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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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215 results

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Chinese formulas
Huang lian jie du tang
Treatment by condition
Boils and carbuncles
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 683

    Chinese pulsatilla (bai tou weng)

    Pulsatilla chinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: for hot, bloody dysentery, amoebae and vaginal trichomonas.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 137

    Chinese rhubarb

    Rheum palmatum

    The root (da huang) contains anthraquinones, making it a strong laxative. In small amounts its tannins have the opposite, binding effect. Its mechanism is well understood.

    Chinese medical traditions+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 56

    Yarrow

    Achillea millefolium

    Traditionally used to stop bleeding from minor wounds, for fevers and colds, and as a digestive bitter. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Greco-Roman medicine+6Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 14

    Echinacea

    Echinacea purpurea

    Studied for colds and respiratory infections. It may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold; effects on duration and other conditions are uncertain.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 289

    Centaury

    Centaurium erythraea

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, stimulates the liver.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 336

    Evodia fruit (wu zhu yu)

    Tetradium ruticarpum (syn. Evodia rutaecarpa)

    Traditionally attributed effects: pain-relieving, antibacterial, warming, stimulating.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 360

    Bottle gourd

    Lagenaria siceraria

    Young fruits are eaten as a mild, easily digestible vegetable. Medical claims, for example about the heart or peace of mind, have not been studied.

    Local African healing traditions+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 297

    Goat's rue

    Galega officinalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: lowers blood sugar, stimulates insulin, promotes milk flow, diuretic.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 692

    Barbat skullcap (ban zhi lian)

    Scutellaria barbata

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood, moves blood stagnation and reduces swellings; for hepatitis.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 1

    Ginger

    Zingiber officinale

    Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 37

    Ginkgo

    Ginkgo biloba

    There is no conclusive evidence that ginkgo helps any health condition. A modest effect on dementia symptoms is possible, but results are inconsistent.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 343

    Pomegranate

    Punica granatum

    Traditionally attributed effects: root and stem bark astringent and strongly expel tapeworm; flowers and peel astringent and stomachic; juice cooling.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 16

    Green tea

    Camellia sinensis

    A brewed tea. Evidence does not establish most health claims; extracts differ from the ordinary beverage.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 60

    Garden angelica

    Angelica archangelica

    An aromatic bitter traditionally used for bloating, poor appetite and colds. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 62

    Greater burdock

    Arctium lappa

    In Europe the root was considered a 'blood-cleansing' herb for skin problems such as eczema and acne; the seed is used in Chinese medicine for sore throats. Clinical evidence is weak.

    Western herbal medicine+5
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 70

    Field horsetail

    Equisetum arvense

    Rich in silica; traditionally used as a diuretic, for urinary infections and for hair, nails and connective tissue. Good clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 237

    Heliotrope

    Heliotropium arborescens

    An ornamental plant with strongly vanilla-scented flowers. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is poisonous if swallowed; it is grown only for its scent.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 305

    Hemp seed

    Cannabis sativa

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulant laxative.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 112

    Ground ivy

    Glechoma hederacea

    Traditionally used for blocked noses, sinus complaints and coughs. There is hardly any clinical research.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 914

    Huanarpo

    Corynaea crassa

    An unusual parasitic plant without chlorophyll that lives on the roots of trees and shrubs; only a club-shaped flower spike appears above ground. Little is known about its effect in people.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 202

    Grape hyacinth and bluebell

    Muscari racemosum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta

    Hyacinths and grape hyacinths are ornamental plants. The bulbs are poisonous and can cause itching on contact ('hyacinth itch' among bulb peelers).

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 697

    Hyacinth bean (bian dou)

    Lablab purpureus (syn. Dolichos lablab)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the spleen and drains dampness in summer heat with diarrhoea and vomiting.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 490

    Indian coral tree

    Erythrina variegata

    Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, expectorant, fever-reducing, expels worms; for dysentery, worms, eye inflammation, rheumatic joints, liver complaints, diabetes, painful menstruation and infertility, promotes milk flow.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 918

    Ishpingo

    Nectandra spp. (en verwante laurierachtigen, o.a. Ocotea en Aiouea)

    Trees of the laurel family with fragrant seeds and bark. Little is known about the substances in the seeds and their effect in people.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 127

    Japanese honeysuckle

    Lonicera japonica en L. periclymenum

    The flower buds (jin yin hua) are an important 'cooling' herb in Chinese medicine for fever, sore throats and colds. There is plenty of laboratory research but few good clinical studies.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 126

    Jasmine

    Jasminum officinale / J. grandiflorum

    Best known as a fragrance and in jasmine tea; jasmine aromatherapy is used for relaxation. Medical claims are unproven.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 458

    Staff tree

    Celastrus paniculatus

    Traditionally attributed effects: oil skin-irritant; seeds cleansing, stimulating, strengthen the nerves, improve memory and intellect; for rheumatism, gout, paralysis, leprosy, beriberi; leaf juice as an antidote in opium poisoning; bark abortifacient.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 695

    Glabrous greenbrier (tu fu ling)

    Smilax glabra

    Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat, especially via the skin and in joint complaints.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 38

    Cinnamon

    Cinnamomum verum

    A spice made from inner bark. Research on health effects is preliminary; cinnamon is not a treatment.

    Ayurveda+8Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 834

    Chervil

    Anthriscus cerefolium

    A mild, aniseed-like kitchen herb, traditionally used as a cleansing spring herb and for digestive complaints.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 116

    Khella

    Ammi visnaga

    Contains khellin, a muscle relaxant that widens the airways and blood vessels. Khellin was the basis for modern drugs such as cromoglicate (for asthma) and amiodarone (for heart rhythm disorders).

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 647

    Fritillaria bulb (bei mu)

    Fritillaria cirrhosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: dissolves phlegm and clears congested lungs; together with pear for dry airways and a heated chest.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 207

    Corn poppy

    Papaver rhoeas

    Traditionally attributed effects: mildly narcotic in large amounts; Papaver somniferum (source of opium) is poisonous.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 12

    Garlic

    Allium sativum

    A food with a long history of use. Supplement research suggests only limited effects and does not establish a treatment.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+7Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 136

    Kudzu

    Pueraria montana var. lobata

    The root (ge gen) is used in Chinese medicine for fever, stiff neck and thirst. Small studies have looked at kudzu for reducing alcohol use, with mixed results.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 842

    Kukui (candlenut)

    Aleurites moluccanus

    A tree whose oil cares for the skin; the nuts are laxative.

    Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi+1
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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