Plants Used As Herbs Or Spices

This page is a sortable table of plants used as herbs and/or spices.

This includes plants used as seasoning agents in foods or beverages (including teas), plants used for herbal medicine, and plants used as incense or similar ingested or partially ingested ritual components.

Table

Herb or spice Species Family Plant form Purposes Parts used Notes
Yarrow Achillea millefolium Asteraceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal, ritual leaves
Black cohosh Actaea racemosa Ranunculaceae perennial herb medicinal roots, rhizomes
Horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Sapindaceae tree medicinal seed extract toxic if eaten raw
Ethiopian cardamom Aframomum corrorima Zingiberaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal seeds
Alligator pepper, mbongo spice, hepper pepper Aframomum daniellii and related species Zingiberaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal, ritual seeds
Grains of paradise Aframomum melegueta Zingiberaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal, ritual seeds sometimes also called alligator pepper
Alkanet Alkanna tinctoria Boraginaceae perennial herb medicinal, dye root
Garlic Allium sativum Amaryllidaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal bulb, leaves, flowers
Chives Allium schoenoprasum Amaryllidaceae perennial herb culinary leaves
Aloe vera Aloe vera Asphodelaceae succulent perennial medicinal leaf interior, latex
Lemon verbena Aloysia citrodora Verbenaceae perennial subshrub or shrub culinary, tea, medicinal, fragrance leaves
Galangal Alpinia galanga and related species Zingiberaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal rhizome
Marsh mallow Althaea officinalis Malvaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal root, flowers, leaves also used as a vegetable and to make candy
Black cardamom Amomum subulatum and Lanxangia tsaoko Zingiberaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal seeds, rhizome
Angelica Angelica archangelica Apiaceae biennial herb culinary, medicinal stem, leaves also used as a vegetable
Dill Anethum graveolens Apiaceae annual herb culinary seeds, leaves, flowers
Chervil Anthriscus cerefolium Apiaceae annual herb culinary
Celery Apium graveolens Apiaceae biennial herb culinary, medicinal, fragrance leaves, seeds, roots petiole and root used as vegetables
Horseradish Armoracia rusticana Brassicaceae perennial herb culinary root
Arnica Arnica montana Asteraceae perennial herb medicinal flowers, roots there are concerns about its toxicity
Wormwood Artemisia absinthium Asteraceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal leaves, flowers moderately poisonous
Tarragon Artemisia dracunculus Asteraceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal leaves
Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris Asteraceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal, ritual leaves, root also used as a vegetable
Rooibos Aspalathus linearis Fabaceae shrub tea leaves
Neem oil Azadirachta indica Meliaceae tree medicinal fruits and seeds also used as an insect repellent; leaves and flowers also eaten
Cinnamon myrtle Backhousia myrtifolia Myrtaceae tree culinary oil probably has antimicrobial properties; also used as insect repellent
Daisy Bellis perennis Asteraceae perennial herb tea, medicinal leaves and flowers also eaten
Barberry Berberis vulgaris and related species Berberidaceae shrub culinary fruit also used for jam
Beet juice Beta vulgaris Amaranthaceae herbaceous biennial medicinal, dye root, leaves primarily used as a vegetable
Annatto Bixa orellana Bixaceae shrub culinary, medicinal, ritual seeds
Fingerroot Boesenbergia rotunda Zingiberaceae herbaceous annual culinary, medicinal, dye rhizome also used as a vegetable
Borage Borago officinalis Boraginaceae annual herb culinary, tea, medicinal leaves, flowers also used as a vegetable
Brown mustard Brassica juncea Brassicaceae annual herb culinary, medicinal seeds
Marigold Calendula officinalis Asteraceae short-lived perennial herb tea, medicinal, dye flowers, leaves also eaten as salad
Tea, matcha Camellia sinensis Theaceae shrub or small tree culinary, tea, medicinal leaves, twigs (rarely)
White cinnamon Canella winterana Canellaceae tree culinary bark
