Botanical profile01
Aloe
Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. (syn. Aloe barbadensis Mill.)
The clear gel inside a familiar succulent has a place in gentle skin care. The leaf’s other preparations require a different conversation.
Get to know the botanicalThe Medicine Wild materia medica
Plants, with
personality.
A leaf for the teacup. A root with a long history. An invitation to wonder. Traditional wisdom, spiritual meaning, and scientific questioning meet in a field guide to the botanical world.
Explore the A–Z ↓
72 profiles · By Dr. Michele Burklund
Browse by name, by herbal action, or by the questions you’re asking. A plant can belong to several traditions. Each profile makes room for its cultural history, the soul of a ritual, and the questions explored in research.
Nervine, adaptogen, demulcent… a guide to the language ↗The plant library
A world worth getting to know.
A note on classification
Herbal actions describe a plant’s traditional roles and particular qualities. Explore the language here, then follow each profile into its traditions, preparations, and clinical research. Areas of use and research themes have their own labels in the glossary.
72 profiles
Botanical profile02
American Ginseng
Panax quinquefolius
Meet a North American root with a long tradition of vitality and a distinctive place in modern fatigue research.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile03
American Skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora L.
Small blue flowers, a quiet presence in the apothecary, and a North American nervine tradition worth getting to know.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile04
Artichoke
Cynara cardunculus L. (syn. Cynara scolymus L.)
A slow-to-eat Mediterranean favorite with a separate medicinal leaf tradition and promising research on digestive comfort.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile05
Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
An earthy Ayurvedic root at the meeting point of restorative tradition, evening ritual, and research on stress and rest.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile06
Asian Ginseng
Panax ginseng
A storied root, the distinction between red and white, and a more considered approach to vitality.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile07
Astragalus
Astragalus membranaceus
A Chinese root with a long restorative history, and a modern longevity conversation that benefits from perspective.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile08
Bacopa
Bacopa monnieri
The Ayurvedic herb that brings memory, attention, and the art of a steadier daily rhythm into the conversation.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile09
Black Cohosh
Actaea racemosa L. (syn. Cimicifuga racemosa)
A woodland botanical with a long menopause history, mixed clinical results, and an unusually important distinction between the plant and the product.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile10
Black Cumin (Black Seed, Nigella)
Nigella sativa L.
Peppery, aromatic, and treasured across generations—nigella brings both flavor and a compelling story to the botanical pantry.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile11
Boswellia (Indian Frankincense)
Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr.
Frankincense carries a remarkable spiritual history. Indian boswellia also has a distinct, growing body of research on movement and comfort.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile12
Burdock
Arctium lappa L.
Earthy, crisp, and quietly complex: a culinary root with a rich herbal history and early human research worth keeping in proportion.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile13
Calendula
Calendula officinalis L.
Golden petals, a sunlit garden, and a long tradition of tending skin with botanical care.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile14
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica Cham.
A sunlit wildflower with a rich regional history and an enduring place in calming herbal traditions.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile15
Cannabis
Cannabis sativa L.
An ancient ritual plant, a complex modern medicine, and a story best understood one preparation at a time.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile16
Castor Oil
Ricinus communis L.
A rich botanical oil with a long apothecary history—and a thoughtful way to understand the comfort rituals surrounding it.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile17
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla L. (syn. Matricaria recutita L.)
Apple-scented blossoms, a golden cup, and an enduring invitation to soften the edges of the day.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile18
Cinnamon
Cinnamomum verum J.Presl; cassia cinnamons include C. cassia (L.) J.Presl, C. burmannii (Nees & T.Nees) Blume, and C. loureiroi Nees
Fragrant bark for a more generous table, with a rich digestive tradition and an intriguing metabolic research story.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile19
Clove
Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry
A tiny aromatic flower bud that brings warmth to the kitchen and a distinctive history to the herbal apothecary.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile20
Cramp Bark
Viburnum opulus L.
The traditional language of release, expressed through a distinctive bark and a thoughtful approach to menstrual comfort.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile21
Cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton
Bright, tart, and unusually well studied for reducing some recurrent urinary infections—when prevention is the question.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile22
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.
Bitter leaves, a deeply earthy root, and a springtime tradition that invites us to pay attention to ordinary plants.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile23
Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench; E. angustifolia DC.; E. pallida (Nutt.) Nutt.
