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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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201 results

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Recipes
Fish soup with papaya and tofuCongee with Job's tears and brown riceSteamed black chicken with jujubes and longanBraised sesame beef with fennelMild lavender cleanserPatchouli cleanser for oily skinChamomile cleanser for dry or mature skinFennel powder cleanser for oily skinAlmond scrub for all skin typesOrange exfoliant for oily or combination skinWitch hazel tonerAcne tonerAcne oil or cleanserHealing facial tonerToner for sensitive skinBasic lotionLight moisturizing oil or cleanserPlumping lip glossVanilla lip balmLavender aloe spraySoothing after-sun milkCalendula and amaranth wound salveComfrey salve for joints and bruisesBeauty salve+17
Treatment by condition
Injuries, wounds, burns and cutsEczema, dermatitis, itching, acne, erysipelas and psoriasis
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 972

    Single delight

    Moneses uniflora

    A small plant of the heath family with a single nodding, white, fragrant flower. The pounded plant irritates the skin and can raise blisters.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 460

    Mexican tea

    Dysphania ambrosioides (syn. Chenopodium ambrosioides)

    A strong-smelling culinary herb traditionally used against intestinal worms and wind. The essential oil contains ascaridole, which kills worms but is also toxic to humans.

    Curanderismo+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 119

    Galangal

    Alpinia galanga

    A relative of ginger traditionally used for nausea, wind and sluggish digestion. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Ayurveda+6
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 1

    Ginger

    Zingiber officinale

    Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 472

    Poison bulb

    Crinum defixum

    Traditionally attributed effects: emetic, induces sweating, laxative; leaves for whitlow, inflamed toes and fingers, joints and sprains; leaf juice for ear complaints; bulb for bile complaints, urinary complaints and rheumatism.

    Ayurveda
  • 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

    Asia · Food · № 343

    Pomegranate

    Punica granatum

    Traditionally attributed effects: root and stem bark astringent and strongly expel tapeworm; flowers and peel astringent and stomachic; juice cooling.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 257

    Grapefruit

    Citrus × paradisi

    A citrus fruit rich in vitamin C. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice inhibit enzymes that break down many medicines. The essential oil is used in skin and hair products, but effects on cellulite or hair growth have not been shown.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 344

    Cardamom

    Elettaria cardamomum

    Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, pungent, strengthens the heart, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, carminative; for asthma, bronchitis, haemorrhoids, bladder complaints, flatulence, cramps from laxatives, dizziness, indigestion, vomiting.

    Ayurveda+2
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 62

    Greater burdock

    Arctium lappa

    In Europe the root was considered a 'blood-cleansing' herb for skin problems such as eczema and acne; the seed is used in Chinese medicine for sore throats. Clinical evidence is weak.

    Western herbal medicine+5
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 536

    Syrian rue

    Peganum harmala

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, antipyretic, stimulating, promotes menstruation; against tapeworm, intermittent fever and chronic malaria, pain-relieving in asthma, colic, jaundice; promotes milk and menstruation; gargle for sore throat; against head lice.

    Local African healing traditions+2
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 498

    Sacred fig

    Ficus religiosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: bark cooling, astringent, lowers blood sugar; for gonorrhoea, ulcers, skin diseases, scabies, hiccups, nausea; milky sap with milk aphrodisiac; oil for eczema, leprosy, rheumatism; fruit laxative.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 457

    Deodar

    Cedrus deodara

    Traditionally attributed effects: wood carminative, induces sweating and urination; bark strongly astringent and fever-reducing; for fever, diarrhoea and dysentery, lung and urinary complaints, rheumatism, haemorrhoids, kidney stones; oil for skin diseases and ulcers.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 518

    Ridged gourd

    Luffa acutangula

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, diuretic, bitter tonic, nourishing, expectorant, lowers blood sugar; seeds emetic and laxative; for enlarged spleen, dysentery; leaves on ulcers, ringworm, haemorrhoids, leprosy, insect and snake bites.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 895

    Huacatay (black mint)

    Tagetes minuta

    A tall, strongly scented marigold with small flower heads. Its essential oil is used in perfume and soft drinks.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 78

    Hyssop

    Hyssopus officinalis

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

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • 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 · № 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 · № 537

    Indian dill

    Peucedanum graveolens

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, antispasmodic; for flatulence, hiccups, colic and stomach ache, reduces cramps from laxatives and dysentery; drink for women after childbirth; leaves on boils and abscesses.

    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 · № 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

    Asia · Herb · № 444

    Indian frankincense

    Boswellia serrata

    Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, diuretic, aromatic, soothing, mildly laxative, cleansing, promotes menstruation; for chronic lung diseases, diarrhoea, dysentery, menstrual complaints, gonorrhoea, haemorrhoids, liver disorders.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 785

    Bush cherry pit (yu li ren)

    Prunus japonica

    Traditionally attributed effects: moistens the bowel in constipation with stagnation and promotes urination in oedema.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • 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

    North America · Other · № 384

    Jojoba

    Simmondsia chinensis

    The liquid wax from the seeds resembles the sebum of human skin and is quickly absorbed. It is used for dry skin and hair; medical claims have been little studied.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 458

    Staff tree

    Celastrus paniculatus

    Traditionally attributed effects: oil skin-irritant; seeds cleansing, stimulating, strengthen the nerves, improve memory and intellect; for rheumatism, gout, paralysis, leprosy, beriberi; leaf juice as an antidote in opium poisoning; bark abortifacient.

    Ayurveda
  • 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 · Herb · № 521

    Kamala tree

    Mallotus philippensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms (specifically tapeworm), astringent; ointment for ringworm, scabies, herpes and parasitic skin diseases, leprosy rash, syphilitic ulcers.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Other · № 141

    Camphor

    Cinnamomum camphora

    Used externally in rubs for muscle pain, itching and blocked noses; it gives a cooling, numbing feeling. There is some evidence of short-term relief.

    Ayurveda+3
  • 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

    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

    Asia · Herb · № 342

    Curry leaves

    Murraya koenigii

    Traditionally attributed effects: neither warming nor cooling; stimulates appetite and aids digestion without overheating; good for skin and hair.

    Ayurveda
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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