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

Also found

Recipes: Maqui drink

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 · № 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 · № 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 · № 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 · № 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 · № 863
Maillico
Caltha sagittata
A low plant of the buttercup family with arrow-shaped leaves and cream-white flowers. Related to the marsh marigold; its compounds and effects have not been studied.
Mapuche medicine
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 · № 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 · № 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 · № 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 · № 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 · № 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 · № 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
South America · Herb · № 282
Boldo
Peumus boldus
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulates the liver, diuretic.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
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
Europe · Herb · № 86
Greater plantain
Plantago major
The leaf is traditionally bruised and applied to insect bites, small wounds and grazes, and taken as tea for coughs. Clinical evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+9Folklore
Caution
South America · Herb · № 324
Soap bark
Quillaja saponaria
Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, cleansing, anti-inflammatory.
Mapuche medicine+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.

From plant to use

Ways to prepare herbs

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Discover more

Traditions, kitchen and classical formulas

43 traditions

Cultures & traditions

How communities built up and passed on their knowledge of plants, region by region.

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113 recipes

Recipes

Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play a leading role.

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146 formulas

Chinese formulas

The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.

Treatment by condition →All formulas →