Are you looking for one place to get in-depth information about all of the plants you want to work with medicinally? This herbal materia medica has got you covered. I have compiled a collection of herbal monographs of plants I have worked a lot with and am continuously adding more every month. And in this article, you’ll have access to all of the information I have gathered!
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and shouldn’t be used as a replacement for medical attention or diagnosis. It’s recommended to talk to a doctor before beginning any herbal regimen, especially if you are taking pharmaceutical medication. Because every body is different, the following information may or may not apply directly to you.
What is an Herbal Materia Medica?
A materia medica is like an herbal dictionary full of detailed herbal plant profiles. Most herbalists will create their own materia medicas as they study and learn about plants. This one is mine!
In this herbal materia medica, you’ll find plant profiles of lots of medicinal herbs. Each herb has a short description and a link where you can go to get really in-depth information about that plant and how to work with it.
This herbal materia medica is constantly growing. Right now, I’m adding about three new herb profiles per month, all accompanied by free monograph downloads (described below). Be sure to keep coming back to this post to learn about more amazing plants!
Herbal Materia Medica Free Downloads
When you click on an herb, not only do you get a thorough explanation of the plant’s medicinal properties as well as how to best work with it, but you also get the opportunity to download that plant’s herbal materia medica in a monograph format to take with you anywhere, for free! Just click on the herb you’d like to download and you’ll be directed on how to download your herbal materia medica monographs.
A
B
Burdock (Arctium lappa)
Did you know that healthy skin starts from the inside? That the quality of the blood and detoxification systems influence the quality of the skin? Burdock is an amazing plant that can help you glow from the inside.
C
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
When people think of calendula, they often think of it in salves as a skin aid. But did you know there is so much more to this sunny orange herb than that? Like, a lot more? Learn how to heal your gut, skin, and more.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
After about a couple hundred years of collectively moving away from herbal medicine in the West, chamomile has stayed embedded in our lives. Why is that? Because of its powerful and potent herbal actions.
D
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Dandelion, a plant that has been labeled as a weed and largely overlooked, can be the biggest ally in our pursuit of health. With its digestive, diuretic, and nutritive qualities, it helps us become resilient, just like this sunny yellow flower.
E
F
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
If you’ve ever eaten Italian sausage, then you know how tasty fennel can be. Fennel is a super common spice to include in heavy foods like sausage, but not just because it’s yummy–fennel has a world of benefits that help us digest that heavy food. And that’s not all it’s good at!
G
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger is a warming, pungent, and aromatic herb that can be found in almost every kitchen, whether or not you’re an herbalist! In herbal practice, we like to work with ginger to help aid many digestive complaints, including nausea, cramping, and indigestion.
H
I
J
K
L
Lavender (Lavendula spp.)
As an herb, lavender has been put into the “relaxation” box. Although this herb is very relaxing, there’s so much more to it than that–and no one should get stuck in a box! Lavender is one of the most popular herbs in body care products and it’s because of a lot more than its relaxation properties.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
A sweet, aromatic, and lemony herb, lemon balm is a very popular herb to work with. This plant loves the nervous system and can help soothe anxious or fidgety nervous system constitutions, like those with anxiety, ADHD, or PTSD. Plus, it’s amazing is a fresh pitcher of lemonade on a hot summer day!
Linden (Tilia americana & cordata)
Do you ever feel like you just need a hug? Like you’re wired and anxious and you really need someone to sit with you and remind you that everything will be ok? Although linden doesn’t have arms, it has a way of hugging you from the inside. It’s the friend you need in those uneasy times.
M
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)
I didn’t learn that marshmallow was a plant (and not just a fluffy white confection) until I was 22, can you believe that!? Way back when marshmallows were made with real marshmallow root, they were more than a yummy treat, they were medicinal! And they were (& are) a very important herb.
N
Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Despite their painful reputation, these vibrant green perennials have a world of wonder in their stinging leaves. Worked with for centuries in historic kitchens and apothecaries, nettles are the key to the chronic nutrient deficiencies so many of us today experience–and that’s not all they can provide to us.
O
P
Peppermint (Metha x piperita)
As the herb of contradictions, peppermint has lots of herbal actions that may be confusing at first. It’s warming and cooling, it’s stimulating and relaxing, and it can help you with a wide range of health issues!
Q
R
S
T
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
If you’ve heard that turmeric is an anti-inflammatory powerhouse, then you heard right! However, there’s a whole world more to this spectacular herb, including as a digestive aid, circulatory stimulant, antimicrobial, and more.
U
V
W
X
Y
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Because of its notable ability to stop bleeding when we’re wounded, yarrow is known as the warrior’s medicine. However, yarrow is an incredibly diverse herb with some herbal actions that may surprise you.
Z
More Herbal Materia Medica Resources
Sourcing Herbs
If you are looking for places to purchase herbs, I have a few suggestions for you! Firstly, I always recommend growing our own plants if you can. Working with plants while they’re alive and caring for them is the best way to develop deep and meaningful relationships with the plants. Plus, it’s a good way to ensure medicinal-grade quality.
If that’s not an option, I recommend looking into local herb farms. Herb farms are becoming more and more common as herbalism grows in popularity. Buying directly from local herb farms not only supports your local farmer but also assures high-quality herb material.
Lastly, if those aren’t an option, I really recommend buying products from Mountain Rose Herbs. This company sells all organic herb material that goes through lots of quality testing. They have programs to ensure their herbs are sustainably grown and harvested. And they are the most reliable in terms of quality. Plus, they don’t just sell herbs! They sell lots of added-value products as well. I recommend checking them out!
The Best Herbalism Books
There are hundreds of herbalism books available on the market. A quick Google search can be really overwhelming! Especially when the top search results from Amazon and Goodreads seem to be unreliable.
In this article, I’ve gathered all of my favorite herbalism titles in one place to share with you. If you don’t know where to start, that’s ok! The books are organized by type and I’ve written descriptions to let you know which I suggest in which situations. Plus, all of the books here are trustworthy, so you can follow your curiosity and pick which books stand out to you!
This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For more information, please read our affiliate disclaimer.
