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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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390 results

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Recipes
Sweating tea with elder, yarrow and mintCooling sun teaChicken stewed with Job's tearsFour-herb tonic soupCongee with Job's tears and brown riceHelba, Egyptian fenugreek teaKinkeliba teaSaenggang-cha, Korean ginger teaDaechu-cha, jujube teaMuña teaGuayusa, the tea before sunriseMāmaki teaOswego teaSpicebush teaPatchouli cleanser for oily skinOrange exfoliant for oily or combination skinWitch hazel tonerAcne tonerHealing facial tonerLight moisturizing oil or cleanserCucumber eye gelPlumping lip glossVanilla lip balmSleep tea+10
Chinese formulas
Chuan xiong cha tiao sanYi yi ren tangShu jin sanShen ling bai zhu sanTai shan pan shi san
Treatment by condition
CancerDifficult labour
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 440

    Blumea

    Blumea lacera

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, antispasmodic, promotes menstruation, diuretic; for purulent eye discharge, worms, catarrh.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 282

    Boldo

    Peumus boldus

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulates the liver, diuretic.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 447

    Bonduc nut

    Caesalpinia crista

    Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, antispasmodic, bitter tonic, expels worms, fever-reducing; for fever, intermittent fever, asthma, colic, swellings, bleeding, liver disorders, convulsions and nervous complaints.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 151

    Boneset

    Eupatorium perfoliatum

    Traditionally used for fever and flu with aching muscles; the name refers to 'break-bone fever'. There is hardly any modern clinical research.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 73

    Wild strawberry

    Fragaria vesca

    The tannin-rich leaf was traditionally used for mild diarrhoea; the fruit is a treat rich in vitamin C. Medical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 463

    Bone setter

    Cissus quadrangularis

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, stomachic; speeds bone healing in fractures, stem juice for irregular menstruation and scurvy, for asthma, indigestion, ear infection and nosebleeds.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 255

    Blackberry

    Rubus fruticosus

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent; for damp stomach and bowel complaints, diarrhoea, mucus; syrup or liqueur against sore throat.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 353

    Brahmi

    Bacopa monnieri

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart and nerves, diuretic, mildly laxative, calming; for urinary retention with constipation, acute bronchitis and cough in children, exhaustion and nervous breakdown, hysteria, epilepsy, hoarseness.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 48

    Stinging nettle

    Urtica dioica

    A food and fiber plant with a long tradition in folk medicine. Medical claims are not established.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 26

    Buchu

    Agathosma betulina

    Fragrant leaves used as a flavoring and in folk medicine; clinical evidence for treatment is lacking.

    Local African healing traditions+3
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 857

    Cachanlagua

    Centaurium cachanlahuen

    A small bitter herb with pink flowers, related to the European common centaury. Traditionally for fever and digestion; clinical research is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 176

    Cajeput and niaouli

    Melaleuca cajuputi, M. viridiflora, M. leucadendra e.a.

    Both relatives of tea tree yield an essential oil used externally for muscle pain and in inhalations for colds. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 978

    California bay laurel

    Umbellularia californica

    An evergreen tree of the laurel family with strongly scented leaves. The leaf contains umbellulone, which causes headache when inhaled and is poisonous in large amounts.

    Hupa medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 379

    Camellia

    Camellia japonica / C. oleifera

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing oil that does not feel greasy.

    Chinese medical traditions+1Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 959

    Horseweed

    Erigeron canadensis (syn. Conyza canadensis)

    An annual of the daisy family with an upright, hairy stem and countless small white flower heads. Contains volatile oil, tannins and flavonoids; the oil was once used as 'oil of erigeron' for bleeding and diarrhoea.

