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

Chinese formulas: Da ding feng zhu Xiao yao san Dang gui shao yao san Ba zhen tang Wu lin san Sheng mai san Gui pi tang Shen ling bai zhu san Bu zhong yi qi tang Tian wang bu xin dan Xiao chai hu tang Zhen wu tang
Treatment by condition: Hepatitis Underactive thyroid Lupus (SLE)Low blood pressure

Caution
Asia · Food · № 636
Jujube (red date)
Ziziphus jujuba
Traditionally attributed effects: sweet and strengthening in fatigue, anaemia and low energy; builds strength and blood and softens herbal dishes.
Chinese medical traditions+2
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 · № 761
Dendrobium (shi hu)
Dendrobium nobile (en verwante soorten)
Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the yin of lung and stomach, replenishes body fluids and cools heat from deficiency.
Chinese medical traditions
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 · № 748
Pseudostellaria root (tai zi shen)
Pseudostellaria heterophylla
Traditionally attributed effects: a mild qi tonic that also replenishes body fluids.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 673
Rehmannia
Rehmannia glutinosa
Traditionally attributed effects: raw it cools the blood and nourishes yin; prepared (steamed with wine) it nourishes the blood and the kidney yin.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 749
Siberian Solomon's seal (huang jing)
Polygonatum sibiricum
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens spleen and kidneys, moistens the lungs and replenishes the essence.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 750
Fo-ti (he shou wu)
Reynoutria multiflora (syn. Polygonum multiflorum)
Traditionally attributed effects: processed a tonic for blood, liver and kidneys; raw mildly laxative and detoxifying.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Food · № 646
Fox nut (qian shi)
Euryale ferox
Traditionally attributed effects: a tonic for long life that according to tradition counters ageing and gives strength.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 640
Fragrant Solomon's seal (yu zhu)
Polygonatum odoratum
Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the stomach and promotes the production of body fluids; for fatigue, poor appetite, weak digestion and exhaustion.
Chinese medical traditions+1
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 · № 160
American ginseng
Panax quinquefolius
Chinese medicine regards it as more 'cooling' than Asian ginseng and uses it for fatigue and thirst. Some studies find a slight effect on post-meal blood sugar and colds; evidence is limited.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 17
Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
An Ayurvedic medicinal plant. Some preparations have been studied for stress and sleep, but evidence is limited and products vary.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 149
Astragalus (huang qi)
Astragalus membranaceus
In Chinese medicine an important strengthening herb ('qi tonic') for fatigue, catching colds easily and sweating. NCCIH notes there is little reliable human research.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 36
Asian ginseng
Panax ginseng (ook P. quinquefolius)
Research consists mostly of small, short studies; there is little evidence of health effects.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 8
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
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
North America · Herb · № 34
Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis
There is not enough evidence to determine whether goldenseal helps any health condition.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+6Folklore
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
South America · Herb · № 183
Coca
Erythroxylum coca
The leaf contains a small amount of cocaine and other alkaloids. Chewing it or drinking it as tea is used in the Andes against hunger, fatigue and altitude sickness; evidence for the latter is limited. Cocaine, the first local anaesthetic and today mainly an addictive drug, was isolated from the leaf.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
Caution
Asia · Mushroom · № 147
Caterpillar fungus (cordyceps)
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis)
A fungus that parasitises caterpillars. Used in Tibetan and Chinese medicine for fatigue, lung complaints and low libido. Studies are small and there is no convincing evidence.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
South America · Herb · № 163
Guarana
Paullinia cupana
The seeds contain about twice as much caffeine as coffee beans. Guarana is used in energy drinks and soft drinks; its stimulating effect comes from caffeine.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+2
Caution
South America · Herb · № 914
Huanarpo
Corynaea crassa
An unusual parasitic plant without chlorophyll that lives on the roots of trees and shrubs; only a club-shaped flower spike appears above ground. Little is known about its effect in people.
Curanderismo of northern Peru
Caution
Asia · Food · № 764
Japanese apricot (wu mei)
Prunus mume
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent in chronic cough and diarrhoea, replenishes body fluids and was used against worms.
Chinese medical traditions+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
Asia · Herb · № 830
Kencur (aromatic ginger)
Kaempferia galanga
An aromatic rhizome used in jamu for coughs, tiredness and muscle pain.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Asia · Mushroom · № 41
Lingzhi (reishi)
Ganoderma lucidum
A bracket fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine; evidence for treatment effects in people is limited.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
Asia · Food · № 131
Sacred lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
Almost every part is used: seeds for diarrhoea and restlessness, rhizome as food, leaf for 'summer heat'. Scientific evidence is mostly laboratory research.
Ayurveda+3Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 366
Rhodiola
Rhodiola rosea
Roseroot is sold as an adaptogen for tiredness and stress. Some studies find a small effect on stress-related fatigue, but they are small and of varying quality. There is no evidence that it prevents colds.
Western herbal medicine+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 592
Schisandra
Schisandra chinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, astringent, stimulating, adaptogen; supports exhausted adrenals (fatigue), promotes sleep and well-being, protects the liver.
Chinese medical traditions+3
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 · Herb · № 367
Siberian ginseng
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Traditionally attributed effects: adaptogen, increases interferon production; especially for herpes simplex, strengthens the immune system against colds and flu; further for high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, insomnia, arthritis.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
South America · Herb · № 164
Suma
Hebanthe eriantha (syn. Pfaffia paniculata)
Sold as 'Brazilian ginseng' and an adaptogen for fatigue. There is hardly any human research.
Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+1
Caution
Asia · Food · № 268
Wheat
Triticum aestivum
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens, rejuvenates, soothes ulcers, stimulates appetite, promotes healing of fractures, gives stability, healthy complexion; mildly aphrodisiac; anti-stress breakfast.
Ayurveda+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 20
Valerian
Valeriana officinalis
The root has a traditional association with sleep and calm. Research on insomnia is inconsistent and does not establish benefit.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore

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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Discover more

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.

Treatment by condition →All formulas →