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

Recipes: Māmaki tea Custom herbal shampoo Quick fresh hair rinse Leave-in hair oil against frizz Nourishing hair treatment
Chinese formulas: Fang feng tong sheng san Jing jie lian qiao tang
Treatment by condition: Underactive thyroid Allergies of the upper airways Hair loss Boils and carbuncles

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 · № 241
Patchouli
Pogostemon cablin
Traditionally attributed effects: inhibits sebum production, draws oil from the skin, fights acne bacteria; against dandruff.
Chinese medical traditions+2Folklore
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 391
Arrowroot
Maranta arundinacea
Traditionally attributed effects: absorbs moisture.
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 · № 267
Rice
Oryza sativa
Traditionally attributed effects: easily digestible, the basis of healing food; good for skin and hair.
Ayurveda+4Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 352
Soapnut
Sapindus mukorossi
Traditionally attributed effects: natural shampoo (soapy), cleanses scalp and hair.
Ayurveda
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 89
Rose and rose hip
Rosa spp.
Rose hips are rich in vitamin C; a hip powder has been studied for osteoarthritis with modest results. Rose water and oil are used in skin care and as fragrance.
Avicenna's Canon in European universities+6Folklore
Caution
Africa · Food · № 25
Roselle (hibiscus)
Hibiscus sabdariffa
The red calyces make a tart drink. Folk medicine links it to blood pressure; it is not a substitute for treatment.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+2Folklore
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
Africa · Herb · № 201
Rose geranium
Pelargonium graveolens
Traditionally attributed effects: antidepressant, pain-relieving, diuretic, calming, tonic.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
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 · № 140
Sandalwood
Santalum album
Used in Ayurveda as a 'cooling' remedy for skin irritation and urinary complaints; the oil is used in aromatherapy. Clinical evidence is limited.
Ayurveda+6Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 91
White willow
Salix alba
The bark contains salicin, which the body partly converts to salicylic acid. There are hints of a moderate effect on low back pain and joint pain.
Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Africa · Food · № 356
Sesame
Sesamum indicum
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, softens the skin, diuretic, promotes menstruation and milk flow, laxative; leaves for respiratory complaints, diarrhoea and dysentery in children, bladder catarrh; seeds for bleeding haemorrhoids, absent or painful menstruation.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Africa · Other · № 385
Shea
Vitellaria paradoxa
Shea butter softens dry skin and protects hair; it is also an important cooking fat. Medical claims are not well studied.
Local African healing traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 351
Shikakai
Senegalia rugata (syn. Acacia concinna)
Traditionally attributed effects: natural shampoo, cleanses scalp and hair.
Ayurveda
Caution
Asia · Food · № 220
Orange
Citrus sinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: against dandruff; sweet oranges good for skin and hair.
Ayurveda+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 95
Comfrey
Symphytum officinale
Topical preparations have been studied for bruises, sprains and back pain and appear to reduce pain. It contains allantoin, which is thought to support tissue repair.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 390
Soy
Glycine max
Traditionally attributed effects: base for a gentle cleanser.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 577
Alder buckthorn
Frangula alnus
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative, antiparasitic, bitter; mild laxative without cramps, stops bleeding and helps with warts, mouthwash for gum problems, hair rinse for scalp irritation.
Western herbal medicine
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
Oceania · Other · № 22
Tea tree oil
Melaleuca alternifolia
An essential oil for external use. Limited research suggests possible effects for acne or athlete’s foot; evidence is preliminary.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+1
Caution
North America · Herb · № 171
Evening primrose
Oenothera biennis
The seed oil contains gamma-linolenic acid and is sold for eczema, premenstrual symptoms and hot flushes. NCCIH reports it does not help eczema and that evidence for other conditions is insufficient.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 98
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Traditionally used for coughs and bronchitis; thymol from the oil inhibits bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There are some studies of thyme-based cough syrups.
Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 152
Witch hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
Strongly astringent due to tannins. Witch hazel water and ointment are used externally for minor skin irritation, bruises and haemorrhoids; there is limited but reasonably supportive evidence.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4Folklore
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 · Herb · № 114
Arnica
Arnica montana
Used externally for bruises and muscle aches. Studies give mixed results. Homeopathic arnica is so diluted that it contains no active substance.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 222
Vanilla
Vanilla planifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: gives a feeling of calm and comfort; fragrance.
Maya healing knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 750
Fo-ti (he shou wu)
Reynoutria multiflora (syn. Polygonum multiflorum)
Traditionally attributed effects: processed a tonic for blood, liver and kidneys; raw mildly laxative and detoxifying.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 72
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
The seed is traditionally used for wind, bloating and cramps. There are some small studies, but evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+9Folklore
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
Africa · Food · № 389
Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
A very juicy fruit that quenches thirst. Oil from the seeds is used in hair care. In Chinese medicine the fruit is considered cooling and diuretic.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 86
Greater plantain
Plantago major
The leaf is traditionally bruised and applied to insect bites, small wounds and grazes, and taken as tea for coughs. Clinical evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+9Folklore
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 373
Frankincense
Boswellia sacra
The resin is mainly used as incense and fragrance. Extracts of related Boswellia species have been studied for osteoarthritis, with modest and variable results.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+4Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 18
Licorice root
Glycyrrhiza glabra
A root with long use in several traditions; high-quality evidence does not support most health claims.
Ayurveda+9Folklore
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

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 →