Botany

Plant Families

The botanical families in the pharmacopoeia, A–Z. Select a family to see the herbs within it — or follow the arrow to its full page.

Amaranthaceae Amaranth family 2

Hardy, often weedy herbs (now including the old goosefoot family) — many are nutritive pseudo-grains and saponin-rich tonics.

Amaranth Amaranthus blitum Suma Pfaffia paniculata
Anacardiaceae Cashew / sumac family 1

Resinous trees and shrubs, several producing urushiol — the family of cashew, mango, and the sumacs.

Cashew Anacardium occidentale
Annonaceae Custard-apple family 1

Tropical trees with aromatic, alkaloid- and acetogenin-rich bark, leaves, and fruit.

Graviola Annona muricata
Apiaceae Carrot / parsley family 4

Umbel-flowered aromatics, many carminative and many highly toxic — the family demands accurate identification. Includes key spice and digestive herbs.

Angelica Angelica archangelica Bupleurum Bupleurum falcatum Fennel Foeniculum vulgare Gotu Kola Centella asiatica
Apocynaceae Dogbane family 3

A largely tropical family famous for potent alkaloids and milky latex; several members are important (and sometimes dangerous) cardiac and anticancer plants.

Cryptolepis Cryptolepis sanguinolenta Gymnema Gymnema sylvestre Periwinkle Vinca major
Aquifoliaceae Holly family 1

Evergreen hollies; a few species accumulate caffeine and are brewed as stimulant teas.

Yerba Maté Ilex paraguariensis
Araliaceae Ginseng / ivy family 2

Aromatic, often saponin-rich woodland and tropical plants — the classic adaptogenic ginsengs sit here.

Asian Ginseng Panax ginseng Eleuthero Root Eleutherococcus senticosus
Arecaceae Palm family 1

The palms — monocot trees of the tropics and subtropics; several fruits and saw-toothed species are medicinal.

Saw Palmetto Serenoa repens
Asphodelaceae Aloe family 1

Succulent and rhizomatous monocots rich in soothing mucilage and anthraquinones.

Aloe Aloe vera/barbadensis
Asteraceae Daisy / sunflower family 18

One of the largest flowering-plant families, recognised by composite flower heads made of many tiny florets. Rich in bitter sesquiterpene lactones and a frequent source of both medicines and allergens.

Arnica Arnica montana Burdock Arctium lappa Calea zacatechichi Calea ternifolia Calendula Calendula officinalis Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum morifolium Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara Cornflower Centaurea cyanus Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium German Chamomile Matricaria chamomilla Globe Artichoke Cynara scolymus Goldenrod Solidago virgaurea Mexican Tarragon Tagetes lucida Milk Thistle Silybum marianum Stevia Stevia rebaudiana Wild Lettuce Lactuca virosa Wormwood Artemisia absinthium Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Berberidaceae Barberry family 1

Shrubs and herbs characterised by yellow berberine-bearing roots and wood, used as bitters and antimicrobials.

Barberry Berberis spp.
Bignoniaceae Trumpet-creeper family 2

Mostly tropical trees and vines with showy trumpet flowers; several yield prized medicinal barks.

Clavo Huasca Tynanthus panurensis Pau D'Arco Tabebuia impetiginosa
Brassicaceae Cabbage / mustard family 1

Pungent, glucosinolate-rich crucifers — sulphurous, warming, and detox-supportive.

Maca Lepidium meyenii
Burseraceae Frankincense / myrrh family 1

Tropical trees yielding fragrant oleo-gum-resins prized as anti-inflammatory incense and medicines.

Frankincense Boswellia serrata
Campanulaceae Bellflower family 1

Often milky-sapped herbs with bell-shaped flowers; several Asian species are valued qi tonics.

Codonopsis Codonopsis pilosula
Cannabaceae Hemp / hop family 2

A small family of resin-gland-rich plants whose bitter and aromatic compounds are strongly sedative and bitter.

Cannabis Cannabis sativa/indica Hops Humulus lupulus
Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle family 1

Shrubs and vines, many with immune-active flowers and berries used in cold and flu care.

Elderberry Sambucus nigra
Caryophyllaceae Pink / carnation family 2

Slender herbs with swollen leaf nodes; several are gentle saponin-bearing nutritive and cooling plants.

Chickweed Stellaria media Kid Ginseng Pseudostellaria heterophylla
Crassulaceae Stonecrop family 1

Succulent, often cold-hardy rosette plants; the rose-scented roots of Rhodiola are the standout adaptogen.

Rhodiola Rhodiola rosea
Cucurbitaceae Gourd / cucumber family 1

Sprawling vines with tendrils; many bear cucurbitacin-bitter fruit used for blood sugar and as tonics.