Cannabis, weed, marijuana Cannabis sativa and related species Cannabaceae annual herb medicinal, ritual flowers, extracts also used as a fiber plant
Caper Capparis spinosa Capparaceae shrub culinary buds, fruits typically pickled; leaves also edible
Chili pepper, including various named cultivars like jalapeño and habanero; paprika Capsicum annuum and related species Solanaceae frost-tender perennial herb culinary, medicinal fruit
Caraway Carum carvi Apiaceae biennial herb culinary, medicinal, fragrance fruits
Khat Catha edulis Celastraceae shrub or tree medicinal leaves primarily used as a recreational drug
Cornflower Centaurea cyanus Asteraceae annual herb tea, medicinal, dye flowers, rarely leaves and seeds
Carob Ceratonia siliqua Fabaceae tree culinary pods used as a chocolate substitute
Khus, vetiver Chrysopogon zizanioides Poaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal, fragrance root extract
Chicory Cichorium intybus Asteraceae somewhat woody perennial herb culinary, tea roots also used as a vegetable (leaves and roots) and sugar substitute (roots)
Quinine Cinchona officinalis and related species Rubiaceae tree culinary (rarely), medicinal bark main culinary use is as tonic water
Cassia Cinnamomum cassia Lauraceae tree culinary, medicinal bark, buds often sold as cinnamon sticks
Indian bay leaf Cinnamomum tamala Lauraceae tree culinary, medicinal leaves, bark (rarely)
Cinnamon Cinnamomum verum (and related species) Lauraceae tree culinary, medicinal (some species) bark
Zest, lemon/lime/orange/citron peel and leaves Citrus limon and related species Rutaceae tree culinary, medicinal, fragrance fruit peel, leaves fruit usually eaten
Butterfly pea, Cordofan pea Clitoria ternatea Fabaceae perennial herbaceous vine tea, medicinal, dye flower
Blessed thistle Cnicus benedictus Asteraceae annual herb medicinal
Coffee Coffea arabica and related species Rubiaceae tree or shrub culinary, tea, medicinal seeds brewed coffee is not usually referred to as a tea
Kola nut Cola acuminata and Cola nitida (and sometimes related species) Malvaceae tree culinary, medicinal, dye, ritual seeds the original source of "cola", though most colas no longer use actual kola
Cuban oregano Coleus amboinicus Lamiaceae semi-succulent perennial herb culinary, fragrance leaves
Myrrh Commiphora myrrha and related species Burseraceae small tree or shrub culinary, medicinal, fragrance, ritual sap/resin
Coriander (seeds, roots), Cilantro (leaves) Coriandrum sativum Apiaceae annual herb culinary seeds, leaves, roots
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and related species Rosaceae shrub or small tree medicinal fruit fruit also eaten
Saffron Crocus sativus Iridaceae short-lived perennial herb culinary, medicinal, dye stigma and style
Cumin Cuminum cyminum Apiaceae annual herb culinary, fragrance seeds
Turmeric Curcuma longa Zingiberaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal, dye rhizome
Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus and related species Poaceae frost-sensitive perennial herb culinary, medicinal, fragrance leaves
Epazote Dysphania ambrosioides Amaranthaceae annual or short-lived perennial herb culinary, tea leaves also used as a vegetable
Echinacea Echinacea angustifolia and related species Asteraceae perennial herb medicinal roots, flowers, extracts
Peyote, mescaline Echinopsis pachanoi and related species, also Lophophora williamsii Cactaceae perennial succulent medicinal, ritual stems also used as a purely recreational drug
Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum and related species Zingiberaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal seeds
Vietnamese balm Elsholtzia ciliata Lamiaceae annual herb culinary, medicinal leaves, sometimes seeds
Black cumin Elwendia persica Apiaceae perennial culinary seeds root also used as a vegetable
Ephedra Ephedra sinica and related species Ephedraceae shrub medicinal, ritual (disputed) legally restricted in the US
Horsetail Equisetum arvense Equisetaceae perennial herb medicinal also used as agricultural fungicide
Culantro Eryngium foetidum Apiaceae perennial or biennial herb culinary, medicinal leaves
Coca Erythroxylum coca and E. novogranatense Erythroxylaceae shrub culinary (rare), medicinal, ritual leaves, occasionally seeds source of the recreational drug cocaine
