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GoHealthySC Herbal Encyclopedia

Rooted wisdom.
Clear guidance.

Explore herbs through traditional knowledge, everyday preparation, modern research and safety. This growing collection honors cultural origins while keeping claims and cautions clear.

10starter herbs
Tradition namedWe identify the knowledge system or cultural origin.
Evidence separatedTraditional use is not presented as proven treatment.
Safety visibleEvery entry includes practical cautions.

A–Z plant knowledge

Meet the herbs.

Begin with familiar kitchen herbs, then explore roots, flowers and berries from several healing traditions.

10 herbs·
01Warming

Traditional Chinese medicine

Astragalus

Astragalus membranaceusAlso known as Huang qi
Part used
Root
Common preparation
Traditionally simmered as a decoction; also sold as extracts and capsules.
Traditional knowledge & research
Traditional lens

In Chinese herbal tradition, astragalus is used as a qi-tonifying root and is often associated with vitality and seasonal resilience.

Research snapshot

Human research is limited, and there is not enough reliable evidence to determine whether it is useful for any health condition.

Know before you use it

May interact with medicines that suppress the immune system. People with autoimmune conditions, and anyone pregnant or breastfeeding, should seek professional guidance before medicinal use.

Read the NCCIH fact sheet ↗
02Cooling

Chinese, Egyptian, Greek and Roman traditions

Chamomile

Matricaria recutitaAlso known as German chamomile
Part used
Flower
Common preparation
Commonly steeped as a fragrant tea; also used in rinses and topical preparations.
Traditional knowledge & research
Traditional lens

A gentle aromatic herb traditionally associated with settling the stomach, soothing the body and supporting an evening wind-down.

Research snapshot

Early studies have explored anxiety, mouth irritation and other uses, but evidence is not strong enough to establish most clinical benefits, including insomnia treatment.

Know before you use it

Avoid if you have a known chamomile or ragweed-family allergy. Allergic reactions can occur, and herb–medicine interactions are possible. Ask for guidance during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Read the NCCIH fact sheet ↗
03Warming

Asian and global food traditions

Cinnamon

Cinnamomum verum / C. aromaticumAlso known as Ceylon cinnamon; cassia cinnamon
Part used
Inner bark
Common preparation
Used as a culinary spice or gently simmered with foods and beverages.
Traditional knowledge & research
Traditional lens

A warming aromatic used across food and herbal traditions, often paired with cool-weather dishes and digestive blends.

Research snapshot

Studies have not clearly established cinnamon as a treatment for diabetes, weight loss or other health conditions.

Know before you use it

Culinary amounts are generally well tolerated. Frequent or concentrated cassia cinnamon can provide substantial coumarin, which may be a concern for the liver or with some medicines.

Read the NCCIH fact sheet ↗
04Cooling

European, Asian and North American herbal traditions

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale
Part used
Leaf and root
Common preparation
Young leaves are eaten as food; the root is commonly roasted or simmered, and the leaf is infused.
Traditional knowledge & research
Traditional lens

A bitter food-herb traditionally connected with digestion and seasonal spring tonics.

Research snapshot

Very little human research has been done, so there is no compelling scientific evidence supporting dandelion for a specific health condition.

Know before you use it

Food amounts are generally considered safe. Allergy and medicine interactions are possible, especially with diabetes medicines, blood thinners and water pills.

Read the NCCIH fact sheet ↗
05Cooling

Indigenous North American knowledge

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea and related speciesAlso known as Purple coneflower
Part used
Root and aerial parts, depending on species and product
Common preparation
Sold as teas, tinctures, extracts and capsules; products vary widely by species and plant part.
Traditional knowledge & research
Traditional lens

Echinacea comes from Indigenous North American plant knowledge and has long been used for a range of wellness purposes.

Research snapshot

Some studies suggest certain products may slightly lower the chance of catching a cold, but results are mixed and products are not interchangeable.

Know before you use it

Can cause allergic reactions, especially in people sensitive to the daisy family. Short-term use is usually tolerated, but medicine interactions and digestive side effects are possible.

