Introduction
Plants are an integral key to the health of ourselves and our world and we wouldn’t be here without them. Plants are not only necessary and capable of keeping us healthy physically but can also be used to heal emotionally and to reconnect with our true selves, a deeper and more primal self. Herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years by cultures all over the world and herbal knowledge has traditionally been passed down from generation to generation orally via the indigenous tribe’s healers. These were known as the Medicine man or woman, Shaman, Mudang, Miko, Seidhr, Kahuna, Witch or Druid to name a few.
Over the last hundred years, we have en masse cut ourselves off from our innate connection with nature, plants and animals. We can reconnect by learning herbalism, about plant allies and how to grow them or source from cultivated and sustainable suppliers. I believe it’s time that we restore our collective knowledge about herbs and their medicinal qualities so that we can feel empowered and heal on a deeper level as individuals, as families and as a human society…
Each herb and plant I list will have an introduction and history as well as interesting facts, its benefits with cited evidence based studies, methods of use and considerations, how to grow and harvest successfully as well as at least one easy recipe. I have included the most popular medicinal herbs from around the world including but not limited to those of ancient Europe, China, India, Native Americas and Africa.
You may be interested to also read: (Coming soon…)
Essential Medicinal Herbs for Common Ailments
Essential Children’s Herbs
Essential Celtic Herbs
Essential Herbs to Support Women
Essential Herbs to Support Men
Easiest Herb Plants to Grow
My personal focus is on native Celtic or European herbs but I respect and honor the use of herbs worldwide from all cultures and belief systems. I give credit where credit is due to each culture that discovered and cultivated their herbal allies by trial and error over hundreds, possibly thousands of generations.
In addition to herbs, I’ve included bushes, trees and fungi that are at minimum harvested as a wild or cultivated edible. In regards to wild edibles I focus on those mostly in the United States or British Isles simply because those are the ones I’m familiar with but I’m always expanding! The wild and wonderful edibles available around the world are endless! Click on the links at your convenience!
● Each topic links back to my patreon account where access hinges on a minimum monthly donation of $1 a month through paypal. Please bear with me while this list is under construction and evolving. I’ve provided free examples using two of my favorite herbs Yarrow and Calendula.
● No statements here are aimed to diagnose or treat any illness. I’m not a doctor. I’m not a homeopath. I’m not suggesting use of any specific herb or food to cure any specific diagnosis or illness. I’m simply an herbalist, who has organized and shared information about herbs, food, scientific studies and culinary recipes that are otherwise publicly available. Many herbs and foods in general interact negatively with medication and independent research and discussions with our doctors are critical. Remember that often, and out of necessity, scientific studies go where the financial support exists. Perspective and context is important. Many studies may be biased based on financial interest, were conducted on animals and not on humans as of yet or have a small sample size. Most medicinal herbs and some foods are not recommended during pregnancy or nursing due to lack of sufficient studies.
● As a general reminder, where we get our herbs or food is incredibly important. It’s best to grow our own but when we can’t, it’s important to make sure we’re purchasing from sustainable and cultivated sources. Many plants are suffering from over harvesting or increased disease caused by mass production.
● Everything here is my original written words and not to be copied or reproduced without my permission. Thank you for respecting my time, years of research and work that went into herbalism and the capability of being able to share it with you.
