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 · Herb · № 437
Bergenia ligulata
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing, astringent, tonic; known for dissolving kidney stones; for fever, diarrhoea, lung complaints, eye inflammation, teething in children.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 326
Mitchella repens
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulates the uterus, tonic, restorative, astringent, diuretic.
CautionEurope · Food · № 259
Daucus carota
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, tonic, carminative; expels kidney and bladder stones, relieves lower back pain from the kidneys, reduces oedema, restores the bladder, stimulates digestion; seed traditionally as a contraceptive.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 870
Fabiana imbricata
A small shrub of the nightshade family that looks like a conifer. Traditionally for bladder and urinary complaints and for digestion; laboratory research points to a stomach-protecting effect.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 704
Juncus effusus
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the heart and promotes urination in cystitis and restlessness.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 192
Populus tremuloides
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, fever-reducing, tonic, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving (salicylates); restores the sensitive bladder (incontinence), calms the bowels in stress diarrhoea, heals wounds, lowers fever, relieves headache.
CautionAsia · Mushroom · № 146
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.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 784
Pumex
Traditionally attributed effects: cools hot phlegm in the lungs, softens lumps and promotes urination.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 441
Boerhaavia diffusa
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, expectorant, induces sweating, anti-inflammatory; for asthma, jaundice, oedema, anaemia, internal inflammation, snake bites.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 584
Eutrochium purpureum (syn. Eupatorium purpureum)
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, strengthens the nerves, astringent, stimulating, antiseptic; dissolves kidney and bladder stones, removes mineral deposits in joints, traditionally to prevent miscarriage and to prepare for childbirth.
CautionAsia · Food · № 545
Raphanus sativus
Traditionally attributed effects: seeds and leaves diuretic, laxative, dissolve stones; juice against scurvy; for painful and difficult urination, stones, urinary diseases, haemorrhoids, stomach ache; syrup for hoarseness, whooping cough and chest complaints.
CautionAsia · Food · № 408
Alocasia macrorrhiza
Traditionally attributed effects: aids digestion, laxative, diuretic, promotes milk flow; for colic, constipation, haemorrhoids, oedema, worms, mouth ulcers, scorpion stings.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 669
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 442
Bombax ceiba
Traditionally attributed effects: gum astringent and stops bleeding; root and bark soothing, diuretic, aphrodisiac; for abnormal uterine bleeding, diarrhoea, dysentery, coughing up blood, heavy menstruation, bladder and kidney stones, boils, itching.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 201
Pelargonium graveolens
Traditionally attributed effects: antidepressant, pain-relieving, diuretic, calming, tonic.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 399
Achyranthes aspera
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, diuretic, cleansing, antipyretic, laxative; for oedema from the kidneys, bronchial complaints, leprosy, stomach ache, haemorrhoids, boils, incipient diarrhoea; abortifacient in high doses.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 321
Carthamus tinctorius
Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 594
Polygonatum biflorum
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, astringent, relaxing; strengthens and lubricates tendons, ligaments and joints, helps with prolapse of the uterus and bladder, calms the heart rhythm, moistens dry conditions (dry skin, stool, airways).
CautionAsia · Herb · № 666
Equisetum hyemale
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat around the eyes, stops bleeding and is diuretic.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 595
Rumex acetosella
Traditionally attributed effects: induces sweating, diuretic, fever-reducing, stops bleeding; traditionally for cancer (ingredient of Essiac tea), relieves 'hot' conditions (fever, thirst, inflammation), boils, transient jaundice.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 592
Schisandra chinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, astringent, stimulating, adaptogen; supports exhausted adrenals (fatigue), promotes sleep and well-being, protects the liver.
CautionEurope · Food · № 61
Apium graveolens
Vegetable and spice. The seed was traditionally used for gout, joint complaints and as a diuretic. Convincing clinical evidence is lacking.
CautionAfrica · Food · № 356
Sesamum indicum
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, softens the skin, diuretic, promotes menstruation and milk flow, laxative; leaves for respiratory complaints, diarrhoea and dysentery in children, bladder catarrh; seeds for bleeding haemorrhoids, absent or painful menstruation.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 367
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Traditionally attributed effects: adaptogen, increases interferon production; especially for herpes simplex, strengthens the immune system against colds and flu; further for high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, insomnia, arthritis.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 295
Chionanthus virginicus
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, stimulates the liver, tonic, diuretic.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 680
Sophora flavescens
Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat in itchy skin, discharge and dysentery; externally as a wash.
CautionAsia · Food · № 519
Luffa cylindrica
Traditionally attributed effects: seeds emetic, laxative, diuretic; fruit cooling, soothing, stimulates appetite, diuretic, promotes milk flow; oil for skin conditions.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 709
Stephania tetrandra
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic in oedema (especially of the legs) and pain-relieving in hot, swollen joints.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 298
Chelidonium majus
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, cleansing, stimulates the liver, anti-inflammatory.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 534
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.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 702
Talcum (hydromagnesiumsilicaat)
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling and soothing in painful urination and summer heat; externally drying on weeping skin.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 512
Hygrophila auriculata
Traditionally attributed effects: root cooling, bitter tonic, diuretic, soothing; seeds diuretic and aphrodisiac; for oedema, kidney stones and urogenital complaints, jaundice, impotence and weakness, asthma.
CautionAsia · Food · № 240
Allium cepa
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, expectorant, skin-irritant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic; for cough, haemorrhoids, jaundice, indigestion, insect bites, boils, wounds, chilblains and sore joints.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 294
Chamaelirium luteum
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, uterine tonic, emetic.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 707
Polygonum aviculare
Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat in cystitis, stops itching and was used against worms.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 515
Justicia adhatoda
Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, diuretic, antispasmodic, cleansing, bronchodilator; well-known Ayurvedic remedy for bronchitis, asthma, cough, fever, jaundice and tuberculosis; root for malaria, diphtheria and gonorrhoea.
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.