Read the NCCIH fact sheet ↗
06Cooling

European and North American folk traditions

Elderberry

Sambucus nigraAlso known as Black elderberry
Part used
Cooked ripe berry; sometimes flower
Common preparation
Ripe berries are cooked into syrups or other preparations. Never use raw or unripe berries, leaves or stems.
Traditional knowledge & research
Traditional lens

Traditionally used during cold-weather months and for symptoms associated with colds and flu.

Research snapshot

A small amount of preliminary research suggests possible relief of some upper-respiratory symptoms, but evidence remains limited.

Know before you use it

Raw or unripe berries, leaves and stems contain cyanide-producing substances and can cause serious illness. Pregnancy and breastfeeding safety data are limited.

Read the NCCIH fact sheet ↗
07Warming

African, Asian, Mediterranean and global traditions

Garlic

Allium sativum
Part used
Bulb
Common preparation
Best known as food—raw, roasted or cooked into meals. Supplements are more concentrated and have different safety concerns.
Traditional knowledge & research
Traditional lens

A pungent food-herb valued across cultures for digestion, seasonal wellness and everyday strength.

Research snapshot

Garlic supplements may modestly affect cholesterol, blood pressure or blood sugar in some people, but they do not replace prescribed care.

Know before you use it

Supplements may increase bleeding risk, especially with blood thinners, aspirin or before surgery. Raw garlic can burn skin when applied directly.

Read the NCCIH fact sheet ↗
08Warming

Chinese, South Asian and global traditions

Ginger

Zingiber officinaleAlso known as Sheng jiang (fresh); gan jiang (dried)
Part used
Rhizome
Common preparation
Fresh ginger can be sliced into food or infused in hot water; dried ginger is more concentrated and traditionally considered more warming.
Traditional knowledge & research
Traditional lens

Traditionally used to warm digestion, settle the stomach and support comfort during cold weather.

Research snapshot

Research suggests ginger supplements may help some types of nausea and menstrual cramps, but findings vary by use and product.

Know before you use it

May cause heartburn, diarrhea or mouth irritation. Concentrated products can interact with medicines; seek guidance during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Read the NCCIH fact sheet ↗
09Cooling

Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and global traditions

Peppermint

Mentha × piperita
Part used
Leaf; essential oil is a separate concentrated product
Common preparation
Leaves are commonly steeped as tea. Essential oil should not be treated like tea and requires product-specific precautions.
Traditional knowledge & research
Traditional lens

A cooling aromatic traditionally used after meals and for digestive comfort.

Research snapshot

Enteric-coated peppermint oil may help some adults with irritable bowel syndrome; far less is known about peppermint leaf tea for health conditions.

Know before you use it

Peppermint oil can cause heartburn and must not be applied to the face of infants or young children. Tea appears generally safe, but long-term use of large amounts is not well studied.

Read the NCCIH fact sheet ↗
10Warming

Chinese, Indian, Islamic and Thai traditions

Turmeric

Curcuma longaAlso known as Jiang huang
Part used
Rhizome
Common preparation
Used as a culinary spice in curries, grains, soups and warm beverages; extracts are much more concentrated than food.
Traditional knowledge & research
Traditional lens

A golden rhizome traditionally associated with digestion, circulation, joint comfort and skin practices across several Asian healing systems.

Research snapshot

Early findings for some uses are promising, but evidence is not strong enough to conclude that turmeric or curcumin treats a health condition.

Know before you use it

Concentrated or enhanced-absorption curcumin products have been linked to liver injury. Supplements may be unsafe in pregnancy and can interact with medicines.

Read the NCCIH fact sheet ↗

Read herbs wisely

Food, tea and extracts are not the same.

A sprinkle of culinary spice, a cup of tea and a concentrated capsule can deliver very different amounts. Preparation, plant part and product quality all matter.

01
Start with identification

Common names can refer to different plants. Check the Latin name and plant part.

02
Respect concentration

Essential oils and extracts need more caution than ordinary culinary use.

03
Check your whole picture

Medicines, surgery, pregnancy, breastfeeding, childhood and chronic conditions can change what is safe.

Education, not individual medical advice.

Traditional language such as “warming,” “cooling” and “qi” describes historical healing frameworks and is not a medical diagnosis. Herbs can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Speak with a qualified clinician or pharmacist before medicinal use, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, childhood, kidney or liver disease, or cancer treatment. Never delay urgent care or replace prescribed treatment with an herb.