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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 · Herb · № 718

    Trichosanthes fruit (gua lou)

    Trichosanthes kirilowii

    Traditionally attributed effects: fruit and seed dissolve hot phlegm and open the chest; the root (tian hua fen) cools and moistens.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 497

    Cluster fig

    Ficus racemosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, carminative, stomachic, kills worms, lowers blood sugar; wound rinse, for dysentery, bile complaints, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, heavy menstruation, coughing up blood, sore throat, diabetes.

    Ayurveda
  • 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

    North America · Herb · № 993

    Tulip tree

    Liriodendron tulipifera

    The tallest broadleaf tree of eastern America, up to almost sixty metres, of the magnolia family, with tulip-shaped greenish-yellow flowers with an orange patch. The bark is bitter and contains the alkaloid liriodenine and sesquiterpenes that inhibit bacteria and fungi; it was formerly used as a tonic and quinine substitute. The flowers give much nectar for a dark honey.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 40

    Tulsi (holy basil)

    Ocimum tenuiflorum

    An aromatic plant drunk as herbal tea; treatment claims are not established.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 721

    Typhonium tuber (bai fu zi)

    Typhonium giganteum

    Traditionally attributed effects: dries dampness and phlegm and expels wind in facial paralysis and convulsions.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 20

    Valerian

    Valeriana officinalis

    The root has a traditional association with sleep and calm. Research on insomnia is inconsistent and does not establish benefit.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 294

    False unicorn root

    Chamaelirium luteum

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, uterine tonic, emetic.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 222

    Vanilla

    Vanilla planifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: gives a feeling of calm and comfort; fragrance.

    Maya healing knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 72

    Fennel

    Foeniculum vulgare

    The seed is traditionally used for wind, bloating and cramps. There are some small studies, but evidence is limited.

    Greco-Roman medicine+9Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 489

    Vidanga

    Embelia ribes

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, expels worms, stimulating, cleansing; against intestinal worms, ringworm and skin diseases, headache, sore throat and mouth ulcers, bark paste for pneumonia.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 694

    Dittany root bark (bai xian pi)

    Dictamnus dasycarpus

    Traditionally attributed effects: drains heat, dampness and wind in itchy, weeping skin conditions.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 479

    Dodder

    Cuscuta reflexa

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, expels worms, cleansing, antispasmodic; for stomach ache, constipation, flatulence, liver complaints, bile complaints; externally for itching and skin diseases.

    Ayurveda+1
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 106

    Bogbean

    Menyanthes trifoliata

    A strong bitter traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion and for rheumatic complaints. Clinical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 389

    Watermelon

    Citrullus lanatus

    A very juicy fruit that quenches thirst. Oil from the seeds is used in hair care. In Chinese medicine the fruit is considered cooling and diuretic.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+2
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 640

    Fragrant Solomon's seal (yu zhu)

    Polygonatum odoratum

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the stomach and promotes the production of body fluids; for fatigue, poor appetite, weak digestion and exhaustion.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 968

    Western dock

    Rumex occidentalis (syn. R. aquaticus var. fenestratus)

    A large dock with broad leaves and a yellow root. The root contains tannins and anthraquinones, which are mildly laxative.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 810

    African wormwood

    Artemisia afra

    A bitter, aromatic herb widely used in southern Africa for coughs, colds, fever and flu.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 961

    Wild bergamot

    Monarda fistulosa

    A mint with lilac flowers and strongly scented leaves, related to Oswego tea. The volatile oil is rich in carvacrol and thymol, which are antiseptic.

    Lakota medicine+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 156

    Wild black cherry

    Prunus serotina

    The dried bark was long used in cough syrups to calm irritating coughs. Modern clinical evidence is lacking.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 459

    Wild black cumin

    Centratherum anthelminticum

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms (threadworms), tonic, stomachic, diuretic; for skin diseases and scorpion stings.

    Ayurveda
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 651

    White atractylodes (bai zhu)

    Atractylodes macrocephala

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the spleen and regulates the stomach; for diarrhoea and fluid retention, and traditionally to help prevent miscarriage.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • 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

    Asia · Mushroom · № 652

    Snow fungus (bai mu er)

    Tremella fuciformis

    Traditionally attributed effects: a tonic for the yin energy and the lungs; supports breathing, energy and a balanced blood pressure.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 712

    Hypoglauca yam (bei xie)

    Dioscorea hypoglauca (syn. D. collettii)

    Traditionally attributed effects: clears cloudy urine and expels wind and dampness in rheumatism and skin complaints.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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

    South America · Food · № 15

    Yerba mate

    Ilex paraguariensis

    The leaves contain caffeine, theobromine and polyphenols; the drink is stimulating and dispels tiredness, like coffee or tea. It is a beverage and social drink, not a medicine.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 922

    Zacatechichi

    Calea ternifolia (syn. Calea zacatechichi)

    A shrub of the daisy family with very bitter leaves. Contains caleicine and other sesquiterpene lactones, among others. Said to make sleep light and dreams clear and vivid; in a small study an extract caused a slight change of perception, drowsiness and a short sleep with vivid dreams.

    Curanderismo
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 424

    Wormseed

    Artemisia maritima

    Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, mildly laxative, stomachic, tonic, expels worms, stimulates the heart; against worms, compress for inflammation, tumours and foul ulcers.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 18

    Licorice root

    Glycyrrhiza glabra

    A root with long use in several traditions; high-quality evidence does not support most health claims.

    Ayurveda+9Folklore
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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