CautionNorth America · Food · № 935
Shagbark hickory
Carya ovata
A nut tree of the walnut family, with bark that peels away in long strips. The nuts are rich and sweet.
Haudenosaunee medicine
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.
GrapeFolk magic and herbal magic
BuchuLocal African healing traditions
Indian tobaccoCherokee medicine
Lignum vitaeHerbal knowledge of the Caribbean
Yerba mateKallawaya healing knowledge
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CautionAsia · Herb · № 122
Shatavari
Asparagus racemosus
In Ayurveda an important rejuvenating remedy for women, used for breastfeeding and stomach complaints. Studies are small and of variable quality.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAsia · Mushroom · № 145
Shiitake
Lentinula edodes
An edible mushroom. Lentinan from shiitake is researched and used in oncology in Japan; there is little evidence for ordinary shiitake as an 'immune booster'.
Chinese medical traditions+3
CautionAsia · Herb · № 644
Szechuan lovage (chuan xiong)
Ligusticum chuanxiong (syn. L. striatum)
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes circulation, helps with menstrual complaints and as a restorative tonic after childbirth, and is said to lower high blood pressure; warming.
Chinese medical traditions+2
CautionAsia · Food · № 220
Orange
Citrus sinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: against dandruff; sweet oranges good for skin and hair.
Ayurveda+2Folklore
CautionAsia · Food · № 258
Lettuce
Lactuca sativa
A juicy leaf vegetable with some vitamin K and folate. The milky sap of the stem is mildly calming, but much weaker than that of wild lettuce.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+1Folklore
CautionAsia · Herb · № 180
Opium poppy
Papaver somniferum
The latex of the unripe seed capsule (opium) contains morphine, codeine and other alkaloids. Morphine and related opioids are indispensable painkillers in modern medicine, but highly addictive. The seeds (poppy seeds) are an ordinary food.
Ayurveda+4
CautionChinese medical traditions+1
CautionEurope · Food · № 833
Spelt
Triticum spelta
A grain for bread and porridge; nutritionally similar to wheat.
Hildegard of Bingen
CautionAsia · Food · № 519
Sponge gourd
Luffa cylindrica
Traditionally attributed effects: seeds emetic, laxative, diuretic; fruit cooling, soothing, stimulates appetite, diuretic, promotes milk flow; oil for skin conditions.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAfrica · Food · № 560
Tamarind
Tamarindus indica
Traditionally attributed effects: ripe fruit sour, cooling, carminative, laxative, antiscorbutic, promotes bile; for inflamed swellings, bilious vomiting, conjunctivitis (flowers), bleeding haemorrhoids, throat complaints, ulcers, paralysis (bark), gonorrhoea (ash).
Local African healing traditions+3
CautionNorth America · Food · № 979
Tanoak
Notholithocarpus densiflorus
An evergreen tree of the beech family, between oak and chestnut. The acorns are nourishing but bitter with tannins, which must first be leached out.
Hupa medicine
CautionAsia · Food · № 268
Wheat
Triticum aestivum
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens, rejuvenates, soothes ulcers, stimulates appetite, promotes healing of fractures, gives stability, healthy complexion; mildly aphrodisiac; anti-stress breakfast.
Ayurveda+2Folklore
CautionSouth America · Food · № 1011
Tarwi
Lupinus mutabilis
A lupin with white to purple flowers and protein-rich, oily beans. The raw beans are bitter from lupin alkaloids, which are removed by days of soaking and rinsing.
Kallawaya healing knowledge
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Food · № 157
Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
A fruit-vegetable with vitamin C and lycopene. Research on lycopene and heart or prostate health is mostly observational and not conclusive.
Maya healing knowledge+4Folklore
CautionAsia · Food · № 240
Onion
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.
Ayurveda+4Folklore
CautionEurope · 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
CautionAsia · Food · № 801
Fig
Ficus carica
Traditionally attributed effects: dried figs make Chinese soups naturally sweet, such as the watercress and spare-rib soup and the eight-treasure soup; they are regarded as moistening for lung and bowel.
Chinese medical traditions+3
CautionNorth America · Food · № 937
Virginia strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
A wild strawberry with small, very tasty fruits. Its cross with the Chilean strawberry gave rise to the garden strawberry in eighteenth-century Europe.
Haudenosaunee medicine+1
CautionEurope · Food · № 83
Flax
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.
Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
CautionEurope · Food · № 21
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
CautionEurope · Herb · № 94
Chickweed
Stellaria media
Traditionally used externally as a cooling ointment or compress for itching, eczema and minor skin irritation. There is hardly any clinical research.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
CautionAsia · Food · № 646
Fox nut (qian shi)
Euryale ferox
Traditionally attributed effects: a tonic for long life that according to tradition counters ageing and gives strength.
Ayurveda+1
CautionEurope · Food · № 80
Walnut
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.
Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
CautionAsia · Food · № 435
Ash gourd
Benincasa hispida
Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing, tonic, laxative, diuretic; seeds expel worms; juice for coughing up blood and internal bleeding, for insanity, epilepsy and nervous diseases.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAsia · Food · № 803
Water chestnut
Eleocharis dulcis
Traditionally attributed effects: peeled water chestnuts go with carrot and Chinese dates into a sweetish pork soup that by tradition strengthens lungs and spleen, dissolves phlegm and soothes cough.
Chinese medical traditions
CautionEurope · Food · № 654
Watercress
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.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
CautionAfrica · Food · № 389
Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
A very juicy fruit that quenches thirst. Oil from the seeds is used in hair care. In Chinese medicine the fruit is considered cooling and diuretic.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+2
CautionOceania · Food · № 173
Wattle
Acacia spp. (o.a. A. holosericea, A. decurrens)
Roasted wattleseed is a protein- and fibre-rich bushfood. The bark of some species is rich in tannins and was used for wounds and diarrhoea. There is little clinical research.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+1
CautionAsia · 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
CautionNorth America · Food · № 965
Wild rice
Zizania palustris (en Z. aquatica)
An aquatic grass, not true rice. The long, dark grain contains more protein and fibre than white rice.
Anishinaabe medicine
CautionAsia · Herb · № 651
White atractylodes (bai zhu)
Atractylodes macrocephala
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the spleen and regulates the stomach; for diarrhoea and fluid retention, and traditionally to help prevent miscarriage.
Chinese medical traditions+2
CautionAsia · 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
CautionAsia · Mushroom · № 652
Snow fungus (bai mu er)
Tremella fuciformis
Traditionally attributed effects: a tonic for the yin energy and the lungs; supports breathing, energy and a balanced blood pressure.
Chinese medical traditions
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 878
Yacón
Smallanthus sonchifolius
A plant of the daisy family with sweet, crunchy tubers full of inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides, which the body barely absorbs. The leaf has been studied for diabetes; evidence in humans is lacking.
Curanderismo of northern Peru- Caution
South America · Food · № 15
Yerba mate
Ilex paraguariensis
The leaves contain caffeine, theobromine and polyphenols; the drink is stimulating and dispels tiredness, like coffee or tea. It is a beverage and social drink, not a medicine.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
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.
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43 traditions
Cultures & traditions
How communities built up and passed on their knowledge of plants, region by region.
113 recipes
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Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play a leading role.
146 formulas
Chinese formulas
The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.