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
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 854
Croton lechleri
A tree with a thick, blood-red sap. On the skin it dries quickly into a protective layer. Crofelemer, approved in the US since 2013 for diarrhoea in people with HIV, was developed from the sap.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 739
Imperata cylindrica
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood and stops bleeding; promotes urination and cools lung and stomach.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 735
Bletilla striata
Traditionally attributed effects: stops bleeding in lung and stomach and promotes wound healing.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 24
Harpagophytum procumbens
The tuberous roots are used in folk medicine for pain. Research suggests a possible limited effect on low back pain; the evidence is of moderate quality at best.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 765
Ailanthus altissima
Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat, dries dampness and curbs diarrhoea, discharge and bleeding.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 69
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Traditionally used to slow bleeding, such as heavy periods or nosebleeds. Clinical evidence is very limited.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 734
Typha angustifolia (en T. orientalis)
Traditionally attributed effects: stops bleeding and resolves blood stagnation in pain.
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.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 666
Equisetum hyemale
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat around the eyes, stops bleeding and is diuretic.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 56
Achillea millefolium
Traditionally used to stop bleeding from minor wounds, for fevers and colds, and as a digestive bitter. Clinical evidence is limited.
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.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 99
Trifolium pratense
Contains isoflavones (plant oestrogens) and is sold for menopausal symptoms. NCCIH concludes there is no convincing evidence that it reduces hot flushes.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 91
Salix alba
The bark contains salicin, which the body partly converts to salicylic acid. There are hints of a moderate effect on low back pain and joint pain.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 644
Ligusticum chuanxiong (syn. L. striatum)
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes circulation, helps with menstrual complaints and as a restorative tonic after childbirth, and is said to lower high blood pressure; warming.
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 171
Oenothera biennis
The seed oil contains gamma-linolenic acid and is sold for eczema, premenstrual symptoms and hot flushes. NCCIH reports it does not help eczema and that evidence for other conditions is insufficient.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 780
Alumen (kaliumaluminiumsulfaat)
Traditionally attributed effects: externally astringent and anti-itch; stanches bleeding.
CautionEurope · Food · № 101
Vaccinium myrtillus en V. vitis-idaea
Rich in anthocyanins. Dried berries are an old remedy for diarrhoea. NCCIH reports there is not enough evidence for eye, blood-vessel or other claims.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 738
Artemisia argyi
Traditionally attributed effects: warms the meridians and uterus, stops bleeding from cold and relieves pain; the herb of moxa.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 120
Angelica sinensis
In Chinese medicine one of the most important herbs to 'nourish the blood', especially for menstrual complaints. Western studies found no clear effect on menopausal symptoms.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 138
Salvia miltiorrhiza
The red root is used in Chinese medicine to 'promote blood circulation', especially for heart and vascular complaints. There are many studies in China, often of limited quality.
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 · № 37
Ginkgo biloba
There is no conclusive evidence that ginkgo helps any health condition. A modest effect on dementia symptoms is possible, but results are inconsistent.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 736
Sanguisorba officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood and stops bleeding in the lower abdomen; externally for burns.
CautionAsia · Mineral · № 796
Haematitum (ijzeroxide)
Traditionally attributed effects: anchors rising liver yang, makes rebellious qi descend and cools the blood in bleeding.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 33
Uncaria tomentosa
There is no conclusive scientific evidence that cat's claw helps any health condition.
CautionAfrica · Food · № 12
Allium sativum
A food with a long history of use. Supplement research suggests only limited effects and does not establish a treatment.
CautionAsia · Food · № 131
Nelumbo nucifera
Almost every part is used: seeds for diarrhoea and restlessness, rhizome as food, leaf for 'summer heat'. Scientific evidence is mostly laboratory research.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 737
Platycladus orientalis (syn. Biota orientalis)
Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood and stops bleeding; dissolves phlegm and helps with burns.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 165
Handroanthus impetiginosus (syn. Tabebuia avellanedae)
The inner bark is sold for fungal infections, inflammation and as a 'cancer remedy'. There is no reliable human evidence; its active compound lapachol proved too toxic at effective doses.
CautionAsia · Mushroom · № 690
Calvatia gigantea (en Lasiosphaera fenzlii)
Traditionally attributed effects: cools lung fire in sore throat and hoarseness; the spore powder stops bleeding externally.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 657
Schizonepeta tenuifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in colds (warm or cool, depending on the combination), helps rashes come out and, charred, stops bleeding.
CautionCentral America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 849
Momordica charantia
A bitter climbing plant whose fruit, leaves and vines are used. In folk medicine mainly taken to lower blood sugar; research shows a small effect at most.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 5
Curcuma longa
A traditional culinary spice containing curcumin; laboratory findings do not establish a cure for disease.
CautionAsia · Herb · № 497
Ficus racemosa
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, carminative, stomachic, kills worms, lowers blood sugar; wound rinse, for dysentery, bile complaints, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, heavy menstruation, coughing up blood, sore throat, diabetes.
CautionAfrica · Herb · № 373
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.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 897
Muehlenbeckia volcanica
A low, creeping shrublet with small, round, leathery leaves and blue-black berries. Tannins and flavonoids have been found in the extract; in rats it was anti-inflammatory.
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.