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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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239 results

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Recipes
Spare rib soup with lotus root and four herbsHerbal honey for sore throat and cough
Chinese formulas
Xing su sanEr chen tangHuang lian jie du tangMa xing shi gan tangMa huang tangQing zao jiu fei tangZhi zi dou chi tangSheng mai sanShi quan da bu tangShi gao tangBai he gu jin tangYin qiao sanXiao qing long tangXiao chai hu tangSang ju yinXie bai sanMai men dong tangMai men dong yin ziBan xia hou po tangGe gen tangBa wei di huang wan (jin gui shen qi wan)Yue ju wan
Treatment by condition
Colds, cough and bronchitisAsthma and emphysemaFlu and pneumoniaTuberculosis
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 272

    Apricot

    Prunus armeniaca

    Traditionally attributed effects: cough-suppressing, astringent, antibacterial, pain-relieving, diuretic, anti-inflammatory; wild cherry suppresses cough.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 79

    Elecampane

    Inula helenium

    The root is traditionally used for productive coughs and bronchitis; it is rich in inulin. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4
  • Caution

    South America · Food · № 916

    Algarrobo (Peruvian mesquite)

    Neltuma pallida (syn. Prosopis pallida)

    A thorny tree of the pea family, related to mesquite, with sweet pods full of sugars. With its deep roots the tree holds the dry forest together.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 223

    Almond

    Prunus dulcis

    Traditionally attributed effects: sweet almond soothing, stimulating, nourishing, strengthens the nerves; bitter almond soothing, laxative, calming in cough.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 593

    Skunk cabbage

    Lysichiton americanus

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, stimulating, antispasmodic, induces sweating, expectorant; opens the lungs and reduces cough and bronchial spasms (acute asthma), ointment against ringworm, relieves muscle and joint pain.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 951

    American spikenard

    Aralia racemosa

    A tall perennial of the ivy family, related to ginseng, with a thick, aromatic root. Little studied.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 670

    Anemarrhena (zhi mu)

    Anemarrhena asphodeloides

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat in lungs and stomach and nourishes yin in fever, thirst and night sweats.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 450

    Apple of Sodom

    Calotropis procera

    Traditionally attributed effects: root bark for dysentery and elephantiasis; leaves for intermittent fever; milky sap irritant and laxative; flowers for colds, cough, asthma and indigestion.

    Local African healing traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 550

    Ashoka tree

    Saraca indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent, calms the uterus; for uterine disorders, especially heavy menstruation, internal bleeding, haemorrhoids, bloody dysentery; root aphrodisiac and tonic, for cough, asthma, rheumatism, skin diseases, indigestion.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 401

    Indian atees

    Aconitum heterophyllum

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, astringent, fever-reducing, stomachic, aphrodisiac; for weakness after fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, cough, indigestion; in children against cough, colds, fever and vomiting.

    Ayurveda+1
  • 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

    Africa · Herb · № 398

    Babul tree

    Acacia nilotica

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, soothing, aphrodisiac, nourishing, expectorant; for cough, diarrhoea and dysentery, sore throat and spongy gums, wounds and skin diseases, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, prolapse of anus and uterus.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+3
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 573

    Balsam fir

    Abies balsamea

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, antiseptic, pain-relieving; for respiratory infections, cough and sore throat, cystitis and enteritis, aid to quitting smoking; externally for burns, wounds, haemorrhoids, muscle pain.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 134

    Bamboo

    Phyllostachys nigra

    In Chinese medicine bamboo shavings (zhu ru) and bamboo sap are used for coughs with yellow phlegm, nausea and restlessness. Ayurveda uses silica-rich bamboo manna. Clinical research is scarce.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 496

    Banyan

    Ficus benghalensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cooling, stops bleeding, lowers blood sugar; leaves for diarrhoea and dysentery; milky sap externally for pain, bruises, ulcers, rheumatism, lumbago; bark for diabetes, gonorrhoea.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 431

