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
CautionEurope · Food · № 244
Pyrus communis
A fibre-rich fruit with sorbitol, which is mildly laxative. In Chinese medicine pear (li) is cooked with rock sugar for a dry cough; no effect is described for other uses.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 656
Perilla frutescens
Traditionally attributed effects: warms in colds from cold, helps digestion and soothes cough with phlegm.
CautionAsia · Food · № 249
Prunus persica
A juicy summer fruit. In Chinese medicine the kernels (tao ren) are used to move the blood; raw they are poisonous because of amygdalin.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 769
Albizia julibrissin
Traditionally attributed effects: calms the mind in anger and low mood and lets the blood flow in pain and swelling.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 787
Aristolochia debilis
Traditionally attributed effects: was used for cough with a lot of phlegm and high blood pressure; banned because of kidney damage.
Asia · Herb · № 786
Aristolochia fangchi
Traditionally attributed effects: was used for hot, painful joints and oedema; banned because of kidney damage.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 275
Pinellia ternata
Traditionally attributed effects: cough-suppressing, expectorant, against vomiting, anticatarrhal.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 704
Juncus effusus
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the heart and promotes urination in cystitis and restlessness.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Food · № 263
Cucurbita moschata
Traditionally attributed effects: heart-warming and nourishing for body, mind and soul; good for skin and hair.
CautionAsia · Mushroom · № 146
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.
CautionAsia · Food · № 689
Portulaca oleracea
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood in dysentery and painful urination; externally for ulcers and insect bites.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 748
Pseudostellaria heterophylla
Traditionally attributed effects: a mild qi tonic that also replenishes body fluids.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 784
Pumex
Traditionally attributed effects: cools hot phlegm in the lungs, softens lumps and promotes urination.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 791
Pyritum (ijzersulfide)
Traditionally attributed effects: resolves blood stagnation and helps fractures and ligaments recover.
CautionAsia · Food · № 545
Raphanus sativus
Traditionally attributed effects: seeds and leaves diuretic, laxative, dissolve stones; juice against scurvy; for painful and difficult urination, stones, urinary diseases, haemorrhoids, stomach ache; syrup for hoarseness, whooping cough and chest complaints.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 775
Combretum indicum (syn. Quisqualis indica)
Traditionally attributed effects: was used against roundworms and for poor digestion in children.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 799
Realgar (arseensulfide)
Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally against parasites, itching and sores; contains arsenic.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 673
Rehmannia glutinosa
Traditionally attributed effects: raw it cools the blood and nourishes yin; prepared (steamed with wine) it nourishes the blood and the kidney yin.
CautionAsia · Mushroom · № 690
Calvatia gigantea (en Lasiosphaera fenzlii)
Traditionally attributed effects: cools lung fire in sore throat and hoarseness; the spore powder stops bleeding externally.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 696
Rhaponticum uniflorum
Traditionally attributed effects: reduces hot swellings, especially in the breast, and promotes milk flow.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 669
Phragmites australis (syn. P. communis)
Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat and moistens in thirst, cough with yellow phlegm, vomiting from stomach heat and painful urination.
CautionAsia · Food · № 267
Oryza sativa
Traditionally attributed effects: easily digestible, the basis of healing food; good for skin and hair.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 89
Rosa spp.
Rose hips are rich in vitamin C; a hip powder has been studied for osteoarthritis with modest results. Rose water and oil are used in skin care and as fragrance.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 399
Achyranthes aspera
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, diuretic, cleansing, antipyretic, laxative; for oedema from the kidneys, bronchial complaints, leprosy, stomach ache, haemorrhoids, boils, incipient diarrhoea; abortifacient in high doses.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 321
Carthamus tinctorius
Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 45
Salvia officinalis
A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 140
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 650
Saposhnikovia divaricata
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind; for muscle pain, painful diarrhoea, rheumatic complaints and cramps.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 745
Biancaea sappan (syn. Caesalpinia sappan)
Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow in menstrual pain and injury.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 719
Sargassum pallidum (en S. fusiforme)
Traditionally attributed effects: softens hardenings from phlegm-fire such as goitre and swollen glands; drains fluid.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 633
Sassafras albidum
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind, dampness and cold in joint complaints, also when heat is involved, moves the blood in stasis after trauma or in absent menstruation, and is used for itchy skin.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 666
Equisetum hyemale
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat around the eyes, stops bleeding and is diuretic.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 592
Schisandra chinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, astringent, stimulating, adaptogen; supports exhausted adrenals (fatigue), promotes sleep and well-being, protects the liver.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 657
Schizonepeta tenuifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in colds (warm or cool, depending on the combination), helps rashes come out and, charred, stops bleeding.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 117
Senna alexandrina
Leaves and pods contain sennosides, a stimulant laxative that works for short-term constipation. It is used in modern over-the-counter laxatives.
CautionAfrica · Food · № 356
Sesamum indicum
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, softens the skin, diuretic, promotes menstruation and milk flow, laxative; leaves for respiratory complaints, diarrhoea and dysentery in children, bladder catarrh; seeds for bleeding haemorrhoids, absent or painful menstruation.
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.