Acacia
Achiote
Acorus Root
Agaricus Blazei Mushroom
Agave
Agrimony
Ajwain
Alangium
Alder Buckthorn
Alfalfa
Allspice
Amalaki
American Ginseng
Amur Cork Tree
Andiroba
Anemone
Angelica
Anise
Anise Hyssop
Arborvitae
Argan
Arjuna
Arnica
Arrowhead
Arrowroot
Artists Conk
Asafoetida
Ashwagandha
Bacopa
Baikal Skullcap
Balm of Gilead
Balsam Fir
Balsam of Peru
Barberry
Barley Grass
Basil
Bayberry
Bay Laurel
Bay Rum
Bearberry
Bears Head Tooth
Bibhitaki
Bilberry
Bitter Dock
Bitter Melon
Bitter Orange
Black Cohosh
Black Currant
Black Haw
Black Pepper
Black Seed
Black Walnut
Bladderwrack
Blessed Thistle
Bloodroot
Blue Cohosh
Bluebeard
Blue Evergreen Hydrangea
Blue Vervain
Bluebell
Bogbean
Boldo
Boneset
Borage
Boswellia Seratta
Bracted Orache
Brahmi
Broadleaf Plantain
Buchu
Buckthorn
Bugleweed
Bull Thistle
Bupleurum
Burdock
Burnet
Butchers Room
Butterbur
Butterfly Weed
Canadian White Violet
Cardamom
Cassia
Catnip
Cat’s Claw
Cattail
Cayenne Pepper
Chaga
Chanterelles
Chaulmoogra Tree
Chicken of the Woods
Chicory
Chives
Chokecherry
Cilantro
Cinnamon
Cleavers
Cloudberry
Cloves
Coffee
Coltsfoot
Comb Tooth Fungus
Comfrey
Common Morel
Coriander Seed
Corn Flower
Costus Root
Cottonwood
Cramp Bark
Creat
Creeping Charlie
Creeping Lobelia
Crimson Clover
Crowberry
Cumin
Curry Leaf
Daisy Fleabane
Damiana
Dark Stalked Bolete
Devil’s Claw
Devil’s Trumpet
Dhanyaka
Dill Weed
Downy Yellow Violet
Dryads Saddle
Eastern White Pine
Elecampane
Elm Oyster
Ephedra
Evening Primrose
Eyebright
False Solomon Seal
False Unicorn Root
Fennel
Fenugreek
Fern Leaf Yarrow
Feverfew
Fiddlehead
Field Pennycress
Figleaved Goosefoot
Figwort
Fingerroot
Fireweed
Forget Me Not
Fo Ti Root
Forsythia Fruit
Frankincense
Fringe Tree
Fuchsia
Fucus
Fumitory
Galangal
Garam Masala
Garcinia
Garlic Mustard
Gentian
Geranium
Giant Puffball
Ginger
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginseng
Ginseng (American)
Ginseng (Siberian)
Goats Beard
Goats Rue
Golden Larch
Goldenrod
Goldenseal
Goldthread
Gotu Kola
Gravel Root
Green Tea
Grindelia
Ground Ivy
Guarana
Guduchi, tinospora
Guggal
Gurmar
Gymnema Sylvestre
Gynostemma
Hairy Bittercress
Hardy Rubber Tree
Harebell
Haritaki
Hawthorn
Helichrysum
Henbane
Henbit
Hen of the Woods
Hepatic Liver Leaf
Herb Robert
Holly
Holy Basil
Honeybush
Honeylocust
Honeysuckle
Hoodia
Hop Clover
Hops
Horehound
Horny Goat Weed
Horse Chestnut
Horseradish
Horseweed
Hyacinth
Immortelle
Impatiens
Indian Pipe
Indian Stringbush
Ivy Gourd
Jalap
Jamaican Dogwood
Jambul
Japanese Knotweed
Jasmine
Jatamansi or Indian Spikenard
Jeera, cumin
Jewel Weed
Jiaogulan
Jimson Weed
Joe Pyle Weed
Jojoba OIl
Juniper
Kava Root
Knapweed
Knotgrass
Kola Nut
Korean Mint
Kudzu Root
Kukui Nut
Labrador Tea
Ladys Thumb
Ladys Mantle
Lambs Quarters
Late Fall Oyster
Lemongrass
Lemon Verbena
Licorice
Lilac
Linden
Linseed
Lobelia
Lobster Mushroom
Long Pepper
Lotus
Lovage
Maca Root
Magnolia