    Porcupine flower

    Barleria prionitis

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, diuretic, tonic, fever-reducing; catarrh in children, prevents cracked feet, bleeding gums, toothache, ear infection, oedema, whooping cough, snake bites.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 563

    Bibhitaki

    Terminalia bellerica

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, expectorant, laxative (unripe fruit), cleansing.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 513

    Henbane

    Hyoscyamus niger

    Traditionally attributed effects: intoxicating, narcotic, pain-relieving, calming, antispasmodic, dilates the pupils.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 372

    Bloodroot

    Sanguinaria canadensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, emetic, expectorant, restorative; part of escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia, warms lungs/stomach/uterus, promotes coughing up.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 353

    Brahmi

    Bacopa monnieri

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart and nerves, diuretic, mildly laxative, calming; for urinary retention with constipation, acute bronchitis and cough in children, exhaustion and nervous breakdown, hysteria, epilepsy, hoarseness.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1003

    Calaguala

    Campyloneurum angustifolium (en verwante varens, o.a. Polypodium)

    A narrow-leaved fern that grows on trees and rocks. The rhizome has been traded as a medicine for centuries; good research on its effect in people is lacking.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 627

    California spikenard

    Aralia californica

    Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold and fever without sweating, warms the lung and stops cough with abundant white or clear phlegm, and (roasted with honey) strengthens the energy of lung and spleen.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 453

    Chaksu

    Cassia absus

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, lowers blood pressure; leaves for cough; seeds for ringworm, skin diseases, conjunctivitis and eye inflammation.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 894

    Chinchircuma

    Mutisia acuminata

    A climbing shrub with tendrils and striking orange-red flowers. Quercetin and arbutin are among the compounds found in it; its effect in people has not been studied.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 572

    Chinese jujube

    Zizyphus vulgaris

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, lowers blood sugar, soothing, soothing to the chest.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 768

    Polygala root (yuan zhi)

    Polygala tenuifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: calms the mind and clears phlegm from 'the openings of the heart' and from the lungs.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 471

    Crepe ginger

    Costus speciosus

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, stimulating, aids digestion, expels worms, cleansing, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory; for fever with catarrh, cough, indigestion, worms, skin diseases, snake bites.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 481

    Thorn apple

    Datura metel

    Traditionally attributed effects: narcotic, pain-relieving, antispasmodic (like belladonna); compress for rheumatic swellings, lumbago, sciatica, nerve pain, painful tumours; leaves and seeds for asthma and whooping cough; liniment for painful menstruation.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 105

    Heartsease

    Viola tricolor

    Traditionally used for skin conditions such as eczema and cradle cap, and for coughs. There is little clinical research.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 245

    Grape

    Vitis vinifera

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, laxative, cooling, stomachic, diuretic; for bilious indigestion, bleeding, painful urination, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, gout; juice for constipation in children.

    Folk magic and herbal magic+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 495

    Asafoetida

    Ferula foetida

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, mildly laxative, expels worms, promotes menstruation, stimulates nerves and lungs.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1006

    Escorzonera

    Perezia multiflora (en verwante soorten)

    A low, prickly herb with toothed leaves and yellow or white flower heads. Contains phenols, flavonoids and saponins; in the laboratory the leaf inhibits some bacteria. Research in people is limited.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 172

    Eucalyptus

    Eucalyptus globulus

    Eucalyptus oil is used for coughs and blocked noses with colds and externally for muscle pain; the European Medicines Agency recognises these as traditional uses. Strong clinical evidence is limited.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 649

    Glehnia root (sha shen)

    Glehnia littoralis

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the lungs and is good for the stomach; for persistent dry cough and to dissolve phlegm.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 343

    Pomegranate

    Punica granatum

    Traditionally attributed effects: root and stem bark astringent and strongly expel tapeworm; flowers and peel astringent and stomachic; juice cooling.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 170

    Gumweed

    Grindelia camporum

    The sticky herb was traditionally used for coughs, asthma and bronchitis, and externally for poison-ivy rashes. Clinical evidence is lacking.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
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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