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

Caution
Europe · Food · № 48
Stinging nettle
Urtica dioica
A food and fiber plant with a long tradition in folk medicine. Medical claims are not established.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
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 · Herb · № 107
Wall germander
Teucrium chamaedrys
Formerly used as a digestive bitter, for gout and as a slimming aid. The risk of liver damage outweighs any possible benefit.
Monastic and folk knowledge+1
Caution
Europe · Food · № 90
Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
The fruit is a nutritious berry. Raspberry leaf has been used in folk medicine in late pregnancy to ease labour; convincing evidence is lacking.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 87
Cowslip
Primula veris
The root contains saponins and is traditionally used to loosen phlegm in coughs; the flowers as a calming tea. There is some research on combination cough preparations.
Monastic and folk knowledge+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 112
Ground ivy
Glechoma hederacea
Traditionally used for blocked noses, sinus complaints and coughs. There is hardly any clinical research.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 75
Cleavers
Galium aparine
Used in Western herbalism as a 'lymphatic' herb for swollen glands and skin conditions. Scientific evidence is lacking.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 92
Figwort
Scrophularia nodosa (en S. ningpoensis)
Used in Western herbalism for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and for swollen glands. There is no good clinical evidence.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2
Caution
Europe · Food · № 68
Cabbage
Brassica oleracea
A vegetable rich in vitamin C and fibre. In folk medicine cold cabbage leaves are placed on engorged breasts or painful joints; small studies give mixed results.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 47
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata (en C. pinnatifida)
Studied for heart failure with conflicting results. For most conditions there is little or no good evidence.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 110
Marsh cudweed
Gnaphalium uliginosum
An astringent herb traditionally used as a gargle for sore throats and inflamed upper airways. There is no clinical research.
Monastic and folk knowledge+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 179
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Contains cardiac glycosides that slow the heart rate and strengthen its contractions. They gave rise to the drugs digoxin and digitoxin, still prescribed for certain heart rhythm disorders and heart failure. The margin between an effective and a toxic amount is very small.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 94
Chickweed
Stellaria media
Traditionally used externally as a cooling ointment or compress for itching, eczema and minor skin irritation. There is hardly any clinical research.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 58
Lady's mantle
Alchemilla xanthochlora
An astringent herb used in folk medicine mainly for heavy periods and diarrhoea. There is little clinical research.
Monastic and folk knowledge+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 86
Greater plantain
Plantago major
The leaf is traditionally bruised and applied to insect bites, small wounds and grazes, and taken as tea for coughs. Clinical evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+9Folklore
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
Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 166
Avocado
Persea americana
A fruit rich in monounsaturated fats, fibre and potassium; it fits a diet that is favourable for cholesterol. Avocado oil is used in skin care.
Maya healing knowledge+4Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 67
Borage
Borago officinalis
The seed oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid, has been studied for eczema and joint inflammation with mixed results. The leaf was traditionally used to reduce fever and as a tonic.
Western herbal medicine+2
Caution
Europe · Food · № 270
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
A mild onion herb with vitamin C and sulphur compounds. A medicinal effect has not been shown.
Monastic and folk knowledge
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 26
Buchu
Agathosma betulina
Fragrant leaves used as a flavoring and in folk medicine; clinical evidence for treatment is lacking.
Local African healing traditions+3
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 161
Cayenne pepper
Capsicum frutescens
Capsaicin from chilli peppers is used externally for nerve pain and joint pain; high-dose capsaicin patches are an approved medicine. Internally it is mainly a warming spice.
Maya healing knowledge+6Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 56
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Traditionally used to stop bleeding from minor wounds, for fevers and colds, and as a digestive bitter. Clinical evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+6Folklore
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
Europe · Herb · № 49
Pot marigold (calendula)
Calendula officinalis
An edible flower historically used as medicine and dye. Its oil is widely used in skin products.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 60
Garden angelica
Angelica archangelica
An aromatic bitter traditionally used for bloating, poor appetite and colds. Clinical evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Food · № 196
Hazel
Corylus avellana
The nuts are nourishing and rich in unsaturated fats and vitamin E. Hazelnut oil is a light oil for the skin; a medicinal effect has not been shown.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 19
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla (Duitse kamille)
Flowers are used in teas and topical or oral products. Reliable evidence is insufficient for most claimed conditions.
Monastic and folk knowledge+7Folklore
Caution
Europe · Food · № 256
Cherry
Prunus avium
A fruit rich in vitamin C. The dried stalks were used in folk medicine as a diuretic. Sour cherries have been studied for gout and sleep, with preliminary results.
Monastic and folk knowledge
Caution
Africa · Food · № 12
Garlic
Allium sativum
A food with a long history of use. Supplement research suggests only limited effects and does not establish a treatment.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+7Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 44
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.
Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 266
Maize
Zea mays
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, heals the urinary tract lining, tonic, soothing.
Maya healing knowledge+7Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 3
Mint
Mentha × piperita
Peppermint oil has been studied in irritable bowel syndrome and may reduce abdominal pain. The tea is used for a full stomach and nausea. With heartburn peppermint can make complaints worse.
Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 212
Allspice
Pimenta dioica
The dried berries contain eugenol, like cloves, and give a warm flavour. In Caribbean folk medicine they are used for stomach ache and wind; research is lacking.
Maya healing knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 2
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)
An aromatic culinary herb with carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. A few small studies point to a slight effect of the scent on alertness; that it improves memory has not been shown. The leaf is used for digestive complaints.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 45
Sage
Salvia officinalis
A culinary herb. A few small studies suggest possible effects on memory and blood lipids, but evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 95
Comfrey
Symphytum officinale
Topical preparations have been studied for bruises, sprains and back pain and appear to reduce pain. It contains allantoin, which is thought to support tissue repair.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore

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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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 →