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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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124 results

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Chinese formulas
Si ni tangHuo xiang zheng qi sanYi gan sanYin chen hao tangGui zhi long gu mu li tangBao he wanDang gui shao yao sanJiao ai tangDang gui long hui wanWu pi yinSi jun zi tangShen ling bai zhu sanLi zhong wanXuan fu dai zhe tangPing wei sanWei ling tangDa chai hu tangDa cheng qi tangXiao jian zhong tangTao he cheng qi tangBan xia xie xin tangGe xia zhu yu tangDa huang mu dan pi tangLiu jun zi tang+3
Treatment by condition
Stomach ulcer and gastritisUlcerative colitisHepatitis
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 805

    African cherry (pygeum)

    Prunus africana

    A bark extract is used in Europe for benign prostate enlargement; the evidence is limited.

    Local African healing traditions
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 347

    Mexican marigold

    Tagetes erecta

    Traditionally attributed effects: curbs sebum in oily skin, calms and prevents dehydration in dry skin, hydrates and keeps wrinkles at bay in combination skin; spiritual symbol of inner fire.

    Curanderismo+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 418

    Agarwood

    Aquilaria agallocha

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, strengthens the heart, tonic, carminative, promotes bile; for skin diseases, gout and rheumatism, vomiting, snake bites, pain from wounds, bronchitis in children, headache, dizziness.

    Ayurveda+3
  • 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 · № 754

    Sharp-leaf galangal fruit (yi zhi ren)

    Alpinia oxyphylla

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang and holds in urine and semen; warms the spleen in diarrhoea and drooling.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 896

    Altamisa

    Ambrosia peruviana

    An aromatic, hairy ragweed. In its native range it is used as a painkilling, anti-inflammatory, deworming and antiseptic remedy; good research is lacking.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 743

    Sweetgum fruit (lu lu tong)

    Liquidambar formosana

    Traditionally attributed effects: lets qi and blood flow and opens the meridians.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 628

    North American wild ginger

    Asarum caudatum, A. canadense en verwante soorten

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-cold, opens a blocked nose, warms the lung in cough with clear phlegm and expels cold and dampness in menstrual pain and other pain.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+4
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 492

    Ayapana

    Eupatorium triplinerve

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, tonic, stimulates the heart, induces sweating, stops bleeding; bitter tonic for indigestion, cough and fever, against scurvy; cleanses foul ulcers.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 229

    Benzoin

    Styrax benzoin

    Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, astringent, antispasmodic.

    Chinese medical traditions+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 419

    Areca nut

    Areca catechu

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, astringent, expels tapeworm, laxative, carminative, aphrodisiac; against roundworms and tapeworms, strengthens the gums, for urinary complaints, heartburn during pregnancy, lumbago.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 123

    Bitter orange

    Citrus × aurantium

    The dried unripe fruit (zhi shi) and peel are used in Chinese medicine for bloating and sluggish digestion. NCCIH warns that weight-loss products containing bitter orange (synephrine) pose risks to the heart and blood pressure.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • 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

    North America · Herb · № 978

    California bay laurel

    Umbellularia californica

    An evergreen tree of the laurel family with strongly scented leaves. The leaf contains umbellulone, which causes headache when inhaled and is poisonous in large amounts.

    Hupa medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 959

    Horseweed

    Erigeron canadensis (syn. Conyza canadensis)

    An annual of the daisy family with an upright, hairy stem and countless small white flower heads. Contains volatile oil, tannins and flavonoids; the oil was once used as 'oil of erigeron' for bleeding and diarrhoea.

    Lakota medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 120

    Dong quai (dang gui)

    Angelica sinensis

    In Chinese medicine one of the most important herbs to 'nourish the blood', especially for menstrual complaints. Western studies found no clear effect on menopausal symptoms.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 740

    Corydalis (yan hu suo)

    Corydalis yanhusuo

    Traditionally attributed effects: moves blood and qi and is an important pain-relieving herb.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 729

    Chinese cardamom (sha ren)

    Amomum villosum (en A. kravanh)

    Traditionally attributed effects: warms the spleen, transforms dampness, calms a restless foetus and prevents tonics from lying heavy on the stomach.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 660

    Chinese lovage root (gao ben)

    Ligusticum sinense

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-cold and relieves above all headache at the crown, toothache and rheumatic pain.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 137

    Chinese rhubarb

    Rheum palmatum

    The root (da huang) contains anthraquinones, making it a strong laxative. In small amounts its tannins have the opposite, binding effect. Its mechanism is well understood.

    Chinese medical traditions+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 741

    Chinese bugleweed (ze lan)

    Lycopus lucidus

    Traditionally attributed effects: moves the blood and regulates menstruation; diuretic.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 635

    Chinese yam (shan yao)

    Dioscorea polystachya (syn. D. opposita)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens spleen, stomach and lungs, helps regulate the hormone system in women and is said to lower blood sugar.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 381

    Lemongrass

    Cymbopogon citratus

    Traditionally attributed effects: for oily hair.

    Ayurveda+3
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 731

    Costus root (mu xiang)

    Dolomiaea costus (syn. Saussurea lappa, Aucklandia lappa)

    Traditionally attributed effects: moves the qi in spleen, stomach, intestine, liver and gallbladder; helps digest tonics.

    Ayurveda+3
  • 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

    North America · Herb · № 14

    Echinacea

    Echinacea purpurea

    Studied for colds and respiratory infections. It may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold; effects on duration and other conditions are uncertain.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+5Folklore
  • 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

    Asia · Food · № 260

    Peas

    Pisum sativum

    A legume rich in protein and fibre. In Chinese medicine (wan dou) the pea is regarded as a mild remedy for the spleen and for mild diarrhoea.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 820

    Estafiate (white sagebrush)

    Artemisia ludoviciana

    A bitter, aromatic herb used in Mexico for stomach ache and digestive complaints.

    Curanderismo+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 119

    Galangal

    Alpinia galanga

    A relative of ginger traditionally used for nausea, wind and sluggish digestion. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Ayurveda+6
  • Caution

    Asia · Other · № 789

    Medicated leaven (shen qu)

    Massa medicata fermentata

    Traditionally attributed effects: helps with food stagnation and poor digestion.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 76

    Great yellow gentian

    Gentiana lutea

    The root is one of the most bitter substances known and has long been used to stimulate appetite and digestion. Studies are small.

    Greco-Roman medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 1

    Ginger

    Zingiber officinale

    Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 700

    Genkwa flower (yuan hua)

    Daphne genkwa

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used as a strong fluid-draining remedy in chronic fluid accumulation in chest and abdomen.

    Chinese medical traditions
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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