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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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438 results

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Headache and migraine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 686

    Houttuynia (yu xing cao)

    Houttuynia cordata

    Traditionally attributed effects: detoxifies and drains pus, especially in lung infections; diuretic.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • 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

    Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 416

    Custard apple

    Annona squamosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, expels worms, laxative, diuretic, insecticidal; unripe fruit for diarrhoea and dysentery, leaves for non-healing ulcers and fainting, seed powder against lice.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 811

    Cancer bush (sutherlandia)

    Lessertia frutescens (syn. Sutherlandia frutescens)

    A shrub used as a tonic and for a range of complaints. Claims against cancer or HIV are unproven.

    Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1008

    Kanlli

    Margyricarpus pinnatus

    A low, prickly shrublet of the rose family with fine, pinnate leaves and edible white or pink berries ('perlilla'). Root and leaf are regarded as diuretic and astringent; research in people is lacking.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1004

    Kantuta

    Cantua buxifolia

    A much-branched shrub of 2 to 3 metres with clusters of tubular flowers in red, pink, yellow or white, pollinated by hummingbirds and bees. Little is known about its effect in people.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • 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

    Oceania · Herb · № 23

    Kawakawa

    Piper excelsum

    In rongoā Māori the leaf is used for toothache, skin complaints, wounds and bladder and kidney complaints. It contains myristicin among other compounds; clinical evidence for these uses is lacking.

    Rongoā Māori+1
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 843

    Kī (ti plant)

    Cordyline fruticosa

    A plant with large leaves, used in Hawaiʻi for fever and headache and to wrap food.

    Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 806

    Kinkeliba

    Combretum micranthum

    The leaves are drunk as an everyday tea; traditionally also for fever and digestive complaints. Little studied scientifically.

    Local African healing traditions
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1007

    Kiswara

    Buddleja coriacea (en verwante Andes-soorten)

    A tough shrub or tree with small, leathery leaves, rusty-brown underneath, and fragrant orange-yellow flowers. Little has been studied about its effect in people.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 75

    Cleavers

    Galium aparine

    Used in Western herbalism as a 'lymphatic' herb for swollen glands and skin conditions. Scientific evidence is lacking.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 100

    Coltsfoot

    Tussilago farfara

    One of the oldest cough herbs; the leaf contains soothing mucilage. Because of its toxic alkaloids it is now advised against.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 565

    Puncture vine

    Tribulus terrestris

    Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, soothing, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 312

    Lesser periwinkle

    Vinca minor

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, promotes circulation, improves blood flow to the brain.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 758

    Garlic chives (jiu zi)

    Allium tuberosum

    Traditionally attributed effects: the seed strengthens kidney yang and warms stomach and spleen.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 455

    Coffee senna

    Cassia occidentalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, fever-reducing, diuretic, antipyretic; root as an antidote and for fever and nerve pain, cramps in hysteria, flatulence; seeds for cough and whooping cough.

    Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 261

    Cucumber

    Cucumis sativus

    Traditionally attributed effects: fruit nourishing and soothing; seeds cooling, diuretic, tonic; for throat complaints, strongly diuretic with sugar, in fever.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 102

    Great mullein

    Verbascum thapsus

    Leaves and flowers contain mucilage and are traditionally used for irritating coughs and bronchitis; the flower oil for earache. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 68

    Cabbage

    Brassica oleracea

    A vegetable rich in vitamin C and fibre. In folk medicine cold cabbage leaves are placed on engorged breasts or painful joints; small studies give mixed results.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 725

    Korean mint (huo xiang)

    Agastache rugosa (ook Pogostemon cablin)

    Traditionally attributed effects: transforms dampness blocking spleen and stomach and curbs nausea, also in summer colds.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 231

    Coriander

    Coriandrum sativum

    Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, stimulating, carminative, stomachic, cooling, tonic, diuretic; for flatulence, colic, rheumatism, nerve pain, sore throat, indigestion, vomiting, colds, bile complaints.

    Greco-Roman medicine+5Folklore
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 338

    Yellow dock

    Rumex crispus

    Traditionally attributed effects: strongly laxative, promotes bile, cleansing.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • 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

    Oceania · Herb · № 52

    Kūmarahou

    Pomaderris kumeraho

    A plant in traditional Māori medicine; there is little scientific confirmation of its benefits.

    Rongoā Māori+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 580

    Couch grass

    Elymus repens

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing, astringent; for kidney and bladder complaints (kidney stones, interstitial cystitis), helps regulate blood sugar.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 213

    Bay laurel

    Laurus nobilis

    Bay leaf is a culinary herb containing cineole and eugenol. The oil of the berries was used externally for muscle pain; a medicinal effect has hardly been studied.

    Greco-Roman medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 6

    Lovage

    Levisticum officinale

    The leaf tastes of stock and celery. In folk medicine the root was used as a diuretic and for bloating; research is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 208

    Snapdragon

    Antirrhinum majus

    An ornamental plant. In folk medicine leaves were laid as a poultice on sores and haemorrhoids; a medicinal effect has not been studied.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 206

    Lily of the valley

    Convallaria majalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: heart tonic, diuretic, laxative, emetic.

    Western herbal medicine+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 · № 732

    Lindera root (wu yao)

    Lindera aggregata (syn. L. strychnifolia)

    Traditionally attributed effects: warms and moves qi in pain from cold; warms the kidneys in frequent urination.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 734

    Cattail pollen (pu huang)

    Typha angustifolia (en T. orientalis)

    Traditionally attributed effects: stops bleeding and resolves blood stagnation in pain.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 671

    Lophatherum (dan zhu ye)

    Lophatherum gracile

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat in heart and stomach in restlessness, thirst and mouth ulcers, and in painful urination.

    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.

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