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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

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201 results

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Recipes
Fish soup with papaya and tofuCongee with Job's tears and brown riceSteamed black chicken with jujubes and longanBraised sesame beef with fennelMild lavender cleanserPatchouli cleanser for oily skinChamomile cleanser for dry or mature skinFennel powder cleanser for oily skinAlmond scrub for all skin typesOrange exfoliant for oily or combination skinWitch hazel tonerAcne tonerAcne oil or cleanserHealing facial tonerToner for sensitive skinBasic lotionLight moisturizing oil or cleanserPlumping lip glossVanilla lip balmLavender aloe spraySoothing after-sun milkCalendula and amaranth wound salveComfrey salve for joints and bruisesBeauty salve+17
Treatment by condition
Injuries, wounds, burns and cutsEczema, dermatitis, itching, acne, erysipelas and psoriasis
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 522

    Chinaberry

    Melia azedarach

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, antipyretic, expels worms; fruit laxative; oil insecticidal and antiseptic.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 395

    Rosary pea

    Abrus precatorius

    Traditionally attributed effects: seeds purgative, emetic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac; leaf juice for sore throat and dry cough, purifies the blood; leaf paste for swellings and rheumatism; seed paste for sciatica and paralysis; eyewash.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 259

    Carrot

    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.

    Western herbal medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 219

    Parsley

    Petroselinum crispum

    A culinary herb rich in vitamins C and K. Root and seed were used as a diuretic. Large amounts of seed or oil are toxic and can induce contractions.

    Greco-Roman medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 860

    Peumo

    Cryptocarya alba

    An evergreen tree of the laurel family with fragrant leaves and edible red fruits. Traditionally for liver and joint complaints; research is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 590

    Pennyroyal

    Mentha pulegium

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, astringent, promotes menstruation, induces sweating; brings on delayed menstruation, calms the stomach, lowers sudden high fever.

    Greco-Roman medicine+2
  • 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

    North America · Herb · № 956

    Fringed sage

    Artemisia frigida

    A low, silver-grey, strongly scented wormwood shrub. Contains a volatile oil with camphor and cineole and, like other wormwoods, thujone.

    Lakota medicine+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 941

    Purple-stem angelica

    Angelica atropurpurea

    A tall umbellifer with a purple stem, related to European garden angelica. Contains essential oil and furanocoumarins, which make the skin sensitive to sunlight.

    Haudenosaunee medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 561

    Purple tephrosia

    Tephrosia purpurea

    Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, promotes bile, diuretic, decongestant, tonic, laxative, purifies the blood, expels worms; for liver and spleen diseases, indigestion, distended abdomen, chronic diarrhoea, bronchitis, asthma, inflammation; oil for eczema.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 989

    Rabbit tobacco

    Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (syn. Gnaphalium obtusifolium)

    An annual, grey-felted herb of the daisy family, with straw-coloured flower heads that keep their shape when dried. The dried herb smells sweet. Flavonoids and essential oil have been found in it; its effect is little studied.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 568

    Rasna orchid

    Vanda roxburghii

    Traditionally attributed effects: pain-relieving, carminative, expectorant, strengthens the nerves, lowers blood pressure; oil for rheumatism and nervous diseases; for syphilis, scorpion stings, fever, middle ear infection, indigestion, bronchitis, inflammation, hiccups and trembling.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 2

    Rosemary

    Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)

    An aromatic culinary herb with carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. A few small studies point to a slight effect of the scent on alertness; that it improves memory has not been shown. The leaf is used for digestive complaints.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 201

    Rose geranium

    Pelargonium graveolens

    Traditionally attributed effects: antidepressant, pain-relieving, diuretic, calming, tonic.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • 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

    North America · Herb · № 633

    Sassafras

    Sassafras albidum

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind, dampness and cold in joint complaints, also when heat is involved, moves the blood in stasis after trauma or in absent menstruation, and is used for itchy skin.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 91

    White willow

    Salix alba

    The bark contains salicin, which the body partly converts to salicylic acid. There are hints of a moderate effect on low back pain and joint pain.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 507

    East Indian screw tree

    Helicteres isora

    Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, soothing, mildly astringent, stomachic; for colic, flatulence, diarrhoea, chronic dysentery, diabetes, ear infection, snake bites.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 535

    Screwpine

    Pandanus tectorius

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, laxative, aromatic; leaves for leprosy, smallpox, scabies, syphilis, leucoderma; anthers for earache, headache and blood diseases; oil for headache and rheumatism.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 470

    Sebesten plum

    Cordia myxa

    Traditionally attributed effects: fruit soothing, expectorant, diuretic, mildly laxative; bark mildly astringent and tonic; for cough and chest diseases, bile complaints, abdominal cramps, indigestion, fever, ulcers, snake bites.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 61

    Celery

    Apium graveolens

    Vegetable and spice. The seed was traditionally used for gout, joint complaints and as a diuretic. Convincing clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 356

    Sesame

    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.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 220

    Orange

    Citrus sinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: against dandruff; sweet oranges good for skin and hair.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 95

    Comfrey

    Symphytum officinale

    Topical preparations have been studied for bruises, sprains and back pain and appear to reduce pain. It contains allantoin, which is thought to support tissue repair.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 390

    Soy

    Glycine max

    Traditionally attributed effects: base for a gentle cleanser.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · 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
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 549

    Toothbrush tree

    Salvadora persica

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, diuretic, decongestant; leaves for rheumatism, scurvy, painful tumours, haemorrhoids, asthma and cough; flower oil for flatulence, mucus, worms, leprosy, gonorrhoea, headache and rheumatic pain.

    Local African healing traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · 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
  • Caution

    South 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
  • Caution

    Central 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
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 152

    Witch hazel

    Hamamelis virginiana

    Strongly astringent due to tannins. Witch hazel water and ointment are used externally for minor skin irritation, bruises and haemorrhoids; there is limited but reasonably supportive evidence.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · 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
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 114

    Arnica

    Arnica montana

    Used externally for bruises and muscle aches. Studies give mixed results. Homeopathic arnica is so diluted that it contains no active substance.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 222

    Vanilla

    Vanilla planifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: gives a feeling of calm and comfort; fragrance.

    Maya healing knowledge+3Folklore
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.

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