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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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Qi li san
  • Caution

    Africa · Other · № 28

    Myrrh

    Commiphora myrrha

    A gum resin with a long history in medicine, ritual, perfume, and incense. Modern treatment claims are not established.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 740

    Corydalis (yan hu suo)

    Corydalis yanhusuo

    Traditionally attributed effects: moves blood and qi and is an important pain-relieving herb.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 189

    Pine

    Pinus spp.

    The scent of needles and resin is experienced as fresh and cleansing. Pine buds and needles contain essential oil and vitamin C; a medicinal effect has hardly been studied.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Other · № 744

    Dragon's blood (xue jie)

    Daemonorops draco (ook Dracaena cochinchinensis)

    Traditionally attributed effects: stops bleeding, resolves blood stagnation and promotes wound healing.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 142

    Guggul

    Commiphora wightii (syn. C. mukul)

    The resin is used in Ayurveda for joint complaints, overweight and high cholesterol. A US study found no reduction in cholesterol; LDL even rose slightly.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 882

    Palo santo

    Bursera graveolens

    A tree of the frankincense and myrrh family, with strongly scented wood that contains essential oil.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 769

    Persian silk tree (he huan pi)

    Albizia julibrissin

    Traditionally attributed effects: calms the mind in anger and low mood and lets the blood flow in pain and swelling.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 791

    Pyrite (zi ran tong)

    Pyritum (ijzersulfide)

    Traditionally attributed effects: resolves blood stagnation and helps fractures and ligaments recover.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 745

    Sappan wood (su mu)

    Biancaea sappan (syn. Caesalpinia sappan)

    Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow in menstrual pain and injury.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 373

    Frankincense

    Boswellia sacra

    The resin is mainly used as incense and fragrance. Extracts of related Boswellia species have been studied for osteoarthritis, with modest and variable results.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+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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