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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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123 results

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Chinese formulas
Zuo gui wanXiao yao sanJia wei xiao yao sanGui zhi fu ling wanEr xian tangDang gui shao yao sanWen jing tangJiao ai tangDang gui si ni tangSi wu tangChai hu shu gan sanBa zhen tangGui pi tangJia wei wu yao tangXiao chai hu tangTao he cheng qi tangGe xia zhu yu tang
Treatment by condition
Absent menstruationPainful menstruationHeavy menstruation and uterine bleeding
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 118

    Fenugreek

    Trigonella foenum-graecum

    The seed has been studied for blood sugar and for increasing breast milk. NCCIH reports there is not enough strong evidence for these uses.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 90

    Raspberry

    Rubus idaeus

    The fruit is a nutritious berry. Raspberry leaf has been used in folk medicine in late pregnancy to ease labour; convincing evidence is lacking.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 88

    Self-heal

    Prunella vulgaris

    In Europe an old wound herb and gargle for sore throats; in Chinese medicine used for 'heat' and swollen glands. Research is mostly laboratory work.

    Western herbal medicine+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 698

    Glauber's salt (mang xiao)

    Mirabilitum (natriumsulfaat)

    Traditionally attributed effects: softens the stool in constipation from heat and dryness.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 49

    Pot marigold (calendula)

    Calendula officinalis

    An edible flower historically used as medicine and dye. Its oil is widely used in skin products.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
  • 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 · № 142

    Guggul

    Commiphora wightii (syn. C. mukul)

    The resin is used in Ayurveda for joint complaints, overweight and high cholesterol. A US study found no reduction in cholesterol; LDL even rose slightly.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 70

    Field horsetail

    Equisetum arvense

    Rich in silica; traditionally used as a diuretic, for urinary infections and for hair, nails and connective tissue. Good clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 765

    Tree of heaven (chun pi)

    Ailanthus altissima

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat, dries dampness and curbs diarrhoea, discharge and bleeding.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 78

    Hyssop

    Hyssopus officinalis

    Traditionally used for coughs, colds and congestion. Clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 524

    Ceylon ironwood

    Mesua ferrea

    Traditionally attributed effects: blossoms, root and bark bitter, aromatic, induce sweating; dried flowers astringent, stomachic, carminative; for heavy colds, gastritis, bronchitis, vomiting, dysentery, thirst, excessive sweating, bleeding haemorrhoids.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 451

    Indian hemp

    Cannabis indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: intoxicating, stomachic, antispasmodic, pain-relieving, stimulating, aphrodisiac, calming; sleep-inducing, for painful menstruation, itchy skin diseases, headache, mania, whooping cough, asthma, nervous vomiting.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 504

    Levant cotton

    Gossypium herbaceum

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, laxative, expectorant, aphrodisiac, promotes milk flow, promotes menstruation; seeds for intermittent fever and dysentery; oil for rheumatism, freckles, herpes, scabies, wounds, nerve pain; compress on bruises and burns.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 490

    Indian coral tree

    Erythrina variegata

    Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, expectorant, fever-reducing, expels worms; for dysentery, worms, eye inflammation, rheumatic joints, liver complaints, diabetes, painful menstruation and infertility, promotes milk flow.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 566

    Indian squill

    Urginea indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: in small doses expectorant, stimulates the heart, diuretic, decongestant, promotes menstruation; in large doses emetic and laxative.

    Ayurveda+1
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 130

    Spikenard (jatamansi)

    Nardostachys jatamansi

    Used in Ayurveda as a calming remedy for insomnia and restlessness. There is mostly animal research; clinical evidence is lacking.

    Ayurveda+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 81

    Juniper

    Juniperus communis

    The berries are traditionally used as a diuretic, for digestive complaints and externally for joint pain. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Western herbal medicine+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 402

    Sweet flag

    Acorus calamus

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, tonic, stimulating; restores throat and voice (singers), improves concentration/clear thinking, for flatulence and heartburn.

    Ayurveda+4
  • 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

    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

    Africa · Herb · № 337

    Nut grass

    Cyperus rotundus

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, pain-relieving, antispasmodic for the uterus, promotes the flow of qi.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 232

    Cumin

    Cuminum cyminum

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, aromatic, stomachic, stimulating, astringent, cooling; for gonorrhoea, chronic diarrhoea, indigestion, hoarseness; oil as a source of thymol against hookworms.

    Ayurveda+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 271

    Hemp agrimony

    Eupatorium cannabinum

    Traditionally attributed effects: hemp agrimony fever-reducing, diuretic, laxative, promotes bile, expectorant, stimulates the immune system; boneset induces sweating, antispasmodic; gravel root soothing diuretic, antirheumatic, promotes menstruation.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 5

    Turmeric

    Curcuma longa

    A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 6

    Lovage

    Levisticum officinale

    The leaf tastes of stock and celery. In folk medicine the root was used as a diuretic and for bloating; research is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 131

    Sacred lotus

    Nelumbo nucifera

    Almost every part is used: seeds for diarrhoea and restlessness, rhizome as food, leaf for 'summer heat'. Scientific evidence is mostly laboratory research.

    Ayurveda+3Folklore
  • 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

    Africa · Other · № 28

    Myrrh

    Commiphora myrrha

    A gum resin with a long history in medicine, ritual, perfume, and incense. Modern treatment claims are not established.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 96

    Feverfew

    Tanacetum parthenium

    Best known for preventing migraine. NCCIH notes the evidence is conflicting: some studies find a small effect, others do not.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 753

    Morinda root (ba ji tian)

    Morinda officinalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang and expels wind, cold and dampness from back and legs.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 434

    Orchid tree

    Bauhinia variegata

    Traditionally attributed effects: bark cleansing, tonic, astringent; root carminative; flowers laxative; for sore throat, cough, bleeding haemorrhoids, heavy menstruation, swollen neck glands, ulcers, diarrhoea, worms, overweight.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 452

    Papaya

    Carica papaya

    Traditionally attributed effects: aids digestion, expels worms, stomachic, promotes menstruation; ripe fruit mildly laxative; leaves against amoebic dysentery and fever; seeds against roundworms; promotes milk flow; unripe fruit abortifacient.

    Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 249

    Peach

    Prunus persica

    A juicy summer fruit. In Chinese medicine the kernels (tao ren) are used to move the blood; raw they are poisonous because of amygdalin.

    Chinese medical traditions+2Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 871

    Quinchamalí

    Quinchamalium chilense

    A semi-parasitic herb with orange-yellow flowers in heads. Traditionally for wounds and colds; research is lacking.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
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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