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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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8 results

  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 154

    Passionflower

    Passiflora incarnata

    Used for anxiety and sleep problems. NCCIH notes some indications of an effect on anxiety but limited evidence.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore
  • 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 · № 183

    Coca

    Erythroxylum coca

    The leaf contains a small amount of cocaine and other alkaloids. Chewing it or drinking it as tea is used in the Andes against hunger, fatigue and altitude sickness; evidence for the latter is limited. Cocaine, the first local anaesthetic and today mainly an addictive drug, was isolated from the leaf.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
  • 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

    South America · Herb · № 881

    Hercampuri

    Gentianella alborosea (en G. nitida)

    A small, very bitter herb of the gentian family. It is sold for liver, gallbladder and cholesterol complaints and for weight loss; good research is lacking.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • 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

    South America · Herb · № 882

    Palo santo

    Bursera graveolens

    A tree of the frankincense and myrrh family, with strongly scented wood that contains essential oil.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 982

    Souroubea

    Souroubea guianensis

    A low shrub or climber of the Marcgraviaceae family, with nectar cups that attract butterflies and moths. From two related Central American species (S. sympetala and S. gilgii) researchers isolated substances that reduce anxiety in animals: betulinic acid and amyrins. In people this has hardly been studied.

    Tukano medicine
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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