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

265 results

Also found

Chinese formulas
Si ni tangHuo xiang zheng qi sanChai hu gui zhi gan jiang tangBao he wanGe gen huang qin huang lian tangShen ling bai zhu sanLi zhong wanPing wei sanWei ling tangDa chai hu tangWu mei wanBan xia xie xin tangWu ling sanBa wei di huang wan (jin gui shen qi wan)Wen pi tangZhen wu tang
Treatment by condition
DiarrhoeaUlcerative colitis
  • Caution

    Asia · Other · № 141

    Camphor

    Cinnamomum camphora

    Used externally in rubs for muscle pain, itching and blocked noses; it gives a cooling, numbing feeling. There is some evidence of short-term relief.

    Ayurveda+3
  • 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

    North America · Herb · № 155

    Pokeweed

    Phytolacca americana

    Formerly used for swollen glands, tonsillitis and rheumatism. Because of its toxicity it is not a safe herb; there is no evidence of benefits that outweigh the risks.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+5
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 109

    Catnip

    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.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 143

    Kutki

    Picrorhiza kurroa

    A very bitter herb used in Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine for liver complaints, fever and digestive problems. Research is mainly in animals.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 342

    Curry leaves

    Murraya koenigii

    Traditionally attributed effects: neither warming nor cooling; stimulates appetite and aids digestion without overheating; good for skin and hair.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 92

    Figwort

    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.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 711

    Mallow seed (dong kui zi)

    Malva verticillata (ook Abutilon theophrasti)

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing and diuretic in painful urination and stones; promotes milk flow.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 920

    Kratom

    Mitragyna speciosa

    A tree of the coffee family up to twenty-five metres tall with large, glossy leaves. The leaves contain mitragynine and, in smaller amounts, 7-hydroxymitragynine, which act on the opioid receptors. For many people a little leaf is stimulating, more leaf sedating and pain-relieving.

  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 42

    Clove

    Syzygium aromaticum

    A spice. Clove oil containing eugenol may help with toothache; other claims are unproven.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 205

    Lily

    Lilium spp.

    The bulb scales of some lilies (bai he) are used in Chinese medicine for dry cough, restlessness and sleeplessness after fever. Lilies are deadly poisonous to cats.

    Chinese medical traditions+1Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 949

    Liverleaf

    Hepatica nobilis (incl. H. americana en H. acutiloba)

    An early spring flower of the buttercup family with three-lobed leaves. Fresh, the plant contains irritating compounds.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 559

    Lodh tree

    Symplocos racemosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, mildly astringent; for intestinal complaints, heavy menstruation, discharge from lax mucous membranes, oedema, liver complaints, fever, skin diseases, bleeding gums, eye diseases, ulcers, filariasis (chyluria, elephantiasis).

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 131

    Sacred lotus

    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.

    Ayurveda+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 693

    Blackberry lily (she gan)

    Iris domestica (syn. Belamcanda chinensis)

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat and detoxifies in severe sore throat and cough with much hot phlegm.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 727

    Magnolia bark (hou po)

    Magnolia officinalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: makes qi descend, dries dampness and resolves food stagnation and phlegm.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • 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

    Oceania · Herb · № 847

    Mamaku (black tree fern)

    Sphaeropteris medullaris

    The slimy pith and sap of this black tree fern were traditionally used on sores and wounds, and for diarrhoea.

    Rongoā Māori
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 883

    Manayupa

    Desmodium molliculum

    A low plant of the pea family. Traditionally used for inflammation and wounds; research is limited.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 248

    Mango

    Mangifera indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: cooling herb, prevents a burning feeling and keeps you cool in the heat; aids digestion; good for skin and hair.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 851

    Maqui

    Aristotelia chilensis

    A shrub with dark purple berries rich in anthocyanins. The leaf was traditionally used for wounds and sore throats. Health claims for 'superfood' products are unproven.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 47

    Hawthorn

    Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata (en C. pinnatifida)

    Studied for heart failure with conflicting results. For most conditions there is little or no good evidence.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 71

    Meadowsweet

    Filipendula ulmaria

    Contains salicylates. Traditionally used for heartburn, an irritated stomach and joint pain. Clinical research is scarce.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 314

    Mouse-ear hawkweed

    Pilosella officinarum (syn. Hieracium pilosella)

    Traditionally attributed effects: antispasmodic, expectorant, anticatarrhal, diuretic, wound-healing.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 816

    Muña

    Minthostachys mollis

    A mint-like plant used in the Andes for stomach complaints and wind.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 129

    Nutmeg

    Myristica fragrans

    A spice used in small amounts in Ayurveda and Arabic medicine for diarrhoea, nausea and insomnia. There is no good clinical evidence.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 737

    Oriental arborvitae (ce bai ye)

    Platycladus orientalis (syn. Biota orientalis)

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood and stops bleeding; dissolves phlegm and helps with burns.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 674

    Purple gromwell (zi cao)

    Lithospermum erythrorhizon (en Arnebia euchroma)

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools and moves the blood in dark rashes; externally for burns and eczema.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 656

    Perilla

    Perilla frutescens

    Traditionally attributed effects: warms in colds from cold, helps digestion and soothes cough with phlegm.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 178

    Asthma weed

    Euphorbia hirta

    Traditionally used for asthma and bronchitis (the name asthma weed comes from Queensland), for diarrhoea and externally for warts. There is laboratory research but no good clinical evidence.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 132

    Chinese peony (bai shao)

    Paeonia lactiflora en P. suffruticosa

    The peeled root (bai shao, white peony) is used in Chinese medicine for cramps, period pain and muscle pain. There are studies of combination formulas but few of peony alone.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Mushroom · № 146

    Poria (fu ling)

    Wolfiporia cocos

    One of the most widely used remedies in Chinese medicine, for fluid retention, poor digestion and restless sleep. Clinical research on fu ling alone is scarce.

    Chinese medical traditions+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 133

    Psyllium

    Plantago ovata

    The seed husks form a mucilaginous gel: an established bulk-forming fibre for constipation and mild diarrhoea that can also modestly lower LDL cholesterol.

    Ayurveda+3
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 775

    Rangoon creeper (shi jun zi)

    Combretum indicum (syn. Quisqualis indica)

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used against roundworms and for poor digestion in children.

    Chinese medical traditions
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