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 · Herb · № 898
Myroxylon balsamum (var. pereirae)
A large tree whose resin, the balsam, smells of vanilla and cinnamon. The balsam contains cinnamic acid, benzyl benzoate and vanillin, among other compounds, and is used in perfume, food and ointments for skin and wounds.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 958
Ratibida columnifera (syn. R. columnaris)
A member of the daisy family with drooping yellow or red-brown ray flowers around a long, columnar centre that smells when bruised. Effects not studied.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 34
Hydrastis canadensis
There is not enough evidence to determine whether goldenseal helps any health condition.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 679
Gentiana scabra
Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat and fire from liver and gallbladder.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 472
Crinum defixum
Traditionally attributed effects: emetic, induces sweating, laxative; leaves for whitlow, inflamed toes and fingers, joints and sprains; leaf juice for ear complaints; bulb for bile complaints, urinary complaints and rheumatism.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 438
Betula utilis
Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, carminative; for washing wounds and ulcers, skin diseases, hysteria.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 307
Lobelia inflata
Traditionally attributed effects: relaxing, expectorant, induces sweating, emetic, antispasmodic, anti-asthmatic.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 402
Acorus calamus
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, tonic, stimulating; restores throat and voice (singers), improves concentration/clear thinking, for flatulence and heartburn.
CautionAfrica · Food · № 12
Allium sativum
A food with a long history of use. Supplement research suggests only limited effects and does not establish a treatment.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 102
Verbascum thapsus
Leaves and flowers contain mucilage and are traditionally used for irritating coughs and bronchitis; the flower oil for earache. Clinical evidence is limited.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 493
Euphorbia neriifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: milky sap drastically laxative and expectorant, externally skin-irritant; root antispasmodic; for enlarged liver and spleen, oedema, leprosy; externally on warts, for earache, ulcers and scabies; root for scorpion and snake bites.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 217
Origanum vulgare
A culinary herb with carvacrol and thymol, which inhibit bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There is no good evidence that oregano oil treats infections in humans; undiluted oil irritates skin and mucous membranes.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 154
Passiflora incarnata
Used for anxiety and sleep problems. NCCIH notes some indications of an effect on anxiety but limited evidence.
CautionNorth America · Food · № 936
Allium tricoccum
A wild leek with broad leaves and a small bulb, related to European wild garlic. Leaves and bulb taste of onion and garlic.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 535
Pandanus tectorius
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, laxative, aromatic; leaves for leprosy, smallpox, scabies, syphilis, leucoderma; anthers for earache, headache and blood diseases; oil for headache and rheumatism.
CautionAsia · Food · № 240
Allium cepa
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, expectorant, skin-irritant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic; for cough, haemorrhoids, jaundice, indigestion, insect bites, boils, wounds, chilblains and sore joints.
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.