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 · № 546
Rhus succedanea
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, expectorant, stimulating, promotes bile; for cough, tuberculosis, asthma, fever, lack of appetite, stomach irritation, diarrhoea (also in teething children); paste for psoriasis.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 126
Jasminum officinale / J. grandiflorum
Best known as a fragrance and in jasmine tea; jasmine aromatherapy is used for relaxation. Medical claims are unproven.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 130
Nardostachys jatamansi
Used in Ayurveda as a calming remedy for insomnia and restlessness. There is mostly animal research; clinical evidence is lacking.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 81
Juniperus communis
The berries are traditionally used as a diuretic, for digestive complaints and externally for joint pain. Clinical evidence is limited.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 483
Dendrobium macraei
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, soothing, tonic, cooling, lowers blood pressure; for weakness from seminal loss, snake bites and scorpion stings.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 981
Justicia pectoralis (syn. Dianthera pectoralis)
A low, creeping herb of the acanthus family. The dried leaf smells strongly of hay because of coumarin and umbelliferone. Reports of tryptamines in the plant have not been confirmed.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 752
Dipsacus asper
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens liver and kidneys, helps fractures heal and calms the foetus.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 417
Anthocephalus indicus
Traditionally attributed effects: bark tonic, fever-reducing, astringent; fruit cooling; for fever, mouth ulcers and stomatitis, eye inflammation, stomach irritation in children, snake bites.
CautionOceania · Food · № 53
Terminalia ferdinandiana
A bush food with exceptionally high vitamin C, measured at 2,300–3,150 mg per 100 grams.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 402
Acorus calamus
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, tonic, stimulating; restores throat and voice (singers), improves concentration/clear thinking, for flatulence and heartburn.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 407
Alhagi pseudalhagi
Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, diuretic, expectorant; for urinary retention, corneal clouding; manna tonic, promotes bile, purifies the blood.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 19
Matricaria chamomilla (Duitse kamille)
Flowers are used in teas and topical or oral products. Reliable evidence is insufficient for most claimed conditions.
CautionAsia · Food · № 38
Cinnamomum verum
A spice made from inner bark. Research on health effects is preliminary; cinnamon is not a treatment.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Food · № 416
Annona squamosa
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, expels worms, laxative, diuretic, insecticidal; unripe fruit for diarrhoea and dysentery, leaves for non-healing ulcers and fainting, seed powder against lice.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 811
Lessertia frutescens (syn. Sutherlandia frutescens)
A shrub used as a tonic and for a range of complaints. Claims against cancer or HIV are unproven.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 109
Nepeta cataria
Traditionally used as a mild tea for colds, fevers, restlessness and colic. Nepetalactone from the plant is being researched as an insect repellent.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 143
Picrorhiza kurroa
A very bitter herb used in Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine for liver complaints, fever and digestive problems. Research is mainly in animals.
CautionOceania · Herb · № 7
Piper methysticum
The drink slightly numbs the mouth and tongue and is relaxing. Research points to a modest effect on anxiety, but results vary and the safety of supplements is disputed.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 75
Galium aparine
Used in Western herbalism as a 'lymphatic' herb for swollen glands and skin conditions. Scientific evidence is lacking.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 565
Tribulus terrestris
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, soothing, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac.
CautionAsia · Food · № 758
Allium tuberosum
Traditionally attributed effects: the seed strengthens kidney yang and warms stomach and spleen.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 337
Cyperus rotundus
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, pain-relieving, antispasmodic for the uterus, promotes the flow of qi.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 92
Scrophularia nodosa (en S. ningpoensis)
Used in Western herbalism for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and for swollen glands. There is no good clinical evidence.
CautionAsia · Food · № 261
Cucumis sativus
Traditionally attributed effects: fruit nourishing and soothing; seeds cooling, diuretic, tonic; for throat complaints, strongly diuretic with sugar, in fever.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 583
Selenicereus grandiflorus
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, relaxing; strengthens the heart muscle and heart function (also in the elderly), relieves chest tightness and restricted breathing.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 292
Centaurea cyanus
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, stimulating, anti-inflammatory.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 231
Coriandrum sativum
Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, stimulating, carminative, stomachic, cooling, tonic, diuretic; for flatulence, colic, rheumatism, nerve pain, sore throat, indigestion, vomiting, colds, bile complaints.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 338
Rumex crispus
Traditionally attributed effects: strongly laxative, promotes bile, cleansing.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 5
Curcuma longa
A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 6
Levisticum officinale
The leaf tastes of stock and celery. In folk medicine the root was used as a diuretic and for bloating; research is lacking.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 44
Lavandula angustifolia
A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 206
Convallaria majalis
Traditionally attributed effects: heart tonic, diuretic, laxative, emetic.
CautionAsia · Mushroom · № 41
Ganoderma lucidum
A bracket fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine; evidence for treatment effects in people is limited.
CautionAsia · Food · № 653
Dimocarpus longan
Traditionally attributed effects: a sweet, warming tonic for heart and blood; good for digestion and calming.
CautionAsia · Food · № 131
Nelumbo nucifera
Almost every part is used: seeds for diarrhoea and restlessness, rhizome as food, leaf for 'summer heat'. Scientific evidence is mostly laboratory research.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 370
Mahonia aquifolium
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, purifies the blood, tonic, stimulating, supports the liver; improves appetite and digestion, promotes liver and bile secretion, purifies the blood, helps with skin problems, sudden diarrhoea and chronic constipation.
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.
Read moreFrom plant to use
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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.