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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

    Europe · Herb · № 72

    Fennel

    Foeniculum vulgare

    The seed is traditionally used for wind, bloating and cramps. There are some small studies, but evidence is limited.

    Greco-Roman medicine+9Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 350

    Vetiver

    Chrysopogon zizanioides

    Traditionally attributed effects: supports circulation and weight loss (scrub).

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 489

    Vidanga

    Embelia ribes

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, expels worms, stimulating, cleansing; against intestinal worms, ringworm and skin diseases, headache, sore throat and mouth ulcers, bark paste for pneumonia.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 94

    Chickweed

    Stellaria media

    Traditionally used externally as a cooling ointment or compress for itching, eczema and minor skin irritation. There is hardly any clinical research.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 694

    Dittany root bark (bai xian pi)

    Dictamnus dasycarpus

    Traditionally attributed effects: drains heat, dampness and wind in itchy, weeping skin conditions.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 80

    Walnut

    Juglans regia

    The nuts are a nutritious source of unsaturated fats. Leaf and green husk are astringent and were traditionally used for skin conditions and diarrhoea; clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 169

    Wax myrtle (bayberry)

    Morella cerifera

    The root bark was traditionally used for colds, sore throats and diarrhoea. There is no modern clinical evidence.

    Eclectic medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 389

    Watermelon

    Citrullus lanatus

    A very juicy fruit that quenches thirst. Oil from the seeds is used in hair care. In Chinese medicine the fruit is considered cooling and diuretic.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+2
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 373

    Frankincense

    Boswellia sacra

    The resin is mainly used as incense and fragrance. Extracts of related Boswellia species have been studied for osteoarthritis, with modest and variable results.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+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

    North America · Herb · № 961

    Wild bergamot

    Monarda fistulosa

    A mint with lilac flowers and strongly scented leaves, related to Oswego tea. The volatile oil is rich in carvacrol and thymol, which are antiseptic.

    Lakota medicine+1
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 539

    White leadwort

    Plumbago zeylanica

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, stimulates the stomach, stimulates appetite; externally skin-irritant for rheumatism, paralysis, enlarged glands, leucoderma and skin diseases; tincture antipyretic.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 301

    Horse chestnut

    Aesculus hippocastanum

    Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, astringent.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 429

    Desert date

    Balanites aegyptiaca

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms; seeds for cough and colic, oil on burns and freckles, seed extract lowers blood pressure.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 18

    Licorice root

    Glycyrrhiza glabra

    A root with long use in several traditions; high-quality evidence does not support most health claims.

    Ayurveda+9Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 209

    Sunflower

    Helianthus annuus

    Sunflower seeds and oil are rich in vitamin E and linoleic acid. The oil is used for dry skin; claims about scars or skin ageing have not been shown.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore
  • 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 · № 363

    Black seed

    Nigella sativa

    Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, diuretic and sudorific, promotes bile, stomachic, stimulating, carminative, expels worms, promotes menstruation and milk flow, antibacterial.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 135

    Black pepper and long pepper

    Piper nigrum

    Important warming spices in Ayurveda, used for sluggish digestion and colds. Piperine from pepper increases the absorption of some substances, such as curcumin.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
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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