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

Also found

Chinese formulas: Si ni tang Si ni san Bao he wan Qing wei san Dang gui si ni tang Wu zhu yu tang Li zhong wan Yi guan jian Xiao jian zhong tang Wu mei wan Yue ju wan
Treatment by condition: Stomach pain Stomach ulcer and gastritis

Caution
Asia · Food · № 131
Sacred lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
Almost every part is used: seeds for diarrhoea and restlessness, rhizome as food, leaf for 'summer heat'. Scientific evidence is mostly laboratory research.
Ayurveda+3Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 730
Tangerine peel (chen pi)
Citrus reticulata
Traditionally attributed effects: the ripe peel (chen pi) moves the qi of spleen and lung and dissolves phlegm; the green peel (qing pi) moves liver qi.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 47
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata (en C. pinnatifida)
Studied for heart failure with conflicting results. For most conditions there is little or no good evidence.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 792
Maltose (yi tang)
Saccharum granorum (maltose)
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens qi and spleen, eases pain from cold in the middle and moistens the lungs.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 129
Nutmeg
Myristica fragrans
A spice used in small amounts in Ayurveda and Arabic medicine for diarrhoea, nausea and insomnia. There is no good clinical evidence.
Ayurveda+6Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 153
Osha
Ligusticum porteri, L. sinense en L. wallichii
The root is traditionally used for sore throats, coughs and early colds. There is virtually no clinical research.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
Caution
North America · Herb · № 974
Pacific crabapple
Malus fusca
A small apple tree with small, sour, oval apples and very tough wood. The bark contains tannins.
Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 522
Chinaberry
Melia azedarach
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, antipyretic, expels worms; fruit laxative; oil insecticidal and antiseptic.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
South America · Herb · № 165
Pau d'arco
Handroanthus impetiginosus (syn. Tabebuia avellanedae)
The inner bark is sold for fungal infections, inflammation and as a 'cancer remedy'. There is no reliable human evidence; its active compound lapachol proved too toxic at effective doses.
The Guaraní and the mate tradition+2
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 822
Pirul (Peruvian pepper tree)
Schinus molle
A tree with aromatic leaves and pink berries, used in cleansing rituals and as a folk remedy.
Curanderismo+2
Caution
Asia · Mushroom · № 146
Poria (fu ling)
Wolfiporia cocos
One of the most widely used remedies in Chinese medicine, for fluid retention, poor digestion and restless sleep. Clinical research on fu ling alone is scarce.
Chinese medical traditions+4
Caution
Asia · Food · № 689
Purslane (ma chi xian)
Portulaca oleracea
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood in dysentery and painful urination; externally for ulcers and insect bites.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 775
Rangoon creeper (shi jun zi)
Combretum indicum (syn. Quisqualis indica)
Traditionally attributed effects: was used against roundworms and for poor digestion in children.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 181
Indian snakeroot
Rauvolfia serpentina
The root contains reserpine, which lowers blood pressure and has a sedative effect. In the 1950s reserpine was one of the first modern antihypertensives and antipsychotics, but it has largely been replaced by drugs with fewer side effects.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 669
Reed rhizome (lu gen)
Phragmites australis (syn. P. communis)
Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat and moistens in thirst, cough with yellow phlegm, vomiting from stomach heat and painful urination.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 89
Rose and rose hip
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.
Avicenna's Canon in European universities+6Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 45
Sage
Salvia officinalis
A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 140
Sandalwood
Santalum album
Used in Ayurveda as a 'cooling' remedy for skin irritation and urinary complaints; the oil is used in aromatherapy. Clinical evidence is limited.
Ayurveda+6Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 43
St. John's wort
Hypericum perforatum
Research suggests it may help mild to moderate depression; evidence for other uses is insufficient.
Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 390
Soy
Glycine max
Traditionally attributed effects: base for a gentle cleanser.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 534
Skunkvine
Paederia foetida
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic; for urinary retention, bladder stones, haemorrhoids, inflamed spleen, diarrhoea in children, rheumatism and stiff joints, abdomen bloated by gas.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Mineral · № 702
Talc (hua shi)
Talcum (hydromagnesiumsilicaat)
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling and soothing in painful urination and summer heat; externally drying on weeping skin.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 98
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Traditionally used for coughs and bronchitis; thymol from the oil inhibits bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There are some studies of thyme-based cough syrups.
Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 718
Trichosanthes fruit (gua lou)
Trichosanthes kirilowii
Traditionally attributed effects: fruit and seed dissolve hot phlegm and open the chest; the root (tian hua fen) cools and moistens.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 20
Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
The root has a traditional association with sleep and calm. Research on insomnia is inconsistent and does not establish benefit.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 72
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
The seed is traditionally used for wind, bloating and cramps. There are some small studies, but evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+9Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 106
Bogbean
Menyanthes trifoliata
A strong bitter traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion and for rheumatic complaints. Clinical evidence is lacking.
Western herbal medicine+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 640
Fragrant Solomon's seal (yu zhu)
Polygonatum odoratum
Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the stomach and promotes the production of body fluids; for fatigue, poor appetite, weak digestion and exhaustion.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 810
African wormwood
Artemisia afra
A bitter, aromatic herb widely used in southern Africa for coughs, colds, fever and flu.
Traditional healers of Southern Africa
Caution
North America · Herb · № 156
Wild black cherry
Prunus serotina
The dried bark was long used in cough syrups to calm irritating coughs. Modern clinical evidence is lacking.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
Caution
North America · Herb · № 159
Wild yam
Dioscorea villosa
Traditionally used for abdominal and uterine cramps. Wild yam cream is sold as 'natural progesterone', but the body cannot convert diosgenin into hormones; only a laboratory can.
Curanderismo+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 128
White mulberry
Morus alba en M. nigra
The leaf (sang ye) is being studied for post-meal blood sugar and is used in Chinese medicine for coughs and fevers; bark, twigs and berries each have their own use too. Evidence is preliminary.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 712
Hypoglauca yam (bei xie)
Dioscorea hypoglauca (syn. D. collettii)
Traditionally attributed effects: clears cloudy urine and expels wind and dampness in rheumatism and skin complaints.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 18
Licorice root
Glycyrrhiza glabra
A root with long use in several traditions; high-quality evidence does not support most health claims.
Ayurveda+9Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 728
Black atractylodes (cang zhu)
Atractylodes lancea
Traditionally attributed effects: dries dampness and strengthens the spleen; expels wind, cold and dampness.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 135
Black pepper and long pepper
Piper nigrum
Important warming spices in Ayurveda, used for sluggish digestion and colds. Piperine from pepper increases the absorption of some substances, such as curcumin.
Ayurveda+5Folklore

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.

From plant to use

Ways to prepare herbs

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Discover more

Traditions, kitchen and classical formulas

43 traditions

Cultures & traditions

How communities built up and passed on their knowledge of plants, region by region.

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113 recipes

Recipes

Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play a leading role.

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146 formulas

Chinese formulas

The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.

Treatment by condition →All formulas →