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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

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143 results

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Treatment by condition
Underactive thyroidAllergies of the upper airwaysHair lossBoils and carbuncles
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 403

    Maidenhair fern

    Adiantum philippense

    Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, diuretic, cleansing, expels worms, cooling; for cough and respiratory complaints, fever, leprosy, erysipelas.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 10

    Bergamot

    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.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 272

    Apricot

    Prunus armeniaca

    Traditionally attributed effects: cough-suppressing, astringent, antibacterial, pain-relieving, diuretic, anti-inflammatory; wild cherry suppresses cough.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 376

    Alfalfa

    Medicago sativa

    Traditionally attributed effects: calming and moisture-restoring for dry skin.

    Chinese medical traditions+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 4

    Aloe vera

    Aloe vera

    The gel from the leaf is used externally to soothe the skin and for minor burns. Research on wound healing gives mixed results; the gel is no substitute for wound care.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+6Folklore
  • 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

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 374

    Amaranth

    Amaranthus spp.

    Traditionally attributed effects: flowers, leaf and root strongly antiseptic; wound healing.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 349

    Amla

    Phyllanthus emblica

    Traditionally attributed effects: fresh fruit cooling, diuretic, laxative, stomachic; bark astringent; for lung and eye inflammation, hair growth, asthma, bronchitis, bile complaints, bleeding, diarrhoea, dysentery, anaemia, jaundice.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 228

    Anise

    Pimpinella anisum

    Traditionally attributed effects: gives a natural lip-plumping effect.

    Unani medicine+2Folklore
  • 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

    Africa · Other · № 387

    Argan

    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.

    Local African healing traditions
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 375

    Atlas cedar

    Cedrus atlantica

    Cedarwood oil is used in hair products against dandruff and as a fragrance. A small study of an oil blend for hair loss (alopecia areata) found improvement, but the effect of the cedar itself has not been established.

    Local African healing traditions+1Folklore
  • 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

    Africa · Other · № 386

    Baobab

    Adansonia digitata

    The dry fruit pulp is sour and rich in vitamin C and fibre; oil from the seeds is used for skin and hair. Medical claims have not been studied.

    Local African healing traditions
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 8

    Basil

    Ocimum basilicum

    Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 354

    Bhringraj

    Eclipta prostrata

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the liver, decongestant, tonic, cleansing, antiviral; for enlarged liver and spleen, skin diseases, fever, oedema, rheumatism; hair oil for black and full hair; for swollen glands, elephantiasis, headache and toothache.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 123

    Bitter orange

    Citrus × aurantium

    The dried unripe fruit (zhi shi) and peel are used in Chinese medicine for bloating and sluggish digestion. NCCIH warns that weight-loss products containing bitter orange (synephrine) pose risks to the heart and blood pressure.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 353

    Brahmi

    Bacopa monnieri

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart and nerves, diuretic, mildly laxative, calming; for urinary retention with constipation, acute bronchitis and cough in children, exhaustion and nervous breakdown, hysteria, epilepsy, hoarseness.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 30

    Cacao

    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.

    Maya healing knowledge+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 379

    Camellia

    Camellia japonica / C. oleifera

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing oil that does not feel greasy.

    Chinese medical traditions+1Folklore
  • 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

    Central America and the Caribbean · Other · № 392

    Candelilla

    Euphorbia antisyphilitica

    Traditionally attributed effects: plant wax that makes the balm firm.

  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 355

    Chinese hibiscus

    Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: cares for the hair, promotes circulation in the scalp and reduces stress.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 233

    Cypress

    Cupressus sempervirens

    Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, antispasmodic, calming, diuretic.

    Greco-Roman medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 221

    Lemon

    Citrus limon

    Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, diuretic, strengthens the veins.

    Ayurveda+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 381

    Lemongrass

    Cymbopogon citratus

    Traditionally attributed effects: for oily hair.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 85

    Lemon balm

    Melissa officinalis

    Traditionally used for restlessness, sleep problems and a nervous stomach; externally for cold sores. Small studies suggest a mild calming effect, but evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+7Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 378

    Lemon verbena

    Aloysia citrodora

    Traditionally attributed effects: relaxing, helps you fall asleep.

    The Guaraní and the mate tradition+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 215

    Dill

    Anethum graveolens

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 245

    Grape

    Vitis vinifera

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, laxative, cooling, stomachic, diuretic; for bilious indigestion, bleeding, painful urination, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, gout; juice for constipation in children.

    Folk magic and herbal magic+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 756

    Drynaria (gu sui bu)

    Drynaria roosii (syn. D. fortunei)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, lets the blood flow and helps fractures and tendon injuries heal.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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

    Europe · Other · № 377

    Dulse

    Palmaria palmata

    A red seaweed with protein, iodine and minerals. It is eaten as food and worked into scrubs; a medicinal effect has not been shown.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 14

    Echinacea

    Echinacea purpurea

    Studied for colds and respiratory infections. It may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold; effects on duration and other conditions are uncertain.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+5Folklore
  • 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
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.

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