From Ayurveda to Rongoā Māori
Communities around the world learned how plants nourish, care and heal. Here their traditions stand beside present-day use, with respect for every culture.
GrapeFolk magic and herbal magic
BuchuLocal African healing traditions
Indian tobaccoCherokee medicine
Lignum vitaeHerbal knowledge of the Caribbean
Yerba mateKallawaya healing knowledge
CautionSouth America · Food · № 916
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 405
Alangium salviifolium
Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, laxative, emetic, diuretic; antidote in poisoning, for diarrhoea, leprosy and skin diseases, dog bites, worms, acute rheumatism.
CautionAfrica · Other · № 387
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.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 574
Populus balsamifera
Traditionally attributed effects: buds: stimulating, tonic, diuretic, soothing, expectorant; bark: expectorant, laxative; for skin problems (eczema, psoriasis), dry cough, constipation, kidney/bladder support, rheumatism and gout.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 924
Anadenanthera colubrina
A thorny tree of the pea family, related to yopo. The seeds contain much bufotenine, up to over twelve per cent, as well as some DMT and 5-MeO-DMT. As a snuff they cause violent physical effects and short visions.
CautionAsia · Food · № 445
Buchanania lanzan
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, cleansing, laxative, diuretic; seeds nutritious, gum for diarrhoea, ointment for itching and skin blemishes, oil for swollen neck glands, substitute for almond oil.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 473
Croton oblongifolius
Traditionally attributed effects: bark and root cleansing and promote bile; seeds laxative; bark for sprains and liver diseases, poultices on swellings, for snake bites.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 505
Grewia hirsuta
Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, diuretic, expectorant, antiviral; fruit for diarrhoea and dysentery, wound healing, heart disease, seminal loss and leucorrhoea.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 153
Ligusticum porteri, L. sinense en L. wallichii
The root is traditionally used for sore throats, coughs and early colds. There is virtually no clinical research.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 882
Bursera graveolens
A tree of the frankincense and myrrh family, with strongly scented wood that contains essential oil.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 334
Teucrium scorodonia
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, induces sweating, antirheumatic, carminative, wound-healing, promotes bile.
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.
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43 traditions
How communities built up and passed on their knowledge of plants, region by region.
113 recipes
Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play a leading role.
146 formulas
The classical Chinese formulas, also listed by condition.