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

Caution
Europe · Herb · № 63
Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
One of the most bitter herbs; traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion and against intestinal worms. Clinical evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+5
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 116
Khella
Ammi visnaga
Contains khellin, a muscle relaxant that widens the airways and blood vessels. Khellin was the basis for modern drugs such as cromoglicate (for asthma) and amiodarone (for heart rhythm disorders).
Ancient Egyptian medicine+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 113
White horehound
Marrubium vulgare
A bitter herb traditionally used for coughs with sticky phlegm and bronchitis. In Europe it is recognised as a traditional herbal medicine; clinical evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 179
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Contains cardiac glycosides that slow the heart rate and strengthen its contractions. They gave rise to the drugs digoxin and digitoxin, still prescribed for certain heart rhythm disorders and heart failure. The margin between an effective and a toxic amount is very small.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 4
Aloe vera
Aloe vera
The gel from the leaf is used externally to soothe the skin and for minor burns. Research on wound healing gives mixed results; the gel is no substitute for wound care.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+6Folklore
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 450
Apple of Sodom
Calotropis procera
Traditionally attributed effects: root bark for dysentery and elephantiasis; leaves for intermittent fever; milky sap irritant and laxative; flowers for colds, cough, asthma and indigestion.
Local African healing traditions+2
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 413
Pellitory root
Anacyclus pyrethrum
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes salivation, strengthens the nerves; for toothache and caries, sore throat, tonsillitis, epilepsy, rheumatism.
Ayurveda+3
Caution
South America · Herb · № 911
Canchalagua
Schkuhria pinnata
A small, finely branched annual herb of the daisy family with tiny yellow flowers. It tastes bitter. There is laboratory research on compounds that act on blood sugar, but studies in people are lacking.
Curanderismo of northern Peru
Caution
North America · Herb · № 188
Maple
Acer spp.
Maple syrup is the boiled-down sap of the sugar maple. It consists mainly of sugar and some minerals, such as manganese; it is a sweetener, not a medicine.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 118
Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum
The seed has been studied for blood sugar and for increasing breast milk. NCCIH reports there is not enough strong evidence for these uses.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+5Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 104
Guelder rose
Viburnum opulus en V. prunifolium
The bark is traditionally used for muscle cramps and period pain; its English name is cramp bark. Clinical evidence is lacking.
Western herbal medicine+2
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
Europe · Herb · № 75
Cleavers
Galium aparine
Used in Western herbalism as a 'lymphatic' herb for swollen glands and skin conditions. Scientific evidence is lacking.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 464
Colocynth
Citrullus colocynthis
Traditionally attributed effects: drastically laxative and diuretic; in large doses emetic and highly irritant; for ascites, jaundice, urinary diseases, rheumatism, bile complaints, intestinal parasites, constipation, oedema; seed oil for snake and scorpion bites.
Ayurveda+3
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 102
Great mullein
Verbascum thapsus
Leaves and flowers contain mucilage and are traditionally used for irritating coughs and bronchitis; the flower oil for earache. Clinical evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+4
Caution
North America · Herb · № 192
Aspen
Populus tremuloides
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, fever-reducing, tonic, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving (salicylates); restores the sensitive bladder (incontinence), calms the bowels in stress diarrhoea, heals wounds, lowers fever, relieves headache.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 99
Red clover
Trifolium pratense
Contains isoflavones (plant oestrogens) and is sold for menopausal symptoms. NCCIH concludes there is no convincing evidence that it reduces hot flushes.
Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
Caution
Africa · Food · № 389
Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
A very juicy fruit that quenches thirst. Oil from the seeds is used in hair care. In Chinese medicine the fruit is considered cooling and diuretic.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 57
Agrimony
Agrimonia eupatoria
An astringent, tannin-rich herb traditionally used for diarrhoea, sore throats and minor wounds. Good human research is lacking.
Western herbal medicine+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 340
Ajwain
Trachyspermum ammi
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, tonic, aromatic, antispasmodic, antiseptic; for flatulence, indigestion, colic, diarrhoea, cholera, intestinal cramps; source of thymol; against worms.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 228
Anise
Pimpinella anisum
Traditionally attributed effects: gives a natural lip-plumping effect.
Unani medicine+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Food · № 296
Globe artichoke
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
Traditionally attributed effects: liver tonic and restorative, promotes bile.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Europe · Food · № 65
Asparagus
Asparagus officinalis en A. racemosus
A nutritious vegetable; root and shoots were traditionally used as a diuretic. There is no good evidence for a medicinal effect.
Greco-Roman medicine+2
Caution
Europe · Other · № 597
Usnea
Usnea barbata
Traditionally attributed effects: antimicrobial, antifungal, immunomodulating, soothing, laxative, nourishing; against streptococci (sore throat), staphylococci, cellulitis and infected wounds, antiviral (HPV), yeast infections.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 552
Country mallow
Sida cordifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, astringent, stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, soothing, diuretic; contains an ephedrine-like substance.
Ayurveda
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 93
Betony
Betonica officinalis (syn. Stachys officinalis)
Traditionally used for tension headaches and nervousness. Modern clinical research is lacking.
Greco-Roman medicine+3
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 354
Bhringraj
Eclipta prostrata
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the liver, decongestant, tonic, cleansing, antiviral; for enlarged liver and spleen, skin diseases, fever, oedema, rheumatism; hair oil for black and full hair; for swollen glands, elephantiasis, headache and toothache.
Ayurveda+1
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
Europe · Herb · № 513
Henbane
Hyoscyamus niger
Traditionally attributed effects: intoxicating, narcotic, pain-relieving, calming, antispasmodic, dilates the pupils.
Greco-Roman medicine+3
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 439
Blepharis
Blepharis edulis
Traditionally attributed effects: resolvent, diuretic, aphrodisiac, expectorant; for impotence, blood, chest, lung and liver diseases; leaves for fever, urinary discharge, leucoderma; root regulates menstruation.
Ayurveda+1
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 · № 353
Brahmi
Bacopa monnieri
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart and nerves, diuretic, mildly laxative, calming; for urinary retention with constipation, acute bronchitis and cough in children, exhaustion and nervous breakdown, hysteria, epilepsy, hoarseness.
Ayurveda
Caution
Europe · Food · № 48
Stinging nettle
Urtica dioica
A food and fiber plant with a long tradition in folk medicine. Medical claims are not established.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 225
Chicory
Cichorium intybus
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, laxative, tonic.
Western herbal medicine+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 289
Centaury
Centaurium erythraea
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, stimulates the liver.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 111
European goldenrod
Solidago virgaurea
In Europe it is used to flush the urinary tract in mild complaints and is listed in European herbal monographs as a traditional remedy. Clinical evidence is limited.
Western herbal 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.

From plant to use

Ways to prepare herbs

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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 →