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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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19 results

  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 144

    Guduchi (giloy)

    Tinospora cordifolia

    In Ayurveda a rejuvenating remedy (rasayana) for fevers and the immune system. Studies are small; it has no proven effect against infections.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 38

    Cinnamon

    Cinnamomum verum

    A spice made from inner bark. Research on health effects is preliminary; cinnamon is not a treatment.

    Ayurveda+8Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 122

    Shatavari

    Asparagus racemosus

    In Ayurveda an important rejuvenating remedy for women, used for breastfeeding and stomach complaints. Studies are small and of variable quality.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 405

    Sage-leaved alangium

    Alangium salviifolium

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, laxative, emetic, diuretic; antidote in poisoning, for diarrhoea, leprosy and skin diseases, dog bites, worms, acute rheumatism.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 414

    King of bitters

    Andrographis paniculata

    Traditionally attributed effects: stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, cleansing, expels worms, promotes bile; for flatulence, lack of appetite, intestinal complaints in children, diarrhoea, dysentery, sluggish liver, nerve pain, recovery after fever.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 511

    Chaulmoogra

    Hydnocarpus laurifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, stimulating, inhibits bacterial growth; chaulmoogra oil for leprosy (reduces nodules and skin lesions) and skin diseases.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 344

    Cardamom

    Elettaria cardamomum

    Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, pungent, strengthens the heart, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, carminative; for asthma, bronchitis, haemorrhoids, bladder complaints, flatulence, cramps from laxatives, dizziness, indigestion, vomiting.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 506

    Gymnema

    Gymnema sylvestre

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, tonic, cooling, diuretic, lowers blood sugar (suppresses sweet taste); for diabetes and sugar in the urine, snake bites, fever, cough, swollen glands.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 524

    Ceylon ironwood

    Mesua ferrea

    Traditionally attributed effects: blossoms, root and bark bitter, aromatic, induce sweating; dried flowers astringent, stomachic, carminative; for heavy colds, gastritis, bronchitis, vomiting, dysentery, thirst, excessive sweating, bleeding haemorrhoids.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 501

    Indian gamboge

    Garcinia morella

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, expels worms, wound-healing; for oedema, absent menstruation, stubborn constipation, worms.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 543

    Indian kino

    Pterocarpus marsupium

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, cleansing, lowers blood sugar; kino for diarrhoea and toothache; bark for diarrhoea and diabetes; leaves on boils, ulcers and skin diseases.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 423

    Indian birthwort

    Aristolochia indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, stimulating, promotes menstruation, antidote, anti-arthritic; against snake, insect and scorpion bites, intestinal complaints in children, cholera, diarrhoea, intermittent fever.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 508

    Indian sarsaparilla

    Hemidesmus indicus

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, soothing, induces sweating and urination, purifies the blood; for lack of appetite, indigestion, fever, skin diseases, syphilis, leucorrhoea, urogenital diseases, chronic cough, rheumatic joints.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 342

    Curry leaves

    Murraya koenigii

    Traditionally attributed effects: neither warming nor cooling; stimulates appetite and aids digestion without overheating; good for skin and hair.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 520

    Mahua

    Madhuca longifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: flowers cooling, soothing, expectorant, tonic, nourishing; bark astringent and tonic; for diabetes and rheumatism, bleeding gums, tonsil and throat inflammation, itching, bronchitis, cough, haemorrhoids.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 348

    Gotu kola

    Centella asiatica

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, diuretic, locally stimulating, calming; for chronic ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, epilepsy, insanity, swollen glands, abscesses, chronic rheumatism, diarrhoea in children.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 181

    Indian snakeroot

    Rauvolfia serpentina

    The root contains reserpine, which lowers blood pressure and has a sedative effect. In the 1950s reserpine was one of the first modern antihypertensives and antipsychotics, but it has largely been replaced by drugs with fewer side effects.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 517

    Wild tobacco

    Lobelia nicotianaefolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, antifungal, antispasmodic (in combination with other remedies).

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 459

    Wild black cumin

    Centratherum anthelminticum

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms (threadworms), tonic, stomachic, diuretic; for skin diseases and scorpion stings.

    Ayurveda
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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