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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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726 results

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Recipes
Cooling sun teaWhite radish soup with Chinese asparagusChicken soup with tian qiSweetcorn soup with astragalusOxymel with thymeRose powder cleanser for mature or dry skinWitch hazel tonerAcne oil or cleanserPlumping lip glossHerbal honey for sore throat and coughTincture for the cold seasonNerve tinctureComfrey salve for joints and bruisesRefreshing foot bathClarifying shampooCustom herbal shampooNourishing hair treatment
Chinese formulas
Zhi bai di huang wanWen dan tangShi wei bai du tangChai hu gui zhi gan jiang tangGui zhi long gu mu li tangEr xian tangChuan xiong cha tiao sanDang gui shao yao sanJiao ai tangShu jin sanSi wu tangDang gui long hui wanYou gui wanWu pi yinSi jun zi tangTian ma gou teng yinBu zhong yi qi tangShi quan da bu tangTian wang bu xin danCi zhu wanXiao jian zhong tangMai men dong yin ziBa wei di huang wan (jin gui shen qi wan)Liu wei di huang wan+2
Treatment by condition
HaemorrhoidsLiver cirrhosisDiabetes mellitusLupus (SLE)Asthma and emphysemaAngina pectorisHeadache and migraineBoils and carbunclesDeafness and tinnitus
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 733

    Persimmon calyx (shi di)

    Diospyros kaki

    Traditionally attributed effects: the calyx makes the stomach energy descend in hiccups and belching.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 970

    Barestem lomatium

    Lomatium nudicaule (in Boas: Peucedanum)

    An umbellifer with blue-green leaves and yellow umbels. The seeds are strongly aromatic; related lomatiums are being studied for antiviral effects.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 695

    Glabrous greenbrier (tu fu ling)

    Smilax glabra

    Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat, especially via the skin and in joint complaints.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · 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
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 521

    Kamala tree

    Mallotus philippensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms (specifically tapeworm), astringent; ointment for ringworm, scabies, herpes and parasitic skin diseases, leprosy rash, syphilitic ulcers.

    Ayurveda
  • 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 · Other · № 141

    Camphor

    Cinnamomum camphora

    Used externally in rubs for muscle pain, itching and blocked noses; it gives a cooling, numbing feeling. There is some evidence of short-term relief.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Europe · 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
  • 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

    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

    Asia · Herb · № 699

    Kansui root (gan sui)

    Euphorbia kansui

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used as a very strong fluid-draining purgative for fluid in chest and abdomen.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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

    South America · Herb · № 33

    Cat's claw

    Uncaria tomentosa

    There is no conclusive scientific evidence that cat's claw helps any health condition.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 143

    Kutki

    Picrorhiza kurroa

    A very bitter herb used in Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine for liver complaints, fever and digestive problems. Research is mainly in animals.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Other · № 382

    Kelp

    Laminaria spp. / Ascophyllum nodosum

    Brown seaweeds are rich in iodine and alginate. They are used in scrubs and as food supplements; too much iodine can disrupt the thyroid.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 116

    Khella

    Ammi visnaga

    Contains khellin, a muscle relaxant that widens the airways and blood vessels. Khellin was the basis for modern drugs such as cromoglicate (for asthma) and amiodarone (for heart rhythm disorders).

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 647

    Fritillaria bulb (bei mu)

    Fritillaria cirrhosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: dissolves phlegm and clears congested lungs; together with pear for dry airways and a heated chest.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 31

    Cinchona bark

    Cinchona spp. (o.a. C. officinalis, C. pubescens)

    The bark contains quinine and other alkaloids. Quinine became an important antimalarial, but using the bark yourself is unsafe and is not malaria treatment.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • 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

    Africa · Food · № 12

    Garlic

    Allium sativum

    A food with a long history of use. Supplement research suggests only limited effects and does not establish a treatment.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+7Folklore
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 337

    Nut grass

    Cyperus rotundus

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, pain-relieving, antispasmodic for the uterus, promotes the flow of qi.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 92

    Figwort

    Scrophularia nodosa (en S. ningpoensis)

    Used in Western herbalism for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and for swollen glands. There is no good clinical evidence.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 746

    Vaccaria seed (wang bu liu xing)

    Gypsophila vaccaria (syn. Vaccaria segetalis)

    Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow, promotes menstruation and milk flow and reduces painful swellings.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 464

    Colocynth

    Citrullus colocynthis

    Traditionally attributed effects: drastically laxative and diuretic; in large doses emetic and highly irritant; for ascites, jaundice, urinary diseases, rheumatism, bile complaints, intestinal parasites, constipation, oedema; seed oil for snake and scorpion bites.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 583

    Queen of the night

    Selenicereus grandiflorus

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, relaxing; strengthens the heart muscle and heart function (also in the elderly), relieves chest tightness and restricted breathing.

    Western herbal medicine
  • 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

    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

    Oceania · Herb · № 846

    Kōwhai

    Sophora microphylla

    A tree with yellow flowers, a national symbol of New Zealand. The bark was traditionally used on wounds and bruises.

    Rongoā Māori
  • 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

    Asia · Food · № 42

    Clove

    Syzygium aromaticum

    A spice. Clove oil containing eugenol may help with toothache; other claims are unproven.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
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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