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
CautionAsia · Herb · № 491
Eugenia jambolana
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stomachic, diuretic, lowers blood sugar; seeds for diabetes, bark for chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, heavy menstruation, spongy gums, stomatitis; diarrhoea in children.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 831
Piper betle
An aromatic leaf used in jamu for the mouth and for women's intimate hygiene.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 830
Kaempferia galanga
An aromatic rhizome used in jamu for coughs, tiredness and muscle pain.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 829
Curcuma zanthorrhiza
A rhizome of the ginger family, used in jamu for digestive complaints, to stimulate appetite and for the liver.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 739
Imperata cylindrica
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood and stops bleeding; promotes urination and cools lung and stomach.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 414
Andrographis paniculata
Traditionally attributed effects: stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, cleansing, expels worms, promotes bile; for flatulence, lack of appetite, intestinal complaints in children, diarrhoea, dysentery, sluggish liver, nerve pain, recovery after fever.
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 229
Styrax benzoin
Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, astringent, antispasmodic.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 419
Areca catechu
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, astringent, expels tapeworm, laxative, carminative, aphrodisiac; against roundworms and tapeworms, strengthens the gums, for urinary complaints, heartburn during pregnancy, lumbago.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 447
Caesalpinia crista
Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, antispasmodic, bitter tonic, expels worms, fever-reducing; for fever, intermittent fever, asthma, colic, swellings, bleeding, liver disorders, convulsions and nervous complaints.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 688
Brucea javanica
Traditionally attributed effects: was used for amoebic dysentery, malaria and externally for warts.
CautionOceania · Herb · № 176
Melaleuca cajuputi, M. viridiflora, M. leucadendra e.a.
Both relatives of tea tree yield an essential oil used externally for muscle pain and in inhalations for colds. Clinical evidence is limited.
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 · № 355
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: cares for the hair, promotes circulation in the scalp and reduces stress.
CautionAsia · Food · № 221
Citrus limon
Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, diuretic, strengthens the veins.
Caution
CautionAsia · Herb · № 471
Costus speciosus
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, stimulating, aids digestion, expels worms, cleansing, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory; for fever with catarrh, cough, indigestion, worms, skin diseases, snake bites.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 119
Alpinia galanga
A relative of ginger traditionally used for nausea, wind and sluggish digestion. Clinical evidence is limited.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 1
Zingiber officinale
Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 533
Oroxylum indicum
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, bitter tonic, stomachic, pain-relieving, induces sweating; for diarrhoea, dysentery, acute rheumatism, oedema, ear infection; young fruit carminative, seeds laxative.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 126
Jasminum officinale / J. grandiflorum
Best known as a fragrance and in jasmine tea; jasmine aromatherapy is used for relaxation. Medical claims are unproven.
CautionAsia · Food · № 38
Cinnamomum verum
A spice made from inner bark. Research on health effects is preliminary; cinnamon is not a treatment.
CautionAsia · Food · № 357
Cocos nucifera
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, diuretic, antiseptic, laxative; root for uterine diseases, bronchitis, liver complaints, dysentery, sore throat (gargle); coconut water for thirst, fever, urinary complaints and vomiting; ash for scabies and toothache.
CautionAsia · Food · № 42
Syzygium aromaticum
A spice. Clove oil containing eugenol may help with toothache; other claims are unproven.
CautionOceania · Herb · № 842
Aleurites moluccanus
A tree whose oil cares for the skin; the nuts are laxative.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 5
Curcuma longa
A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.
CautionAsia · Food · № 238
Citrus aurantiifolia
A sour citrus fruit rich in vitamin C. The juice was given against scurvy and is used in Asia with honey or salt for coughs and sore throat.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 348
Centella asiatica
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, tonic, diuretic, locally stimulating, calming; for chronic ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, epilepsy, insanity, swollen glands, abscesses, chronic rheumatism, diarrhoea in children.
CautionAsia · Food · № 248
Mangifera indica
Traditionally attributed effects: cooling herb, prevents a burning feeling and keeps you cool in the heat; aids digestion; good for skin and hair.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 476
Curcuma amada
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, cooling, aromatic, bitter, stomachic, astringent, lowers cholesterol; externally for bruises, sprains and skin diseases; purifies the blood.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 527
Moringa oleifera
Traditionally attributed effects: antispasmodic, stimulating, expectorant, diuretic, dissolves stones; leaves for scurvy and catarrh, flatulence in children, wounds and swellings; bark stimulates the heart in asthma and cough.
CautionAsia · Food · № 425
Artocarpus integrifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: ripe fruit soothing, nourishing, laxative; unripe fruit astringent; milky sap for swollen glands, abscesses and snake bites; root for diarrhoea; leaf and root for skin diseases.
CautionOceania · Food · № 50
Morinda citrifolia
Traditionally used for colds, infections, fever, and stomach complaints. There is no good evidence of treatment effects.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 129
Myristica fragrans
A spice used in small amounts in Ayurveda and Arabic medicine for diarrhoea, nausea and insomnia. There is no good clinical evidence.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 488
Elephantopus scaber
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart, astringent, cleansing, fever-reducing, antibiotic; for painful urination, urethral discharge, diarrhoea, dysentery, vomiting, snake bites, ulcers, eczema.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Food · № 452
Carica papaya
Traditionally attributed effects: aids digestion, expels worms, stomachic, promotes menstruation; ripe fruit mildly laxative; leaves against amoebic dysentery and fever; seeds against roundworms; promotes milk flow; unripe fruit abortifacient.
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.