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: Poached egg with mushrooms in clear broth Curry rice with Chinese cinnamon Chicken soup with tian qi Chicken stewed with Job's tears Longan chicken soup with three seeds Steamed egg with shiitake and fox nut Sweetcorn soup with astragalus Steamed black chicken with jujubes and longan Pigeon egg soup with white fungus Steamed pears with bei mu Kinkeliba tea
Chinese formulas: Zuo gui wan Ling yang gou teng tang Zhi bai di huang wan Ji chuan jian Qing e wan Er xian tang Qing wei san Jiao tai wan Dang gui shao yao san Shu jin san Ba zheng san Du huo ji sheng tang Ma xing shi gan tang You gui wan Liang ge san Shen ling bai zhu san Shi quan da bu tang Tian wang bu xin dan Xiao luo wan Fang feng tong sheng san Bai he gu jin tang Yi guan jian Qi ju di huang wan Ci zhu wan+14
Treatment by condition: Haemorrhoids Liver cirrhosis Diabetes mellitus Underactive thyroid Lupus (SLE)Thrombocytopenic purpura Flu and pneumonia Tuberculosis Kidney stones Menopause Impotence Prostate complaints Epilepsy Eczema, dermatitis, itching, acne, erysipelas and psoriasis Toothache Cataract

Caution
Europe · Herb · № 60
Garden angelica
Angelica archangelica
An aromatic bitter traditionally used for bloating, poor appetite and colds. Clinical evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 139
Haritaki and triphala
Terminalia chebula
Haritaki is used in Ayurveda as a rejuvenating remedy and gentle laxative. Triphala, a blend of three fruits, is the best-known Ayurvedic formula for digestion. Clinical research is limited.
Ayurveda+3
Caution
Europe · Food · № 66
Oats
Avena sativa
Oat flakes provide beta-glucan, a fibre that according to approved health claims can help maintain normal cholesterol. Oatmeal is also used in baths for dry, itchy skin. Its traditional role as a nerve tonic is unproven.
Western herbal medicine+1
Caution
Europe · Food · № 196
Hazel
Corylus avellana
The nuts are nourishing and rich in unsaturated fats and vitamin E. Hazelnut oil is a light oil for the skin; a medicinal effect has not been shown.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 59
Marshmallow
Althaea officinalis
Root and leaf are rich in mucilage that forms a soothing layer; used for dry coughs, throat irritation and an irritated stomach. Evidence is modest.
Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
Caution
South America · Herb · № 237
Heliotrope
Heliotropium arborescens
An ornamental plant with strongly vanilla-scented flowers. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is poisonous if swallowed; it is grown only for its scent.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 564
Himalayan meadow rue
Thalictrum foliolosum
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, mildly laxative, laxative, diuretic, fever-reducing; for chronic indigestion, recovery after illness, eye inflammation, jaundice, flatulence, colds (snuff), toothache, conjunctivitis and keratitis.
Ayurveda
Caution
South America · Herb · № 1010
Huamanpinta
Chuquiraga spinosa (en C. rotundifolia)
A prickly shrub with hard, pointed little leaves and orange-yellow flower heads. Contains phenolic acids, flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids; animal studies point to an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect.
Kallawaya healing knowledge
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 202
Grape hyacinth and bluebell
Muscari racemosum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Hyacinths and grape hyacinths are ornamental plants. The bulbs are poisonous and can cause itching on contact ('hyacinth itch' among bulb peelers).
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 103
Vervain
Verbena officinalis
Traditionally used for nervousness, exhaustion and as a digestive bitter. Scientific evidence is largely lacking.
Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 469
Gold thread
Coptis teeta
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, fever-reducing; stimulates appetite, restores digestion, against flatulence, for jaundice, weakness, recovery after fever; eye ointment for conjunctivitis; in China against diabetes.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 532
Turpeth
Operculina turpethum
Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, anti-inflammatory; mild fluid-expelling laxative for chronic constipation, ascites, enlarged spleen; for rheumatism, paralysis, oedema, melancholy, gout, leprosy.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Food · № 571
Indian jujube
Zizyphus martiana
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic; leaves for gonorrhoea, conjunctivitis, boils and abscesses, painful urination; bark for diarrhoea, dysentery, colic and gum inflammation.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 548
Indian madder
Rubia cordifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes menstruation, astringent, diuretic, cleansing, decongestant, tonic; for paralysis, jaundice, urinary tract obstruction, menstrual disorders, mastitis, too little lochia.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 533
Indian trumpet tree
Oroxylum indicum
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, bitter tonic, stomachic, pain-relieving, induces sweating; for diarrhoea, dysentery, acute rheumatism, oedema, ear infection; young fruit carminative, seeds laxative.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 203
Orris root
Iris florentina (I. germanica 'Florentina')
The dried root (orris root) smells of violets and is a fixative in perfume and potpourri. Medicinally it was used for coughs and for teething children; it can cause allergies.