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus and related species Myrtaceae tree tea, medicinal, fragrance oil from leaves
Asthma plant Euphorbia hirta Euphorbiaceae annual herb medicinal
Wasabi Eutrema japonicum Brassicaceae perennial herb culinary rhizome
Asafoetida Ferula foetida and related species Apiaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal latex of rhizome or root
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare Apiaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal fruit; (less commonly) flowers, leaves
Alder buckthorn Frangula alnus Rhamnaceae tall shrub medicinal bark, sometimes fruit
Fumitory Fumaria officinalis Papaveraceae annual herb medicinal poisonous
Garcinia cambogia Garcinia gummi-gutta Clusiaceae tree culinary fruit peel, extracts medicinal use is heavily disputed
Kokam Garcinia indica Clusiaceae tree culinary fruit peel also used to make beverages, and as an oilseed
Wood avens Geum urbanum Rosaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal root
Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba Ginkgoaceae tree medicinal leaves seeds also eaten
Ground-ivy Glechoma hederacea Lamiaceae perennial creeper culinary, medicinal used as a food preservative and salad green
Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra Fabaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal root
Cudweed Gnaphalium uliginosum and related species Asteraceae annual herb medicinal
Witch hazel Hamamelis virginiana (and related species?) Hamamelidaceae shrub medicinal stems, bark, leaves
Immortelle Helichrysum italicum Asteraceae tender perennial culinary, medicinal, fragrance leaves, flowers also called curry plant
Hibiscus, sorrel Hibiscus sabdariffa Malvaceae annual or perennial herb or woody subshrub culinary, tea, medicinal, dye flowers, roots (medicinal only) leaves used as a vegetable
Sea buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides and related species Elaeagnaceae shrub medicinal, dye fruit sometimes used as a fruit
Hops Humulus lupulus Cannabaceae perennial climbing herb culinary, tea, medicinal flowers
St. John's wort Hypericum perforatum Hypericaceae slightly woody perennial herb medicinal leaves, flowers
Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis Lamiaceae shrub culinary, medicinal leaves
Guayusa Ilex guayusa Aquifoliaceae tree culinary, tea, medicinal, ritual leaves
Yerba mate Ilex paraguariensis Aquifoliaceae tree tea, medicinal leaves, twigs
Yaupon Ilex vomitoria Aquifoliaceae shrub or small tree tea, medicinal, ritual leaves, stems
Star anise Illicium verum Schisandraceae tree culinary immature fruit
Jasmine Jasminum officinale Oleaceae perennial vine culinary, medicinal, fragrance flowers
Juniper berry Juniperus communis and related species Cupressaceae small tree or shrub culinary, medicinal, fragrance cones
Kencur Kaempferia galanga Zingiberaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal rhizome one of several plants known as galangal
Cǎoguǒ Lanxangia tsaoko Zingiberaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal fruit
Bay leaf Laurus nobilis and related species Lauraceae tree culinary leaves
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia and related species Lamiaceae woody shrub culinary, medicinal, fragrance leaves, flowers
Henna Lawsonia inermis Lythraceae shrub or small tree ritual leaves used as dye for skin, hair, and nails
Lovage Levisticum officinale Apiaceae tall perennial herb culinary leaves, fruit leaves and roots used as vegetables
Flax Linum usitatissimum Linaceae annual herb medicinal seeds also used as an oilseed and fiber crop
Koseret Lippia abyssinica Verbenaceae shrubby herb culinary, tea, medicinal leaves
Mexican oregano Lippia graveolens Verbenaceae shrub or small tree culinary leaves
Mexican bay leaf Litsea glaucescens Lauraceae shrub or small tree culinary, medicinal leaves
Aromatic litsea, may chang, mountain pepper, maqaw Litsea cubeba Lauraceae shrub or small tree culinary, medicinal, fragrance fruit (or leaf) essential oil
Magnolia-bark Magnolia officinalis Magnoliaceae tree medicinal bark
Horehound Marrubium vulgare Lamiaceae perennial herb culinary, tea, medicinal
Chamomile Matricaria chamomilla (and related species) Asteraceae perennial herb culinary, tea, medicinal, fragrance flowers
Tea tree oil Melaleuca alternifolia Myrtaceae tree or tall shrub medicinal, fragrance oil from leaves toxic if eaten
