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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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726 results

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Recipes
Cooling sun teaWhite radish soup with Chinese asparagusChicken soup with tian qiSweetcorn soup with astragalusOxymel with thymeRose powder cleanser for mature or dry skinWitch hazel tonerAcne oil or cleanserPlumping lip glossHerbal honey for sore throat and coughTincture for the cold seasonNerve tinctureComfrey salve for joints and bruisesRefreshing foot bathClarifying shampooCustom herbal shampooNourishing hair treatment
Chinese formulas
Zhi bai di huang wanWen dan tangShi wei bai du tangChai hu gui zhi gan jiang tangGui zhi long gu mu li tangEr xian tangChuan xiong cha tiao sanDang gui shao yao sanJiao ai tangShu jin sanSi wu tangDang gui long hui wanYou gui wanWu pi yinSi jun zi tangTian ma gou teng yinBu zhong yi qi tangShi quan da bu tangTian wang bu xin danCi zhu wanXiao jian zhong tangMai men dong yin ziBa wei di huang wan (jin gui shen qi wan)Liu wei di huang wan+2
Treatment by condition
HaemorrhoidsLiver cirrhosisDiabetes mellitusLupus (SLE)Asthma and emphysemaAngina pectorisHeadache and migraineBoils and carbunclesDeafness and tinnitus
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 64

    Mugwort

    Artemisia vulgaris

    Traditionally used as a digestive bitter and to bring on delayed periods. Clinical evidence is largely lacking.

    Anglo-Saxon medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 513

    Henbane

    Hyoscyamus niger

    Traditionally attributed effects: intoxicating, narcotic, pain-relieving, calming, antispasmodic, dilates the pupils.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 123

    Bitter orange

    Citrus × aurantium

    The dried unripe fruit (zhi shi) and peel are used in Chinese medicine for bloating and sluggish digestion. NCCIH warns that weight-loss products containing bitter orange (synephrine) pose risks to the heart and blood pressure.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Other · № 74

    Bladderwrack

    Fucus vesiculosus

    A brown seaweed rich in iodine; formerly used for an underactive thyroid and for weight loss. Weight-loss claims are unproven.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 101

    Bilberry

    Vaccinium myrtillus en V. vitis-idaea

    Rich in anthocyanins. Dried berries are an old remedy for diarrhoea. NCCIH reports there is not enough evidence for eye, blood-vessel or other claims.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 281

    Blue flag

    Iris versicolor

    Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, diuretic, stimulating, laxative.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 280

    Blue cohosh

    Caulophyllum thalictroides

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, stimulates the uterus, diuretic, antirheumatic.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 735

    Bletilla rhizome (bai ji)

    Bletilla striata

    Traditionally attributed effects: stops bleeding in lung and stomach and promotes wound healing.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 372

    Bloodroot

    Sanguinaria canadensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, emetic, expectorant, restorative; part of escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia, warms lungs/stomach/uterus, promotes coughing up.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 440

    Blumea

    Blumea lacera

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

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 284

    Buckwheat

    Fagopyrum esculentum

    Traditionally attributed effects: lowers blood pressure, vasodilating, restores the vessel walls.

    Chinese medical traditions+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

    Asia · Mineral · № 781

    Borax (peng sha)

    Borax (natriumtetraboraat)

    Traditionally attributed effects: externally for small ulcers in mouth, throat and vagina and for athlete's foot.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Other · № 770

    Borneol (bing pian)

    Dryobalanops aromatica (borneol)

    Traditionally attributed effects: opens the sense orifices, cools heat and relieves pain; mainly external.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 557

    Nux vomica

    Strychnos nux-vomica

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, stomachic, tonic, aphrodisiac, stimulates the spinal cord, breathing and heart.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 283

    Broom

    Cytisus scoparius

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, laxative, raises blood pressure, stimulates the uterus.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 631

    Brewer's angelica

    Angelica breweri, A. arguta, A. hendersonii

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind, dampness and cold in stiff, painful joints, opens the surface in wind-cold and moves qi and blood in pain.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 688

    Java brucea fruit (ya dan zi)

    Brucea javanica

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used for amoebic dysentery, malaria and externally for warts.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 886

    Cabalonga (yellow oleander)

    Cascabela thevetia (syn. Thevetia peruviana)

    A shrub with yellow trumpet flowers, related to oleander. All parts, especially the seeds, contain cardiac glycosides that act on the heart.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • 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

    Asia · Mineral · № 783

    Calcite (han shui shi)

    Calcitum (calciumcarbonaat)

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat in fever with thirst and summer heat; externally on hot small ulcers and burns.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 630

    California figwort

    Scrophularia californica, S. lanceolata

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat in the blood and nourishes yin, drains damp heat and disperses swellings.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 627

    California spikenard

    Aralia californica

    Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold and fever without sweating, warms the lung and stops cough with abundant white or clear phlegm, and (roasted with honey) strengthens the energy of lung and spleen.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 798

    Calomel (qing fen)

    Calomelas (kwikchloride)

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally against scabies and sores; contains mercury.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 710

    Capillaris (yin chen hao)

    Artemisia capillaris

    Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat from liver and gallbladder; main herb for jaundice.

    Chinese medical traditions+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

    South America · Herb · № 924

    Cebil (vilca)

    Anadenanthera colubrina

    A thorny tree of the pea family, related to yopo. The seeds contain much bufotenine, up to over twelve per cent, as well as some DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. As a snuff they cause violent physical effects and short visions.

  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 902

    Chacruna

    Psychotria viridis

    A shrub of the coffee family up to five metres tall. The leaves contain DMT, a short-acting, powerfully mind-altering substance that only works by mouth together with an MAO inhibitor such as ayahuasca.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 511

    Chaulmoogra

    Hydnocarpus laurifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, stimulating, inhibits bacterial growth; chaulmoogra oil for leprosy (reduces nodules and skin lesions) and skin diseases.

    Ayurveda+1
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 290

    Bupleurum (chai hu)

    Bupleurum chinense

    Traditionally attributed effects: energy tonic, stimulates the liver, cooling, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, promotes bile, lowers cholesterol.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 148

    Weeping forsythia (lian qiao)

    Forsythia suspensa

    The fruits (lian qiao) are a 'cooling' herb in Chinese medicine for early colds with sore throat and fever, and for skin inflammation. There is little clinical research on lian qiao alone.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
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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