Gynostemma Gynostemma pentaphyllum
Cupressaceae Cypress / juniper family 1

Resinous, aromatic conifers; juniper 'berries' (cones) are classic urinary and digestive remedies.

Juniper Juniperus communis
Ephedraceae Ephedra family 1

Primitive jointed-stemmed gymnosperm shrubs; the source of the stimulant alkaloid ephedrine.

Ephedra Ephedra sinica
Equisetaceae Horsetail family 1

Ancient spore-bearing 'living fossils' with silica-rich stems used as mineralising and astringent diuretics.

Horsetail Equisetum arvense
Ericaceae Heath family 1

Acid-soil shrubs, many with arbutin-rich leaves used as urinary antiseptics.

Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Formicidae (Polyrhachis) Ants (animal product) 1

Not a plant but an insect family: the mountain/black ants used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a kidney-yang and qi tonic.

Black Ant Polyrhachis spp.
Ganodermataceae Reishi / lacquered-bracket fungi 1

A family of woody, varnished polypore mushrooms (not plants) valued as immune and adaptogenic tonics.

Reishi Ganoderma lucidum
Hymenochaetaceae Chaga / bracket fungi 1

Tough, often woody parasitic bracket fungi (not plants); chaga is a melanin- and antioxidant-rich tonic.

Chaga Inonotus obliquus
Iridaceae Iris family 1

Showy monocots with rhizomes or corms; orris (iris) root is used as a fragrant expectorant and fixative.

Iris Iris versicolor
Juglandaceae Walnut family 1

Aromatic trees with astringent, tannin- and juglone-rich leaves, hulls, and bark.

Walnut Juglans nigra
Lamiaceae Mint / deadnettle family 14

The aromatic mint family — square stems, opposite leaves, and abundant essential oils. A treasure-house of carminative, nervine, and antimicrobial culinary herbs.

Black Horehound Ballota nigra Catnip Nepeta cataria Chaste Tree Vitex agnus-castus Chinese Skullcap Scutellaria baicalensis Coleus Coleus forskohlii Dagga Leonotis nepetifolia Holy Basil Ocimum tenuiflorum H Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis Lavender Lavandula angustifolia Melissa Melissa officinalis Motherwort Leonurus cardiaca Peppermint Mentha piperita Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Thyme Thymus vulgaris
Lauraceae Laurel family 3

Aromatic evergreen trees and shrubs rich in essential oils; the source of many warming spices and woods.

Cassia Cinnamon Cinnamomum cassia Ceylon Cinnamon Cinnamomum verum Rosewood Aniba rosaeodora
Leguminosae Legume / pea family (Fabaceae) 5

The third-largest plant family, nitrogen-fixing via root nodules, yielding many tonics, saponin-rich roots, and gums.

Albizzia Albizzia lebbeck Astragalus Astragalus membranaceus Griffonia Griffonia simplicifolia Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra Senna Cassia angustifolia
Lycopodiaceae Clubmoss family 1

Primitive spore-bearing plants; Huperzia yields huperzine A, studied for memory and cognition.

Chinese Clubmoss Huperzia serrata
Magnoliaceae Magnolia family 1

Ancient flowering trees and shrubs with aromatic bark used as calming, digestive remedies.

Magnolia Magnolia officinalis
Malvaceae Mallow family 3

Mucilage-rich herbs and trees (now including the cacao and hibiscus groups) — soothing demulcents.

Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Marshmallow Althaea officinalis Wireweed Sida acuta
Meliaceae Mahogany family 1

Tropical trees with bitter, often insecticidal limonoids; several yield medicinal and timber species.

Catuaba Trichilia catigua
Menispermaceae Moonseed family 1

Tropical climbing vines rich in bitter alkaloids, traditionally used as tonics and febrifuges.

Abuta Cissampelos pareira
Myrtaceae Myrtle family 3

Aromatic, oil-gland-rich trees and shrubs of the southern hemisphere — a major source of antimicrobial essential oils.

Camu-camu Myrciaria dubia Clove Syzygium aromaticum Manuka Leptospermum scoparium
Olacaceae Olax family 1

Tropical trees and shrubs; the bark and wood of muira puama are used as nerve and libido tonics.

Muira Puama Ptychopetalum olacoides
Oleaceae Olive / ash family 2

Trees and shrubs, several with bitter secoiridoid-rich leaves used for blood pressure and immunity.

Jasmine Jasminum officinale Olive Leaf Olea europaea
Orchidaceae Orchid family 1

The largest flowering-plant family; a few species (notably vanilla) are aromatic and tonic.

Vanilla Vanilla planifolia
Orobanchaceae Broomrape family 2

Root-parasitic and hemiparasitic herbs; Rehmannia's prepared root is a major TCM blood and yin tonic.

Rehmannia Rehmannia glutinosa Warrior's Plume Pedicularis densiflora
Papaveraceae Poppy family 3

Plants with milky or coloured latex and isoquinoline alkaloids — the family of sedative, analgesic, and antispasmodic herbs.