Lemon balm Melissa officinalis Lamiaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal, fragrance leaves
Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium Lamiaceae perennial herb culinary (rarely), medicinal leaves
Mint Mentha spicata (and related species) Lamiaceae perennial herb culinary, tea, medicinal, fragrance leaves
Kanna Mesembryanthemum tortuosum Aizoaceae succulent medicinal
Kratom Mitragyna speciosa Rubiaceae tree medicinal leaves used as a recreational drug
Bitter melon Momordica charantia Cucurbitaceae frost-tender perennial vine culinary, tea fruit also used as a vegetable
Bergamot Monarda didyma and related species Lamiaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal leaves, buds
Moringa Moringa oleifera Moringaceae tree culinary, medicinal leaves, pods, seeds, root used as a nutritional supplement, also eaten as a vegetable
Curry leaf Murraya koenigii Rutaceae small tree culinary, medicinal leaves fruit is also edible
Nutmeg (seed) and mace (seed coating) Myristica fragrans (and related species) Myristicaceae tree culinary, medicinal, fragrance seed and seed coating
Cicely Myrrhis odorata Apiaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal leaves roots and seeds are also edible
Lotus, sacred lotus Nelumbo nucifera Nelumbonaceae perennial aquatic herb tea, medicinal leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, fruits Most of the plant is used as food
Catnip Nepeta cataria Lamiaceae perennial herb medicinal leaves
Tobacco Nicotiana tabacum and related species Solanaceae annual herb medicinal, ritual leaves, roots, extracts primarily used as a recreational drug
Black caraway Nigella sativa Ranunculaceae annual herb culinary, medicinal seeds
Basil, Thai basil, lemon basil Ocimum basilicum, including cultivars and hybrids Lamiaceae annual or tender perennial herb culinary leaves, flowers Some cultivars and hybrids have very different flavor profiles from sweet basil
Holy basil, tulsi Ocimum tenuiflorum Lamiaceae perennial herb culinary, tea, medicinal, ritual leaves, stems, seeds
Marjoram Origanum majorana Lamiaceae cold-sensitive perennial herb or subshrub culinary leaves
Oregano Origanum vulgare Lamiaceae frost-tender perennial herb culinary, medicinal leaves
Ginseng Panax spp Araliaceae perennial herb culinary, tea, medicinal root
Poppy seed, opium Papaver somniferum Papaveraceae annual herb culinary (poppy seeds), medicinal (opium) seeds (culinary), latex (medicinal)
Passionflower Passiflora incarnata Passifloraceae perennial vine culinary, medicinal flowers, roots, extract Primarily used as a culinary fruit
Wild rue, Syrian rue, harmal Peganum harmala Nitrariaceae perennial herb medicinal, ritual seeds, leaves Not closely related to true rue; used as tattoo ink
Scented geraniums Pelargonium graveolens and many related species Geraniaceae shrub culinary, medicinal (some species), fragrance leaves
Avocado leaves Persea americana var. drymifolia Lauraceae tree culinary leaves fruit usually eaten
Vietnamese coriander Persicaria odorata Polygonaceae perennial herb culinary leaves believed to reduce libido
Boldo Peumus boldus Monimiaceae tree culinary, tea, medicinal leaves fruit is also edible
Parsley Petroselinum crispum Apiaceae biennial herb culinary leaves root used as vegetable
Allspice Pimenta dioica Myrtaceae tree culinary unripe fruit, leaves
Bay rum,West Indian bay leaves Pimenta racemosa Myrtaceae tree culinary, tea, medicinal, fragrance leaves
Anise Pimpinella anisum Apiaceae annual herb culinary, medicinal, fragrance seed
Cubeb, tailed pepper Piper cubeba Piperaceae perennial vine culinary, medicinal, ritual fruit
Ashanti pepper Piper guineense Piperaceae vine culinary fruit
Long pepper Piper longum Piperaceae perennial woody vine culinary, medicinal fruit
Kava Piper methysticum Piperaceae shrub medicinal, ritual root also used recreationally
Black pepper, green pepper, white pepper Piper nigrum Piperaceae perennial woody vine culinary, medicinal fruit, seeds
Jamaican dogwood Piscidia piscipula Fabaceae tree medicinal bark toxic; also used to catch fish
Plantain Plantago lanceolata Plantaginaceae perennial herb tea, medicinal leaves, seeds leaves also eaten
Chinese bellflower, balloonflower, platycodon Platycodon grandiflorus Campanulaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal roots also eaten as a vegetable
