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

Treatment by condition: Stomach ulcer and gastritis

Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 30
Cacao
Theobroma cacao
The seeds are the basis of cocoa and chocolate and contain theobromine and some caffeine. Health claims do not make cacao a treatment.
Maya healing knowledge+2
Caution
Asia · Food · № 16
Green tea
Camellia sinensis
A brewed tea. Evidence does not establish most health claims; extracts differ from the ordinary beverage.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
South America · Herb · № 163
Guarana
Paullinia cupana
The seeds contain about twice as much caffeine as coffee beans. Guarana is used in energy drinks and soft drinks; its stimulating effect comes from caffeine.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
Caution
South America · Herb · № 879
Guayusa
Ilex guayusa
A relative of yerba mate; the leaf contains a lot of caffeine and is stimulating.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
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 · Food · № 27
Kola nut
Cola nitida en Cola acuminata
Contains about 2–4% caffeine plus theobromine and acts as a stimulant. It is chewed both privately and in social and ceremonial settings.
Local African healing traditions+1
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
South America · Food · № 15
Yerba mate
Ilex paraguariensis
The leaves contain caffeine, theobromine and polyphenols; the drink is stimulating and dispels tiredness, like coffee or tea. It is a beverage and social drink, not a medicine.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
Caution
South America · Herb · № 980
Yoco
Paullinia yoco
A woody liana of the soapberry family, related to guarana. The bark contains caffeine and theobromine; 0.1 to 3.6 percent caffeine has been measured, most in the inner bark of the stem. It is one of the few plants whose bark, rather than its seed or leaf, gives a caffeine drink.
Kamëntšá and Inga medicine
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 · № 125
Chinese ephedra (ma huang)
Ephedra sinica
Contains ephedrine, which widens the airways and stimulates the nervous system and heart. It is the origin of modern ephedrine and pseudoephedrine medicines. As a supplement it has proved dangerous.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Africa · Food · № 383
Coffee
Coffea arabica
The beans contain caffeine, which increases alertness. Ground coffee is used in scrubs to exfoliate the skin; that caffeine reduces cellulite has not been shown.
Local African healing traditions

Featured · Central America and the Caribbean · Curanderismo

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

All preparations →

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.

All traditions →

113 recipes

Recipes

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

All recipes →

146 formulas

Chinese formulas

The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.

Treatment by condition →All formulas →