Magnolia Vine
Maidenhair Fern
Maitake Mushroom
Mangosteen
Manjistha, Indian Madder
Maple
Marigold
Marjoram
Marlberry
Marshmallow
Marsh Marigold
Mayapple
Meadowsweet
Mica Cap
Milk Thistle
Milkweed
Miners Lettuce
Moringa
Motherwort
Mugwort
Muira Puama
Mullein
Mustard Seed
Myrrh
Myrtle
Nard
Naked Rue
Nasturtium
Neem Rauwolfia, Margosa
Nepal Dock
Neroli
New England Aster
New Jersey Tea
Niaouli
Nigella Seed
Noble Dendrobium
Noni
Nutmeg
Oak
Oak Leaf Goosefoot
Old Man of the Woods
Olive Leaf
Oolong Tea
Orange Bitter
Oregano
Oregon Grape Leaf
Oregon Grape Root
Orris Root
Oswego Tea
Oxeye Daisy
Oyster Mushroom
Pagoda Tree
Palmaraosa Oil
Palmers Amaranth
Paprika
Parsley
Partridgeberry
Pasque Flower
Patchouli
Pau Darco
Pearly Everlasting
Peking Spurge
Pennyroyal
Peony
Peppercorns
Peppergrass
Peppermint
Periwinkle
Peru Balsam
Peruvian Bark
Petitgrain OIl
Phaseolus Vulgaris
Pickerelweed
Pigs Ear
Pigweed
Pimento
Pineapple Weed
Plantain
Pleurisy Root
Poke Root
Poplar Buds
Poppy
Poppy of Yan Hu Sou
Prickly Ash
Prickly Pear
Primrose
Psyllium Husk
Purging Croton
Purple Deadnettle
Purple Holly
Purslane
Pygeum
Quassia
Queen Annes Lace
Quinine
Ramon Nut
Ravensara
Red Root
Red Seeded Dandelion
Red Trillium
Rehmannia Root
Reishi Mushroom
Resinous Polypore
Rhodiola
Ribwort
Rock Rose
Rooibos
Roseroot
Rue
Rugels Plantain
Safflower
Saffron
Sarsaparilla
Salad Burnet
Sandalwood Oil
Sarpagandha, Indian Snakeroot
Sarsaparilla Root
Sassafras
Saskatoon
Satavari
Saw Palmeto
Scarlet Cup
Scarlet Pimpernel
Sceletium
Schisandra
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Sea Lungwort
Sea Plantain
Sea Sandwort
Senna
Sesame
Shaggy Mane
Shatavari
Shatavari, Wild asparagus
Shea Nut
Sheep Sorrel
Shepherds Purse
Shigru
Shikakai, Acacia concinna
Shilajit
Shitake
Sidewalk Mushroom
Silverweed
Skullcap
Slippery Elm
Snakeroot
Snapdragon
Soapwort
Solomons Seal
Sorrel
Southernwood
Sow Thistle
Spearmint
Speedwell
Sphagnum Moss
Spiderwort
Spikenard
Spikennard
Spilanthes
Spirulina
Spotted Dead Nettle
Spring Beauty
Spruce
St. John’s Wort
Stephania Root
Stevia
Stinging Nettle
Strawberry Blite
Suma Root
Supplejack Vine
Sweet Rocket
Sweet White Clover
Sweet Woodruff
Sweetfern
Szechwan Lovage
Tamanu Oil
Tamarack
Tansy
Tarragon
Tatar Aster, Tartar Aster
Tea Plant
Tea Tree
Teasel
Thimbleberry
Thorn Apple
Thuja OIl
Thyme
Tilia
Tinder Hoof
Tolu Balsam Oil
Tomcat Clover
Toothwort
Tormentil
Tribulus Terrestris
Triphala
Trout Lily
Tulsi
Turkey Rhubarb
Turkey Tail
Usnea
Uva Ursi
Valerian
Vanilla Extract
Velvet Leaf
Velvet Shank
Vervain
Vervain Mallow
Violet
Virginia Waterleaf
Vitex, Chasteberry
Voswellia
Weeping Forsynthia
Water Plantain
Watercress
White Trillium
Wild Violet
Willow
Willow Yarrow
Wintergreen
Witch Hazel
Wolfs Claw
Wood Sorrel
Wormwood
Wu Long Tea
Yacon Root
Yashtimadhu, Licorice Root
Yellow Dock
Yellow Rocket
Yellow Toadflax
Yerba Mate
Ylang Ylang
Yohimbe
Yucca Root
