CautionEurope · Food · № 84
Apple
Malus domestica
A fruit rich in fibre such as pectin; grated apple is an old home remedy for mild diarrhoea. No specific medicinal effect has been proven.
Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
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.
GrapeFolk magic and herbal magic
BuchuLocal African healing traditions
Indian tobaccoCherokee medicine
Lignum vitaeHerbal knowledge of the Caribbean
Yerba mateKallawaya healing knowledge
- Caution
CautionAsia · Herb · № 930
Turkestan mint
Lagochilus inebrians
A small, globular shrub of the mint family with white or pale pink flowers. Contains lagochilin, a diterpene that reduces bleeding and has a calming effect. Gives a mild intoxication.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 376
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
Traditionally attributed effects: calming and moisture-restoring for dry skin.
Chinese medical traditions+1Folklore
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 374
Amaranth
Amaranthus spp.
Traditionally attributed effects: flowers, leaf and root strongly antiseptic; wound healing.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
CautionEurope · Food · № 101
Bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus en V. vitis-idaea
Rich in anthocyanins. Dried berries are an old remedy for diarrhoea. NCCIH reports there is not enough evidence for eye, blood-vessel or other claims.
Western herbal medicine
CautionAsia · Herb · № 148
Weeping forsythia (lian qiao)
Forsythia suspensa
The fruits (lian qiao) are a 'cooling' herb in Chinese medicine for early colds with sore throat and fever, and for skin inflammation. There is little clinical research on lian qiao alone.
Chinese medical traditions+3
CautionAyurveda+4Folklore
CautionAsia · Herb · № 495
Asafoetida
Ferula foetida
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, mildly laxative, expels worms, promotes menstruation, stimulates nerves and lungs.
Ayurveda+3
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 462
Velvet leaf
Cissampelos pareira
Traditionally attributed effects: mildly stomachic, bitter tonic, diuretic, dissolves stones, astringent; for intestinal complaints, indigestion, diarrhoea, prolapsed uterus, internal inflammation, urinary tract diseases, purifies the blood in skin diseases.
Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 528
Velvet bean
Mucuna pruriens
Traditionally attributed effects: seeds astringent, expel worms, strengthen the nerves, aphrodisiac; root tonic, stimulating, diuretic, laxative; for nervous diseases (paralysis), kidney diseases, oedema, elephantiasis, leucorrhoea, heavy menstruation, seminal loss.
Ayurveda
CautionAsia · Herb · № 468
Golden colchicum
Colchicum luteum
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, carminative, laxative, aphrodisiac; for gout, rheumatism, liver and spleen diseases; externally against inflammation and pain.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAsia · Food · № 343
Pomegranate
Punica granatum
Traditionally attributed effects: root and stem bark astringent and strongly expel tapeworm; flowers and peel astringent and stomachic; juice cooling.
Ayurveda+3
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Food · № 257
Grapefruit
Citrus × paradisi
A citrus fruit rich in vitamin C. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice inhibit enzymes that break down many medicines. The essential oil is used in skin and hair products, but effects on cellulite or hair growth have not been shown.
Western herbal medicine
CautionChinese medical traditions+2
CautionAsia · Herb · № 438
Himalayan birch
Betula utilis
Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, carminative; for washing wounds and ulcers, skin diseases, hysteria.
Ayurveda
CautionAsia · Herb · № 451
Indian hemp
Cannabis indica
Traditionally attributed effects: intoxicating, stomachic, antispasmodic, pain-relieving, stimulating, aphrodisiac, calming; sleep-inducing, for painful menstruation, itchy skin diseases, headache, mania, whooping cough, asthma, nervous vomiting.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 407
Camel thorn
Alhagi pseudalhagi
Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, diuretic, expectorant; for urinary retention, corneal clouding; manna tonic, promotes bile, purifies the blood.
Ayurveda+1
CautionAsia · Herb · № 520
Mahua
Madhuca longifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: flowers cooling, soothing, expectorant, tonic, nourishing; bark astringent and tonic; for diabetes and rheumatism, bleeding gums, tonsil and throat inflammation, itching, bronchitis, cough, haemorrhoids.
Ayurveda
CautionAsia · Herb · № 341
Brown mustard
Brassica juncea
Traditionally attributed effects: plant bitter, mildly laxative, tonic; oil stimulating and skin-irritant, antiseptic; for chest complaints in children, muscular rheumatism, stiff neck, inflammation and nerve pain, abdominal cramps, persistent vomiting.
Ayurveda+2
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Food · № 452
Papaya
Carica papaya
Traditionally attributed effects: aids digestion, expels worms, stomachic, promotes menstruation; ripe fruit mildly laxative; leaves against amoebic dysentery and fever; seeds against roundworms; promotes milk flow; unripe fruit abortifacient.
Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+2
CautionAsia · Herb · № 132
Chinese peony (bai shao)
Paeonia lactiflora en P. suffruticosa
The peeled root (bai shao, white peony) is used in Chinese medicine for cramps, period pain and muscle pain. There are studies of combination formulas but few of peony alone.
Chinese medical traditions+3
CautionEurope · 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
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 849
Bitter melon
Momordica charantia
A bitter climbing plant whose fruit, leaves and vines are used. In folk medicine mainly taken to lower blood sugar; research shows a small effect at most.
Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean
CautionAsia · 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
CautionAsia · 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
CautionAsia · 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
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 963
Blue lettuce
Lactuca tatarica subsp. pulchella (syn. L. pulchella)
A wild lettuce with blue flower heads and milky sap that forms large colonies by runners. Effects not studied.
Lakota medicine
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 182
Yellow jessamine (gelsemium)
Gelsemium sempervirens
Contains alkaloids such as gelsemine that act on the nervous system. In the 19th century it was used for nerve pain, migraine and fever, but its toxicity makes any use dangerous. Homeopathic gelsemium is so diluted that it contains no active substance.
Eclectic medicine+1
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 536
Syrian rue
Peganum harmala
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, antipyretic, stimulating, promotes menstruation; against tapeworm, intermittent fever and chronic malaria, pain-relieving in asthma, colic, jaundice; promotes milk and menstruation; gargle for sore throat; against head lice.
Local African healing traditions+2
CautionEurope · Herb · № 82
Motherwort
Leonurus cardiaca
Traditionally used for stress-related palpitations, nervousness and menstrual complaints. Clinical research is scarce.
Western herbal medicine+1
CautionEurope · Herb · № 109
Catnip
Nepeta cataria
Traditionally used as a mild tea for colds, fevers, restlessness and colic. Nepetalactone from the plant is being researched as an insect repellent.
Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
CautionEurope · 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
CautionEurope · Herb · № 226
Linden
Tilia × europaea
Traditionally attributed effects: calming nerve remedy, induces sweating, vasodilating, restores the vessel walls, lowers blood pressure.
Western herbal medicine
CautionEurope · Herb · № 380
Clary sage
Salvia sclarea
The essential oil is used in relaxing baths and massages. A small study pointed to a relaxing effect when inhaled; the evidence is limited.
Western herbal medicine
CautionEurope · Herb · № 217
Oregano
Origanum vulgare
A culinary herb with carvacrol and thymol, which inhibit bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There is no good evidence that oregano oil treats infections in humans; undiluted oil irritates skin and mucous membranes.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
CautionNorth 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
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.
Read moreFrom plant to use
Ways to prepare herbs
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Traditions, kitchen and classical formulas
43 traditions
Cultures & traditions
How communities built up and passed on their knowledge of plants, region by region.
113 recipes
Recipes
Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play a leading role.
146 formulas
Chinese formulas
The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.