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
CautionAsia · Food · № 445
Buchanania lanzan
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, cleansing, laxative, diuretic; seeds nutritious, gum for diarrhoea, ointment for itching and skin blemishes, oil for swollen neck glands, substitute for almond oil.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 124
Chrysanthemum × morifolium
The flowers (ju hua) are used in Chinese medicine as a 'cooling' remedy for colds with fever, headaches and tired, red eyes. Clinical evidence is limited.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 755
Cibotium barometz
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, bones and tendons in a stiff, painful lower back and knees.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 797
Cinnabaris (kwiksulfide)
Traditionally attributed effects: was used to calm the mind and stop convulsions; contains mercury.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 760
Cistanche deserticola
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, moistens the bowel and warms the uterus.
CautionAsia · Food · № 221
Citrus limon
Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, diuretic, strengthens the veins.
Caution
CautionAsia · Herb · № 777
Cnidium monnieri
Traditionally attributed effects: externally for itching and fungus around the genitals; internally a kidney yang tonic.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 720
Arisaema heterophyllum (en A. erubescens)
Traditionally attributed effects: dries phlegm and expels wind and phlegm from the meridians in convulsions and paralysis.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 639
Codonopsis pilosula
Traditionally attributed effects: reduces fatigue, supports the production of blood cells and strengthens spleen, stomach and lungs.
CautionAsia · Mushroom · № 147
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis)
A fungus that parasitises caterpillars. Used in Tibetan and Chinese medicine for fatigue, lung complaints and low libido. Studies are small and there is no convincing evidence.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 731
Dolomiaea costus (syn. Saussurea lappa, Aucklandia lappa)
Traditionally attributed effects: moves the qi in spleen, stomach, intestine, liver and gallbladder; helps digest tonics.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 779
Cremastra appendiculata (ook Pleione en Tulipa edulis)
Traditionally attributed effects: externally for swollen glands, lumps, sores and abscesses.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 471
Costus speciosus
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, stimulating, aids digestion, expels worms, cleansing, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory; for fever with catarrh, cough, indigestion, worms, skin diseases, snake bites.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 473
Croton oblongifolius
Traditionally attributed effects: bark and root cleansing and promote bile; seeds laxative; bark for sprains and liver diseases, poultices on swellings, for snake bites.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 474
Croton tiglium
Traditionally attributed effects: drastically laxative, irritant, skin-irritant; for stroke, insanity, convulsions, stubborn constipation, worms, ascites, oedema, colic, gout; wood in small doses induces sweating.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 759
Cynomorium songaricum
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, nourishes the blood and moistens the bowel.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 659
Angelica dahurica
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-cold, opens the nose and relieves headache and toothache; helps drain pus.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 430
Baliospermum montanum
Traditionally attributed effects: seeds strongly laxative, externally stimulating and skin-irritant; root for oedema and jaundice, leaves for asthma, oil for rheumatism, antiseptic, for snake bites.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 761
Dendrobium nobile (en verwante soorten)
Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the yin of lung and stomach, replenishes body fluids and cools heat from deficiency.
Caution
CautionAsia · Herb · № 243
Artemisia dracunculus
A culinary herb with an aniseed-like taste. The fresh leaf slightly numbs the tongue and was formerly chewed for toothache and used to stimulate the appetite. It contains estragole; large amounts are not recommended.
CautionAsia · Other · № 744
Daemonorops draco (ook Dracaena cochinchinensis)
Traditionally attributed effects: stops bleeding, resolves blood stagnation and promotes wound healing.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 105
Viola tricolor
Traditionally used for skin conditions such as eczema and cradle cap, and for coughs. There is little clinical research.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 756
Drynaria roosii (syn. D. fortunei)
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, lets the blood flow and helps fractures and tendon injuries heal.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 409
Alstonia scholaris
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, bitter tonic, astringent, expectorant, fever-reducing, antipyretic; quinine substitute for intermittent fever, for indigestion, weakness, skin diseases, liver complaints, chronic diarrhoea; promotes milk flow, expels worms.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 495
Ferula foetida
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, mildly laxative, expels worms, promotes menstruation, stimulates nerves and lungs.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 394
Abroma augusta
Traditionally attributed effects: leaves and stem soothing, root bark promotes menstruation; for painful menstruation, regulates menstruation, uterine tonic, for gonorrhoea; can cause skin irritation.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 56
Achillea millefolium
Traditionally used to stop bleeding from minor wounds, for fevers and colds, and as a digestive bitter. Clinical evidence is limited.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 111
Solidago virgaurea
In Europe it is used to flush the urinary tract in mild complaints and is listed in European herbal monographs as a traditional remedy. Clinical evidence is limited.
CautionEurope · Mushroom · № 115
Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, Morchella esculenta, Pleurotus ostreatus
A prized edible mushroom with protein, fibre and minerals. Medicinal claims are unproven.
CautionAsia · Mushroom · № 701
Polyporus umbellatus
Traditionally attributed effects: drains fluid via the urine in oedema and difficult urination.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 585
Epimedium grandiflorum
Traditionally attributed effects: aphrodisiac, diuretic, tonic; increases libido, helps with erectile problems and fertility, strengthens the bladder sphincter and kidney function.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 662
Elsholtzia splendens
Traditionally attributed effects: for summer colds from cold and dampness, and for oedema.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 675
Cynanchum atratum
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood in fever from deficiency, including after childbirth, and in painful urination.
CautionAsia · Food · № 260
Pisum sativum
A legume rich in protein and fibre. In Chinese medicine (wan dou) the pea is regarded as a mild remedy for the spleen and for mild diarrhoea.
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.