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
CautionEurope · Food · № 10
Citrus bergamia
The peel yields bergamot oil, a fragrance in perfume and Earl Grey tea. The oil contains bergapten, which makes the skin sensitive to sunlight. Health claims are not well studied.
CautionSouth America · Food · № 262
Solanum tuberosum
A starchy tuber and one of the most important food crops in the world. In folk use raw slices or grated potato are laid on burns, swollen eyes and for headaches; this has not been studied.
CautionEurope · Food · № 253
Fragaria × ananassa
The garden strawberry is a fruit rich in vitamin C. The leaf of the related wild strawberry was drunk as tea for mild diarrhoea; no medicinal effect is described for the garden strawberry itself.
CautionAsia · Food · № 272
Prunus armeniaca
Traditionally attributed effects: cough-suppressing, astringent, antibacterial, pain-relieving, diuretic, anti-inflammatory; wild cherry suppresses cough.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Food · № 818
Bixa orellana
The red seeds are used as a colouring and spice; traditionally also as a remedy.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 303
Achyranthes bidentata
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes circulation, liver tonic, pain-relieving.
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 · Food · № 223
Prunus dulcis
Traditionally attributed effects: sweet almond soothing, stimulating, nourishing, strengthens the nerves; bitter almond soothing, laxative, calming in cough.
CautionNorth America · Food · № 934
Castanea dentata
Once one of the largest trees of the eastern forests, with sweet, edible nuts. Related to the sweet chestnut.
CautionSouth America · Food · № 250
Ananas comosus
Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, cleansing, bitter tonic; ripe fruit diuretic, induces sweating, cooling, digests protein; leaf laxative and expels worms; unripe fruit strongly diuretic, promotes menstruation and abortifacient.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 866
Araucaria araucana
An ancient conifer that lives for more than a thousand years. The large, starchy seeds are a nourishing food; the resin was used on wounds.
CautionEurope · Food · № 84
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.
CautionEurope · Food · № 296
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
Traditionally attributed effects: liver tonic and restorative, promotes bile.
CautionEurope · Food · № 65
Asparagus officinalis en A. racemosus
A nutritious vegetable; root and shoots were traditionally used as a diuretic. There is no good evidence for a medicinal effect.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 149
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.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Food · № 166
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 36
Panax ginseng (ook P. quinquefolius)
Research consists mostly of small, short studies; there is little evidence of health effects.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 134
Phyllostachys nigra
In Chinese medicine bamboo shavings (zhu ru) and bamboo sap are used for coughs with yellow phlegm, nausea and restlessness. Ayurveda uses silica-rich bamboo manna. Clinical research is scarce.
CautionAsia · Food · № 247
Musa spp.
A fruit rich in starch and potassium. Ripe banana is easily digestible and belongs to the old BRAT diet after diarrhoea; green bananas contain resistant starch.
CautionEurope · Food · № 270
Allium schoenoprasum
A mild onion herb with vitamin C and sulphur compounds. A medicinal effect has not been shown.
CautionAfrica · Food · № 814
Garcinia kola
A bitter seed that is chewed and offered as a sign of hospitality and at ceremonies; as a folk remedy also for coughs and sore throats.
CautionNorth America · Food · № 254
Vaccinium spp.
A fibre-rich berry with plenty of anthocyanins. Observational research links eating berries to a healthy diet; a medicinal effect has not been shown.
CautionEurope · Food · № 101
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.
CautionAsia · Food · № 284
Fagopyrum esculentum
Traditionally attributed effects: lowers blood pressure, vasodilating, restores the vessel walls.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Food · № 265
Phaseolus vulgaris
A legume rich in protein and fibre. Raw or undercooked beans contain the toxic phytohaemagglutinin; thorough cooking is needed. Beans are otherwise mainly food, not medicine.
CautionEurope · Food · № 73
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.
CautionEurope · Food · № 255
Rubus fruticosus
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent; for damp stomach and bowel complaints, diarrhoea, mucus; syrup or liqueur against sore throat.
CautionEurope · Food · № 48
Urtica dioica
A food and fiber plant with a long tradition in folk medicine. Medical claims are not established.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Food · № 30
Theobroma cacao
The seeds are the basis of cocoa and chocolate and contain theobromine and some caffeine. Health claims do not make cacao a treatment.
CautionAsia · Food · № 428
Averrhoa carambola
Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, cooling, antiscorbutic, antidysenteric; cooling thirst-quencher in fever, ripe fruit for bleeding (internal) haemorrhoids.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 396
Acacia catechu
Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent; for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, bleeding haemorrhoids, uterine bleeding, leucorrhoea; bleeding or inflamed gums, mouth ulcers, enlarged tonsils; bedsores; promotes milk flow.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Food · № 825
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius
A nutritious leaf vegetable of the Maya.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 867
Fragaria chiloensis
A wild strawberry with large, fragrant fruits, one of the parents of the garden strawberry. The leaf contains tannins.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 641
Cuscuta chinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: a remedy for male infertility and urinary complaints; a tonic that strengthens bones and tendons, soothes lower back pain and balances the female reproductive system.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 642
Asparagus cochinchinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: moistening; for recovery after illness or surgery, chronically dry skin and for the production of sex hormones.
CautionAsia · Food · № 636
Ziziphus jujuba
Traditionally attributed effects: sweet and strengthening in fatigue, anaemia and low energy; builds strength and blood and softens herbal dishes.
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.