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

Also found

Recipes: Pigeon stew with Chinese yam and goji Hupa acorn soup

Caution
Europe · Food · № 48
Stinging nettle
Urtica dioica
A food and fiber plant with a long tradition in folk medicine. Medical claims are not established.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
South America · Food · № 32
Maca
Lepidium meyenii
A root crop eaten as food. Claims about fertility and energy are unproven.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
Caution
Europe · Food · № 21
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 523
Corn mint
Mentha arvensis
Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, carminative, stimulating, antispasmodic, promotes menstruation, antiseptic, stomachic, cooling, diuretic; leaf juice for diarrhoea and dysentery, tea for rheumatism and indigestion.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Europe · Food · № 84
Apple
Malus domestica
A fruit rich in fibre such as pectin; grated apple is an old home remedy for mild diarrhoea. No specific medicinal effect has been proven.
Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
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
Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 166
Avocado
Persea americana
A fruit rich in monounsaturated fats, fibre and potassium; it fits a diet that is favourable for cholesterol. Avocado oil is used in skin care.
Maya healing knowledge+4Folklore
Caution
South America · Herb · № 901
Ayahuasca
Banisteriopsis caapi
A giant liana up to thirty metres long. The stem contains harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, which inhibit the enzyme MAO. This makes the DMT from plants such as chacruna active by mouth. The drink brings visions, and usually vomiting and diarrhoea, which the tradition regards as cleansing.
Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+3
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 8
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 265
Beans
Phaseolus vulgaris
A legume rich in protein and fibre. Raw or undercooked beans contain the toxic phytohaemagglutinin; thorough cooking is needed. Beans are otherwise mainly food, not medicine.
Maya healing knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 379
Camellia
Camellia japonica / C. oleifera
Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing oil that does not feel greasy.
Chinese medical traditions+1Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 641
Chinese dodder (tu si zi)
Cuscuta chinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: a remedy for male infertility and urinary complaints; a tonic that strengthens bones and tendons, soothes lower back pain and balances the female reproductive system.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 243
Tarragon
Artemisia dracunculus
A culinary herb with an aniseed-like taste. The fresh leaf slightly numbs the tongue and was formerly chewed for toothache and used to stimulate the appetite. It contains estragole; large amounts are not recommended.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
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 · 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 · Herb · № 1
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.
Ayurveda+6Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 637
Goji (Chinese wolfberry)
Lycium barbarum, L. chinense
Traditionally attributed effects: sweet tonic that according to tradition strengthens the yang energy, strength and stamina and supports the hormone system.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 461
Indian bay leaf
Cinnamomum tamala
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, stimulating, diuretic and sudorific, decongestant, promotes milk flow; for lack of appetite, bladder complaints, dry mouth, colds, diarrhoea, nausea, indigestion, flatulence, vomiting.
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
Europe · Herb · № 207
Corn poppy
Papaver rhoeas
Traditionally attributed effects: mildly narcotic in large amounts; Papaver somniferum (source of opium) is poisonous.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 758
Garlic chives (jiu zi)
Allium tuberosum
Traditionally attributed effects: the seed strengthens kidney yang and warms stomach and spleen.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 231
Coriander
Coriandrum sativum
Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, stimulating, carminative, stomachic, cooling, tonic, diuretic; for flatulence, colic, rheumatism, nerve pain, sore throat, indigestion, vomiting, colds, bile complaints.
Greco-Roman medicine+5Folklore
Caution
Asia · Food · № 42
Clove
Syzygium aromaticum
A spice. Clove oil containing eugenol may help with toothache; other claims are unproven.
Ayurveda+5Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 136
Kudzu
Pueraria montana var. lobata
The root (ge gen) is used in Chinese medicine for fever, stiff neck and thirst. Small studies have looked at kudzu for reducing alcohol use, with mixed results.
Chinese medical traditions+3
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
Asia · Herb · № 655
Magnolia flower bud (xin yi hua)
Magnolia biondii (syn. M. liliflora)
Traditionally attributed effects: warms and opens the nose in blocked sinuses and headache from wind-cold.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 341
Brown mustard
Brassica juncea
Traditionally attributed effects: plant bitter, mildly laxative, tonic; oil stimulating and skin-irritant, antiseptic; for chest complaints in children, muscular rheumatism, stiff neck, inflammation and nerve pain, abdominal cramps, persistent vomiting.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 129
Nutmeg
Myristica fragrans
A spice used in small amounts in Ayurveda and Arabic medicine for diarrhoea, nausea and insomnia. There is no good clinical evidence.
Ayurveda+6Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 89
Rose and rose hip
Rosa spp.
Rose hips are rich in vitamin C; a hip powder has been studied for osteoarthritis with modest results. Rose water and oil are used in skin care and as fragrance.
Avicenna's Canon in European universities+6Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 2
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)
An aromatic culinary herb with carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. A few small studies point to a slight effect of the scent on alertness; that it improves memory has not been shown. The leaf is used for digestive complaints.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
Caution
Africa · Other · № 385
Shea
Vitellaria paradoxa
Shea butter softens dry skin and protects hair; it is also an important cooking fat. Medical claims are not well studied.
Local African healing traditions
Caution
Asia · Mushroom · № 145
Shiitake
Lentinula edodes
An edible mushroom. Lentinan from shiitake is researched and used in oncology in Japan; there is little evidence for ordinary shiitake as an 'immune booster'.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
Asia · Food · № 390
Soy
Glycine max
Traditionally attributed effects: base for a gentle cleanser.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Europe · Food · № 833
Spelt
Triticum spelta
A grain for bread and porridge; nutritionally similar to wheat.
Hildegard of Bingen
Caution
Europe · Food · № 654
Watercress
Nasturtium officinale
Traditionally attributed effects: rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene and vitamin E; used to support detoxification, cool body heat and support the lungs.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 838
Wild thyme
Thymus serpyllum
An aromatic herb traditionally used for coughs and digestive complaints.
Hildegard of Bingen

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.

From plant to use

Ways to prepare herbs

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Traditions, kitchen and classical formulas

43 traditions

Cultures & traditions

How communities built up and passed on their knowledge of plants, region by region.

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113 recipes

Recipes

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

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146 formulas

Chinese formulas

The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.

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