    Lakota medicine+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 34

    Goldenseal

    Hydrastis canadensis

    There is not enough evidence to determine whether goldenseal helps any health condition.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+6Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 582

    Canadian goldenrod

    Solidago canadensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing; heals the bladder wall (incontinence, irritation), for allergies and stuck mucus after a cold, eyewash for hay fever.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 931

    Eastern hemlock

    Tsuga canadensis

    An evergreen conifer with short, flat needles. The bark is rich in tannins and was once used to tan leather. Medicinal effects have not been studied.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 911

    Canchalagua

    Schkuhria pinnata

    A small, finely branched annual herb of the daisy family with tiny yellow flowers. It tastes bitter. There is laboratory research on compounds that act on blood sugar, but studies in people are lacking.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 428

    Star fruit

    Averrhoa carambola

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, cooling, antiscorbutic, antidysenteric; cooling thirst-quencher in fever, ripe fruit for bleeding (internal) haemorrhoids.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 396

    Catechu

    Acacia catechu

    Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent; for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, bleeding haemorrhoids, uterine bleeding, leucorrhoea; bleeding or inflamed gums, mouth ulcers, enlarged tonsils; bedsores; promotes milk flow.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 985

    Cayaponia ophthalmica

    Cayaponia ophthalmica

    A climber of the gourd family, described by Schultes; the species name means 'for the eye'. Its chemistry is unknown; plants of the gourd family often contain bitter, irritating cucurbitacins.

    Tukano medicine
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 161

    Cayenne pepper

    Capsicum frutescens

    Capsaicin from chilli peppers is used externally for nerve pain and joint pain; high-dose capsaicin patches are an approved medicine. Internally it is mainly a warming spice.

    Maya healing knowledge+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Mushroom · № 578

    Chaga

    Inonotus obliquus

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, adaptogen, antioxidant; regulates the immune system (also in autoimmune diseases), lowers cholesterol, balances blood sugar, anti-inflammatory.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 525

    Champak

    Michelia champaca

    Traditionally attributed effects: decongestant, cleansing, stomachic, tonic, laxative, carminative; for gastritis, chronic rheumatism, abscesses, fever, indigestion, nausea, kidney diseases, gonorrhoea; flower oil for headache, eye inflammation and gout.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 919

    Chanca piedra (stonebreaker)

    Phyllanthus niruri (en P. stipulatus, P. urinaria)

    A small herb with rows of fine leaflets and tiny fruits beneath them. In experiments it inhibited the formation of kidney stone crystals and acted as a diuretic; small studies in people do not yet give clear evidence.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 766

    Cherokee rose (jin ying zi)

    Rosa laevigata

    Traditionally attributed effects: holds in the essence and curbs diarrhoea and frequent urination.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 862

    Chilco

    Fuchsia magellanica

    The wild fuchsia, with drooping red and purple flowers. Traditionally as a diuretic and for fever; research is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 867

    Chilean strawberry (kelleñ)

    Fragaria chiloensis

    A wild strawberry with large, fragrant fruits, one of the parents of the garden strawberry. The leaf contains tannins.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 861

    Chilean laurel (triwe)

    Laurelia sempervirens

    A tall evergreen tree with strongly scented leaves and wood. Traditionally for headache and as a diuretic; research is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 894

    Chinchircuma

    Mutisia acuminata

    A climbing shrub with tendrils and striking orange-red flowers. Quercetin and arbutin are among the compounds found in it; its effect in people has not been studied.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 636

    Jujube (red date)

    Ziziphus jujuba

    Traditionally attributed effects: sweet and strengthening in fatigue, anaemia and low energy; builds strength and blood and softens herbal dishes.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 572

    Chinese jujube

    Zizyphus vulgaris

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, lowers blood sugar, soothing, soothing to the chest.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 703

    Gold coin grass (jin qian cao)

    Lysimachia christinae (ook Desmodium styracifolium)

    Traditionally attributed effects: helps pass kidney and gallstones and drains damp heat from the liver.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 558

    Chiretta

    Swertia chirata

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, stomachic, expels worms, laxative, cleansing, antidiarrhoeal, antipyretic; for intermittent fever, skin diseases, intestinal worms, asthma, hiccups and vomiting, gout; scorpion stings.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 225

    Chicory

    Cichorium intybus

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, laxative, tonic.

    Western herbal medicine+2
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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