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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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Recipes
White radish soup with Chinese asparagusLingzhi soup with lean porkFish ball soup with spinach and niu xiWatercress and spare rib soup with dried figsFish and vegetable soup with celosia seedMiso fish soup with daikon and Chinese yamShellfish soup with chuanxiongFish soup with papaya and tofuPork soup with water chestnuts and jujubesChicken soup with tian qiPork soup with cordyceps and fish mawSpare rib soup with lotus root and four herbsLongan chicken soup with three seedsFour-herb tonic soupSweetcorn soup with astragalusPigeon egg soup with white fungusVegetarian eight-treasure soupSweet soup with white fungus, lotus root and jujubesHupa acorn soup
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 48

    Stinging nettle

    Urtica dioica

    A food and fiber plant with a long tradition in folk medicine. Medical claims are not established.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Food · № 979

    Tanoak

    Notholithocarpus densiflorus

    An evergreen tree of the beech family, between oak and chestnut. The acorns are nourishing but bitter with tannins, which must first be leached out.

    Hupa medicine
  • 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

    South America · Herb · № 866

    Monkey puzzle (pehuén)

    Araucaria araucana

    An ancient conifer that lives for more than a thousand years. The large, starchy seeds are a nourishing food; the resin was used on wounds.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 84

    Apple

    Malus domestica

    A fruit rich in fibre such as pectin; grated apple is an old home remedy for mild diarrhoea. No specific medicinal effect has been proven.

    Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 149

    Astragalus (huang qi)

    Astragalus membranaceus

    In Chinese medicine an important strengthening herb ('qi tonic') for fatigue, catching colds easily and sweating. NCCIH notes there is little reliable human research.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 36

    Asian ginseng

    Panax ginseng (ook P. quinquefolius)

    Research consists mostly of small, short studies; there is little evidence of health effects.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 8

    Basil

    Ocimum basilicum

    Traditionally used as an aromatic food plant and in herbal preparations.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 270

    Chives

    Allium schoenoprasum

    A mild onion herb with vitamin C and sulphur compounds. A medicinal effect has not been shown.

    Monastic and folk knowledge
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 825

    Chaya (tree spinach)

    Cnidoscolus aconitifolius

    A nutritious leaf vegetable of the Maya.

    Maya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 642

    Chinese asparagus root (tian men dong)

    Asparagus cochinchinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: moistening; for recovery after illness or surgery, chronically dry skin and for the production of sex hormones.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 636

    Jujube (red date)

    Ziziphus jujuba

    Traditionally attributed effects: sweet and strengthening in fatigue, anaemia and low energy; builds strength and blood and softens herbal dishes.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 120

    Dong quai (dang gui)

    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.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 643

    Chinese raspberry (fu pen zi)

    Rubus chingii

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidneys and liver; for poor vision, frequent urination and impotence.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 802

    Chinese chestnut

    Castanea mollissima

    Traditionally attributed effects: dried, peeled chestnuts give sweet soups such as the eight-treasure soup their sweetness; in Chinese food therapy they strengthen spleen and kidneys.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 635

    Chinese yam (shan yao)

    Dioscorea polystachya (syn. D. opposita)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens spleen, stomach and lungs, helps regulate the hormone system in women and is said to lower blood sugar.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 381

    Lemongrass

    Cymbopogon citratus

    Traditionally attributed effects: for oily hair.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 639

    Codonopsis (dang shen)

    Codonopsis pilosula

    Traditionally attributed effects: reduces fatigue, supports the production of blood cells and strengthens spleen, stomach and lungs.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Mushroom · № 147

    Caterpillar fungus (cordyceps)

    Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis)

    A fungus that parasitises caterpillars. Used in Tibetan and Chinese medicine for fatigue, lung complaints and low libido. Studies are small and there is no convincing evidence.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 320

    Wild garlic

    Allium ursinum

    Traditionally attributed effects: antimicrobial, lowers blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 189

    Pine

    Pinus spp.

    The scent of needles and resin is experienced as fresh and cleansing. Pine buds and needles contain essential oil and vitamin C; a medicinal effect has hardly been studied.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Mushroom · № 115

    Penny bun (porcini)

    Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, Morchella esculenta, Pleurotus ostreatus

    A prized edible mushroom with protein, fibre and minerals. Medicinal claims are unproven.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 260

    Peas

    Pisum sativum

    A legume rich in protein and fibre. In Chinese medicine (wan dou) the pea is regarded as a mild remedy for the spleen and for mild diarrhoea.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 119

    Galangal

    Alpinia galanga

    A relative of ginger traditionally used for nausea, wind and sluggish digestion. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Ayurveda+6
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 1

    Ginger

    Zingiber officinale

    Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 649

    Glehnia root (sha shen)

    Glehnia littoralis

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishes the lungs and is good for the stomach; for persistent dry cough and to dissolve phlegm.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 637

    Goji (Chinese wolfberry)

    Lycium barbarum, L. chinense

    Traditionally attributed effects: sweet tonic that according to tradition strengthens the yang energy, strength and stamina and supports the hormone system.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 645

    Job's tears (coix seed)

    Coix lacryma-jobi

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing grain that drives dampness from the body; for arthritis and rheumatism, diuretic, and to relieve a full chest and stomach ulcers.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Europe · Other · № 382

    Kelp

    Laminaria spp. / Ascophyllum nodosum

    Brown seaweeds are rich in iodine and alginate. They are used in scrubs and as food supplements; too much iodine can disrupt the thyroid.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 834

    Chervil

    Anthriscus cerefolium

    A mild, aniseed-like kitchen herb, traditionally used as a cleansing spring herb and for digestive complaints.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 12

    Garlic

    Allium sativum

    A food with a long history of use. Supplement research suggests only limited effects and does not establish a treatment.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+7Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 231

    Coriander

    Coriandrum sativum

    Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, stimulating, carminative, stomachic, cooling, tonic, diuretic; for flatulence, colic, rheumatism, nerve pain, sore throat, indigestion, vomiting, colds, bile complaints.

    Greco-Roman medicine+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 205

    Lily

    Lilium spp.

    The bulb scales of some lilies (bai he) are used in Chinese medicine for dry cough, restlessness and sleeplessness after fever. Lilies are deadly poisonous to cats.

    Chinese medical traditions+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 661

    Green onion (cong bai)

    Allium fistulosum

    Traditionally attributed effects: diaphoretic at the start of a cold from cold; externally on swellings.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 653

    Longan

    Dimocarpus longan

    Traditionally attributed effects: a sweet, warming tonic for heart and blood; good for digestion and calming.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 131

    Sacred lotus

    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.

    Ayurveda+3Folklore
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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