From Ayurveda to Rongoā Māori
Communities around the world learned how plants nourish, care and heal. Here their traditions stand beside present-day use, with respect for every culture.
GrapeFolk magic and herbal magic
BuchuLocal African healing traditions
Indian tobaccoCherokee medicine
Lignum vitaeHerbal knowledge of the Caribbean
Yerba mateKallawaya healing knowledge
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 596
Rhus glabra
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, cleansing, tonic, wound-healing, antiseptic; strengthens the digestive tract (ulcers, diarrhoea), curbs excessive secretions (urine leakage, night sweats, bleeding), may lower blood sugar, for prolapse.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 698
Mirabilitum (natriumsulfaat)
Traditionally attributed effects: softens the stool in constipation from heat and dryness.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 649
Glehnia littoralis
Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the lungs and is good for the stomach; for persistent dry cough and to dissolve phlegm.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 62
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 142
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 139
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.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 78
Hyssopus officinalis
Traditionally used for coughs, colds and congestion. Clinical evidence is lacking.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 307
Lobelia inflata
Traditionally attributed effects: relaxing, expectorant, induces sweating, emetic, antispasmodic, anti-asthmatic.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 994
Gillenia trifoliata (syn. Porteranthus trifoliatus)
A perennial of the rose family with three-parted leaves and loose sprays of white or pale pink flowers with five narrow petals. The root is emetic and purgative; it was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia as American ipecac.
CautionAsia · Food · № 571
Zizyphus martiana
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic; leaves for gonorrhoea, conjunctivitis, boils and abscesses, painful urination; bark for diarrhoea, dysentery, colic and gum inflammation.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 942
Arisaema triphyllum
An arum with a green or striped hood over the spadix. All parts contain needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate, which raw cause a fiercely burning mouth and swelling.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 788
Inula japonica
Traditionally attributed effects: moves stuck phlegm in the lungs and makes rebellious energy of lung and stomach descend.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 723
Eriobotrya japonica
Traditionally attributed effects: cools hot phlegm in the lungs and makes rebellious lung and stomach energy descend.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 92
Scrophularia nodosa (en S. ningpoensis)
Used in Western herbalism for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and for swollen glands. There is no good clinical evidence.
CautionAsia · Food · № 357
Cocos nucifera
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, diuretic, antiseptic, laxative; root for uterine diseases, bronchitis, liver complaints, dysentery, sore throat (gargle); coconut water for thirst, fever, urinary complaints and vomiting; ash for scabies and toothache.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 102
Verbascum thapsus
Leaves and flowers contain mucilage and are traditionally used for irritating coughs and bronchitis; the flower oil for earache. Clinical evidence is limited.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 231
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 5
Curcuma longa
A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 205
Lilium spp.
The bulb scales of some lilies (bai he) are used in Chinese medicine for dry cough, restlessness and sleeplessness after fever. Lilies are deadly poisonous to cats.
CautionAsia · Food · № 238
Citrus aurantiifolia
A sour citrus fruit rich in vitamin C. The juice was given against scurvy and is used in Asia with honey or salt for coughs and sore throat.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 211
Viola odorata
Traditionally attributed effects: V. odorata anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic, antitumour; V. tricolor expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antirheumatic, laxative, strengthens capillaries.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 727
Magnolia officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: makes qi descend, dries dampness and resolves food stagnation and phlegm.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 113
Marrubium vulgare
A bitter herb traditionally used for coughs with sticky phlegm and bronchitis. In Europe it is recognised as a traditional herbal medicine; clinical evidence is limited.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 3
Mentha × piperita
Peppermint oil has been studied in irritable bowel syndrome and may reduce abdominal pain. The tea is used for a full stomach and nausea. With heartburn peppermint can make complaints worse.
CautionEurope · Food · № 244
Pyrus communis
A fibre-rich fruit with sorbitol, which is mildly laxative. In Chinese medicine pear (li) is cooked with rock sugar for a dry cough; no effect is described for other uses.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 813
Warburgia salutaris
A tree with a peppery, pungent bark, traditionally used for colds, coughs and mouth complaints.
CautionOceania · Herb · № 178
Euphorbia hirta
Traditionally used for asthma and bronchitis (the name asthma weed comes from Queensland), for diarrhoea and externally for warts. There is laboratory research but no good clinical evidence.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 275
Pinellia ternata
Traditionally attributed effects: cough-suppressing, expectorant, against vomiting, anticatarrhal.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 704
Juncus effusus
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the heart and promotes urination in cystitis and restlessness.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 133
Plantago ovata
The seed husks form a mucilaginous gel: an established bulk-forming fibre for constipation and mild diarrhoea that can also modestly lower LDL cholesterol.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 323
Ulmus rubra (syn. U. fulva)
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, nourishing, astringent.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 368
Ceanothus americanus
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antispasmodic, expectorant, calming; for a swollen spleen (e.g. after glandular fever), cools and constricts blood vessels in bleeding and congestion of the uterus, liver and lymph.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 89
Rosa spp.
Rose hips are rich in vitamin C; a hip powder has been studied for osteoarthritis with modest results. Rose water and oil are used in skin care and as fragrance.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 399
Achyranthes aspera
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, diuretic, cleansing, antipyretic, laxative; for oedema from the kidneys, bronchial complaints, leprosy, stomach ache, haemorrhoids, boils, incipient diarrhoea; abortifacient in high doses.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 45
Salvia officinalis
A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 650
Saposhnikovia divaricata
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind; for muscle pain, painful diarrhoea, rheumatic complaints and cramps.
Featured · Central America and the Caribbean · Curanderismo
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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43 traditions
How communities built up and passed on their knowledge of plants, region by region.
113 recipes
Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play a leading role.
146 formulas
The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.