Guava Psidium guajava Myrtaceae shrub or small tree medicinal Primarily used as a culinary fruit
Quassia Quassia amara and Picrasma excelsa Simaroubaceae shrub or tree culinary, medicinal extracts of stem, roots, bark, leaves, flowers, seeds
Black mustard Rhamphospermum nigrum Brassicaceae annual herb culinary, medicinal seeds
Rose hips, rose petals Rosa spp Rosaceae perennial woody shrub culinary, tea, medicinal, fragrance fruit, flowers occasionally used as a fruit, often used to make jams, etc
Sorrel Rumex acetosa Polygonaceae perennial herb culinary leaves also used as a leafy vegetable
Rue Ruta graveolens Rutaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal, ritual leaves
Willow Salix spp., especially Salix alba Salicaceae tree medicinal leaves, bark
White sage Salvia apiana Lamiaceae perennial woody shrub medicinal, ritual leaves, seeds
Sage Salvia officinalis Lamiaceae perennial woody subshrub culinary, medicinal, ritual leaves
Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus Lamiaceae perennial woody shrub culinary, fragrance, ritual leaves
Clary sage Salvia sclarea Lamiaceae biennial or short lived perennial herb culinary, medicinal oil, seed
Elder Sambucus spp Adoxaceae tree culinary, tea, medicinal flower berry is also eaten and used as a coloring agent; toxic in large quantities
Sandalwood oil Santalum album and related species Santalaceae small tree culinary, medicinal, fragrance, ritual oil from wood S. album is endangered from overuse
Sassafras, Filé powder Sassafras albidum (and sometimes related species) Lauraceae tree culinary, tea, medicinal leaves, roots
Summer savory Satureja hortensis Lamiaceae annual herb culinary leaves
Winter savory Satureja montana Lamiaceae perennial herb culinary, medicinal leaves
Avaram Senna auriculata Fabaceae tree medicinal leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, bark
Sesame Sesamum indicum Pedaliaceae annual herb culinary seed
Milk thistle Silybum marianum Asteraceae biennial or annual herb medicinal seed medicinal use highly disputed
White mustard Sinapis alba Brassicaceae annual herb culinary seeds also known as Brassica alba or B. hirta
Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum Apiaceae biennial herb culinary, medicinal leaves, seeds entire plant is edible
Kutjera Solanum centrale Solanaceae small shrub culinary fruit
Blue snakeweed Stachytarpheta cayennensis Verbenaceae perennial herb or shrub medicinal leaves invasive species
Chickweed Stellaria media Caryophyllaceae annual herb medicinal edible, often used in Nanakusa-no-sekku
Karvi Strobilanthes callosa and related species Acanthaceae shrub medicinal leaf leaves are poisonous
Aniseed myrtle Syzygium anisatum Myrtaceae tree culinary, tea leaf
Clove Syzygium aromaticum Myrtaceae tree culinary, medicinal, fragrance flower bud
Indonesian bay leaf,Indonesian laurel, Salam leaf, daun salam Syzygium polyanthum Myrtaceae tree culinary leaves
Costmary Tanacetum balsamita Asteraceae perennial herb medicinal leaves
Chocolate Theobroma cacao Malvaceae small tree culinary, tea, ritual seeds also eaten as a candy
Ajwain, carom Trachyspermum ammi Apiaceae annual herb culinary, medicinal fruit
Blue fenugreek, blue melilot Trigonella caerulea Fabaceae annual herb culinary seeds, pods, leaves
Fenugreek Trigonella foenum-graecum Fabaceae annual herb culinary, medicinal leaves, seeds
Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus Tropaeolaceae annual herb culinary unripe seed pods leaves, flowers used as salad
California bay laurel Umbellularia californica Lauraceae tree culinary, medicinal leaves fruit, seed also edible
Valerian Valeriana officinalis Caprifoliaceae perennial herb medicinal root
Vanilla Vanilla planifolia and related species Orchidaceae vine culinary, medicinal, fragrance fruit
Chasteberry Vitex agnus-castus Lamiaceae tree medicinal leaves, flowers, fruit
Grains of Selim Xylopia aethiopica (and occasionally related species) Annonaceae tree culinary, medicinal fruit, bark (medicinal only)
Sichuan pepper Zanthoxylum armatum and related species Rutaceae woody perennial, shrub or tree culinary, medicinal fruit, seeds, bark (medicinal only)
Ginger Zingiber officinale Zingiberaceae perennial herb culinary, tea, medicinal rhizome

