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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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315 results

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Recipes
Fish ball soup with spinach and niu xiSpare rib soup with lotus root and four herbsSweet soup with white fungus, lotus root and jujubesPatchouli cleanser for oily skinHealing facial tonerTea for a starting cold
Chinese formulas
Huo xiang zheng qi sanLing yang gou teng tangXing su sanWen dan tangDa ding feng zhuSi ni sanChai hu gui zhi tangXiao yao sanChai hu jia long gu mu li tangJia wei xiao yao sanShi wei bai du tangChai hu gui zhi gan jiang tangYi gan sanYin chen hao tangMa zi ren wanZhu sha an shen wanGui zhi long gu mu li tangGui zhi fu ling wanGui zhi tangGui zhi shao yao zhi mu tangQing ying tangShu jing huo xue tangChuan xiong cha tiao sanYi yi ren tang+71
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 350

    Vetiver

    Chrysopogon zizanioides

    Traditionally attributed effects: supports circulation and weight loss (scrub).

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 230

    Cinquefoil

    Potentilla reptans

    The tannin-rich herb was used as a mouthwash and for diarrhoea. A medicinal effect has not been studied.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 21

    Elderberry

    Sambucus nigra

    Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 466

    Butterfly pea

    Clitoria ternatea

    Traditionally attributed effects: root mildly laxative, diuretic, expels worms; seeds strongly laxative; for ascites, enlarged abdominal organs, migraine (flower juice), gonorrhoea, bladder irritation, ulcers, swollen joints.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 94

    Chickweed

    Stellaria media

    Traditionally used externally as a cooling ointment or compress for itching, eczema and minor skin irritation. There is hardly any clinical research.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 586

    Lady's slipper

    Cypripedium parviflorum (syn. C. pubescens)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, antispasmodic, tonic, relaxing, diuretic; for menstrual pain and irregular menstruation, overstimulated nerves and insomnia from stress, pain-relieving.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 169

    Wax myrtle (bayberry)

    Morella cerifera

    The root bark was traditionally used for colds, sore throats and diarrhoea. There is no modern clinical evidence.

    Eclectic medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Oceania · Food · № 173

    Wattle

    Acacia spp. (o.a. A. holosericea, A. decurrens)

    Roasted wattleseed is a protein- and fibre-rich bushfood. The bark of some species is rich in tannins and was used for wounds and diarrhoea. There is little clinical research.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 682

    Woad (ban lan gen)

    Isatis tinctoria (syn. I. indigotica)

    Traditionally attributed effects: root (ban lan gen) and leaf (da qing ye) cool heat and 'toxin' in viral infections, sore throat and mumps.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 86

    Greater plantain

    Plantago major

    The leaf is traditionally bruised and applied to insect bites, small wounds and grazes, and taken as tea for coughs. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+9Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 969

    Western hemlock

    Tsuga heterophylla

    A large conifer with a drooping top and short, flat needles. The bark is very rich in tannins; the young needles contain vitamin C.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 332

    Wild indigo

    Baptisia tinctoria

    Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, antibacterial, fever-reducing, laxative.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 952

    Wild sarsaparilla

    Aralia nudicaulis

    A low plant of the ivy family with a long, creeping, aromatic root; related to ginseng and no relative of true sarsaparilla (Smilax).

    Haudenosaunee medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 159

    Wild yam

    Dioscorea villosa

    Traditionally used for abdominal and uterine cramps. Wild yam cream is sold as 'natural progesterone', but the body cannot convert diosgenin into hormones; only a laboratory can.

    Curanderismo+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 634

    Wintergreen

    Gaultheria procumbens

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness and cools heat in hot, swollen joints and muscle pain, drains damp heat in the urinary tract and moves stagnant qi and blood in pain.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 330

    White bryony

    Bryonia alba

    Traditionally attributed effects: antirheumatic, laxative.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 539

    White leadwort

    Plumbago zeylanica

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, stimulates the stomach, stimulates appetite; externally skin-irritant for rheumatism, paralysis, enlarged glands, leucoderma and skin diseases; tincture antipyretic.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 128

    White mulberry

    Morus alba en M. nigra

    The leaf (sang ye) is being studied for post-meal blood sugar and is used in Chinese medicine for coughs and fevers; bark, twigs and berries each have their own use too. Evidence is preliminary.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 547

    Castor oil plant

    Ricinus communis

    Traditionally attributed effects: oil mildly laxative; leaf juice emetic in poisoning, leaf decoction laxative, promotes milk and menstruation; compress on boils and swellings, for flatulence in children; root decoction for lumbago, rheumatism and sciatica.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+4
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 986

    Yellowroot

    Xanthorhiza simplicissima

    A low shrub of the buttercup family, one of the few woody species in that family. Root and stem are bright yellow from berberine, a bitter substance also found in goldenseal and barberry that inhibits bacteria and fungi.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 632

    Yerba mansa

    Anemopsis californica

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness in joint pain that worsens in cold, wet weather, opens blocked sinuses and dries dampness in slow-healing wounds and swellings.

    Curanderismo+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 150

    Black cohosh

    Actaea racemosa

    Mainly sold for menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes. NCCIH reports that study results are mixed and there is not enough evidence that it helps.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 108

    Barberry

    Berberis vulgaris

    Bark and root contain berberine, which is being studied for blood sugar and cholesterol. The berries are rich in vitamin C. Evidence for barberry itself is limited.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 135

    Black pepper and long pepper

    Piper nigrum

    Important warming spices in Ayurveda, used for sluggish digestion and colds. Piperine from pepper increases the absorption of some substances, such as curcumin.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 575

    Black haw

    Viburnum prunifolium

    Traditionally attributed effect: antispasmodic and relaxing, especially for menstrual and uterine cramps. Clinical research is lacking; that it can prevent miscarriage has not been shown.

    Eclectic medicine+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 971

    Black twinberry

    Lonicera involucrata

    A honeysuckle with yellow flowers in pairs, which later form two shiny black berries in red bracts. Effects not studied.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 576

    Black walnut

    Juglans nigra

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative, astringent, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal; cleanses and strengthens the large intestine, for skin problems, traveller's diarrhoea, sinusitis, underactive thyroid.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
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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