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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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  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 93

    Betony

    Betonica officinalis (syn. Stachys officinalis)

    Traditionally used for tension headaches and nervousness. Modern clinical research is lacking.

    Greco-Roman medicine+3
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 917

    Chuchuhuasi

    Maytenus macrocarpa (syn. Monteverdia macrocarpa); in Noord-Peru ook Heisteria acuminata

    A large tree with thick, reddish-brown bark. The bark contains triterpenes and sesquiterpenes, among other compounds; extracts were anti-inflammatory in experiments. Studies in people are lacking.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 914

    Huanarpo

    Corynaea crassa

    An unusual parasitic plant without chlorophyll that lives on the roots of trees and shrubs; only a club-shaped flower spike appears above ground. Little is known about its effect in people.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 272

    Apricot

    Prunus armeniaca

    Traditionally attributed effects: cough-suppressing, astringent, antibacterial, pain-relieving, diuretic, anti-inflammatory; wild cherry suppresses cough.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 303

    Achyranthes root (huai niu xi)

    Achyranthes bidentata

    Traditionally attributed effects: promotes circulation, liver tonic, pain-relieving.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Mineral · № 793

    Actinolite (yang qi shi)

    Actinolitum

    Traditionally attributed effects: was used to strengthen kidney yang; actinolite is a form of asbestos.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 812

    African potato

    Hypoxis hemerocallidea

    A corm widely traded as a tonic. The evidence for its effects is weak.

    Traditional healers of Southern Africa
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 418

    Agarwood

    Aquilaria agallocha

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, strengthens the heart, tonic, carminative, promotes bile; for skin diseases, gout and rheumatism, vomiting, snake bites, pain from wounds, bronchitis in children, headache, dizziness.

    Ayurveda+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 540

    Agnimantha

    Premna obtusifolia

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart, stomachic, carminative, cleansing, tonic, anti-inflammatory, lowers blood sugar; for swellings, pain and diabetes; part of 'dashamula'.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 57

    Agrimony

    Agrimonia eupatoria

    An astringent, tannin-rich herb traditionally used for diarrhoea, sore throats and minor wounds. Good human research is lacking.

    Western herbal medicine+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 340

    Ajwain

    Trachyspermum ammi

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, tonic, aromatic, antispasmodic, antiseptic; for flatulence, indigestion, colic, diarrhoea, cholera, intestinal cramps; source of thymol; against worms.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 79

    Elecampane

    Inula helenium

    The root is traditionally used for productive coughs and bronchitis; it is rich in inulin. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4
  • Caution

    South America · Food · № 916

    Algarrobo (Peruvian mesquite)

    Neltuma pallida (syn. Prosopis pallida)

    A thorny tree of the pea family, related to mesquite, with sweet pods full of sugars. With its deep roots the tree holds the dry forest together.

    Curanderismo of northern Peru
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 754

    Sharp-leaf galangal fruit (yi zhi ren)

    Alpinia oxyphylla

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens kidney yang and holds in urine and semen; warms the spleen in diarrhoea and drooling.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 63

    Wormwood

    Artemisia absinthium

    One of the most bitter herbs; traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion and against intestinal worms. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Greco-Roman medicine+5
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 996

    American dittany

    Cunila origanoides

    A low, woody plant of the mint family with small purple flowers in late summer that smells of oregano and mint. The leaf contains essential oil. On the first frosty nights the stems split and ice ribbons grow out of them, which gave it the name frost mint.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 160

    American ginseng

    Panax quinquefolius

    Chinese medicine regards it as more 'cooling' than Asian ginseng and uses it for fatigue and thirst. Some studies find a slight effect on post-meal blood sugar and colds; evidence is limited.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 951

    American spikenard

    Aralia racemosa

    A tall perennial of the ivy family, related to ginseng, with a thick, aromatic root. Little studied.

    Haudenosaunee medicine+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 678

    Amur cork tree bark (huang bai)

    Phellodendron amurense

    Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat from the lower body and cools heat from kidney yin deficiency.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    South America · Food · № 250

    Pineapple

    Ananas comosus

    Traditionally attributed effects: fever-reducing, cleansing, bitter tonic; ripe fruit diuretic, induces sweating, cooling, digests protein; leaf laxative and expels worms; unripe fruit strongly diuretic, promotes menstruation and abortifacient.

    Ayurveda+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 414

    King of bitters

    Andrographis paniculata

    Traditionally attributed effects: stomachic, tonic, fever-reducing, cleansing, expels worms, promotes bile; for flatulence, lack of appetite, intestinal complaints in children, diarrhoea, dysentery, sluggish liver, nerve pain, recovery after fever.

    Ayurveda+2
  • 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 · № 562

    Arjuna

    Terminalia arjuna

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the heart, astringent, dissolves stones, diuretic; for heart disease (angina, heart failure, pericarditis), high blood pressure, bleeding, diarrhoea, dysentery, sprue, bile complaints, oedema, cirrhosis of the liver; antidote.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 296

    Globe artichoke

    Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus

    Traditionally attributed effects: liver tonic and restorative, promotes bile.

    Western herbal medicine
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 550

    Ashoka tree

    Saraca indica

    Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent, calms the uterus; for uterine disorders, especially heavy menstruation, internal bleeding, haemorrhoids, bloody dysentery; root aphrodisiac and tonic, for cough, asthma, rheumatism, skin diseases, indigestion.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 17

    Ashwagandha

    Withania somnifera

    An Ayurvedic medicinal plant. Some preparations have been studied for stress and sleep, but evidence is limited and products vary.

    Ayurveda+2
  • 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

    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 · № 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

    Asia · Herb · № 401

    Indian atees

    Aconitum heterophyllum

    Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, astringent, fever-reducing, stomachic, aphrodisiac; for weakness after fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, cough, indigestion; in children against cough, colds, fever and vomiting.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 492

    Ayapana

    Eupatorium triplinerve

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, tonic, stimulates the heart, induces sweating, stops bleeding; bitter tonic for indigestion, cough and fever, against scurvy; cleanses foul ulcers.

    Herbal knowledge of the Amazon+1
  • 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

    Asia · Herb · № 526

    Spanish cherry

    Mimusops elengi

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, antihistamine, astringent, aromatic, strengthens the heart, tonic, fever-reducing; for catarrh of the bladder and urethra, fever, gum and tooth diseases, leucoderma, heart disease, snake bites, chronic dysentery.

    Ayurveda
  • 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
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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