HerbDB
106 herbs and spices with growing zones, culinary uses, medicinal properties, and natural history. From Basil to Saffron.
Featured
Basil
The king of herbs in Italian and Thai cuisine. Over 60 varieties including sweet basil, Th...
Rosemary
Associated with memory since ancient Greece - students wore rosemary garlands during exams...
Turmeric
Curcumin, its active compound, has been studied in over 12,000 peer-reviewed papers and sh...
Saffron
The most expensive spice on Earth - $5,000-10,000 per pound. Each crocus flower produces o...
Lavender
Lavender oil has been clinically shown to reduce anxiety comparable to lorazepam (Ativan) ...
Ginseng
Wild American ginseng roots can sell for $500-1,000 per pound, making it the most valuable...
Vanilla
The only edible fruit of the orchid family, the largest flowering plant family. Each flowe...
Garlic
Allicin, produced when garlic is crushed, is one of the most potent natural antibiotics. I...
Medicinal (97)
Basil
The king of herbs in Italian and Thai cuisine. Over 60 varieties including sweet basil, Th...
Rosemary
Associated with memory since ancient Greece - students wore rosemary garlands during exams...
Thyme
Thymol, its primary active compound, is the main ingredient in Listerine mouthwash and is ...
Mint
One of the most aggressive plants in any garden - it spreads via underground runners and c...
Sage
The name Salvia comes from Latin salvare (to save/heal) - it was considered one of the mos...
Oregano
Has 4x more antioxidants than blueberries by weight - one of the most antioxidant-rich foo...
Parsley
The worlds most popular garnish and one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. It con...
Cilantro (Coriander)
One of the most polarizing foods on Earth - people either love it or it tastes like soap. ...
Culinary (91)
Basil
The king of herbs in Italian and Thai cuisine. Over 60 varieties including sweet basil, Th...
Rosemary
Associated with memory since ancient Greece - students wore rosemary garlands during exams...
Thyme
Thymol, its primary active compound, is the main ingredient in Listerine mouthwash and is ...
Mint
One of the most aggressive plants in any garden - it spreads via underground runners and c...
Sage
The name Salvia comes from Latin salvare (to save/heal) - it was considered one of the mos...
Oregano
Has 4x more antioxidants than blueberries by weight - one of the most antioxidant-rich foo...
Parsley
The worlds most popular garnish and one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. It con...
Cilantro (Coriander)
One of the most polarizing foods on Earth - people either love it or it tastes like soap. ...
Aromatic (15)
Rosemary
Associated with memory since ancient Greece - students wore rosemary garlands during exams...
Mint
One of the most aggressive plants in any garden - it spreads via underground runners and c...
Bay Leaf
Bay laurel trees can live 50+ years and reach 18 meters. Ancient Greeks crowned victors wi...
Lemongrass
A tropical grass that can grow 1.5 meters tall. It is a staple of Thai, Vietnamese, and Sr...
Lavender
Lavender oil has been clinically shown to reduce anxiety comparable to lorazepam (Ativan) ...
Lemon Balm
Called the elixir of life by Paracelsus, the famous 16th century physician. Thomas Jeffers...
Lemongrass (Citronella)
The source of citronella oil, the most widely used natural insect repellent. It is effecti...
Patchouli
The scent of the 1960s counterculture, but it has been used in Asian medicine for thousand...
Ornamental (5)
Echinacea
Native American tribes used it for 400+ years before European settlers learned of it. It i...
Chives
One of the easiest herbs to grow - virtually indestructible once established. They are the...
Scented Geranium
Not actually geraniums - they are Pelargonium species. The leaves come in dozens of scents...
Lemon Thyme
A hybrid thyme with a pronounced lemon fragrance. It is excellent with fish, chicken, and ...
Feverfew
A daisy flowered herb long used in folk medicine to reduce fevers, as its name suggests. T...