Body · 16 herbs

Herbs

Kitchen and medicinal herbs: what each one is, how people have used it, what research says, and the safety points and medicine interactions to know.

Safety levels

  • Generally safe

    A common food or cooking herb with few known problems at the amounts used in food.

  • Use with care

    Known to interact with some medicines, cause side effects or be unsuitable for some people, such as during pregnancy or in children.

  • Not for self-use

    Poisonous or otherwise unsafe to take without the supervision of a qualified health professional.

Some of these plants, basil and ginger among them, are also distilled into essential oils, which carry safety rules of their own; an oil-by-oil essential oil safety lookup gives the caution for each one around dogs and cats, in pregnancy, with children under two and on skin that will see sunlight.

Safety All Generally safe Use with care Not for self-use
  • Aconite (monkshood): history, risks and safety

    Aconite, or monkshood, is a poisonous plant used in traditional Chinese medicine and homeopathy. No research supports any benefit, and it is not for self-use.

    Not for self-use
  • Alfalfa: uses, evidence and safety

    Alfalfa is a food crop eaten as sprouts and taken as tablets for cholesterol and other uses. Most uses rest on tradition, and some people should avoid it.

    Use with care
  • Aloe vera: uses, evidence and safety

    Aloe vera is a succulent whose gel is used on burns and skin and whose juice is taken by mouth. Evidence is strongest for burns; oral use needs care.

    Use with care
  • Angelica: uses, research and safety

    Garden angelica is a biennial herb long used in folk medicine. Here is what it was used for, why research is thin and why its compounds call for care.

    Use with care
  • Anise: uses, evidence and safety

    Anise is the aromatic seed of a Mediterranean plant, used as a spice and a tea for indigestion and coughs. Research is thin, and medicinal use is kept short.

    Generally safe
  • Arnica: uses, evidence and safety

    Arnica is a daisy-like herb applied to the skin for bruises, sprains and sore muscles. Studies are small and mixed, and it must never be swallowed.

    Use with care
  • Astragalus: uses, research and safety

    Astragalus root is a traditional Chinese tonic now sold as a supplement promoted for immune support. Research is limited and it interacts with some medicines.

    Use with care
  • Basil: uses, evidence and safety

    Sweet basil is a common kitchen herb with a long folk-medicine history. Research is mostly lab and animal work; no problems are reported at food amounts.

    Generally safe
  • Bay leaf: uses, evidence and safety

    Bay leaf comes from the bay laurel, a Mediterranean cooking herb with a folk-medicine past. Research is lab-only; the main risk is swallowing whole leaves.

    Generally safe
  • Bayberry: history, evidence and safety

    Bayberry, or wax myrtle, is an evergreen shrub best known for candle wax. Its folk uses have no research behind them, and its safety is unstudied.

    Use with care
  • Calendula: uses, evidence and safety

    Calendula, or pot marigold, is a daisy-family flower used in creams and teas for minor skin problems. Studies are small; it is generally safe in food.

    Generally safe
  • Celery: uses, evidence and safety

    Celery is a common vegetable whose seed has long been used in traditional medicine. Research is mostly animal and lab work, and allergy is a real risk.

    Use with care
  • Chamomile: uses, evidence and how to stay safe

    German chamomile is a daisy-family flower drunk as a relaxing tea and used on skin and in mouth rinses. Research is limited, and allergy is the main risk.

    Generally safe
  • Echinacea: uses, research and safety

    Echinacea is a coneflower taken mainly for colds. Research suggests at most a small effect on catching one, and it can cause allergic reactions in some people.

    Use with care
  • Garlic: uses, research and safety

    Garlic is a kitchen staple also taken as a supplement for cholesterol and blood pressure. Research finds small effects, and supplements need some care.

    Generally safe
  • Ginger: uses, evidence and safety

    Ginger is a spice whose root is taken for nausea, digestion and pain. Research supports some uses better than others, and supplements need some care.

    Generally safe