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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

    South America · Herb · № 901

    Ayahuasca

    Banisteriopsis caapi

    A giant liana up to thirty metres long. The stem contains harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, which inhibit the enzyme MAO. This makes the DMT from plants such as chacruna active by mouth. The drink brings visions, and usually vomiting and diarrhoea, which the tradition regards as cleansing.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+3
  • 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 · № 902

    Chacruna

    Psychotria viridis

    A shrub of the coffee family up to five metres tall. The leaves contain DMT, a short-acting, powerfully mind-altering substance that only works by mouth together with an MAO inhibitor such as ayahuasca.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 125

    Chinese ephedra (ma huang)

    Ephedra sinica

    Contains ephedrine, which widens the airways and stimulates the nervous system and heart. It is the origin of modern ephedrine and pseudoephedrine medicines. As a supplement it has proved dangerous.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 908

    Epena (virola)

    Virola theiodora (en verwante Virola-soorten)

    A tree of the nutmeg family with blood-red resin in its bark. The resin contains a lot of 5-MeO-DMT and DMT, and also beta-carbolines. As snuff it brings excitement, numb limbs, nausea and visions within minutes.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+1
  • Caution

    Africa · 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
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 925

    Jurema

    Mimosa tenuiflora (syn. Mimosa hostilis)

    A thorny tree or shrub of the pea family with feathery leaves and white, fragrant flower spikes. The root bark contains much DMT. Taken by mouth, DMT normally does not work without an MAO inhibitor; why the jurema drink is still said to work is not clear.

  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 629

    Mormon tea

    Ephedra viridis, E. nevadensis, E. californica

    Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold with sneezing and a watery nose, mildly eases wheezing and promotes urination.

    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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