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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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302 results

  • 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 · № 167

    Lignum vitae

    Guaiacum officinale

    The resin and wood were used for rheumatic complaints and gout; guaiac resin is still used in the guaiac test for blood in stool. There is no modern evidence for its classic uses.

    Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+1
  • Caution

    North 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
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 133

    Psyllium

    Plantago ovata

    The seed husks form a mucilaginous gel: an established bulk-forming fibre for constipation and mild diarrhoea that can also modestly lower LDL cholesterol.

    Ayurveda+3
  • 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
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 545

    Radish

    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.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    North America · Food · № 936

    Ramps

    Allium tricoccum

    A wild leek with broad leaves and a small bulb, related to European wild garlic. Leaves and bulb taste of onion and garlic.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 915

    Rhatany (ratania)

    Krameria lappacea (syn. Krameria triandra)

    A low shrub that is partly parasitic on the roots of other plants. The red root is rich in tannins and is therefore astringent. In Europe rhatany root is listed in the pharmacopoeia and used in mouthwashes and gum remedies.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Mushroom · № 690

    Puffball (ma bo)

    Calvatia gigantea (en Lasiosphaera fenzlii)

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools lung fire in sore throat and hoarseness; the spore powder stops bleeding externally.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 888

    Giant horsetail

    Equisetum giganteum

    A large horsetail, rich in silica. Traditionally used as a diuretic, like European field horsetail; good evidence is lacking.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 201

    Rose geranium

    Pelargonium graveolens

    Traditionally attributed effects: antidepressant, pain-relieving, diuretic, calming, tonic.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 345

    Saffron

    Crocus sativus

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, aphrodisiac, stomachic, pain-relieving, antispasmodic, calming, promotes menstruation; for absent menstruation, fever, hysteria, melancholy, leucorrhoea, haemorrhoids; paste for bruises, nerve and rheumatic pain.

    Ayurveda+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 745

    Sappan wood (su mu)

    Biancaea sappan (syn. Caesalpinia sappan)

    Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow in menstrual pain and injury.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 369

    Sarsaparilla

    Smilax spp. (o.a. Smilax ornata)

    The root contains saponins and was long sold as a 'blood-purifying' remedy and for skin conditions. There is no evidence that sarsaparilla treats herpes, syphilis or other infections.

    Curanderismo+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 666

    Scouring rush (mu zei)

    Equisetum hyemale

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat around the eyes, stops bleeding and is diuretic.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 964

    Seneca snakeroot

    Polygala senega (syn. Senega officinalis)

    A low milkwort with white flower spikes. The root contains saponins that loosen phlegm and promote coughing; it is in the European Pharmacopoeia as a cough remedy.

    Anishinaabe medicine+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 117

    Senna

    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.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+5
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 122

    Shatavari

    Asparagus racemosus

    In Ayurveda an important rejuvenating remedy for women, used for breastfeeding and stomach complaints. Studies are small and of variable quality.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 220

    Orange

    Citrus sinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: against dandruff; sweet oranges good for skin and hair.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 258

    Lettuce

    Lactuca sativa

    A juicy leaf vegetable with some vitamin K and folate. The milky sap of the stem is mildly calming, but much weaker than that of wild lettuce.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 180

    Opium poppy

    Papaver somniferum

    The latex of the unripe seed capsule (opium) contains morphine, codeine and other alkaloids. Morphine and related opioids are indispensable painkillers in modern medicine, but highly addictive. The seeds (poppy seeds) are an ordinary food.

    Ayurveda+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 664

    Beach vitex fruit (man jing zi)

    Vitex rotundifolia (syn. V. trifolia)

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat in headache and eye pain, and relieves cramps and heaviness in the limbs.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 164

    Suma

    Hebanthe eriantha (syn. Pfaffia paniculata)

    Sold as 'Brazilian ginseng' and an adaptogen for fatigue. There is hardly any human research.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 195

    Yew

    Taxus baccata

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, expectorant, stomachic, tonic; leaf and fruit promote menstruation, calming, antispasmodic; for asthma, hiccups, indigestion, coughing up blood, epilepsy, stones, nervousness.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    North 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
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 157

    Tomato

    Solanum lycopersicum

    A fruit-vegetable with vitamin C and lycopene. Research on lycopene and heart or prostate health is mostly observational and not conclusive.

    Maya healing knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 152

    Witch hazel

    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.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 945

    Purple pitcher plant

    Sarracenia purpurea

    A carnivorous plant with pitcher-shaped leaves that hold rainwater, in which insects drown. Little research exists on effects in people.

    Haudenosaunee medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 210

    Tulip

    Tulipa spp.

    An ornamental flower. The petals are edible; the bulbs were eaten in times of need but can cause eczema on contact ('tulip fingers'). In Persian poetry the red tulip stands for love and martyrdom.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1013

    Turpay

    Nototriche (o.a. N. mandoniana en N. porphyrantha)

    A small, cushion-forming mallow that grows flat against the ground, with a thick taproot. Mallows contain soothing mucilage; these species themselves have hardly been studied.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 240

    Onion

    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.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 29

    Umckaloabo (African geranium)

    Pelargonium sidoides

    Root extract is sold for respiratory complaints. A Cochrane review found little to no evidence of benefit for acute bronchitis, colds, or sinusitis.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 707

    Knotgrass (bian xu)

    Polygonum aviculare

    Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat in cystitis, stops itching and was used against worms.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 824

    Sweetgrass

    Hierochloe odorata

    A sweet-scented grass that is burned in ceremonies.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 403

    Maidenhair fern

    Adiantum philippense

    Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, diuretic, cleansing, expels worms, cooling; for cough and respiratory complaints, fever, leprosy, erysipelas.

    Ayurveda+1
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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