50 Top Herbal Medicine Plants

Here’s a professional herbalist’s list of 50 top plants commonly used in Western herbal medicine. These are among the most relied-upon botanicals for their therapeutic value:

50 Top Herbal Medicine Plants

1. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) – calming, digestive aid

2. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) – digestive, antispasmodic

3. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea/angustifolia) – immune support

4. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – anti-inflammatory, nausea relief

5. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) – anti-inflammatory, liver support

6. Garlic (Allium sativum) – antimicrobial, cardiovascular health

7. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) – sleep and anxiety

8. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) – anxiety, insomnia

9. Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) – nervous system tonic

10. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna/laevigata) – heart and circulation

11. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) – liver protection

12. Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica) – nutritive, anti-allergy

13. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) – mood balance, nerve healing

14. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) – liver, digestion

15. Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) – adrenal, respiratory, digestive

16. Calendula (Calendula officinalis) – skin healing, lymphatic

17. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – relaxation, antimicrobial

18. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – circulation, memory, antioxidant

19. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) – respiratory, antimicrobial

20. Sage (Salvia officinalis) – throat, memory, hot flashes

21. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – wound healing, fevers, circulation

22. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) – calming, antiviral, digestive

23. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – adaptogen, stress, vitality

24. Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) – adaptogen, energy, mood

25. Ginseng (Panax ginseng/Panax quinquefolius) – adaptogen, stamina

26. Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) – cognitive, wound healing

27. Holy Basil/Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) – adaptogen, respiratory, stress

28. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) – blood sugar balance, warming

29. Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) – antimicrobial, digestive

30. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) – digestive, lactation

31. Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) – digestion, circulation

32. Hops (Humulus lupulus) – sedative, digestive

33. Kava (Piper methysticum) – anxiety, relaxation

34. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) – digestion, dream tonic

35. Oregano (Origanum vulgare) – antimicrobial, respiratory

36. Plantain Leaf (Plantago major/lanceolata) – wound healing, soothing

37. Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) – demulcent, digestive

38. Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis) – soothing, mucous membrane health

39. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) – topical wound/bone healing

40. Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) – menopause support

41. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) – lymphatic, women’s health

42. Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) – women’s health, blood tonic

43. Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) – stress, muscle tension

44. Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) – adaptogen, endurance

45. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) – circulation, memory

46. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) – antiviral, immune support

47. Elderflower (Sambucus nigra) – fevers, colds, sinus health

48. Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) – urinary tract health

49. Cornsilk (Zea mays stigma) – urinary soothing

50. Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) – connective tissue, diuretic

COPYRIGHT 2007-2025 Patti Friday b.1959.

Plants & Herbs I’m Loving Right Now Thanks to Herbalist Simon Mills and DOAC

I’ve always believed that plants aren’t just for looking pretty in a vase or brightening up a windowsill. They’ve been looking after us for thousands of years—helping us heal, feel better, and even think more clearly. Lately, I’ve been reading and listening to herbalist Simon Mills (a walking encyclopedia of plant wisdom!) and I just had to share some of the herbs and spices he recommends.

Here’s the lovely thing: you don’t need a rare jungle root or an expensive tincture to start. Many of these are right in your spice rack or growing in your garden.

Spices: Your Everyday Kitchen Medicine

Every time you sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal or stir turmeric into soup, you’re doing more than making food taste delicious—you’re adding little plant powerhouses into your day. These “phytonutrients” (fancy word for the good stuff in plants) help calm inflammation, keep your gut happy, and even give your brain a boost.

Some favourites:

• Ginger & Cinnamon – Warm, cozy, and so good for digestion. Ginger has a zing that wakes you up, while cinnamon feels like a hug from the inside.

• Rosemary (and Sage) – Just sniffing fresh rosemary can wake up your mind. It’s amazing for memory and focus. I sometimes add a sprig to hot water for a gentle tea—or even just inhale the steam.

I order my pure rosemary essential oil from here. I do breathwork inhaling it a few times just by opening up the cap! 

I diffuse a POWERHOUSE pure essential oil blend called ARMOR. I get it here.

Armor up against whatever’s going around with this protective blend! It’s always there for us during cold weather with its warm, spicy, and camphor-like aroma. Armor contains a powerful blend of cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, and rosemary. Try diffusing it to help freshen your environment or simply rub it into your palms and take a few deep breaths.

Yes, Chocolate Counts 

You’ll be happy to know that Simon Mills gives a thumbs-up to dark chocolate—but not just any bar from the candy aisle. We’re talking at least 75% cocoa. The higher cocoa content means more flavonoids, those wonderful plant compounds that help your heart, circulation, and even mood. A small square or two after dinner can be both a treat and a little dose of plant medicine. It’s rich, it’s indulgent, and it’s doing more good than guilt—if you keep it in moderation.

The Calm Energy of Green Tea

I’ve always loved the gentle lift from a cup of green tea. Unlike coffee, its caffeine is paired with L-theanine, an amino acid that smooths out the jitters and helps you focus. Simon points out that it’s also brimming with antioxidants that support brain and heart health. Whether you like it hot, iced, or whisked up into a frothy matcha latte, green tea feels like an easy daily habit that your body will thank you for.

