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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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343 results

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Chinese formulas
Si ni tangZuo gui wanMa huang fu zi xi xin tangJi chuan jianQing e wanQi li sanSi ni sanXiao yao sanJia wei xiao yao sanGui zhi long gu mu li tangGui zhi fu ling wanGui zhi shao yao zhi mu tangBao he wanQing wei sanShu jing huo xue tangChuan xiong cha tiao sanDang gui shao yao sanJiao ai tangDang gui si ni tangShu jin sanDang gui long hui wanBa zheng sanChai hu shu gan sanDu huo ji sheng tang+25
Treatment by condition
Stomach painStomach ulcer and gastritisHaemorrhoidsUlcerative colitisHepatitisLupus (SLE)Flu and pneumoniaPleurisyHeart disease (general)Angina pectorisUrinary tract infectionBlood in the urinePainful menstruationBack pain and sciaticaNeck pain and nerve pain
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 760

    Cistanche (rou cong rong)

    Cistanche deserticola

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, moistens the bowel and warms the uterus.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 777

    Cnidium seed (she chuang zi)

    Cnidium monnieri

    Traditionally attributed effects: externally for itching and fungus around the genitals; internally a kidney yang tonic.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Mushroom · № 147

    Caterpillar fungus (cordyceps)

    Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis)

    A fungus that parasitises caterpillars. Used in Tibetan and Chinese medicine for fatigue, lung complaints and low libido. Studies are small and there is no convincing evidence.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 913

    Corpus way

    Gentianella bicolor

    A small, very bitter herb of the gentian family, related to hercampuri. Gentians contain bitter compounds that stimulate digestion. Clinical studies are lacking.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 189

    Pine

    Pinus spp.

    The scent of needles and resin is experienced as fresh and cleansing. Pine buds and needles contain essential oil and vitamin C; a medicinal effect has hardly been studied.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 761

    Dendrobium (shi hu)

    Dendrobium nobile (en verwante soorten)

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the yin of lung and stomach, replenishes body fluids and cools heat from deficiency.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 966

    Devil's club

    Oplopanax horridus

    An ivy-like shrub with large, hand-shaped leaves and spines over the whole stem and the leaf veins. Research into a blood-sugar-lowering effect is at an early stage.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
  • 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

    Asia · Mushroom · № 701

    Umbrella polypore (zhu ling)

    Polyporus umbellatus

    Traditionally attributed effects: drains fluid via the urine in oedema and difficult urination.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 585

    Horny goat weed

    Epimedium grandiflorum

    Traditionally attributed effects: aphrodisiac, diuretic, tonic; increases libido, helps with erectile problems and fertility, strengthens the bladder sphincter and kidney function.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 675

    Swallow-wort root (bai wei)

    Cynanchum atratum

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood in fever from deficiency, including after childbirth, and in painful urination.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 172

    Eucalyptus

    Eucalyptus globulus

    Eucalyptus oil is used for coughs and blocked noses with colds and externally for muscle pain; the European Medicines Agency recognises these as traditional uses. Strong clinical evidence is limited.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 751

    Eucommia bark (du zhong)

    Eucommia ulmoides

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens liver and kidneys, tendons and bones; calms rising liver yang and a restless foetus.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 118

    Fenugreek

    Trigonella foenum-graecum

    The seed has been studied for blood sugar and for increasing breast milk. NCCIH reports there is not enough strong evidence for these uses.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+5Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 876

    Floripondio (angel's trumpet)

    Brugmansia spp. (o.a. B. arborea, B. sanguinea)

    A shrub or small tree with large hanging trumpet flowers. All parts contain tropane alkaloids such as scopolamine and atropine, which cause confusion and hallucinations.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 90

    Raspberry

    Rubus idaeus

    The fruit is a nutritious berry. Raspberry leaf has been used in folk medicine in late pregnancy to ease labour; convincing evidence is lacking.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 778

    Gac seed (mu bie zi)

    Momordica cochinchinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: externally for inflamed sores, breast abscesses and bruises.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 119

    Galangal

    Alpinia galanga

    A relative of ginger traditionally used for nausea, wind and sluggish digestion. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Ayurveda+6
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 200

    Gardenia (zhi zi)

    Gardenia jasminoides

    Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, calming, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, promotes bile.

    Chinese medical traditions+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Other · № 789

    Medicated leaven (shen qu)

    Massa medicata fermentata

    Traditionally attributed effects: helps with food stagnation and poor digestion.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 836

    Poison hemlock

    Conium maculatum

    A deadly poisonous member of the carrot family. Its poison, coniine, paralyses the muscles, including those used for breathing.

    Greco-Roman medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 88

    Self-heal

    Prunella vulgaris

    In Europe an old wound herb and gargle for sore throats; in Chinese medicine used for 'heat' and swollen glands. Research is mostly laboratory work.

    Western herbal medicine+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 333

    Wild lettuce

    Lactuca virosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: calming, lowers blood sugar, sleep-inducing, suppresses libido.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 315

    Glossy privet (nu zhen zi)

    Ligustrum lucidum

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, diuretic, stimulates the immune system.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 772

    Grass-leaved sweet flag (shi chang pu)

    Acorus tatarinowii (syn. A. gramineus)

    Traditionally attributed effects: opens the sense orifices, clears the mind and expels dampness and phlegm.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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 · № 339

    Water plantain (ze xie)

    Alisma plantago-aquatica (syn. A. orientale)

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, cleanses the liver.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 163

    Guarana

    Paullinia cupana

    The seeds contain about twice as much caffeine as coffee beans. Guarana is used in energy drinks and soft drinks; its stimulating effect comes from caffeine.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+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 · № 87

    Cowslip

    Primula veris

    The root contains saponins and is traditionally used to loosen phlegm in coughs; the flowers as a calming tea. There is some research on combination cough preparations.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 536

    Syrian rue

    Peganum harmala

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, antipyretic, stimulating, promotes menstruation; against tapeworm, intermittent fever and chronic malaria, pain-relieving in asthma, colic, jaundice; promotes milk and menstruation; gargle for sore throat; against head lice.

    Local African healing traditions+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 82

    Motherwort

    Leonurus cardiaca

    Traditionally used for stress-related palpitations, nervousness and menstrual complaints. Clinical research is scarce.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 457

    Deodar

    Cedrus deodara

    Traditionally attributed effects: wood carminative, induces sweating and urination; bark strongly astringent and fever-reducing; for fever, diarrhoea and dysentery, lung and urinary complaints, rheumatism, haemorrhoids, kidney stones; oil for skin diseases and ulcers.

    Ayurveda+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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