A striking native flower, a long medicinal history, and a more nuanced approach to cold season.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile24
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra L.
Deep purple, richly flavored, and steeped in seasonal tradition—elderberry deserves a place beyond the promise of an immunity shortcut.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile25
Eleuthero
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Explore the woody root whose story moves through traditions of stamina, the adaptogenic concept, and the rhythms of everyday energy.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile26
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
A Mediterranean kitchen companion with a long digestive tradition, best understood by distinguishing a pinch of spice from a concentrated remedy.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile27
Garlic
Allium sativum L.
Sweet when roasted, sharp when crushed, and far more interesting than a single “superfood” label.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile28
Gentian
Gentiana lutea L.
An intensely bitter alpine root invites a thoughtful return to appetite, anticipation, and the ritual before a meal.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile29
Ginger
Zingiber officinale Roscoe
Bright, warming, and wonderfully versatile: a familiar culinary rhizome with a meaningful place in nausea research.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile30
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba L.
An extraordinary tree, a distinctive leaf, and a research story that separates symptom support from promises of prevention.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile31
Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis L.
Follow a vivid yellow rhizome into North American herbal history, the world of bitters, and the work of caring for medicinal plants.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile32
Gotu Kola
Centella asiatica
A small, fan-leafed plant with a long memory tradition and a separate place in thoughtful skin care.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile33
Green Tea
Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze
Leaf, water, warmth, and a little alertness: a daily pleasure with both cultural depth and a substantial research history.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile34
Gymnema
Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R.Br. ex Sm.
A remarkable leaf that temporarily changes the taste of sweetness, with a longstanding place in Ayurvedic herbalism.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile35
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna Jacq.; Crataegus laevigata (Poir.) DC. and their hybrids
Blossom, thorn, and red autumn fruit: an enduring heart herb with a rich traditional identity and specific limits in clinical research.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile36
Hibiscus (Roselle)
Hibiscus sabdariffa L.
Tart, vivid, and naturally suited to a beautiful daily cup—with intriguing, preparation-specific research on blood pressure.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile37
Hops
Humulus lupulus L.
Papery green cones, a resinous fragrance, and a quieter story beyond the brewery.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile38
Horsetail
Equisetum arvense L.
An ancient-looking plant with jointed green stems and a distinctive place in urinary-care traditions and botanical beauty.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile39
Kava
Piper methysticum
A Pacific botanical with deep cultural and communal meaning, and a complex research story about calm.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile40
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia Mill.
A fragrant evening ritual, a precise distinction between preparations, and unusually interesting research on an oral lavender extract.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile41
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis L.
A citrus-scented leaf with a generous garden spirit and intriguing research on the quality of our nights.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile42
Licorice
Glycyrrhiza glabra L.; related medicinal species include G. uralensis Fisch. and G. inflata Batalin
Sweetness, depth, and a long apothecary history: get to know a root woven into throat and digestive traditions.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile43
Linden
Tilia cordata Mill.; Tilia platyphyllos Scop.; Tilia × vulgaris Heyne
Honey-scented blossoms, heart-shaped leaves, and a cup steeped in hospitality, tenderness, and old European tradition.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile44
Maca
Lepidium meyenii
An Andean food with a warm place in the kitchen and a small, intriguing research story about desire and menopause.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile45
Magnolia Bark
Magnolia officinalis
Behind the extravagant flower is a more earthy herbal story: bitter bark, traditional ideas of movement, and early research on stress.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile46
Marshmallow
Althaea officinalis L.
A pale, mucilage-rich root with a long tradition of comforting dry, irritated throats and a wonderfully gentle texture.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile47
Milk Thistle
Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.
A dramatic purple thistle whose long herbal history has inspired decades of study—and a more thoughtful conversation about caring for the liver.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile48
Mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris L.
A silver-backed leaf with a rich traditional life, an enduring place in dream symbolism, and a modern invitation to meet the plant with care.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile49
Nutmeg
Myristica fragrans Houtt.
Freshly grated warmth, a familiar fragrance, and small kitchen rituals that make everyday food feel considered.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile50
Oats
Avena sativa L.
