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: Cooling sun tea Congee with Job's tears and brown rice Steamed pears with bei mu Black sesame drink Helba, Egyptian fenugreek tea Boiled rooibos Haldi doodh, warm turmeric milk Gulkand, rose petal preserve Saenggang-cha, Korean ginger tea Daechu-cha, jujube tea Sekanjabin, mint vinegar syrup Oxymel with thyme Cacao drink with chilli and vanilla Sumac lemonade Maqui drink Muña tea Emoliente Oswego tea Mild lavender cleanser Patchouli cleanser for oily skin Chamomile cleanser for dry or mature skin Chamomile powder cleanser Chamomile exfoliant Almond scrub for all skin types+7
Chinese formulas: Si ni tang Huo xiang zheng qi san Zhi gan cao tang Da ding feng zhu Xiao yao san Jia wei xiao yao san Chai hu gui zhi gan jiang tang Gui zhi tang Gui zhi shao yao zhi mu tang Er chen tang Qing ying tang Yi yi ren tang Ge gen huang qin huang lian tang Dang gui si ni tang Ba zheng san Chai hu shu gan san Ba zhen tang Ma xing shi gan tang Ma huang tang Liang ge san Si jun zi tang Shen ling bai zhu san Shi quan da bu tang Li zhong wan+12

Caution
Asia · Herb · № 682
Woad (ban lan gen)
Isatis tinctoria (syn. I. indigotica)
Traditionally attributed effects: root (ban lan gen) and leaf (da qing ye) cool heat and 'toxin' in viral infections, sore throat and mumps.
Chinese medical traditions
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
North America · Herb · № 961
Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
A mint with lilac flowers and strongly scented leaves, related to Oswego tea. The volatile oil is rich in carvacrol and thymol, which are antiseptic.
Lakota medicine+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 838
Wild thyme
Thymus serpyllum
An aromatic herb traditionally used for coughs and digestive complaints.
Hildegard of Bingen
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 128
White mulberry
Morus alba en M. nigra
The leaf (sang ye) is being studied for post-meal blood sugar and is used in Chinese medicine for coughs and fevers; bark, twigs and berries each have their own use too. Evidence is preliminary.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 478
Zedoary
Curcuma zedoaria
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, expectorant, soothing, diuretic, skin-irritant, purifies the blood.
Ayurveda+3
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
Asia · Herb · № 135
Black pepper and long pepper
Piper nigrum
Important warming spices in Ayurveda, used for sluggish digestion and colds. Piperine from pepper increases the absorption of some substances, such as curcumin.
Ayurveda+5Folklore

Featured · Central America and the Caribbean · Curanderismo

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 →