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

Also found

Chinese formulas: Jiao ai tang Wu pi yin

Caution
South America · Herb · № 859
Maitén
Maytenus boaria
A graceful tree with drooping twigs and fine leaves that cattle love to eat. Traditionally for fever and skin rash; research is lacking.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 113
White horehound
Marrubium vulgare
A bitter herb traditionally used for coughs with sticky phlegm and bronchitis. In Europe it is recognised as a traditional herbal medicine; clinical evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
Caution
South America · Herb · № 883
Manayupa
Desmodium molliculum
A low plant of the pea family. Traditionally used for inflammation and wounds; research is limited.
Curanderismo of northern Peru
Caution
South America · Herb · № 851
Maqui
Aristotelia chilensis
A shrub with dark purple berries rich in anthocyanins. The leaf was traditionally used for wounds and sore throats. Health claims for 'superfood' products are unproven.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
South America · Herb · № 853
Matico
Buddleja globosa
A shrub with orange, ball-shaped flowers. The leaf contains anti-inflammatory compounds such as verbascoside; clinical research on wound healing is lacking.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
North America · Herb · № 929
Mescal bean
Dermatophyllum secundiflorum (syn. Sophora secundiflora)
An evergreen shrub or small tree of the pea family with purple, grape-scented flowers and hard, bright red seeds. The seeds contain cytisine, a poison resembling nicotine. A single seed can be fatal.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America
Caution
Africa · Other · № 28
Myrrh
Commiphora myrrha
A gum resin with a long history in medicine, ritual, perfume, and incense. Modern treatment claims are not established.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+6Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 110
Marsh cudweed
Gnaphalium uliginosum
An astringent herb traditionally used as a gargle for sore throats and inflamed upper airways. There is no clinical research.
Monastic and folk knowledge+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 762
Mulberry mistletoe (sang ji sheng)
Taxillus chinensis (syn. Loranthus parasiticus)
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens liver and kidneys, expels wind and dampness, nourishes the blood and calms the foetus.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
North America · Herb · № 629
Mormon tea
Ephedra viridis, E. nevadensis, E. californica
Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold with sneezing and a watery nose, mildly eases wheezing and promotes urination.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
South America · Herb · № 880
Mucura (guinea henweed)
Petiveria alliacea
A herb with a strong garlic smell. It has been studied for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects; clinical evidence is lacking.
Curanderismo of northern Peru
Caution
South America · Herb · № 897
Mullaca
Muehlenbeckia volcanica
A low, creeping shrublet with small, round, leathery leaves and blue-black berries. Tannins and flavonoids have been found in the extract; in rats it was anti-inflammatory.
Kallawaya healing knowledge
Caution
South America · Herb · № 816
Muña
Minthostachys mollis
A mint-like plant used in the Andes for stomach complaints and wind.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
Caution
South America · Herb · № 858
Natre
Solanum crispum (incl. S. ligustrinum)
A shrub of the nightshade family with very bitter leaves. Traditionally a fever remedy; the berries are poisonous.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 129
Nutmeg
Myristica fragrans
A spice used in small amounts in Ayurveda and Arabic medicine for diarrhoea, nausea and insomnia. There is no good clinical evidence.
Ayurveda+6Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 638
Notoginseng (san qi)
Panax notoginseng
Traditionally attributed effects: purifies the blood and improves circulation, stops bleeding, soothes pain and helps bruises and swellings recover.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 906
Ololiuqui
Ipomoea corymbosa (syn. Turbina corymbosa, Rivea corymbosa)
A woody morning glory with white flowers. The small, round seeds contain ergine (LSA) and related ergoline alkaloids, chemically related to LSD. They bring an intoxication with visions, often with nausea and lethargy.
Curanderismo
Caution
North America · Herb · № 999
Orange jewelweed
Impatiens capensis
An annual, juicy herb with orange, spotted flowers. Ripe seed pods burst open when touched and shoot the seeds away, hence the names touch-me-not and jewelweed. The sap contains saponins and naphthoquinones; one study found it can prevent a poison ivy rash after short exposure, though washing with soap works at least as well.
Cherokee medicine
Caution
North America · Herb · № 154
Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Used for anxiety and sleep problems. NCCIH notes some indications of an effect on anxiety but limited evidence.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 326
Partridge berry
Mitchella repens
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulates the uterus, tonic, restorative, astringent, diuretic.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
Caution
South America · Herb · № 165
Pau d'arco
Handroanthus impetiginosus (syn. Tabebuia avellanedae)
The inner bark is sold for fungal infections, inflammation and as a 'cancer remedy'. There is no reliable human evidence; its active compound lapachol proved too toxic at effective doses.
The Guaraní and the mate tradition+2
Caution
South America · Herb · № 885
Peruvian matico (spiked pepper)
Piper aduncum
A shrub of the pepper family with rough, fragrant leaves. The leaf was traditionally used to stop bleeding; research is limited.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
Caution
Asia · Food · № 249
Peach
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.
Chinese medical traditions+2Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 769
Persian silk tree (he huan pi)
Albizia julibrissin
Traditionally attributed effects: calms the mind in anger and low mood and lets the blood flow in pain and swelling.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
South 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
Caution
North America · Herb · № 903
Peyote
Lophophora williamsii
A small, spineless, blue-green cactus with a long taproot. Contains mescaline and over thirty other alkaloids. After a few hours mescaline brings colourful visions that last up to half a day, often after a phase of nausea and vomiting.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America
Caution
South America · Herb · № 870
Pichi
Fabiana imbricata
A small shrub of the nightshade family that looks like a conifer. Traditionally for bladder and urinary complaints and for digestion; laboratory research points to a stomach-protecting effect.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
Oceania · Herb · № 178
Asthma weed
Euphorbia hirta
Traditionally used for asthma and bronchitis (the name asthma weed comes from Queensland), for diarrhoea and externally for warts. There is laboratory research but no good clinical evidence.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+4
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 275
Pinellia (ban xia)
Pinellia ternata
Traditionally attributed effects: cough-suppressing, expectorant, against vomiting, anticatarrhal.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
South America · Herb · № 1009
Pinku pinku
Ephedra americana
A leafless shrub with green, jointed stems, related to the Chinese ma huang. Ephedra species contain ephedrine, which widens the airways but also raises heart rate and blood pressure; how much this species contains has been little studied.
Kallawaya healing knowledge
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 132
Chinese peony (bai shao)
Paeonia lactiflora en P. suffruticosa
The peeled root (bai shao, white peony) is used in Chinese medicine for cramps, period pain and muscle pain. There are studies of combination formulas but few of peony alone.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
North America · Herb · № 946
Pipsissewa
Chimaphila umbellata
A low, evergreen dwarf shrub with leathery leaves and pink nodding flowers. Contains arbutin and related compounds, like bearberry.
Haudenosaunee medicine
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 822
Pirul (Peruvian pepper tree)
Schinus molle
A tree with aromatic leaves and pink berries, used in cleansing rituals and as a folk remedy.
Curanderismo+2
Caution
Asia · Food · № 689
Purslane (ma chi xian)
Portulaca oleracea
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood in dysentery and painful urination; externally for ulcers and insect bites.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
North America · Herb · № 956
Fringed sage
Artemisia frigida
A low, silver-grey, strongly scented wormwood shrub. Contains a volatile oil with camphor and cineole and, like other wormwoods, thujone.
Lakota medicine+1
Caution
North America · Herb · № 941
Purple-stem angelica
Angelica atropurpurea
A tall umbellifer with a purple stem, related to European garden angelica. Contains essential oil and furanocoumarins, which make the skin sensitive to sunlight.
Haudenosaunee medicine

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.

From plant to use

Ways to prepare herbs

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Traditions, kitchen and classical formulas

43 traditions

Cultures & traditions

How communities built up and passed on their knowledge of plants, region by region.

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113 recipes

Recipes

Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play a leading role.

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146 formulas

Chinese formulas

The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.

Treatment by condition →All formulas →