Coffee, Done Right (I order mine from The Wellness Club)

Good news for my fellow coffee lovers—coffee can be a health ally, too. Simon says it’s not just about the caffeine kick; it’s packed with polyphenols that can protect your cells from damage. The trick is to keep it real—skip the sugary syrups and heavy cream, and aim for a clean, quality brew. Two cups a day is a sweet spot for many people. For me, that first morning cup is less about the caffeine and more about the comforting ritual—the aroma, the warmth, and the slow start to the day.

Happy Gut, Happy You

Your gut is more than a food tube—it’s home to your immune system, mood support, and overall health. When you feed it well, everything else benefits.

• Meadowsweet – A gentle, stomach-soothing herb that’s much kinder than aspirin. Perfect after a big or rich meal.

• Eat the Rainbow – No, not candy. I mean colourful fruits and veggies—deep greens, reds, purples, oranges. Each colour brings a different kind of healing magic.

Herbs for Warming & Comfort

Feeling a bit under the weather or chilled to the bone? Herbs can help you warm up and get your immune system moving.

• A simple ginger and cinnamon tea is a go-to for me when I feel a sniffle coming on. It warms you from head to toe and just makes you feel cared for.

Helping the Heart & Mind

Some herbs work quietly in the background, keeping your circulation, heart, and brain healthy.

• Ginkgo – Known for helping blood flow to the brain, which can keep your mind sharper.

• Hawthorn – A gentle, heart-supporting herb that also helps with blood vessels. It’s like a quiet guardian for your cardiovascular system.

Try This Week

1. Make a “Spice Mix” – Turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, maybe cardamom or fennel. Stir into soups, curries, or even smoothies.

2. Rosemary Tea or Steam – Steep a sprig, sip slowly, or inhale the scent—it’s uplifting.

3. Meadowsweet Tea – Gentle and soothing for digestion.

4. Cardamom in Coffee or Tea – Subtle and comforting.

5. Ginkgo or Hawthorn – If you’re curious about heart or brain support, chat with a qualified herbalist and give them a try.

Plants are everyday magic. They don’t shout about what they can do—they just quietly show up for us. Maybe this week, try adding one of these herbs or spices to your routine and see how you feel.

And if you have a favourite plant or spice you swear by, tell me. You know I’ll want to try it too.

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15 Varieties of Honey

Here’s a list of popular varieties of honey, each with unique flavors, colors, and characteristics:

1. Clover Honey: Light in color and mild in flavor, this is one of the most common types of honey in North America.

2. Wildflower Honey: Made from the nectar of various wildflowers, its taste and color can vary widely based on the flowers available.

3. Manuka Honey: From New Zealand, known for its strong flavor and potential health benefits, particularly its antibacterial properties.

4. Buckwheat Honey: Dark and robust, with a strong flavor; rich in antioxidants.

5. Orange Blossom Honey: Light and citrusy, this honey is produced from the blossoms of orange trees.

6. Sage Honey: Light amber in color with a mild flavor; often used in cooking and baking.

7. Eucalyptus Honey: Typically dark and has a distinctive, herbal flavor, often produced from eucalyptus trees.

8. Lavender Honey: Fragrant and floral, this honey is made from the nectar of lavender plants.

9. Acacia Honey: Very light and mild in taste, this honey is slow to crystallize, making it popular for sweetening beverages.

10. Alfalfa Honey: Light in color with a mild, sweet flavor, often used in baking.

11. Thyme Honey: Dark amber with a strong, earthy flavor; often used in Mediterranean cuisine.

12. Heather Honey: Thick and dark with a unique, slightly bitter taste; known for its rich flavor profile.

13. Huckleberry Honey: A rare honey made from huckleberry blossoms, with a fruity flavor and dark color.

14. Cinnamon Honey: Infused with cinnamon, this honey has a warm, spicy flavor, perfect for sweetening teas and pastries.

15. Bamboo Honey: A rare variety that has a light color and floral notes, often sought after for its unique taste.

These varieties showcase the diversity of honey available, influenced by the types of flowers bees visit and the regions in which they are produced!

COPYRIGHT 2007-2024 Patti Friday b.1959.

Spring Blossom Trees

Patti Friday, reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'

Walk With Me

Arboriculture is the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants. It is both a practice and a science.

The science of arboriculture studies how these plants grow and respond to cultural practices and to their environment. The practice of arboriculture includes cultural techniques such as selection, planting, training, fertilization, pest and pathogen control, pruning, shaping, and removal.

A person who practices or studies arboriculture can be termed an 'arborist' or an 'arboriculturist'. A 'tree surgeon' is more typically someone who is trained in the physical maintenance and manipulation of trees and therefore more a part of the arboriculture process rather than an arborist.

Risk management, legal issues, and aesthetic considerations have come to play prominent roles in the practice of arboriculture. Businesses often need to hire arboriculturists to complete and generally manage the trees on-site to fulfill Occupational safety and health obligations.

Arboriculture is primarily focused on individual woody plants and trees maintained for permanent landscape and amenity purposes, usually in gardens, parks or other populated settings, by arborists, for the enjoyment, protection, and benefit of human beings. It falls under the general umbrella of horticulture.

A tree hugging another tree.

The walk in Wilson Park K-Dub

was worth it.

Just to see plants in love.

PFXO

Patti Friday, reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'