Greco-Roman medicine+1Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 491
Java plum
Eugenia jambolana
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, diuretic, lowers blood sugar; seeds for diabetes, bark for chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, heavy menstruation, spongy gums, stomatitis; diarrhoea in children.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 126
Jasmine
Jasminum officinale / J. grandiflorum
Best known as a fragrance and in jasmine tea; jasmine aromatherapy is used for relaxation. Medical claims are unproven.
Ayurveda+4Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 940
Joe-Pye weed
Eutrochium purpureum en E. maculatum (syn. Eupatorium)
Tall, purple-pink flowering plants of the daisy family, related to European hemp agrimony. They may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which damage the liver with long use.
Haudenosaunee medicine+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 417
Kadam
Anthocephalus indicus
Traditionally attributed effects: bark tonic, fever-reducing, astringent; fruit cooling; for fever, mouth ulcers and stomatitis, eye inflammation, stomach irritation in children, snake bites.
Ayurveda
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 686
Houttuynia (yu xing cao)
Houttuynia cordata
Traditionally attributed effects: detoxifies and drains pus, especially in lung infections; diuretic.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 19
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla (Duitse kamille)
Flowers are used in teas and topical or oral products. Reliable evidence is insufficient for most claimed conditions.
Monastic and folk knowledge+7Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 38
Cinnamon
Cinnamomum verum
A spice made from inner bark. Research on health effects is preliminary; cinnamon is not a treatment.
Ayurveda+8Folklore
Caution
South America · Herb · № 1008
Kanlli
Margyricarpus pinnatus
A low, prickly shrublet of the rose family with fine, pinnate leaves and edible white or pink berries ('perlilla'). Root and leaf are regarded as diuretic and astringent; research in people is lacking.
Kallawaya healing knowledge
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 214
Caraway
Carum carvi
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, aromatic, stomachic, stimulating, promotes milk flow; for flatulence and intestinal cramps, corrects nausea-inducing medicines, scabies.
Folk magic and herbal magic+1Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 109
Catnip
Nepeta cataria
Traditionally used as a mild tea for colds, fevers, restlessness and colic. Nepetalactone from the plant is being researched as an insect repellent.
Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Food · № 256
Cherry
Prunus avium
A fruit rich in vitamin C. The dried stalks were used in folk medicine as a diuretic. Sour cherries have been studied for gout and sleep, with preliminary results.
Monastic and folk knowledge
Caution
South America · Herb · № 31
Cinchona bark
Cinchona spp. (o.a. C. officinalis, C. pubescens)
The bark contains quinine and other alkaloids. Quinine became an important antimalarial, but using the bark yourself is unsafe and is not malaria treatment.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
Caution
Asia · Food · № 246
Kiwifruit
Actinidia deliciosa
A fruit rich in vitamin C and fibre. Small studies point to a slightly beneficial effect on constipation, and also on sleep; the enzyme actinidin tenderises meat.
Chinese medical traditions+1Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 207
Corn poppy
Papaver rhoeas
Traditionally attributed effects: mildly narcotic in large amounts; Papaver somniferum (source of opium) is poisonous.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
Caution
Africa · Food · № 12
Garlic
Allium sativum
A food with a long history of use. Supplement research suggests only limited effects and does not establish a treatment.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+7Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 261
Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
Traditionally attributed effects: fruit nourishing and soothing; seeds cooling, diuretic, tonic; for throat complaints, strongly diuretic with sugar, in fever.
Ayurveda+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 292
Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, stimulating, anti-inflammatory.
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 · Food · № 42
Clove
Syzygium aromaticum
A spice. Clove oil containing eugenol may help with toothache; other claims are unproven.
Ayurveda+5Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 5
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.
Ayurveda+5Folklore

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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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 →