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

Recipes: Four-herb tonic soup Rose water toner Witch hazel toner Acne toner Healing facial toner Toner for sensitive skin
Chinese formulas: Shi quan da bu tang Liu wei di huang wan
Treatment by condition: Cancer Low blood pressure Muscle weakness and muscle atrophy

Caution
North America · Herb · № 274
American cranesbill
Geranium maculatum
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stops bleeding, tonic.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
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
North America · Herb · № 596
Smooth sumac
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.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
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 · Herb · № 649
Glehnia root (sha shen)
Glehnia littoralis
Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the lungs and is good for the stomach; for persistent dry cough and to dissolve phlegm.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Food · № 637
Goji (Chinese wolfberry)
Lycium barbarum, L. chinense
Traditionally attributed effects: sweet tonic that according to tradition strengthens the yang energy, strength and stamina and supports the hormone system.
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
Europe · Herb · № 49
Pot marigold (calendula)
Calendula officinalis
An edible flower historically used as medicine and dye. Its oil is widely used in skin products.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 344
Cardamom
Elettaria cardamomum
Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, pungent, strengthens the heart, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, carminative; for asthma, bronchitis, haemorrhoids, bladder complaints, flatulence, cramps from laxatives, dizziness, indigestion, vomiting.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 60
Garden angelica
Angelica archangelica
An aromatic bitter traditionally used for bloating, poor appetite and colds. Clinical evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 591
Purple loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, antibiotic, antispasmodic, diuretic, induces sweating, tonic, soothing; for dysentery and bacterial diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's), strengthens kidneys and bladder, for the eyes.
Western herbal medicine
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
Europe · Herb · № 339
Water plantain (ze xie)
Alisma plantago-aquatica (syn. A. orientale)
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, cleanses the liver.
Western herbal medicine+1
Caution
South America · Herb · № 163
Guarana
Paullinia cupana
The seeds contain about twice as much caffeine as coffee beans. Guarana is used in energy drinks and soft drinks; its stimulating effect comes from caffeine.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
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
Asia · Herb · № 506
Gymnema
Gymnema sylvestre
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, tonic, cooling, diuretic, lowers blood sugar (suppresses sweet taste); for diabetes and sugar in the urine, snake bites, fever, cough, swollen glands.
Ayurveda+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
Europe · Food · № 66
Oats
Avena sativa
Oat flakes provide beta-glucan, a fibre that according to approved health claims can help maintain normal cholesterol. Oatmeal is also used in baths for dry, itchy skin. Its traditional role as a nerve tonic is unproven.
Western herbal medicine+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 59
Marshmallow
Althaea officinalis
Root and leaf are rich in mucilage that forms a soothing layer; used for dry coughs, throat irritation and an irritated stomach. Evidence is modest.
Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 415
Himalayan angelica
Angelica glauca
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart, stimulating; for flatulence, constipation and indigestion.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 564
Himalayan meadow rue
Thalictrum foliolosum
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, mildly laxative, laxative, diuretic, fever-reducing; for chronic indigestion, recovery after illness, eye inflammation, jaundice, flatulence, colds (snuff), toothache, conjunctivitis and keratitis.
Ayurveda
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 393
Himalayan silver fir
Abies spectabilis
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, stomachic, tonic, astringent, antispasmodic, expectorant; for cough, asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung conditions and bladder catarrh; for an enlarged spleen.
Ayurveda
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 · № 436
Tree turmeric
Berberis aristata
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, stomachic, astringent, antipyretic, induces sweating, cleansing; for malaria and intermittent fever (comparable to quinine), washing ulcers, eye diseases, haemorrhoids, swollen glands; laxative for children.
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 · № 423
Indian birthwort
Aristolochia indica
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, stimulating, promotes menstruation, antidote, anti-arthritic; against snake, insect and scorpion bites, intestinal complaints in children, cholera, diarrhoea, intermittent fever.
Ayurveda
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 508
Indian sarsaparilla
Hemidesmus indicus
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, soothing, induces sweating and urination, purifies the blood; for lack of appetite, indigestion, fever, skin diseases, syphilis, leucorrhoea, urogenital diseases, chronic cough, rheumatic joints.
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 · № 454
Golden shower
Cassia fistula
Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, tonic, fever-reducing; fruit pulp mildly laxative (safe for children and pregnant women); leaf for ringworm, chilblains, rheumatism, facial paralysis; root for fever and heart disease.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 322
Asiatic dogwood fruit (shan zhu yu)
Cornus officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, diuretic, lowers blood pressure, antimicrobial.
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.

From plant to use

Ways to prepare herbs

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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 →