From Ayurveda to Rongoā Māori
Communities around the world learned how plants nourish, care and heal. Here their traditions stand beside present-day use, with respect for every culture.
GrapeFolk magic and herbal magic
BuchuLocal African healing traditions
Indian tobaccoCherokee medicine
Lignum vitaeHerbal knowledge of the Caribbean
Yerba mateKallawaya healing knowledge
CautionAsia · Food · № 268
Triticum aestivum
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens, rejuvenates, soothes ulcers, stimulates appetite, promotes healing of fractures, gives stability, healthy complexion; mildly aphrodisiac; anti-stress breakfast.
CautionOceania · Other · № 22
Melaleuca alternifolia
An essential oil for external use. Limited research suggests possible effects for acne or athlete’s foot; evidence is preliminary.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 171
Oenothera biennis
The seed oil contains gamma-linolenic acid and is sold for eczema, premenstrual symptoms and hot flushes. NCCIH reports it does not help eczema and that evidence for other conditions is insufficient.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 98
Thymus vulgaris
Traditionally used for coughs and bronchitis; thymol from the oil inhibits bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There are some studies of thyme-based cough syrups.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 467
Coccinia indica
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative (bark), antispasmodic and expectorant (leaf and stem), lowers blood sugar; for incipient diabetes, swollen glands, skin diseases, smallpox rash, gonorrhoea, bronchitis.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 152
Hamamelis virginiana
Strongly astringent due to tannins. Witch hazel water and ointment are used externally for minor skin irritation, bruises and haemorrhoids; there is limited but reasonably supportive evidence.
CautionAsia · Food · № 240
Allium cepa
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, expectorant, skin-irritant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic; for cough, haemorrhoids, jaundice, indigestion, insect bites, boils, wounds, chilblains and sore joints.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 20
Valeriana officinalis
The root has a traditional association with sleep and calm. Research on insomnia is inconsistent and does not establish benefit.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 114
Arnica montana
Used externally for bruises and muscle aches. Studies give mixed results. Homeopathic arnica is so diluted that it contains no active substance.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 222
Vanilla planifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: gives a feeling of calm and comfort; fragrance.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 707
Polygonum aviculare
Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat in cystitis, stops itching and was used against worms.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 667
Spirodela polyrhiza
Traditionally attributed effects: diaphoretic and diuretic; helps rashes come out.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 72
Foeniculum vulgare
The seed is traditionally used for wind, bloating and cramps. There are some small studies, but evidence is limited.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 489
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.
CautionEurope · Food · № 21
Sambucus nigra
Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 94
Stellaria media
Traditionally used externally as a cooling ointment or compress for itching, eczema and minor skin irritation. There is hardly any clinical research.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 694
Dictamnus dasycarpus
Traditionally attributed effects: drains heat, dampness and wind in itchy, weeping skin conditions.
CautionEurope · Food · № 80
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 479
Cuscuta reflexa
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, expels worms, cleansing, antispasmodic; for stomach ache, constipation, flatulence, liver complaints, bile complaints; externally for itching and skin diseases.
CautionAfrica · Food · № 389
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.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 86
Plantago major
The leaf is traditionally bruised and applied to insect bites, small wounds and grazes, and taken as tea for coughs. Clinical evidence is limited.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 373
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.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 242
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 459
Centratherum anthelminticum
Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms (threadworms), tonic, stomachic, diuretic; for skin diseases and scorpion stings.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 539
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.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 301
Aesculus hippocastanum
Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, astringent.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 712
Dioscorea hypoglauca (syn. D. collettii)
Traditionally attributed effects: clears cloudy urine and expels wind and dampness in rheumatism and skin complaints.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 632
Anemopsis californica
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness in joint pain that worsens in cold, wet weather, opens blocked sinuses and dries dampness in slow-healing wounds and swellings.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 18
Glycyrrhiza glabra
A root with long use in several traditions; high-quality evidence does not support most health claims.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 706
Bassia scoparia (syn. Kochia scoparia)
Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat in cystitis and itchy, weeping skin.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 209
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 475
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.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 554
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.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 576
Juglans nigra
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative, astringent, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal; cleanses and strengthens the large intestine, for skin problems, traveller's diarrhoea, sinusitis, underactive thyroid.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 782
Sulfur
Traditionally attributed effects: externally for scabies and fungal infections.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Food · № 818
Bixa orellana
The red seeds are used as a colouring and spice; traditionally also as a remedy.
Featured · Central America and the Caribbean · Curanderismo
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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43 traditions
How communities built up and passed on their knowledge of plants, region by region.
113 recipes
Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play a leading role.
146 formulas
The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.