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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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Soothing after-sun milk
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 376

    Alfalfa

    Medicago sativa

    Traditionally attributed effects: calming and moisture-restoring for dry skin.

    Chinese medical traditions+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 4

    Aloe vera

    Aloe vera

    The gel from the leaf is used externally to soothe the skin and for minor burns. Research on wound healing gives mixed results; the gel is no substitute for wound care.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+6Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 158

    American skullcap

    Scutellaria lateriflora (en S. baicalensis)

    Used in Western herbalism for nervousness, tension and sleep problems. A few small studies suggest a mild calming effect.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 304

    Chinese goldthread (huang lian)

    Coptis chinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: promotes bile, antibacterial, pain-relieving, calming, anti-inflammatory.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 233

    Cypress

    Cupressus sempervirens

    Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, antispasmodic, calming, diuretic.

    Greco-Roman medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 85

    Lemon balm

    Melissa officinalis

    Traditionally used for restlessness, sleep problems and a nervous stomach; externally for cold sores. Small studies suggest a mild calming effect, but evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+7Folklore
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 928

    Damiana

    Turnera diffusa

    A small, woody shrub with small, strongly scented leaves and yellow flowers. Contains flavonoids such as apigenin and acacetin, terpenes and a small amount of cyanogenic glycosides. Considered mildly calming and uplifting; which substances cause this is not known.

    Curanderismo
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 200

    Gardenia (zhi zi)

    Gardenia jasminoides

    Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, calming, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial, promotes bile.

    Chinese medical traditions+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 333

    Wild lettuce

    Lactuca virosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: calming, lowers blood sugar, sleep-inducing, suppresses libido.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 77

    Hops

    Humulus lupulus

    The cones are traditionally used for restlessness and sleep problems, often with valerian. There are hints of a mild sedative effect, but evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 427

    Indian belladonna

    Atropa acuminata

    Traditionally attributed effects: narcotic, calming, diuretic, antispasmodic, dilates the pupils, pain-relieving; antidote in opium and mushroom poisoning, smoked for cramps, externally for rheumatism, nerve pain and lumbago.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 567

    Indian valerian

    Valeriana jatamansi

    Traditionally attributed effects: stomachic, stimulating, carminative, calming; for nervous weakness, insomnia, chorea, stomach cramps, hysteria, epilepsy, shell shock and neurosis.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 309

    Jamaican dogwood

    Piscidia piscipula

    Traditionally attributed effects: calming, pain-relieving.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 130

    Spikenard (jatamansi)

    Nardostachys jatamansi

    Used in Ayurveda as a calming remedy for insomnia and restlessness. There is mostly animal research; clinical evidence is lacking.

    Ayurveda+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 109

    Catnip

    Nepeta cataria

    Traditionally used as a mild tea for colds, fevers, restlessness and colic. Nepetalactone from the plant is being researched as an insect repellent.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 544

    Emetic nut

    Randia dumetorum

    Traditionally attributed effects: fruit rind induces sweating and antispasmodic; bark calming and soothes the nerves; bark internally and externally for rheumatism, bruises and bone pain in fever, diarrhoea and dysentery; fruit emetic in acute bronchitis and asthma; scorpion stings.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 239

    Mistletoe

    Viscum album

    Traditionally attributed effects: slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, antitumour.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 154

    Passionflower

    Passiflora incarnata

    Used for anxiety and sleep problems. NCCIH notes some indications of an effect on anxiety but limited evidence.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 286

    California poppy

    Eschscholzia californica

    Traditionally attributed effects: pain-relieving, sleep-inducing, calming.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 313

    Dwarf lilyturf (mai men dong)

    Ophiopogon japonicus

    Traditionally attributed effects: promotes the secretion of body fluids, tonic, calming, cough-suppressing, lowers blood sugar, antibacterial.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 328

    Tormentil

    Potentilla erecta

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, especially for the intestinal wall.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 285

    Bugleweed

    Lycopus virginicus

    Traditionally attributed effects: calming, astringent, tonic, vasoconstricting, cough-suppressing, stops bleeding.

    Eclectic medicine+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 329

    True unicorn root

    Aletris farinosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: oestrogenic, tonic, stimulates digestion, calming.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 850

    Soursop

    Annona muricata

    A tree with a large, sweet-sour fruit. The leaf is drunk as a calming tea. Claims that soursop cures cancer are unproven.

    Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 223

    Almond

    Prunus dulcis

    Traditionally attributed effects: sweet almond soothing, stimulating, nourishing, strengthens the nerves; bitter almond soothing, laxative, calming in cough.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 65

    Asparagus

    Asparagus officinalis en A. racemosus

    A nutritious vegetable; root and shoots were traditionally used as a diuretic. There is no good evidence for a medicinal effect.

    Greco-Roman medicine+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Other · № 597

    Usnea

    Usnea barbata

    Traditionally attributed effects: antimicrobial, antifungal, immunomodulating, soothing, laxative, nourishing; against streptococci (sore throat), staphylococci, cellulitis and infected wounds, antiviral (HPV), yeast infections.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 398

    Babul tree

    Acacia nilotica

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, soothing, aphrodisiac, nourishing, expectorant; for cough, diarrhoea and dysentery, sore throat and spongy gums, wounds and skin diseases, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, prolapse of anus and uterus.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 552

    Country mallow

    Sida cordifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: cooling, astringent, stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, soothing, diuretic; contains an ephedrine-like substance.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 574

    Balsam poplar

    Populus balsamifera

    Traditionally attributed effects: buds: stimulating, tonic, diuretic, soothing, expectorant; bark: expectorant, laxative; for skin problems (eczema, psoriasis), dry cough, constipation, kidney/bladder support, rheumatism and gout.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 134

    Bamboo

    Phyllostachys nigra

    In Chinese medicine bamboo shavings (zhu ru) and bamboo sap are used for coughs with yellow phlegm, nausea and restlessness. Ayurveda uses silica-rich bamboo manna. Clinical research is scarce.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 67

    Borage

    Borago officinalis

    The seed oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid, has been studied for eczema and joint inflammation with mixed results. The leaf was traditionally used to reduce fever and as a tonic.

    Western herbal medicine+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 572

    Chinese jujube

    Zizyphus vulgaris

    Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, lowers blood sugar, soothing, soothing to the chest.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 445

    Chironji

    Buchanania lanzan

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, cleansing, laxative, diuretic; seeds nutritious, gum for diarrhoea, ointment for itching and skin blemishes, oil for swollen neck glands, substitute for almond oil.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 245

    Grape

    Vitis vinifera

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, laxative, cooling, stomachic, diuretic; for bilious indigestion, bleeding, painful urination, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, gout; juice for constipation in children.

    Folk magic and herbal magic+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 394

    Devil's cotton

    Abroma augusta

    Traditionally attributed effects: leaves and stem soothing, root bark promotes menstruation; for painful menstruation, regulates menstruation, uterine tonic, for gonorrhoea; can cause skin irritation.

    Ayurveda
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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