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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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67 results

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Saenggang-cha, Korean ginger tea
Chinese formulas
Huo xiang zheng qi san
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 681

    Korean ash bark (qin pi)

    Fraxinus chinensis subsp. rhynchophylla

    Traditionally attributed effects: for diarrhoea and dysentery from damp heat, red eyes and cough with heat.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 725

    Korean mint (huo xiang)

    Agastache rugosa (ook Pogostemon cablin)

    Traditionally attributed effects: transforms dampness blocking spleen and stomach and curbs nausea, also in summer colds.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 36

    Asian ginseng

    Panax ginseng (ook P. quinquefolius)

    Research consists mostly of small, short studies; there is little evidence of health effects.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 64

    Mugwort

    Artemisia vulgaris

    Traditionally used as a digestive bitter and to bring on delayed periods. Clinical evidence is largely lacking.

    Anglo-Saxon medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 127

    Japanese honeysuckle

    Lonicera japonica en L. periclymenum

    The flower buds (jin yin hua) are an important 'cooling' herb in Chinese medicine for fever, sore throats and colds. There is plenty of laboratory research but few good clinical studies.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Mushroom · № 145

    Shiitake

    Lentinula edodes

    An edible mushroom. Lentinan from shiitake is researched and used in oncology in Japan; there is little evidence for ordinary shiitake as an 'immune booster'.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 149

    Astragalus (huang qi)

    Astragalus membranaceus

    In Chinese medicine an important strengthening herb ('qi tonic') for fatigue, catching colds easily and sweating. NCCIH notes there is little reliable human research.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 677

    Baikal skullcap (huang qin)

    Scutellaria baicalensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools and dries damp heat, especially in the lungs and upper body; calms a restless foetus from heat.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 310

    Balloon flower

    Platycodon grandiflorus

    Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, antifungal, antibacterial, lowers blood sugar.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 379

    Camellia

    Camellia japonica / C. oleifera

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing oil that does not feel greasy.

    Chinese medical traditions+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 290

    Bupleurum (chai hu)

    Bupleurum chinense

    Traditionally attributed effects: energy tonic, stimulates the liver, cooling, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, promotes bile, lowers cholesterol.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · 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
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 642

    Chinese asparagus root (tian men dong)

    Asparagus cochinchinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: moistening; for recovery after illness or surgery, chronically dry skin and for the production of sex hormones.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 738

    Chinese mugwort (ai ye)

    Artemisia argyi

    Traditionally attributed effects: warms the meridians and uterus, stops bleeding from cold and relieves pain; the herb of moxa.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 636

    Jujube (red date)

    Ziziphus jujuba

    Traditionally attributed effects: sweet and strengthening in fatigue, anaemia and low energy; builds strength and blood and softens herbal dishes.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 120

    Dong quai (dang gui)

    Angelica sinensis

    In Chinese medicine one of the most important herbs to 'nourish the blood', especially for menstrual complaints. Western studies found no clear effect on menopausal symptoms.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 643

    Chinese raspberry (fu pen zi)

    Rubus chingii

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidneys and liver; for poor vision, frequent urination and impotence.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 304

    Chinese goldthread (huang lian)

    Coptis chinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, antibacterial, pain-relieving, calming, anti-inflammatory.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 572

    Chinese jujube

    Zizyphus vulgaris

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, lowers blood sugar, soothing, soothing to the chest.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 802

    Chinese chestnut

    Castanea mollissima

    Traditionally attributed effects: dried, peeled chestnuts give sweet soups such as the eight-treasure soup their sweetness; in Chinese food therapy they strengthen spleen and kidneys.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 768

    Polygala root (yuan zhi)

    Polygala tenuifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: calms the mind and clears phlegm from 'the openings of the heart' and from the lungs.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 635

    Chinese yam (shan yao)

    Dioscorea polystachya (syn. D. opposita)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens spleen, stomach and lungs, helps regulate the hormone system in women and is said to lower blood sugar.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 124

    Chrysanthemum (ju hua)

    Chrysanthemum × morifolium

    The flowers (ju hua) are used in Chinese medicine as a 'cooling' remedy for colds with fever, headaches and tired, red eyes. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 639

    Codonopsis (dang shen)

    Codonopsis pilosula

    Traditionally attributed effects: reduces fatigue, supports the production of blood cells and strengthens spleen, stomach and lungs.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 659

    Dahurian angelica (bai zhi)

    Angelica dahurica

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-cold, opens the nose and relieves headache and toothache; helps drain pus.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 751

    Eucommia bark (du zhong)

    Eucommia ulmoides

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens liver and kidneys, tendons and bones; calms rising liver yang and a restless foetus.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 1

    Ginger

    Zingiber officinale

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

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 269

    Barley

    Hordeum vulgare

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, light; good for skin and hair.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 637

    Goji (Chinese wolfberry)

    Lycium barbarum, L. chinense

    Traditionally attributed effects: sweet tonic that according to tradition strengthens the yang energy, strength and stamina and supports the hormone system.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 16

    Green tea

    Camellia sinensis

    A brewed tea. Evidence does not establish most health claims; extracts differ from the ordinary beverage.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 62

    Greater burdock

    Arctium lappa

    In Europe the root was considered a 'blood-cleansing' herb for skin problems such as eczema and acne; the seed is used in Chinese medicine for sore throats. Clinical evidence is weak.

    Western herbal medicine+5
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 764

    Japanese apricot (wu mei)

    Prunus mume

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent in chronic cough and diarrhoea, replenishes body fluids and was used against worms.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 302

    Japanese pagoda tree (huai jiao)

    Styphnolobium japonicum (syn. Sophora japonica)

    Traditionally attributed effects: stops bleeding, laxative.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 322

    Asiatic dogwood fruit (shan zhu yu)

    Cornus officinalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, diuretic, lowers blood pressure, antimicrobial.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 723

    Loquat leaf (pi pa ye)

    Eriobotrya japonica

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools hot phlegm in the lungs and makes rebellious lung and stomach energy descend.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 785

    Bush cherry pit (yu li ren)

    Prunus japonica

    Traditionally attributed effects: moistens the bowel in constipation with stagnation and promotes urination in oedema.

    Chinese medical traditions+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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