CautionAsia · Herb · № 402
Sweet flag
Acorus calamus
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, tonic, stimulating; restores throat and voice (singers), improves concentration/clear thinking, for flatulence and heartburn.
Ayurveda+4
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.
GrapeFolk magic and herbal magic
BuchuLocal African healing traditions
Indian tobaccoCherokee medicine
Lignum vitaeHerbal knowledge of the Caribbean
Yerba mateKallawaya healing knowledge
Also found
- Chinese formulas
- Bao he wanBu zhong yi qi tangYue ju wan
- Caution
CautionEurope · Herb · № 19
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla (Duitse kamille)
Flowers are used in teas and topical or oral products. Reliable evidence is insufficient for most claimed conditions.
Monastic and folk knowledge+7Folklore
CautionAsia · Herb · № 830
Kencur (aromatic ginger)
Kaempferia galanga
An aromatic rhizome used in jamu for coughs, tiredness and muscle pain.
Chinese medical traditions+1
CautionOceania · 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
CautionAsia · 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
CautionEurope · 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
CautionAsia · Herb · № 5
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.
Ayurveda+5Folklore
CautionEurope · 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
CautionEurope · Herb · № 44
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.
Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
CautionEurope · Herb · № 191
Rowan
Sorbus aucuparia
The orange berries are rich in vitamin C and are eaten cooked; raw they contain parasorbic acid, which irritates the stomach and bowel. A medicinal effect has hardly been studied.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
CautionAsia · Herb · № 727
Magnolia bark (hou po)
Magnolia officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: makes qi descend, dries dampness and resolves food stagnation and phlegm.
Chinese medical traditions+2
CautionOceania · Herb · № 847
Mamaku (black tree fern)
Sphaeropteris medullaris
The slimy pith and sap of this black tree fern were traditionally used on sores and wounds, and for diarrhoea.
Rongoā Māori
CautionAsia · Herb · № 348
Gotu kola
Centella asiatica
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, diuretic, locally stimulating, calming; for chronic ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, epilepsy, insanity, swollen glands, abscesses, chronic rheumatism, diarrhoea in children.
Ayurveda+2
CautionEurope · Herb · № 47
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata (en C. pinnatifida)
Studied for heart failure with conflicting results. For most conditions there is little or no good evidence.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 800
Minium (qian dan)
Minium (loodoxide)
Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally to draw out pus and heal wounds; contains lead.
Chinese medical traditions
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 816
Muña
Minthostachys mollis
A mint-like plant used in the Andes for stomach complaints and wind.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
CautionEurope · Herb · № 3
Mint
Mentha × piperita
Peppermint oil has been studied in irritable bowel syndrome and may reduce abdominal pain. The tea is used for a full stomach and nausea. With heartburn peppermint can make complaints worse.
Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
CautionEurope · Herb · № 217
Oregano
Origanum vulgare
A culinary herb with carvacrol and thymol, which inhibit bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There is no good evidence that oregano oil treats infections in humans; undiluted oil irritates skin and mucous membranes.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 974
Pacific crabapple
Malus fusca
A small apple tree with small, sour, oval apples and very tough wood. The bark contains tannins.
Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 898
Balsam of Peru
Myroxylon balsamum (var. pereirae)
A large tree whose resin, the balsam, smells of vanilla and cinnamon. The balsam contains cinnamic acid, benzyl benzoate and vanillin, among other compounds, and is used in perfume, food and ointments for skin and wounds.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 860
Peumo
Cryptocarya alba
An evergreen tree of the laurel family with fragrant leaves and edible red fruits. Traditionally for liver and joint complaints; research is lacking.
Mapuche medicine
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 391
Arrowroot
Maranta arundinacea
Traditionally attributed effects: absorbs moisture.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 212
Allspice
Pimenta dioica
The dried berries contain eugenol, like cloves, and give a warm flavour. In Caribbean folk medicine they are used for stomach ache and wind; research is lacking.
Maya healing knowledge+3Folklore
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 192
Aspen
Populus tremuloides
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, fever-reducing, tonic, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving (salicylates); restores the sensitive bladder (incontinence), calms the bowels in stress diarrhoea, heals wounds, lowers fever, relieves headache.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4Folklore
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 799
Realgar (xiong huang)
Realgar (arseensulfide)
Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally against parasites, itching and sores; contains arsenic.
Chinese medical traditions
CautionEurope · Herb · № 2
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)
An aromatic culinary herb with carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. A few small studies point to a slight effect of the scent on alertness; that it improves memory has not been shown. The leaf is used for digestive complaints.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
CautionEurope · Herb · № 45
Sage
Salvia officinalis
A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 633
Sassafras
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.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
CautionEurope · Herb · № 595
Sheep sorrel
Rumex acetosella
Traditionally attributed effects: induces sweating, diuretic, fever-reducing, stops bleeding; traditionally for cancer (ingredient of Essiac tea), relieves 'hot' conditions (fever, thirst, inflammation), boils, transient jaundice.
Western herbal medicine+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 749
Siberian Solomon's seal (huang jing)
Polygonatum sibiricum
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens spleen and kidneys, moistens the lungs and replenishes the essence.
Chinese medical traditions+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 676
Stellaria root (yin chai hu)
Stellaria dichotoma var. lanceolata
Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat from yin deficiency, fever after an illness and heat in malnourished children.
Chinese medical traditions
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 819
Tobacco
Nicotiana rustica
A ceremonial plant of many Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Tobacco is addictive and harmful to health.
Maya healing knowledge+10
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 877
Tara
Tara spinosa (syn. Caesalpinia spinosa)
A thorny tree with red pods that are very rich in tannins. In laboratory tests, extracts of the pods inhibited several bacteria.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 171
Evening primrose
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.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
CautionAsia · Herb · № 40
Tulsi (holy basil)
Ocimum tenuiflorum
An aromatic plant drunk as herbal tea; treatment claims are not established.
Ayurveda
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 587
Western larch
Larix occidentalis
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, prebiotic; improves digestion and gut flora, strengthens the immune system, studied in tumours, helps with middle ear infections in children.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+1
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.
Read moreFrom plant to use
Ways to prepare herbs
Discover more
Traditions, kitchen and classical formulas
43 traditions
Cultures & traditions
How communities built up and passed on their knowledge of plants, region by region.
113 recipes
Recipes
Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play a leading role.
146 formulas
Chinese formulas
The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.