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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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13 results

  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 307

    Indian tobacco

    Lobelia inflata

    Traditionally attributed effects: relaxing, expectorant, induces sweating, emetic, antispasmodic, anti-asthmatic.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 989

    Rabbit tobacco

    Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (syn. Gnaphalium obtusifolium)

    An annual, grey-felted herb of the daisy family, with straw-coloured flower heads that keep their shape when dried. The dried herb smells sweet. Flavonoids and essential oil have been found in it; its effect is little studied.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 819

    Tobacco

    Nicotiana rustica

    A ceremonial plant of many Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Tobacco is addictive and harmful to health.

    Maya healing knowledge+10
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 874

    Tupa (devil's tobacco)

    Lobelia tupa

    A robust lobelia with red flowers and felted leaves. Contains lobeline and other alkaloids; poisonous.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 517

    Wild tobacco

    Lobelia nicotianaefolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: antiseptic, antifungal, antispasmodic (in combination with other remedies).

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 992

    American sweetgum

    Liquidambar styraciflua

    A tall tree with star-shaped leaves, splendid autumn colours and spiky round seed balls. When the bark is wounded a fragrant resin, American storax, seeps out; for centuries it has gone into ointments, perfume and incense. The resin is mildly antiseptic.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 939

    Perfoliate bellwort

    Uvularia perfoliata

    A low plant with hanging, pale yellow bells and leaves that clasp the stem. Little is known about its compounds.

    Haudenosaunee medicine
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 853

    Matico

    Buddleja globosa

    A shrub with orange, ball-shaped flowers. The leaf contains anti-inflammatory compounds such as verbascoside; clinical research on wound healing is lacking.

    Mapuche medicine
  • Caution

    Oceania · Herb · № 841

    Pituri

    Duboisia hopwoodii

    A shrub containing nicotine and related compounds; the dried leaves were chewed as a stimulant.

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge
  • 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
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 921

    Wild dagga

    Leonotis leonurus

    A shrub of the mint family, two to three metres tall, with orange, tubular flowers in whorls around the square stems. Contains marrubiin and leonurine, as well as labdane compounds. Considered mildly calming; which substance causes the effect is not yet clear.

    Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 952

    Wild sarsaparilla

    Aralia nudicaulis

    A low plant of the ivy family with a long, creeping, aromatic root; related to ginseng and no relative of true sarsaparilla (Smilax).

    Haudenosaunee medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 634

    Wintergreen

    Gaultheria procumbens

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness and cools heat in hot, swollen joints and muscle pain, drains damp heat in the urinary tract and moves stagnant qi and blood in pain.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+3
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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