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 · № 346
Pterocarpus santalinus
Traditionally attributed effects: antipyretic, fever-reducing, aphrodisiac, astringent, bitter, cooling, induces sweating, expels worms; for chronic dysentery, bleeding haemorrhoids, bile complaints, skin diseases.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 975
Oxalis oregana
A low wood sorrel with large clover-like leaves and white or pink flowers, forming carpets under the trees. The leaf tastes sour from oxalic acid.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Food · № 818
Bixa orellana
The red seeds are used as a colouring and spice; traditionally also as a remedy.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 347
Tagetes erecta
Traditionally attributed effects: curbs sebum in oily skin, calms and prevents dehydration in dry skin, hydrates and keeps wrinkles at bay in combination skin; spiritual symbol of inner fire.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 743
Liquidambar formosana
Traditionally attributed effects: lets qi and blood flow and opens the meridians.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 873
Luma apiculata
The Chilean myrtle, with cinnamon-coloured bark, fragrant leaves and edible black berries. Traditionally an astringent; research is lacking.
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.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 991
Cornus florida
A small tree with large white bracts around a knot of tiny flowers in spring, red berries and red autumn leaves. The bark is astringent and bitter; in the American Civil War it served as a substitute for quinine, and in the laboratory compounds from the bark moderately inhibited the malaria parasite. The berries are poisonous to people.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 630
Scrophularia californica, S. lanceolata
Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat in the blood and nourishes yin, drains damp heat and disperses swellings.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 396
Acacia catechu
Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent; for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, bleeding haemorrhoids, uterine bleeding, leucorrhoea; bleeding or inflamed gums, mouth ulcers, enlarged tonsils; bedsores; promotes milk flow.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 985
Cayaponia ophthalmica
A climber of the gourd family, described by Schultes; the species name means 'for the eye'. Its chemistry is unknown; plants of the gourd family often contain bitter, irritating cucurbitacins.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 862
Fuchsia magellanica
The wild fuchsia, with drooping red and purple flowers. Traditionally as a diuretic and for fever; research is lacking.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 917
Maytenus macrocarpa (syn. Monteverdia macrocarpa); in Noord-Peru ook Heisteria acuminata
A large tree with thick, reddish-brown bark. The bark contains triterpenes and sesquiterpenes, among other compounds; extracts were anti-inflammatory in experiments. Studies in people are lacking.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 984
Helosis cayennensis
A plant without chlorophyll that parasitises the roots of trees and shrubs (family Balanophoraceae). It looks like a young mushroom, until the 'cap' turns out to be a reddish-brown spike full of tiny flowers. Its action has hardly been studied.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 759
Cynomorium songaricum
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, nourishes the blood and moistens the bowel.
CautionEurope · Other · № 377
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.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 908
Virola theiodora (en verwante Virola-soorten)
A tree of the nutmeg family with blood-red resin in its bark. The resin contains a lot of 5-MeO-DMT and DMT, and also beta-carbolines. As snuff it brings excitement, numb limbs, nausea and visions within minutes.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 778
Momordica cochinchinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: externally for inflamed sores, breast abscesses and bruises.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 548
Rubia cordifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes menstruation, astringent, diuretic, cleansing, decongestant, tonic; for paralysis, jaundice, urinary tract obstruction, menstrual disorders, mastitis, too little lochia.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 1004
Cantua buxifolia
A much-branched shrub of 2 to 3 metres with clusters of tubular flowers in red, pink, yellow or white, pollinated by hummingbirds and bees. Little is known about its effect in people.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 5
Curcuma longa
A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 800
Minium (loodoxide)
Traditionally attributed effects: was used externally to draw out pus and heal wounds; contains lead.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 96
Tanacetum parthenium
Best known for preventing migraine. NCCIH notes the evidence is conflicting: some studies find a small effect, others do not.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 395
Abrus precatorius
Traditionally attributed effects: seeds purgative, emetic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac; leaf juice for sore throat and dry cough, purifies the blood; leaf paste for swellings and rheumatism; seed paste for sciatica and paralysis; eyewash.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 656
Perilla frutescens
Traditionally attributed effects: warms in colds from cold, helps digestion and soothes cough with phlegm.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 898
Myroxylon balsamum (var. pereirae)
A large tree whose resin, the balsam, smells of vanilla and cinnamon. The balsam contains cinnamic acid, benzyl benzoate and vanillin, among other compounds, and is used in perfume, food and ointments for skin and wounds.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 958
Ratibida columnifera (syn. R. columnaris)
A member of the daisy family with drooping yellow or red-brown ray flowers around a long, columnar centre that smells when bruised. Effects not studied.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 1014
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.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 915
Krameria lappacea (syn. Krameria triandra)
A low shrub that is partly parasitic on the roots of other plants. The red root is rich in tannins and is therefore astringent. In Europe rhatany root is listed in the pharmacopoeia and used in mouthwashes and gum remedies.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 967
Alnus rubra
A fast-growing alder with smooth grey bark that turns red after cutting. The bark is rich in tannins and astringent.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 201
Pelargonium graveolens
Traditionally attributed effects: antidepressant, pain-relieving, diuretic, calming, tonic.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 742
Spatholobus suberectus (syn. Millettia reticulata)
Traditionally attributed effects: both moves and nourishes the blood; for weakness, numbness and painful joints.
CautionOceania · Other · № 22
Melaleuca alternifolia
An essential oil for external use. Limited research suggests possible effects for acne or athlete’s foot; evidence is preliminary.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 328
Potentilla erecta
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, especially for the intestinal wall.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 86
Plantago major
The leaf is traditionally bruised and applied to insect bites, small wounds and grazes, and taken as tea for coughs. Clinical evidence is limited.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 969
Tsuga heterophylla
A large conifer with a drooping top and short, flat needles. The bark is very rich in tannins; the young needles contain vitamin C.
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.