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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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12 results

  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 433

    Yellow bauhinia

    Bauhinia tomentosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: against dysentery, expels worms; fruit diuretic; seeds tonic and aphrodisiac; for hepatitis, dysentery, tumours and wounds, snake bites.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 483

    Jivanti orchid

    Dendrobium macraei

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, soothing, tonic, cooling, lowers blood pressure; for weakness from seminal loss, snake bites and scorpion stings.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 434

    Orchid tree

    Bauhinia variegata

    Traditionally attributed effects: bark cleansing, tonic, astringent; root carminative; flowers laxative; for sore throat, cough, bleeding haemorrhoids, heavy menstruation, swollen neck glands, ulcers, diarrhoea, worms, overweight.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 568

    Rasna orchid

    Vanda roxburghii

    Traditionally attributed effects: pain-relieving, carminative, expectorant, strengthens the nerves, lowers blood pressure; oil for rheumatism and nervous diseases; for syphilis, scorpion stings, fever, middle ear infection, indigestion, bronchitis, inflammation, hiccups and trembling.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 988

    Adam and Eve root

    Aplectrum hyemale

    An orchid with a single leaf, green with silvery-white stripes, that appears in late autumn and withers in spring. Underground lie two or more corms joined together, an old one and a new one. The crushed corms yield a sticky mucilage.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 735

    Bletilla rhizome (bai ji)

    Bletilla striata

    Traditionally attributed effects: stops bleeding in lung and stomach and promotes wound healing.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 726

    Fortune's boneset (pei lan)

    Eupatorium fortunei

    Traditionally attributed effects: transforms dampness in the middle and relieves summer heat.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 741

    Chinese bugleweed (ze lan)

    Lycopus lucidus

    Traditionally attributed effects: moves the blood and regulates menstruation; diuretic.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 761

    Dendrobium (shi hu)

    Dendrobium nobile (en verwante soorten)

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the yin of lung and stomach, replenishes body fluids and cools heat from deficiency.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 774

    Gastrodia (tian ma)

    Gastrodia elata

    Traditionally attributed effects: calms liver wind and relieves headache, dizziness and cramps.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 222

    Vanilla

    Vanilla planifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: gives a feeling of calm and comfort; fragrance.

    Maya healing knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 586

    Lady's slipper

    Cypripedium parviflorum (syn. C. pubescens)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, antispasmodic, tonic, relaxing, diuretic; for menstrual pain and irregular menstruation, overstimulated nerves and insomnia from stress, pain-relieving.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
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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