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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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64 results

  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 812

    African potato

    Hypoxis hemerocallidea

    A corm widely traded as a tonic. The evidence for its effects is weak.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 29

    Umckaloabo (African geranium)

    Pelargonium sidoides

    Root extract is sold for respiratory complaints. A Cochrane review found little to no evidence of benefit for acute bronchitis, colds, or sinusitis.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 810

    African wormwood

    Artemisia afra

    A bitter, aromatic herb widely used in southern Africa for coughs, colds, fever and flu.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 26

    Buchu

    Agathosma betulina

    Fragrant leaves used as a flavoring and in folk medicine; clinical evidence for treatment is lacking.

    Local African healing traditions+3
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 811

    Cancer bush (sutherlandia)

    Lessertia frutescens (syn. Sutherlandia frutescens)

    A shrub used as a tonic and for a range of complaints. Claims against cancer or HIV are unproven.

    Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 813

    Pepper-bark tree

    Warburgia salutaris

    A tree with a peppery, pungent bark, traditionally used for colds, coughs and mouth complaints.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 11

    Rooibos

    Aspalathus linearis

    A caffeine-free herbal infusion used as a beverage; it is not an established treatment.

    Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 921

    Wild dagga

    Leonotis leonurus

    A shrub of the mint family, two to three metres tall, with orange, tubular flowers in whorls around the square stems. Contains marrubiin and leonurine, as well as labdane compounds. Considered mildly calming; which substance causes the effect is not yet clear.

    Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos+1
  • 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 · № 371

    Gum arabic (acacia)

    Acacia senegal

    A soluble fibre that forms a mucilaginous solution in water. It soothes the throat and stomach and is being studied as a prebiotic; it can cause wind and bloating. There is no evidence that it treats viral infections such as HPV.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+2
  • Caution

    Africa · Other · № 387

    Argan

    Argania spinosa

    The oil from the kernels is used for skin and hair and, roasted, as a cooking oil. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E; claims about skin ageing are not well studied.

    Local African healing traditions
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 422

    Worm killer

    Aristolochia bracteata

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, promotes menstruation, cleansing, antipyretic, expels worms; strengthens contractions, for colic, absent or painful menstruation, intermittent fever, worms, skin diseases.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 398

    Babul tree

    Acacia nilotica

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, soothing, aphrodisiac, nourishing, expectorant; for cough, diarrhoea and dysentery, sore throat and spongy gums, wounds and skin diseases, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, prolapse of anus and uterus.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+3
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 8

    Basil

    Ocimum basilicum

    Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 24

    Devil's claw

    Harpagophytum procumbens

    The tuberous roots are used in folk medicine for pain. Research suggests a possible limited effect on low back pain; the evidence is of moderate quality at best.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 360

    Bottle gourd

    Lagenaria siceraria

    Young fruits are eaten as a mild, easily digestible vegetable. Medical claims, for example about the heart or peace of mind, have not been studied.

    Local African healing traditions+2
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 899

    Prickly sow-thistle

    Sonchus asper

    An annual or biennial plant with spiny, blue-green leaves, yellow dandelion-like flowers and milky sap in the stem. The leaves are edible and nutritious.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 480

    Bermuda grass

    Cynodon dactylon

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, astringent, diuretic, stops bleeding, mildly laxative; for oedema, blood in the urine, vomiting, chronic diarrhoea, hysteria, bleeding haemorrhoids, bladder irritation, bladder stones, gout and rheumatism.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 807

    Honeybush

    Cyclopia intermedia

    A caffeine-free, sweetish tea related to rooibos. Health effects have not been established.

    Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 808

    Hoodia

    Hoodia gordonii

    A succulent whose stem the San chewed against hunger and thirst. Not proven as a slimming aid.

    Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 504

    Levant cotton

    Gossypium herbaceum

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, laxative, expectorant, aphrodisiac, promotes milk flow, promotes menstruation; seeds for intermittent fever and dysentery; oil for rheumatism, freckles, herpes, scabies, wounds, nerve pain; compress on bruises and burns.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 809

    Kanna

    Sceletium tortuosum

    A succulent that was chewed to lift the mood and reduce hunger and thirst. Contains the alkaloid mesembrine.

    Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 337

    Nut grass

    Cyperus rotundus

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, pain-relieving, antispasmodic for the uterus, promotes the flow of qi.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+4
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 201

    Rose geranium

    Pelargonium graveolens

    Traditionally attributed effects: antidepressant, pain-relieving, diuretic, calming, tonic.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 356

    Sesame

    Sesamum indicum

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, softens the skin, diuretic, promotes menstruation and milk flow, laxative; leaves for respiratory complaints, diarrhoea and dysentery in children, bladder catarrh; seeds for bleeding haemorrhoids, absent or painful menstruation.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 549

    Toothbrush tree

    Salvadora persica

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, diuretic, decongestant; leaves for rheumatism, scurvy, painful tumours, haemorrhoids, asthma and cough; flower oil for flatulence, mucus, worms, leprosy, gonorrhoea, headache and rheumatic pain.

    Local African healing traditions+2
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 467

    Ivy gourd

    Coccinia indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, laxative (bark), antispasmodic and expectorant (leaf and stem), lowers blood sugar; for incipient diabetes, swollen glands, skin diseases, smallpox rash, gonorrhoea, bronchitis.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 429

    Desert date

    Balanites aegyptiaca

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms; seeds for cough and colic, oil on burns and freckles, seed extract lowers blood pressure.

    Ancient Egyptian 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 · № 552

    Country mallow

    Sida cordifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, astringent, stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, soothing, diuretic; contains an ephedrine-like substance.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 431

    Porcupine flower

    Barleria prionitis

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, diuretic, tonic, fever-reducing; catarrh in children, prevents cracked feet, bleeding gums, toothache, ear infection, oedema, whooping cough, snake bites.

    Ayurveda
  • 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

    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
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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