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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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51 results

  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 831

    Betel leaf (sirih)

    Piper betle

    An aromatic leaf used in jamu for the mouth and for women's intimate hygiene.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 176

    Cajeput and niaouli

    Melaleuca cajuputi, M. viridiflora, M. leucadendra e.a.

    Both relatives of tea tree yield an essential oil used externally for muscle pain and in inhalations for colds. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 119

    Galangal

    Alpinia galanga

    A relative of ginger traditionally used for nausea, wind and sluggish digestion. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Ayurveda+6
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 126

    Jasmine

    Jasminum officinale / J. grandiflorum

    Best known as a fragrance and in jasmine tea; jasmine aromatherapy is used for relaxation. Medical claims are unproven.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 830

    Kencur (aromatic ginger)

    Kaempferia galanga

    An aromatic rhizome used in jamu for coughs, tiredness and muscle pain.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 42

    Clove

    Syzygium aromaticum

    A spice. Clove oil containing eugenol may help with toothache; other claims are unproven.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 129

    Nutmeg

    Myristica fragrans

    A spice used in small amounts in Ayurveda and Arabic medicine for diarrhoea, nausea and insomnia. There is no good clinical evidence.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 140

    Sandalwood

    Santalum album

    Used in Ayurveda as a 'cooling' remedy for skin irritation and urinary complaints; the oil is used in aromatherapy. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 829

    Temulawak (Javanese turmeric)

    Curcuma zanthorrhiza

    A rhizome of the ginger family, used in jamu for digestive complaints, to stimulate appetite and for the liver.

    Jamu in Indonesia
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 739

    Cogon grass root (bai mao gen)

    Imperata cylindrica

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood and stops bleeding; promotes urination and cools lung and stomach.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 414

    King of bitters

    Andrographis paniculata

    Traditionally attributed effects: stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, cleansing, expels worms, promotes bile; for flatulence, lack of appetite, intestinal complaints in children, diarrhoea, dysentery, sluggish liver, nerve pain, recovery after fever.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 247

    Banana

    Musa spp.

    A fruit rich in starch and potassium. Ripe banana is easily digestible and belongs to the old BRAT diet after diarrhoea; green bananas contain resistant starch.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 229

    Benzoin

    Styrax benzoin

    Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, astringent, antispasmodic.

    Chinese medical traditions+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 419

    Areca nut

    Areca catechu

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, astringent, expels tapeworm, laxative, carminative, aphrodisiac; against roundworms and tapeworms, strengthens the gums, for urinary complaints, heartburn during pregnancy, lumbago.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 447

    Bonduc nut

    Caesalpinia crista

    Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, antispasmodic, bitter tonic, expels worms, fever-reducing; for fever, intermittent fever, asthma, colic, swellings, bleeding, liver disorders, convulsions and nervous complaints.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 688

    Java brucea fruit (ya dan zi)

    Brucea javanica

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used for amoebic dysentery, malaria and externally for warts.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 428

    Star fruit

    Averrhoa carambola

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, cooling, antiscorbutic, antidysenteric; cooling thirst-quencher in fever, ripe fruit for bleeding (internal) haemorrhoids.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 355

    Chinese hibiscus

    Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: cares for the hair, promotes circulation in the scalp and reduces stress.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 221

    Lemon

    Citrus limon

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

    Ayurveda+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 381

    Lemongrass

    Cymbopogon citratus

    Traditionally attributed effects: for oily hair.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 471

    Crepe ginger

    Costus speciosus

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, stimulating, aids digestion, expels worms, cleansing, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory; for fever with catarrh, cough, indigestion, worms, skin diseases, snake bites.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 1

    Ginger

    Zingiber officinale

    Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 533

    Indian trumpet tree

    Oroxylum indicum

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, bitter tonic, stomachic, pain-relieving, induces sweating; for diarrhoea, dysentery, acute rheumatism, oedema, ear infection; young fruit carminative, seeds laxative.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 491

    Java plum

    Eugenia jambolana

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, diuretic, lowers blood sugar; seeds for diabetes, bark for chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, heavy menstruation, spongy gums, stomatitis; diarrhoea in children.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 38

    Cinnamon

    Cinnamomum verum

    A spice made from inner bark. Research on health effects is preliminary; cinnamon is not a treatment.

    Ayurveda+8Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 357

    Coconut

    Cocos nucifera

    Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, diuretic, antiseptic, laxative; root for uterine diseases, bronchitis, liver complaints, dysentery, sore throat (gargle); coconut water for thirst, fever, urinary complaints and vomiting; ash for scabies and toothache.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 920

    Kratom

    Mitragyna speciosa

    A tree of the coffee family up to twenty-five metres tall with large, glossy leaves. The leaves contain mitragynine and, in smaller amounts, 7-hydroxymitragynine, which act on the opioid receptors. For many people a little leaf is stimulating, more leaf sedating and pain-relieving.

  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 842

    Kukui (candlenut)

    Aleurites moluccanus

    A tree whose oil cares for the skin; the nuts are laxative.

    Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 5

    Turmeric

    Curcuma longa

    A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.

    Ayurveda+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 238

    Lime

    Citrus aurantiifolia

    A sour citrus fruit rich in vitamin C. The juice was given against scurvy and is used in Asia with honey or salt for coughs and sore throat.

    Jamu in Indonesia+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 348

    Gotu kola

    Centella asiatica

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, diuretic, locally stimulating, calming; for chronic ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, epilepsy, insanity, swollen glands, abscesses, chronic rheumatism, diarrhoea in children.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 248

    Mango

    Mangifera indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: cooling herb, prevents a burning feeling and keeps you cool in the heat; aids digestion; good for skin and hair.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 476

    Mango ginger

    Curcuma amada

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, cooling, aromatic, bitter, stomachic, astringent, lowers cholesterol; externally for bruises, sprains and skin diseases; purifies the blood.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 527

    Moringa

    Moringa oleifera

    Traditionally attributed effects: antispasmodic, stimulating, expectorant, diuretic, dissolves stones; leaves for scurvy and catarrh, flatulence in children, wounds and swellings; bark stimulates the heart in asthma and cough.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 425

    Jackfruit

    Artocarpus integrifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: ripe fruit soothing, nourishing, laxative; unripe fruit astringent; milky sap for swollen glands, abscesses and snake bites; root for diarrhoea; leaf and root for skin diseases.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Oceania · Food · № 50

    Noni

    Morinda citrifolia

    Traditionally used for colds, infections, fever, and stomach complaints. There is no good evidence of treatment effects.

    Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi+1
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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