup with astragalusVegetarian eight-treasure soup
Chinese formulas
Huo xiang zheng qi sanSi ni sanXiao yao sanChai hu jia long gu mu li tangChai hu gui zhi gan jiang tangBao he wanEr chen tangDao chi sanGe gen huang qin huang lian tangDang gui long hui wanChai hu shu gan sanLong gu mu li tangWu pi yinLiang ge sanZhi zi dou chi tangYi guan jianXiao qing long tangXiao chai hu tangLiu wei di huang wanGe xia zhu yu tangXue fu zhu yu tangHai zao yu hu tangLiu jun zi tangYue ju wan
Treatment by condition
Diabetes mellitusAsthma and emphysemaFlu and pneumoniaTuberculosisPleurisyAngina pectoris
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 156

    Wild black cherry

    Prunus serotina

    The dried bark was long used in cough syrups to calm irritating coughs. Modern clinical evidence is lacking.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 547

    Castor oil plant

    Ricinus communis

    Traditionally attributed effects: oil mildly laxative; leaf juice emetic in poisoning, leaf decoction laxative, promotes milk and menstruation; compress on boils and swellings, for flatulence in children; root decoction for lumbago, rheumatism and sciatica.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+4
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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Traditions, kitchen and classical formulas