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
CautionNorth America · Herb · № 932
Tilia americana
A large broadleaf tree with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant flowers, related to the European lime. The flowers contain mucilage and flavonoids. The wood is soft and easy to carve; the inner bark gives strong fibre.
CautionSouth America · Herb · № 981
Justicia pectoralis (syn. Dianthera pectoralis)
A low, creeping herb of the acanthus family. The dried leaf smells strongly of hay because of coumarin and umbelliferone. Reports of tryptamines in the plant have not been confirmed.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 226
Tilia × europaea
Traditionally attributed effects: calming nerve remedy, induces sweating, vasodilating, restores the vessel walls, lowers blood pressure.
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.
CautionEurope · Herb · № 47
Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata (en C. pinnatifida)
Studied for heart failure with conflicting results. For most conditions there is little or no good evidence.
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.