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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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11 results

  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 277

    Bistort

    Bistorta officinalis (syn. Polygonum bistorta)

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, stops diarrhoea and bleeding, anticatarrhal.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 757

    Flattened milkvetch seed (sha yuan zi)

    Astragalus complanatus

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang, holds in the essence and strengthens the eyesight.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 944

    Yellow pond-lily

    Nuphar lutea (incl. N. variegata)

    A water plant with floating leaves and yellow, globe-shaped flowers. The rhizome contains alkaloids whose effects are poorly studied.

    Haudenosaunee medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 316

    Parsley piert

    Aphanes arvensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 92

    Figwort

    Scrophularia nodosa (en S. ningpoensis)

    Used in Western herbalism for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and for swollen glands. There is no good clinical evidence.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 949

    Liverleaf

    Hepatica nobilis (incl. H. americana en H. acutiloba)

    An early spring flower of the buttercup family with three-lobed leaves. Fresh, the plant contains irritating compounds.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Other · № 588

    Lungwort lichen

    Lobaria pulmonaria

    Traditionally attributed effects: antioxidant, expectorant; reduces inflammation in the airways and intestines, supports the lungs and helps with sinusitis.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 235

    Eyebright

    Euphrasia officinalis

    Traditionally attributed effects: anticatarrhal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 507

    East Indian screw tree

    Helicteres isora

    Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, soothing, mildly astringent, stomachic; for colic, flatulence, diarrhoea, chronic dysentery, diabetes, ear infection, snake bites.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 318

    Lesser celandine

    Ficaria verna (syn. Ranunculus ficaria)

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, used for haemorrhoids.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 945

    Purple pitcher plant

    Sarracenia purpurea

    A carnivorous plant with pitcher-shaped leaves that hold rainwater, in which insects drown. Little research exists on effects in people.

    Haudenosaunee medicine
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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