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
CautionEurope · Herb · № 577
Frangula alnus
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative, antiparasitic, bitter; mild laxative without cramps, stops bleeding and helps with warts, mouthwash for gum problems, hair rinse for scalp irritation.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 279
Ballota nigra
Traditionally attributed effects: against vomiting, stimulating, antispasmodic.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 298
Chelidonium majus
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, cleansing, stimulates the liver, anti-inflammatory.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 236
Calluna vulgaris
The flowering herb was drunk as tea for bladder complaints and sleeplessness. Heather honey is a prized, jelly-like honey. A medicinal effect has not been studied.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 98
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.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 328
Potentilla erecta
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, especially for the intestinal wall.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 20
Valeriana officinalis
The root has a traditional association with sleep and calm. Research on insomnia is inconsistent and does not establish benefit.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 114
Arnica montana
Used externally for bruises and muscle aches. Studies give mixed results. Homeopathic arnica is so diluted that it contains no active substance.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 334
Teucrium scorodonia
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, induces sweating, antirheumatic, carminative, wound-healing, promotes bile.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 72
Foeniculum vulgare
The seed is traditionally used for wind, bloating and cramps. There are some small studies, but evidence is limited.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 230
Potentilla reptans
The tannin-rich herb was used as a mouthwash and for diarrhoea. A medicinal effect has not been studied.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 179
Digitalis purpurea
Contains cardiac glycosides that slow the heart rate and strengthen its contractions. They gave rise to the drugs digoxin and digitoxin, still prescribed for certain heart rhythm disorders and heart failure. The margin between an effective and a toxic amount is very small.
CautionEurope · Food · № 83
Linum usitatissimum
Ground flaxseed acts as a gentle bulk-forming fibre for constipation. NCCIH reports it may lower cholesterol slightly; evidence for other claims is unclear.
CautionEurope · Mushroom · № 910
Amanita muscaria
The well-known red mushroom with white spots. Contains ibotenic acid and muscimol, which act on the brain. Causes nausea, muscle twitching, confusion, a dreamlike state and sometimes deep sleep. Drying partly converts ibotenic acid into the stronger muscimol.
CautionEurope · Food · № 21
Sambucus nigra
Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 94
Stellaria media
Traditionally used externally as a cooling ointment or compress for itching, eczema and minor skin irritation. There is hardly any clinical research.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 58
Alchemilla xanthochlora
An astringent herb used in folk medicine mainly for heavy periods and diarrhoea. There is little clinical research.
CautionEurope · Food · № 80
Juglans regia
The nuts are a nutritious source of unsaturated fats. Leaf and green husk are astringent and were traditionally used for skin conditions and diarrhoea; clinical evidence is lacking.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 106
Menyanthes trifoliata
A strong bitter traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion and for rheumatic complaints. Clinical evidence is lacking.
CautionEurope · Food · № 654
Nasturtium officinale
Traditionally attributed effects: rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene and vitamin E; used to support detoxification, cool body heat and support the lungs.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 86
Plantago major
The leaf is traditionally bruised and applied to insect bites, small wounds and grazes, and taken as tea for coughs. Clinical evidence is limited.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 242
Ruta graveolens
Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, stimulating, promotes menstruation, expectorant, antispasmodic, expels worms (children); strengthens capillaries (rutin); for hysteria, flatulence and colic, incipient paralysis, indigestion; oil diuretic and skin-irritant.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 838
Thymus serpyllum
An aromatic herb traditionally used for coughs and digestive complaints.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 331
Lamium album
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antispasmodic, tonic for the reproductive organs.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 330
Bryonia alba
Traditionally attributed effects: antirheumatic, laxative.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 301
Aesculus hippocastanum
Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, astringent.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 837
Atropa belladonna
A deadly poisonous plant. Its compound atropine is used in controlled form in modern medicine.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 187
Quercus robur
The bark contains a lot of tannins and is astringent. It is used as a decoction for diarrhoea, as a mouthwash for inflamed gums and as a sitz bath for haemorrhoids.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 108
Berberis vulgaris
Bark and root contain berberine, which is being studied for blood sugar and cholesterol. The berries are rich in vitamin C. Evidence for barberry itself is limited.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 554
Solanum nigrum
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, calming, induces sweating and urination, expectorant; for oedema, chronically enlarged liver, jaundice, chronic skin diseases, coughing up blood, haemorrhoids, kidney and bladder inflammation, gonorrhoea, eye diseases; pain-relieving wash.
CautionSouth America · Food · № 262
Solanum tuberosum
A starchy tuber and one of the most important food crops in the world. In folk use raw slices or grated potato are laid on burns, swollen eyes and for headaches; this has not been studied.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 805
Prunus africana
A bark extract is used in Europe for benign prostate enlargement; the evidence is limited.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 376
Medicago sativa
Traditionally attributed effects: calming and moisture-restoring for dry skin.
CautionAsia · Food · № 223
Prunus dulcis
Traditionally attributed effects: sweet almond soothing, stimulating, nourishing, strengthens the nerves; bitter almond soothing, laxative, calming in cough.
CautionNorth America · Food · № 934
Castanea dentata
Once one of the largest trees of the eastern forests, with sweet, edible nuts. Related to the sweet chestnut.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 932
Tilia americana
A large broadleaf tree with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant flowers, related to the European lime. The flowers contain mucilage and flavonoids. The wood is soft and easy to carve; the inner bark gives strong fibre.
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.