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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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6 results

  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 843

    Kī (ti plant)

    Cordyline fruticosa

    A plant with large leaves, used in Hawaiʻi for fever and headache and to wrap food.

    Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 842

    Kukui (candlenut)

    Aleurites moluccanus

    A tree whose oil cares for the skin; the nuts are laxative.

    Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi+1
  • Caution

    Oceania · Food · № 50

    Noni

    Morinda citrifolia

    Traditionally used for colds, infections, fever, and stomach complaints. There is no good evidence of treatment effects.

    Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi+1
  • Caution

    Oceania · Other · № 55

    Tamanu oil

    Calophyllum inophyllum

    An oil used mainly in skin care; medical claims are not established.

    Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 183

    Coca

    Erythroxylum coca

    The leaf contains a small amount of cocaine and other alkaloids. Chewing it or drinking it as tea is used in the Andes against hunger, fatigue and altitude sickness; evidence for the latter is limited. Cocaine, the first local anaesthetic and today mainly an addictive drug, was isolated from the leaf.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
  • Caution

    North America · Food · № 965

    Wild rice

    Zizania palustris (en Z. aquatica)

    An aquatic grass, not true rice. The long, dark grain contains more protein and fibre than white rice.

    Anishinaabe 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.

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