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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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328 results

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Chinese formulas
Si ni tangHuo xiang zheng qi sanBai tou weng tangWen dan tangSi ni sanBao he wanEr chen tangQing wei sanGe gen huang qin huang lian tangSan huang xie xin tangDang gui si ni tangWu zhu yu tangLiang ge sanSi jun zi tangZhi zi dou chi tangShen ling bai zhu sanBu zhong yi qi tangLi zhong wanXuan fu dai zhe tangYi guan jianPing wei sanWei ling tangDa cheng qi tangXiao jian zhong tang+9
Treatment by condition
Stomach painStomach ulcer and gastritisHiccupsLiver cirrhosisUterine prolapseHeadache and migraineStress, anxiety, hysteria and insomniaEpilepsyEczema, dermatitis, itching, acne, erysipelas and psoriasis
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 267

    Rice

    Oryza sativa

    Traditionally attributed effects: easily digestible, the basis of healing food; good for skin and hair.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 323

    Slippery elm

    Ulmus rubra (syn. U. fulva)

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, nourishing, astringent.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 89

    Rose and rose hip

    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.

    Avicenna's Canon in European universities+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 399

    Prickly chaff flower

    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.

    Ayurveda+1
  • 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

    Europe · 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
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 140

    Sandalwood

    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.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 854

    Dragon's blood (sangre de drago)

    Croton lechleri

    A tree with a thick, blood-red sap. On the skin it dries quickly into a protective layer. Crofelemer, approved in the US since 2013 for diarrhoea in people with HIV, was developed from the sap.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 719

    Sargassum (hai zao)

    Sargassum pallidum (en S. fusiforme)

    Traditionally attributed effects: softens hardenings from phlegm-fire such as goitre and swollen glands; drains fluid.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    North 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
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 91

    White willow

    Salix alba

    The bark contains salicin, which the body partly converts to salicylic acid. There are hints of a moderate effect on low back pain and joint pain.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 507

    East Indian screw tree

    Helicteres isora

    Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, soothing, mildly astringent, stomachic; for colic, flatulence, diarrhoea, chronic dysentery, diabetes, ear infection, snake bites.

    Ayurveda+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

    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 · Mushroom · № 145

    Shiitake

    Lentinula edodes

    An edible mushroom. Lentinan from shiitake is researched and used in oncology in Japan; there is little evidence for ordinary shiitake as an 'immune booster'.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 43

    St. John's wort

    Hypericum perforatum

    Research suggests it may help mild to moderate depression; evidence for other uses is insufficient.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 313

    Dwarf lilyturf (mai men dong)

    Ophiopogon japonicus

    Traditionally attributed effects: promotes the secretion of body fluids, tonic, calming, cough-suppressing, lowers blood sugar, antibacterial.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 95

    Comfrey

    Symphytum officinale

    Topical preparations have been studied for bruises, sprains and back pain and appear to reduce pain. It contains allantoin, which is thought to support tissue repair.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 390

    Soy

    Glycine max

    Traditionally attributed effects: base for a gentle cleanser.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 680

    Sophora root (ku shen)

    Sophora flavescens

    Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat in itchy skin, discharge and dysentery; externally as a wash.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 794

    Stalactite (e guan shi)

    Stalactitum (calciumcarbonaat)

    Traditionally attributed effects: makes lung energy descend in asthma and chronic bronchitis and promotes milk flow.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 538

    Bhumyamalaki

    Phyllanthus fraternus

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, astringent, cooling, laxative, bitter tonic; for oedema, gonorrhoea, urogenital diseases, jaundice, constipation, stomach ache, indigestion, dysentery, mild intermittent fever, heavy menstruation.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 168

    Northern prickly ash

    Zanthoxylum americanum

    Bark and berries give a tingling, numbing feeling in the mouth; they were traditionally used for toothache, poor circulation and rheumatism. Clinical research is lacking.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Asia · 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
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 724

    Stemona root (bai bu)

    Stemona sessilifolia (en S. japonica)

    Traditionally attributed effects: moistens the lungs in acute and chronic cough; externally against lice and fleas.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 534

    Skunkvine

    Paederia foetida

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic; for urinary retention, bladder stones, haemorrhoids, inflamed spleen, diarrhoea in children, rheumatism and stiff joints, abdomen bloated by gas.

    Ayurveda+1
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 531

    Surangi

    Ochrocarpus longifolius

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, aromatic, stimulating, carminative, stomachic; against thirst and stomach irritation, for dysentery, toothache, indigestion, haemorrhoids, scorpion stings.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 702

    Talc (hua shi)

    Talcum (hydromagnesiumsilicaat)

    Traditionally attributed effects: cooling and soothing in painful urination and summer heat; externally drying on weeping skin.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    North America · Food · № 979

    Tanoak

    Notholithocarpus densiflorus

    An evergreen tree of the beech family, between oak and chestnut. The acorns are nourishing but bitter with tannins, which must first be leached out.

    Hupa medicine
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 98

    Thyme

    Thymus vulgaris

    Traditionally used for coughs and bronchitis; thymol from the oil inhibits bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There are some studies of thyme-based cough syrups.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 570

    Timur pepper

    Zanthoxylum alatum

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, stomachic, carminative, aromatic; for fever, indigestion, cholera and toothache.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 328

    Tormentil

    Potentilla erecta

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, especially for the intestinal wall.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 776

    Chinese nutmeg yew (fei zi)

    Torreya grandis

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used against intestinal worms and moistens the lungs.

    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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