Definitions of use categories

Culinary: used as a nutritionally minor flavoring component in foods or beverages

Tea: brewed in hot water to make a beverage (for primarily culinary rather than medicinal or ritual purposes)

Medicinal: used, either directly or as a simple extract such as a tea, to cause some physiological effect, usually to treat some ailment or disease

Fragrance: used to add a pleasant odor to food, medicine, or other consumed or partially consumed items (such as incense, candles, or lotions)

Dye: used to alter the color of food, medicine, or other consumed items

Ritual: ingested or partially ingested (eg used as incense) as an important component of a cultural or religious ritual

See also

References

Tags:

Plants Used As Herbs Or Spices TablePlants Used As Herbs Or Spices Definitions of use categoriesPlants Used As Herbs Or Spices

🔥 Trending searches on Wiki English:

Joaquin PhoenixCeline DionSwitzerlandScott PorterGukesh DWrestleMania XLAndrew TateAlec BaldwinUnder the Bridge (TV series)Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.Western SaharaASkibidi ToiletMarvin HarrisonNelson Mandela27 ClubRaven-SymonéShirley MacLaine2024 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly electionI, Robot (film)2019 NFL draftCold WarInter MilanLeonardo DiCaprioRichard GaddJennifer PanHelen KellerLos AngelesPeriodic tableM. Night ShyamalanReal Madrid CFWalton GogginsKrushna AbhishekLinkedInMikel ArtetaNicola CoughlanPoor Things (film)DogSimon CowellTottenham Hotspur F.C.Blink TwiceX (2022 film)Pep GuardiolaPassoverDelicious in DungeonSabrina CarpenterEmma RobertsRoad House (2024 film)YouTube PremiumDark webMark WahlbergLeah WilliamsonAfghanistanTito VilanovaChicago-style hot dogFreddie MercuryDubaiKelsey PlumAdrien BrodyNimrod (comics)Opinion polling for the 2024 Indian general electionMegan Thee StallionKim KardashianBob WeinsteinKenneth C. GriffinThe Empire Strikes BackKeanu ReevesAnya Taylor-JoyAzerbaijanKeffiyehEnglish languageSurvivor 46Everton F.C.Roman ReignsArticle 370 (film)Tokugawa IeyasuLaptopQueen Victoria🡆 More