A familiar grain with a less familiar herbal life—and a generous reminder that nourishment takes more than one form.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile51
Oregano
Origanum vulgare L.
Resinous fragrance, generous flavor, and a traditional place in digestive and respiratory herbalism.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile52
Oshá
Ligusticum porteri J.M.Coult. & Rose
An intensely aromatic mountain root woven into regional healing traditions, spiritual relationships, and the care of wild landscapes.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile53
Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata L.
An extraordinary vine, a layered cultural history, and a quieter place in the evening apothecary.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile54
Peppermint
Mentha × piperita L.
An aromatic leaf for a beautiful after-dinner ritual, and a distinct oil preparation studied for irritable bowel syndrome.
Get to know the botanicalMedicinal fungus55
Reishi / Lingzhi
Ganoderma lingzhi Sheng H.Wu, Y.C.Dai & Y.Cao; commercial reishi also includes other Ganoderma species historically labeled G. lucidum
A glossy woodland fungus with a profound place in Chinese traditions—and a modern research story that depends on the exact preparation.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile56
Rhodiola
Rhodiola rosea
A rose-scented mountain root with a story of resilience, fatigue-related traditions, and modern scientific curiosity.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile57
Rose
Rosa × damascena Mill. (Damask rose)
Petals, fragrance, and the language of the heart—a flower whose symbolic life is as rich as its place in a daily ritual.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile58
Rosehip
Rosa canina L. and other Rosa species
Tart, jewel-toned hips bring a quieter kind of beauty to the table, with specific powders studied for joint comfort.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile59
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis L.)
A fragrant Mediterranean companion for the kitchen, the garden, and the enduring ritual of remembrance.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile60
Saffron
Crocus sativus L.
An extraordinary culinary ritual, a long Persian medical history, and increasingly interesting human research on mood.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile61
Sage
Salvia officinalis L.
Velvety leaves, a savory fragrance, and focused research on a familiar herb’s traditional place in women’s lives.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile62
Schisandra
Schisandra chinensis
A vivid Chinese botanical whose traditional complexity deserves as much attention as its emerging clinical research.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile63
Slippery Elm
Ulmus rubra Muhl. (syn. Ulmus fulva Michx.)
The inner bark of a North American tree becomes a soft, gel-like preparation—and invites care for the forest as well as the body.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile64
Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioica L.; Urtica urens L.
A prickly plant with a generous culinary side, deep herbal roots and a place in thoughtful, preparation-specific care.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile65
Tea tree
Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel
Meet the crisp Australian aromatic that has become a familiar presence in botanical skin care.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile66
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris L.; Thymus zygis L.
A fragrant kitchen companion, a traditional cough herb, and an invitation to bring warmth and courage into everyday care.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile67
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Ocimum tenuiflorum (syn. Ocimum sanctum)
Sacred leaf, aromatic tea, and a promising stress-research story that leaves room for the soul of the plant.
Get to know the botanicalMedicinal fungus68
Turkey Tail
Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd; synonym Coriolus versicolor
A beautifully banded woodland fungus with a serious adjunctive-research history—and crucial distinctions between the mushroom and its extracts.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile69
Turmeric
Curcuma longa L.
Golden color, earthy flavor, a place in ceremony, and a growing research story about joint comfort.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile70
Valerian
Valeriana officinalis L.
Follow this distinctly fragrant root through the apothecary’s long relationship with rest and the rituals of evening.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile71
Vitex
Vitex agnus-castus L.
A peppery Mediterranean fruit with a long herbal history and a focused research story around the premenstrual part of the cycle.
Get to know the botanicalBotanical profile72
Witch hazel
Hamamelis virginiana L.
An autumn-flowering woodland plant whose preparations differ more than their familiar name suggests.
Get to know the botanicalNo botanicals in this selection.
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Where the questions lead
Tradition. Soul.
Scientific questioning.
These original profiles draw on the American Botanical Council’s publicly accessible HerbalGram and HerbClip material, with primary studies and authoritative monographs linked in each story. Access to ABC material varies; each profile explains what was available.
This is a growing collection of medicinal plants and two related medicinal fungi, not a complete inventory of every medicinal species. References are selected to support each article; they are not a reproduction of ABC’s databases or an exhaustive review of every citation.
Our editorial approach ↗