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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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218 results

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Chinese formulas
Si ni tangZhi gan cao tangSi ni sanZhu sha an shen wanGui zhi long gu mu li tangBao he wanDao chi sanJiao tai wanSan huang xie xin tangWu zhu yu tangSheng mai sanGui pi tangTian wang bu xin danFang feng tong sheng sanBai he gu jin tangYi guan jianCi zhu wanPing wei sanWei ling tangSang piao xiao sanLing gui zhu gan tangWu ling sanXue fu zhu yu tangLiu jun zi tang+4
Treatment by condition
Liver cirrhosisLow blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)Lupus (SLE)Heart disease (general)High blood pressureStress, anxiety, hysteria and insomniaEpilepsyEczema, dermatitis, itching, acne, erysipelas and psoriasisCataract
  • 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

    North America · Herb · № 987

    Hearts-a-bustin'

    Euonymus americanus

    A shrub of the spindle family, up to two metres tall. In autumn the warty pink fruits burst open to show seeds in a bright red aril. Seeds and fruits are strongly purgative, as in other spindles, and the genus is considered poisonous.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 211

    Sweet violet

    Viola odorata

    Traditionally attributed effects: V. odorata anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic, antitumour; V. tricolor expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antirheumatic, laxative, strengthens capillaries.

    Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 540

    Agnimantha

    Premna obtusifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart, stomachic, carminative, cleansing, tonic, anti-inflammatory, lowers blood sugar; for swellings, pain and diabetes; part of 'dashamula'.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 562

    Arjuna

    Terminalia arjuna

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart, astringent, dissolves stones, diuretic; for heart disease (angina, heart failure, pericarditis), high blood pressure, bleeding, diarrhoea, dysentery, sprue, bile complaints, oedema, cirrhosis of the liver; antidote.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 492

    Ayapana

    Eupatorium triplinerve

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, tonic, stimulates the heart, induces sweating, stops bleeding; bitter tonic for indigestion, cough and fever, against scurvy; cleanses foul ulcers.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 526

    Spanish cherry

    Mimusops elengi

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, antihistamine, astringent, aromatic, strengthens the heart, tonic, fever-reducing; for catarrh of the bladder and urethra, fever, gum and tooth diseases, leucoderma, heart disease, snake bites, chronic dysentery.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 551

    Marking nut

    Semecarpus anacardium

    Traditionally attributed effects: pungent, stimulating, aids digestion, antispasmodic, cleansing, strengthens the nerves, caustic, strengthens the heart; for leprosy, scrofula, syphilis, skin diseases, epilepsy, nervous weakness, nerve pain, asthma, indigestion, haemorrhoids, enlarged spleen.

    Ayurveda
  • 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

    South America · Herb · № 894

    Chinchircuma

    Mutisia acuminata

    A climbing shrub with tendrils and striking orange-red flowers. Quercetin and arbutin are among the compounds found in it; its effect in people has not been studied.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 125

    Chinese ephedra (ma huang)

    Ephedra sinica

    Contains ephedrine, which widens the airways and stimulates the nervous system and heart. It is the origin of modern ephedrine and pseudoephedrine medicines. As a supplement it has proved dangerous.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 138

    Red sage root (dan shen)

    Salvia miltiorrhiza

    The red root is used in Chinese medicine to 'promote blood circulation', especially for heart and vascular complaints. There are many studies in China, often of limited quality.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 360

    Bottle gourd

    Lagenaria siceraria

    Young fruits are eaten as a mild, easily digestible vegetable. Medical claims, for example about the heart or peace of mind, have not been studied.

    Local African healing traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 343

    Pomegranate

    Punica granatum

    Traditionally attributed effects: root and stem bark astringent and strongly expel tapeworm; flowers and peel astringent and stomachic; juice cooling.

    Ayurveda+3
  • 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

    Europe · Herb · № 82

    Motherwort

    Leonurus cardiaca

    Traditionally used for stress-related palpitations, nervousness and menstrual complaints. Clinical research is scarce.

    Western herbal medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 415

    Himalayan angelica

    Angelica glauca

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart, stimulating; for flatulence, constipation and indigestion.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 566

    Indian squill

    Urginea indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: in small doses expectorant, stimulates the heart, diuretic, decongestant, promotes menstruation; in large doses emetic and laxative.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 454

    Golden shower

    Cassia fistula

    Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, tonic, fever-reducing; fruit pulp mildly laxative (safe for children and pregnant women); leaf for ringworm, chilblains, rheumatism, facial paralysis; root for fever and heart disease.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 116

    Khella

    Ammi visnaga

    Contains khellin, a muscle relaxant that widens the airways and blood vessels. Khellin was the basis for modern drugs such as cromoglicate (for asthma) and amiodarone (for heart rhythm disorders).

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 565

    Puncture vine

    Tribulus terrestris

    Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, soothing, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac.

    Ayurveda+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

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 583

    Queen of the night

    Selenicereus grandiflorus

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, relaxing; strengthens the heart muscle and heart function (also in the elderly), relieves chest tightness and restricted breathing.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 206

    Lily of the valley

    Convallaria majalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: heart tonic, diuretic, laxative, emetic.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 226

    Linden

    Tilia × europaea

    Traditionally attributed effects: calming nerve remedy, induces sweating, vasodilating, restores the vessel walls, lowers blood pressure.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 653

    Longan

    Dimocarpus longan

    Traditionally attributed effects: a sweet, warming tonic for heart and blood; good for digestion and calming.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 113

    White horehound

    Marrubium vulgare

    A bitter herb traditionally used for coughs with sticky phlegm and bronchitis. In Europe it is recognised as a traditional herbal medicine; clinical evidence is limited.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 239

    Mistletoe

    Viscum album

    Traditionally attributed effects: slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, antitumour.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 529

    Oleander

    Nerium indicum

    Traditionally attributed effects: strongly diuretic and strengthens the heart (like digitalis), abortifacient.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 263

    Squash

    Cucurbita moschata

    Traditionally attributed effects: heart-warming and nourishing for body, mind and soul; good for skin and hair.

    Maya healing knowledge+6Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1014

    Queñua

    Polylepis (o.a. P. besseri en P. tarapacana)

    Gnarled trees and shrubs of the rose family with reddish-brown bark that peels in thin layers and protects against the cold. Nothing has been studied about its effect in people.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 449

    Crown flower

    Calotropis gigantea

    Traditionally attributed effects: root bark cleansing, tonic, antispasmodic, expectorant, emetic; for dysentery, bronchitis, leprosy, enlarged liver and spleen, oedema, worms; acts on the heart like digitalis.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 594

    Solomon's seal

    Polygonatum biflorum

    Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, astringent, relaxing; strengthens and lubricates tendons, ligaments and joints, helps with prolapse of the uterus and bladder, calms the heart rhythm, moistens dry conditions (dry skin, stool, airways).

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 168

    Northern prickly ash

    Zanthoxylum americanum

    Bark and berries give a tingling, numbing feeling in the mouth; they were traditionally used for toothache, poor circulation and rheumatism. Clinical research is lacking.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • 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
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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