Skip to content
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

Search by concern or tag

177 results

Also found

Chinese formulas
Zhi bai di huang wanEr xian tangDao chi sanDang gui shao yao sanBa zheng sanZhu ling tangLiu wei di huang wanLiu yi san
Treatment by condition
Urinary tract infection
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 667

    Greater duckweed (fu ping)

    Spirodela polyrhiza

    Traditionally attributed effects: diaphoretic and diuretic; helps rashes come out.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 403

    Maidenhair fern

    Adiantum philippense

    Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, diuretic, cleansing, expels worms, cooling; for cough and respiratory complaints, fever, leprosy, erysipelas.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 581

    Culver's root

    Veronicastrum virginicum

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, stimulating, supports the liver, promotes bile; decongests liver and gallbladder, for gallbladder pain and jaundice.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 466

    Butterfly pea

    Clitoria ternatea

    Traditionally attributed effects: root mildly laxative, diuretic, expels worms; seeds strongly laxative; for ascites, enlarged abdominal organs, migraine (flower juice), gonorrhoea, bladder irritation, ulcers, swollen joints.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 586

    Lady's slipper

    Cypripedium parviflorum (syn. C. pubescens)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, antispasmodic, tonic, relaxing, diuretic; for menstrual pain and irregular menstruation, overstimulated nerves and insomnia from stress, pain-relieving.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Asia · 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
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 190

    Arborvitae

    Thuja occidentalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, astringent, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, stimulates muscles, antiseptic.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 242

    Rue

    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.

    Greco-Roman medicine+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 459

    Wild black cumin

    Centratherum anthelminticum

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms (threadworms), tonic, stomachic, diuretic; for skin diseases and scorpion stings.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 634

    Wintergreen

    Gaultheria procumbens

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness and cools heat in hot, swollen joints and muscle pain, drains damp heat in the urinary tract and moves stagnant qi and blood in pain.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+3
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 598

    White oak

    Quercus alba

    Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent; strengthens lax tissue (diarrhoea, inflamed gums, chronic nasal congestion, weak bladder), stops bleeding (nosebleeds, internal bleeding).

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 712

    Hypoglauca yam (bei xie)

    Dioscorea hypoglauca (syn. D. collettii)

    Traditionally attributed effects: clears cloudy urine and expels wind and dampness in rheumatism and skin complaints.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 35

    Saw palmetto

    Serenoa repens

    Promoted for urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate, but NCCIH concludes it probably does not help for this.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 706

    Kochia fruit (di fu zi)

    Bassia scoparia (syn. Kochia scoparia)

    Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat in cystitis and itchy, weeping skin.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 411

    Black cardamom

    Amomum subulatum

    Traditionally attributed effects: stomachic, carminative, stimulates the heart, expectorant; for digestive complaints, liver congestion, tooth and gum complaints, kidney stones (with melon seed), inflamed eyelids; flavouring.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 475

    Black musli

    Curculigo orchiodes

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter aromatic tonic, soothing, diuretic, aphrodisiac, cleansing; for haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, jaundice, asthma, itching and skin diseases, urinary stones, bronchitis, lumbago, recovery after illness.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 554

    Black nightshade

    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.

    Greco-Roman medicine+2
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 805

    African cherry (pygeum)

    Prunus africana

    A bark extract is used in Europe for benign prostate enlargement; the evidence is limited.

    Local African healing traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 144

    Guduchi (giloy)

    Tinospora cordifolia

    In Ayurveda a rejuvenating remedy (rasayana) for fevers and the immune system. Studies are small; it has no proven effect against infections.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 142

    Guggul

    Commiphora wightii (syn. C. mukul)

    The resin is used in Ayurveda for joint complaints, overweight and high cholesterol. A US study found no reduction in cholesterol; LDL even rose slightly.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 59

    Marshmallow

    Althaea officinalis

    Root and leaf are rich in mucilage that forms a soothing layer; used for dry coughs, throat irritation and an irritated stomach. Evidence is modest.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
  • 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

    Oceania · Herb · № 7

    Kava

    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.

    Kava in Pacific island traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 5

    Turmeric

    Curcuma longa

    A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 370

    Oregon grape

    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.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 912

    Pasuchaca

    Geranium ayavacense en Geranium sessiliflorum

    Low, rosette-forming cranesbills with a thick root. They contain tannins. Whether the tea lowers blood sugar has not been properly studied in people.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 165

    Pau d'arco

    Handroanthus impetiginosus (syn. Tabebuia avellanedae)

    The inner bark is sold for fungal infections, inflammation and as a 'cancer remedy'. There is no reliable human evidence; its active compound lapachol proved too toxic at effective doses.

    The Guaraní and the mate tradition+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 787

    Birthwort fruit (ma dou ling)

    Aristolochia debilis

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used for cough with a lot of phlegm and high blood pressure; banned because of kidney damage.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 786

    Aristolochia root (guang fang ji)

    Aristolochia fangchi

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used for hot, painful joints and oedema; banned because of kidney damage.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 140

    Sandalwood

    Santalum album

    Used in Ayurveda as a 'cooling' remedy for skin irritation and urinary complaints; the oil is used in aromatherapy. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · 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
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 159

    Wild yam

    Dioscorea villosa

    Traditionally used for abdominal and uterine cramps. Wild yam cream is sold as 'natural progesterone', but the body cannot convert diosgenin into hormones; only a laboratory can.

    Curanderismo+2
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.

Read more

From plant to use

Ways to prepare herbs

All preparations →

Discover more

Traditions, kitchen and classical formulas