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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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40 results

  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 873

    Arrayán (Chilean myrtle)

    Luma apiculata

    The Chilean myrtle, with cinnamon-coloured bark, fragrant leaves and edible black berries. Traditionally an astringent; research is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 867

    Chilean strawberry (kelleñ)

    Fragaria chiloensis

    A wild strawberry with large, fragrant fruits, one of the parents of the garden strawberry. The leaf contains tannins.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 861

    Chilean laurel (triwe)

    Laurelia sempervirens

    A tall evergreen tree with strongly scented leaves and wood. Traditionally for headache and as a diuretic; research is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 851

    Maqui

    Aristotelia chilensis

    A shrub with dark purple berries rich in anthocyanins. The leaf was traditionally used for wounds and sore throats. Health claims for 'superfood' products are unproven.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 864

    Murta (Chilean guava)

    Ugni molinae

    A shrub of the myrtle family with fragrant red berries. Mainly a food plant; the leaf was used as an astringent.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 865

    Nalca (Chilean rhubarb)

    Gunnera tinctoria

    A giant plant with leaves up to two metres across. The peeled stalks are edible; root and stalks are rich in tannins.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 871

    Quinchamalí

    Quinchamalium chilense

    A semi-parasitic herb with orange-yellow flowers in heads. Traditionally for wounds and colds; research is lacking.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 866

    Monkey puzzle (pehuén)

    Araucaria araucana

    An ancient conifer that lives for more than a thousand years. The large, starchy seeds are a nourishing food; the resin was used on wounds.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 869

    Bailahuén

    Haplopappus baylahuen

    A resinous shrub of the daisy family. A well-known Chilean tea for liver and bowel complaints; an effect has not been proven.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 857

    Cachanlagua

    Centaurium cachanlahuen

    A small bitter herb with pink flowers, related to the European common centaury. Traditionally for fever and digestion; clinical research is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 852

    Canelo (Winter's bark)

    Drimys winteri

    A tree with a peppery, bitter bark. As Winter's bark it was a remedy for scurvy for centuries; otherwise its effects are little studied.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 862

    Chilco

    Fuchsia magellanica

    The wild fuchsia, with drooping red and purple flowers. Traditionally as a diuretic and for fever; research is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 856

    Culén

    Grimolobium glandulosum (syn. Otholobium glandulosum, Psoralea glandulosa)

    A shrub of the pea family with glandular, fragrant leaves. Traditionally used for digestive complaints, diarrhoea and on wounds; good research is lacking.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 859

    Maitén

    Maytenus boaria

    A graceful tree with drooping twigs and fine leaves that cattle love to eat. Traditionally for fever and skin rash; research is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 853

    Matico

    Buddleja globosa

    A shrub with orange, ball-shaped flowers. The leaf contains anti-inflammatory compounds such as verbascoside; clinical research on wound healing is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 858

    Natre

    Solanum crispum (incl. S. ligustrinum)

    A shrub of the nightshade family with very bitter leaves. Traditionally a fever remedy; the berries are poisonous.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 868

    Palqui (green cestrum)

    Cestrum parqui

    A fast-growing, foul-smelling shrub of the nightshade family. All parts are poisonous because of alkaloids.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 860

    Peumo

    Cryptocarya alba

    An evergreen tree of the laurel family with fragrant leaves and edible red fruits. Traditionally for liver and joint complaints; research is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 870

    Pichi

    Fabiana imbricata

    A small shrub of the nightshade family that looks like a conifer. Traditionally for bladder and urinary complaints and for digestion; laboratory research points to a stomach-protecting effect.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 872

    Radal

    Lomatia hirsuta

    A tree of the protea family with large toothed leaves and beautifully figured wood. Traditionally for coughs; research is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 874

    Tupa (devil's tobacco)

    Lobelia tupa

    A robust lobelia with red flowers and felted leaves. Contains lobeline and other alkaloids; poisonous.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 253

    Strawberry

    Fragaria × ananassa

    The garden strawberry is a fruit rich in vitamin C. The leaf of the related wild strawberry was drunk as tea for mild diarrhoea; no medicinal effect is described for the garden strawberry itself.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 889

    Bilyea

    Grimolobium pubescens (syn. Otholobium pubescens, Psoralea pubescens)

    A shrub of the pea family with leaves in threes. It contains bakuchiol, among other compounds; extracts lowered blood sugar in experiments with mice. Studies in people are lacking.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 282

    Boldo

    Peumus boldus

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulates the liver, diuretic.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 161

    Cayenne pepper

    Capsicum frutescens

    Capsaicin from chilli peppers is used externally for nerve pain and joint pain; high-dose capsaicin patches are an approved medicine. Internally it is mainly a warming spice.

    Maya healing knowledge+6Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 924

    Cebil (vilca)

    Anadenanthera colubrina

    A thorny tree of the pea family, related to yopo. The seeds contain much bufotenine, up to over twelve per cent, as well as some DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. As a snuff they cause violent physical effects and short visions.

  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1002

    Chachacomo

    Escallonia resinosa (en verwante soorten, o.a. E. micrantha)

    A shrub or tree of 2 to 10 metres with reddish, papery bark and small, finely toothed leaves full of resin and essential oil. Almost nothing has been studied about its effect in people.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 221

    Lemon

    Citrus limon

    Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, diuretic, strengthens the veins.

    Ayurveda+3Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 378

    Lemon verbena

    Aloysia citrodora

    Traditionally attributed effects: relaxing, helps you fall asleep.

    The Guaraní and the mate tradition+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 460

    Mexican tea

    Dysphania ambrosioides (syn. Chenopodium ambrosioides)

    A strong-smelling culinary herb traditionally used against intestinal worms and wind. The essential oil contains ascaridole, which kills worms but is also toxic to humans.

    Curanderismo+3
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1006

    Escorzonera

    Perezia multiflora (en verwante soorten)

    A low, prickly herb with toothed leaves and yellow or white flower heads. Contains phenols, flavonoids and saponins; in the laboratory the leaf inhibits some bacteria. Research in people is limited.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1008

    Kanlli

    Margyricarpus pinnatus

    A low, prickly shrublet of the rose family with fine, pinnate leaves and edible white or pink berries ('perlilla'). Root and leaf are regarded as diuretic and astringent; research in people is lacking.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 885

    Peruvian matico (spiked pepper)

    Piper aduncum

    A shrub of the pepper family with rough, fragrant leaves. The leaf was traditionally used to stop bleeding; research is limited.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 915

    Rhatany (ratania)

    Krameria lappacea (syn. Krameria triandra)

    A low shrub that is partly parasitic on the roots of other plants. The red root is rich in tannins and is therefore astringent. In Europe rhatany root is listed in the pharmacopoeia and used in mouthwashes and gum remedies.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1012

    Roq'e

    Colletia spinosissima

    A thorny shrub with green thorns set crosswise and hardly any leaves. It lives together with nitrogen-fixing Frankia bacteria. The bark contains saponins; little has been studied about its effect in people.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 892

    Tola

    Parastrephia quadrangularis (syn. Lepidophyllum quadrangulare, P. lepidophylla)

    A resinous shrub up to two metres tall with small, scale-like leaves; typical of the dry high plateau.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
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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