Skip to content
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

Search by concern or tag

2 results

  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 927

    Sanango

    Tabernaemontana sananho

    A tree of the dogbane family, related to iboga. Contains the indole alkaloids coronaridine, voacangine and ibogamine, which resemble those of iboga. Anti-inflammatory, and in the laboratory effective against the parasite that causes leishmaniasis.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 926

    Chiricaspi

    Brunfelsia grandiflora

    A shrub of the nightshade family up to three metres tall, with fragrant flowers that fade from purple to white. Contains scopoletin, among others, and compounds that cause convulsions in animals. Gives a feeling of cold and tingling, and in larger amounts dizziness and paralysis.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+1
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.

Read more

From plant to use

Ways to prepare herbs

All preparations →

Discover more

Traditions, kitchen and classical formulas