Skip to content
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

Search by concern or tag

266 results

Also found

Recipes
Cooling sun teaWatercress and spare rib soup with dried figsHelba, Egyptian fenugreek teaCacao drink with chilli and vanillaToner for sensitive skinCustom herbal shampooNourishing hair treatment
Chinese formulas
Xing su sanWen dan tangJi chuan jianSi ni sanMa zi ren wanDang gui long hui wanChai hu shu gan sanYi guan jianWu yao shun qi sanDa chai hu tangDa cheng qi tangXiao chai hu tangXiao cheng qi tangJiu wei qiang huo tangGe xia zhu yu tangXue fu zhu yu tangJing jie lian qiao tangJing fang bai du sanHuai hua san
Treatment by condition
Uterine prolapse
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 336

    Evodia fruit (wu zhu yu)

    Tetradium ruticarpum (syn. Evodia rutaecarpa)

    Traditionally attributed effects: pain-relieving, antibacterial, warming, stimulating.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 118

    Fenugreek

    Trigonella foenum-graecum

    The seed has been studied for blood sugar and for increasing breast milk. NCCIH reports there is not enough strong evidence for these uses.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 360

    Bottle gourd

    Lagenaria siceraria

    Young fruits are eaten as a mild, easily digestible vegetable. Medical claims, for example about the heart or peace of mind, have not been studied.

    Local African healing traditions+2
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 462

    Velvet leaf

    Cissampelos pareira

    Traditionally attributed effects: mildly stomachic, bitter tonic, diuretic, dissolves stones, astringent; for intestinal complaints, indigestion, diarrhoea, prolapsed uterus, internal inflammation, urinary tract diseases, purifies the blood in skin diseases.

    Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 778

    Gac seed (mu bie zi)

    Momordica cochinchinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: externally for inflamed sores, breast abscesses and bruises.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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 · № 503

    Gmelina

    Gmelina arborea

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, stomachic, bitter tonic, cooling, laxative, promotes milk flow; fruit in cooling decoctions for fever and bile complaints, headache, fever and indigestion; to prevent miscarriage.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 200

    Gardenia (zhi zi)

    Gardenia jasminoides

    Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, calming, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, promotes bile.

    Chinese medical traditions+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 692

    Barbat skullcap (ban zhi lian)

    Scutellaria barbata

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood, moves blood stagnation and reduces swellings; for hepatitis.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 88

    Self-heal

    Prunella vulgaris

    In Europe an old wound herb and gargle for sore throats; in Chinese medicine used for 'heat' and swollen glands. Research is mostly laboratory work.

    Western herbal medicine+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 300

    Blessed thistle

    Cnicus benedictus

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter digestive stimulant, expectorant, antiseptic, wound-healing.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 37

    Ginkgo

    Ginkgo biloba

    There is no conclusive evidence that ginkgo helps any health condition. A modest effect on dementia symptoms is possible, but results are inconsistent.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 315

    Glossy privet (nu zhen zi)

    Ligustrum lucidum

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, diuretic, stimulates the immune system.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 698

    Glauber's salt (mang xiao)

    Mirabilitum (natriumsulfaat)

    Traditionally attributed effects: softens the stool in constipation from heat and dryness.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 556

    East Indian globe thistle

    Sphaeranthus indicus

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, tonic, stomachic, stimulating, cleansing; for bile complaints, tumours, worms, skin diseases (purifies the blood), bleeding haemorrhoids, syphilis, urethral discharge, conjunctivitis.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 713

    Large-leaf gentian (qin jiao)

    Gentiana macrophylla

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness in cold and hot joint pain and cools heat from yin deficiency.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 736

    Great burnet (di yu)

    Sanguisorba officinalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood and stops bleeding in the lower abdomen; externally for burns.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 144

    Guduchi (giloy)

    Tinospora cordifolia

    In Ayurveda a rejuvenating remedy (rasayana) for fevers and the immune system. Studies are small; it has no proven effect against infections.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 174

    Gumbi gumbi

    Pittosporum spp.

    Leaves, seeds or wood were steeped in hot water and drunk or used externally, for example for colds, coughs, eczema and cramps. Laboratory research points to antimicrobial compounds; clinical studies are lacking.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 139

    Haritaki and triphala

    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.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 82

    Motherwort

    Leonurus cardiaca

    Traditionally used for stress-related palpitations, nervousness and menstrual complaints. Clinical research is scarce.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 796

    Hematite (dai zhe shi)

    Haematitum (ijzeroxide)

    Traditionally attributed effects: anchors rising liver yang, makes rebellious qi descend and cools the blood in bleeding.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 765

    Tree of heaven (chun pi)

    Ailanthus altissima

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat, dries dampness and curbs diarrhoea, discharge and bleeding.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 305

    Hemp seed

    Cannabis sativa

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulant laxative.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 77

    Hops

    Humulus lupulus

    The cones are traditionally used for restlessness and sleep problems, often with valerian. There are hints of a mild sedative effect, but evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+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 · № 432

    Indian oak

    Barringtonia acutangula

    Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, carminative, emetic; for nasal and respiratory catarrh, chest pain, headache (snuff), diarrhoea and dysentery, bitter tonic; root cooling and antipyretic.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 469

    Gold thread

    Coptis teeta

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, fever-reducing; stimulates appetite, restores digestion, against flatulence, for jaundice, weakness, recovery after fever; eye ointment for conjunctivitis; in China against diabetes.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 548

    Indian madder

    Rubia cordifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: promotes menstruation, astringent, diuretic, cleansing, decongestant, tonic; for paralysis, jaundice, urinary tract obstruction, menstrual disorders, mastitis, too little lochia.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 553

    Indian nightshade

    Solanum indicum

    Traditionally attributed effects: aphrodisiac, astringent, carminative, strengthens the heart, diuretic, expectorant; for asthma, dry cough, difficult childbirth, chronic fever, colic, worms, painful urination, oedema, catarrh, vomiting, itching.

    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 · № 788

    Inula flower (xuan fu hua)

    Inula japonica

    Traditionally attributed effects: moves stuck phlegm in the lungs and makes rebellious energy of lung and stomach descend.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 723

    Loquat leaf (pi pa ye)

    Eriobotrya japonica

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools hot phlegm in the lungs and makes rebellious lung and stomach energy descend.

    Chinese medical traditions+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.

Read more

From plant to use

Ways to prepare herbs

All preparations →

Discover more

Traditions, kitchen and classical formulas