Skip to content
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

Search by concern or tag

189 results

Also found

Chinese formulas
Huo xiang zheng qi sanChai hu gui zhi tangBao he wanLong gu mu li tangSi jun zi tangShen ling bai zhu sanLi zhong wanPing wei sanWei ling tangGe xia zhu yu tangYue ju wan
Treatment by condition
IndigestionHepatitisLupus (SLE)Eczema, dermatitis, itching, acne, erysipelas and psoriasis
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 57

    Agrimony

    Agrimonia eupatoria

    An astringent, tannin-rich herb traditionally used for diarrhoea, sore throats and minor wounds. Good human research is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+2
  • 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

    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

    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

    Europe · Herb · № 63

    Wormwood

    Artemisia absinthium

    One of the most bitter herbs; traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion and against intestinal worms. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Greco-Roman medicine+5
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 414

    King of bitters

    Andrographis paniculata

    Traditionally attributed effects: stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, cleansing, expels worms, promotes bile; for flatulence, lack of appetite, intestinal complaints in children, diarrhoea, dysentery, sluggish liver, nerve pain, recovery after fever.

    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 · Herb · № 371

    Gum arabic (acacia)

    Acacia senegal

    A soluble fibre that forms a mucilaginous solution in water. It soothes the throat and stomach and is being studied as a prebiotic; it can cause wind and bloating. There is no evidence that it treats viral infections such as HPV.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+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

    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 · № 404

    Bael fruit

    Aegle marmelos

    Traditionally attributed effects: ripe fruit cooling, nourishing, mildly laxative; unripe fruit astringent and aids digestion; for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, asthma (leaves), intermittent fever, melancholy and palpitations.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 869

    Bailahuén

    Haplopappus baylahuen

    A resinous shrub of the daisy family. A well-known Chilean tea for liver and bowel complaints; an effect has not been proven.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 8

    Basil

    Ocimum basilicum

    Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 551

    Marking nut

    Semecarpus anacardium

    Traditionally attributed effects: pungent, stimulating, aids digestion, antispasmodic, cleansing, strengthens the nerves, caustic, strengthens the heart; for leprosy, scrofula, syphilis, skin diseases, epilepsy, nervous weakness, nerve pain, asthma, indigestion, haemorrhoids, enlarged spleen.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 64

    Mugwort

    Artemisia vulgaris

    Traditionally used as a digestive bitter and to bring on delayed periods. Clinical evidence is largely lacking.

    Anglo-Saxon medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 278

    Bitter candytuft

    Iberis amara

    Traditionally attributed effects: antispasmodic, relaxing, strengthens the digestive tract, carminative; traditionally for gout and rheumatism.

    Western herbal 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

    Europe · Food · № 101

    Bilberry

    Vaccinium myrtillus en V. vitis-idaea

    Rich in anthocyanins. Dried berries are an old remedy for diarrhoea. NCCIH reports there is not enough evidence for eye, blood-vessel or other claims.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 73

    Wild strawberry

    Fragaria vesca

    The tannin-rich leaf was traditionally used for mild diarrhoea; the fruit is a treat rich in vitamin C. Medical evidence is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 463

    Bone setter

    Cissus quadrangularis

    Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, stomachic; speeds bone healing in fractures, stem juice for irregular menstruation and scurvy, for asthma, indigestion, ear infection and nosebleeds.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 557

    Nux vomica

    Strychnos nux-vomica

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, stomachic, tonic, aphrodisiac, stimulates the spinal cord, breathing and heart.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 857

    Cachanlagua

    Centaurium cachanlahuen

    A small bitter herb with pink flowers, related to the European common centaury. Traditionally for fever and digestion; clinical research is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 287

    Calumba

    Jateorhiza palmata

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter digestive tonic, carminative, lowers blood pressure.

    Local African healing traditions+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 288

    Cascara sagrada

    Frangula purshiana (syn. Rhamnus purshiana)

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, digestive tonic.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 525

    Champak

    Michelia champaca

    Traditionally attributed effects: decongestant, cleansing, stomachic, tonic, laxative, carminative; for gastritis, chronic rheumatism, abscesses, fever, indigestion, nausea, kidney diseases, gonorrhoea; flower oil for headache, eye inflammation and gout.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 726

    Fortune's boneset (pei lan)

    Eupatorium fortunei

    Traditionally attributed effects: transforms dampness in the middle and relieves summer heat.

    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 · Food · № 802

    Chinese chestnut

    Castanea mollissima

    Traditionally attributed effects: dried, peeled chestnuts give sweet soups such as the eight-treasure soup their sweetness; in Chinese food therapy they strengthen spleen and kidneys.

    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

    Europe · Herb · № 225

    Chicory

    Cichorium intybus

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, laxative, tonic.

    Western herbal medicine+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 85

    Lemon balm

    Melissa officinalis

    Traditionally used for restlessness, sleep problems and a nervous stomach; externally for cold sores. Small studies suggest a mild calming effect, but evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+7Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 639

    Codonopsis (dang shen)

    Codonopsis pilosula

    Traditionally attributed effects: reduces fatigue, supports the production of blood cells and strengthens spleen, stomach and lungs.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • 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

    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

    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

    Asia · Herb · № 215

    Dill

    Anethum graveolens

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
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.

Read more

From plant to use

Ways to prepare herbs

All preparations →

Discover more

Traditions, kitchen and classical formulas