California Poppy Eschscholzia californica Corydalis Corydalis turtschaninovii Greater Celandine Chelidonium majus
Passifloraceae Passionflower family 1

Climbing vines with intricate flowers; the aerial parts are gentle nervines and sedatives.

Passionflower Passiflora incarnata
Pinaceae Pine family 1

Resinous conifers whose needles, bark, and pollen are antioxidant, antimicrobial, and nutritive.

Pine Pinus spp.
Plantaginaceae Plantain family 1

A reshaped family of herbs (now including Bacopa and snapdragons) — soothing, mucilaginous, and nervine.

Bacopa Bacopa monnieri
Poaceae Grass family 2

The grasses — the agriculturally vital monocots; several rhizomatous species are soothing diuretics.

Couchgrass Elytrigia repens L Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
Polygonaceae Knotweed / buckwheat family 2

Herbs with swollen leaf-node sheaths (ochreae); many are anthraquinone-rich laxatives or astringents.

Rhubarb Rheum palmatum Yellow Dock Rumex crispus
Polypodiaceae Polypody fern family 1

Epiphytic and terrestrial ferns; samambaia (Polypodium) is used for skin and photoprotection.

Samambaia Polypodium leucotomos
Rhamnaceae Buckthorn family 2

Shrubs and trees, several with anthraquinone-rich bark used as stimulant laxatives.

Cascara sagrada Rhamnus purshiana Zizyphus Ziziphus spinosa
Rosaceae Rose family 2

A large, astringent, often tannin- and flavonoid-rich family of fruits, leaves, and flowers.

Hawthorn Crataegus oxyacantha Raspberry Leaf Rubus idaeus
Rubiaceae Madder / coffee family 3

A huge mostly-tropical family of alkaloid- and iridoid-rich plants, including major stimulant and febrifuge herbs.

Cat's Claw Uncaria tomentosa Coffee Coffea arabica Kratom Mitragyna speciosa
Rutaceae Citrus / rue family 1

Aromatic, oil-gland-dotted trees and shrubs with bitter, carminative, and antimicrobial oils.

Buchu Agathosma betulina
Sapindaceae Soapberry family 2

Saponin-rich trees and climbers (the name means 'soap'); includes caffeine-bearing and vaso-protective species.

Guarana Paullinia cupana Horse Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum
Saururaceae Lizard's-tail family 1

Wetland herbs with pungent, antimicrobial aerial parts; houttuynia (fish mint) is the key species.

Fish Mint Houttuynia cordata
Schisandraceae Schisandra / star-anise family 1

Aromatic woody vines and trees; schisandra's five-flavour berry is an adaptogenic liver tonic.

Schisandra Schisandra chinensis
Scrophulariaceae Figwort family 1

A family of herbs and shrubs, many bitter or mucilaginous, traditionally used for skin, lymphatic, and respiratory complaints; recent reclassification has moved several former members to other families.

Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Smilacaceae Greenbrier family 1

Tough, often spiny climbing vines with saponin-rich rhizomes used as alteratives.

Sarsaparilla Smilax spp.
Solanaceae Nightshade family 1

A chemically potent family of tropane- and steroidal-alkaloid plants — both food crops and powerful medicines/poisons.

Ashwagandha Withania somnifera
Sterculiaceae Cacao group (now Malvaceae) 1

An older family grouping of tropical trees, including cacao and cola — sources of stimulant methylxanthines.

Cacao Theobroma cacao
Theaceae Tea / camellia family 1

Evergreen trees and shrubs; Camellia sinensis is the source of all true teas, rich in polyphenols and caffeine.

Tea Camellia sinensis
Turneraceae Damiana family 1

Small aromatic shrubs of the Americas; damiana's leaf is a traditional nervine aphrodisiac.

Damiana Turnera diffusa
Ulmaceae Elm family 1

Trees with mucilage-rich inner bark; slippery elm is a classic soothing demulcent.

Slippery Elm Ulmus fulva
Urticaceae Nettle family 2

Often stinging herbs with mineral-rich leaves and tonic roots used as nutritives and for the prostate.

Guamura Cecropia mexicana Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica
Winteraceae Winter's-bark family 1

Ancient, vessel-less aromatic trees and shrubs; horopito's peppery leaves are strongly antifungal.

Horopito Pseudowintera colorata
Zingiberaceae Ginger family 2

Tropical aromatic rhizome-formers packed with pungent, anti-inflammatory, and digestive constituents.

Ginger Zingiber officinale Turmeric Curcuma longa
Zygophyllaceae Caltrop family 1

Hardy shrubs and herbs of arid regions; Tribulus is used as a libido and hormonal tonic.

Tribulus Tribulus terrestris