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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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79 results

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Chinese formulas
Huo xiang zheng qi sanWen dan tangSi ni sanBao he wanEr chen tangSi jun zi tangShen ling bai zhu sanLi zhong wanXuan fu dai zhe tangPing wei sanDa chai hu tangXiao chai hu tangWu mei wanBan xia hou po tangWu ling sanLiu jun zi tangYue ju wan
Treatment by condition
Lack of appetite, nausea and vomitingUlcerative colitisHepatitisLow blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 159

    Wild yam

    Dioscorea villosa

    Traditionally used for abdominal and uterine cramps. Wild yam cream is sold as 'natural progesterone', but the body cannot convert diosgenin into hormones; only a laboratory can.

    Curanderismo+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 634

    Wintergreen

    Gaultheria procumbens

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness and cools heat in hot, swollen joints and muscle pain, drains damp heat in the urinary tract and moves stagnant qi and blood in pain.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+3
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 907

    Yopo

    Anadenanthera peregrina

    A tree of the pea family with flat pods. The seeds contain a lot of bufotenine and also DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. As snuff they cause almost immediate muscle twitching, nausea and short visions in which things often seem very large.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+1
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 922

    Zacatechichi

    Calea ternifolia (syn. Calea zacatechichi)

    A shrub of the daisy family with very bitter leaves. Contains caleicine and other sesquiterpene lactones, among others. Said to make sleep light and dreams clear and vivid; in a small study an extract caused a slight change of perception, drowsiness and a short sleep with vivid dreams.

    Curanderismo
  • 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 · № 728

    Black atractylodes (cang zhu)

    Atractylodes lancea

    Traditionally attributed effects: dries dampness and strengthens the spleen; expels wind, cold and dampness.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • 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
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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