9 Most Powerful Medicinal Plants and Herbs, Backed by Science (2024)

There are various plants that have long been used for medicinal reasons. Some scientific research backs their use as ways to help improve your health.

Many herbs and teas offer harmless subtle ways to improve your health. However, you should always pay attention to what the evidence says about each herb’s effectiveness as well as potential interactions or safety issues.

Avoid using herbs for infants and children and for those who are pregnant and nursing. Most herbs haven’t been tested for safety for those who are vulnerable. If you would like to try herbal supplements and you are pregnant or nursing, speak with a healthcare professional first.

Making decisions about herbs along with more traditional medicinal approaches is something you and your healthcare professional can address together.

However, both plants and supplements aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety or quality. Keep this in mind before choosing supplements.

As one of the oldest tree species, ginkgo is also one of the oldest homeopathic plants and a key herb in Chinese medicine. The leaves are used to create capsules, tablets, and extracts, and when dried, they can be consumed as tea.

There are various anecdotal benefits of ginkgo biloba. However, there are no FDA indications for the use of ginkgo and there is limited evidence to support its use for non-FDA approved uses.

There is limited scientific evidence to show that it may be a helpful part of a healthful diet to help improve: ‘

  • cognitive impairment and dementia
  • cardiovascular disease
  • cardiovascular risk factors
  • sexual dysfunction
  • psychological disorders
  • tinnitus
  • vertigo
  • macular degeneration and glaucoma
  • altitude sickness

A review from 2021 suggests that ginkgo biloba, along with medications and other treatments, may help with dementia symptoms. However, the authors of the review note that more research is needed.

Things to consider

There are various potential side effects to consider when choosing whether to add ginkgo biloba to your diet:

  • headache
  • heart palpitations
  • constipation
  • allergic skin reaction
  • gastrointestinal upset

It is also important to keep in mind that while ginkgo is considered safe overall, the maximum recommended dosage is 240 milligrams (mg) per day.

Turmeric is a plant from the ginger family that is native to Southeast Asia. It is traditionally used in various Eastern Asian medicines.

Many of the benefits of turmeric are attributed to a major component called curcumin and its related substances. However, turmeric and curcumin are difficult to study with conclusive results because curcumin is unstable and not much of it reaches the bloodstream when it is taken orally.

Some research does show that turmeric has the potential to have benefits for various types of conditions, like:

  • diabetes
  • arthritis
  • mental health conditions
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • metabolic syndrome

However, more research is needed.

Things to consider

Turmeric and other curcumin products are generally considered safe to use both orally and topically in the recommended amounts. However, there are a few things to consider before adding turmeric supplements to your diet:

  • amounts of turmeric that are greater than those commonly used in food may be unsafe during pregnancy
  • there has been little to no research on the safety of using turmeric while nursing
  • high doses of turmeric may also have blood-thinning effects

You should speak with your healthcare professional before beginning the use of turmeric supplements, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking blood thinners.

The vibrant yellow evening primrose flower produces an oil that’s thought to alleviate the symptoms of PMS and skin conditions like eczema.

Studies on evening primrose have varying results.

A review from 2022 notes that animal studies found that evening primrose is an herb that may help those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). According to the review, evening primrose may help lower testosterone and other hormone levels which tend to be higher in people with PCOS.

A study from 2018 found that evening primrose may help to reduce fatigue and help improve cognitive function and overall life satisfaction in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Some evidence shows that evening primrose may help with atopic dermatitis (eczema), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and breast pain. However, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), there is not enough scientific evidence to support evening primrose for any health condition.

Things to consider

There are some side effects and other factors to consider before using evening primrose:

  • there is little conclusive evidence about the safety of evening primrose during pregnancy or while nursing
  • common side effects include:
    • nausea
    • stomach pain
    • headaches
  • there is little evidence for the safety of evening primrose for children

It is important that you speak with your healthcare professional before using evening primrose to make sure it is safe and will not interact with any medications you may be taking.

Flax seed is classified as a “superfood.” A superfood is a food of natural origin that has many health-promoting benefits.

Flax seed is available in three common forms:

  • ground
  • whole
  • oil

The consumption of flax seed may help to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure. It may also help improve fasting glucose (blood sugar) levels and insulin resistance. Flax seed may also have antioxidant and anticancer properties.

A review from 2019 notes that flax seed may have positive effects on cardiovascular health, gastrointestinal health, diabetes, and hormonal levels.

Things to consider

The current suggested intake of flax seed is around 2 tablespoons per day. There are various ways you can add flax seed to your diet, like adding it to yogurt, sprinkling it on your salad, baking it into muffins, and add it to smoothies.

Flax seed is generally considered safe and has not been reported to be toxic. Consuming whole flax seeds makes it more likely for them to pass through your body undigested, so it is advised that you grind them before consuming them.

The tea tree, which is native to Australia, produces an oil that’s long been thought to be beneficial for various conditions, including:

  • mild acne
  • athlete’s foot
  • small wounds
  • lice
  • insect bites
  • nail fungus

According to the NCCIH, there is limited research, and there are few human studies to verify the effectiveness of tea tree oil in most of these conditions. They suggest that the evidence is insufficient. More research is needed on the uses and effectiveness of tea tree oil.

Things to consider

There are certain things to consider before using tea tree oil:

  • tea tree oil is not meant to be taken orally
  • if ingested tea tree oil can cause serious symptoms, like:
    • loss of muscle coordination
    • confusion
    • breathing issues
    • coma
  • some people may develop an allergic skin rash or irritation when using tea tree oil
  • there is little evidence on the safety of tea tree oil for those who are pregnant or nursing

As with other natural remedies, you should speak with your healthcare professional before beginning use.

Echinacea is a flower native to North America. It has been promoted as a dietary supplement that may help boost the immune system.

Due to this potential ability to stimulate the immune system, it is thought that echinacea may be good for the common cold and other infections. It may help to shorten a cold and, in some incidents, may help prevent the occurrence of colds.

A 2015 review found that there was a small reduction of cold incidence in some people. However, more research is needed.

There is no evidence to show echinacea’s effectiveness in other conditions.

Things to consider

There are a few things you may want to consider before using echinacea:

  • while echinacea is generally safe for most adults, the safety of long-term use is unknown
  • the most common side effects are nausea, stomach pain, or other digestive issues
  • some people may experience an allergic reaction
  • the evidence for the safety of using echinacea while pregnant or nursing is limited

Grapeseed extract comes from the seeds of wine grapes. It is promoted as a dietary supplement that may help with various conditions, like:

  • reducing inflammation
  • promoting wound healing
  • helping when veins have difficulty sending blood from the legs back to the heart (venous insufficiency)

Grape seeds and leaves may have antioxidant properties and other benefits. Other conditions grape seeds may be beneficial for include edema, coronary artery disease, and vision issues. However, these claims have not been verified by scientific studies and the FDA has not approved grape seed extract for the treatment of any condition.

More research is needed on the effectiveness and benefits of grape seed extract.

Things to consider

In most short-term clinical studies, adverse effects of grape seed extract were listed as uncommon. The NCCIH lists the following factors to consider before using grape seed extract:

  • it may be unsafe if you have a bleeding disorder, are taking blood thinners, or are going into surgery
  • there is little evidence of whether grape seed extract is safe when pregnant or nursing

Lavender is native to the Mediterranean areas. It is commonly used to flavor foods and beverages. It is also often used as a scent in soaps and cosmetics.

Lavender has been promoted to have various uses, such as:

  • anxiety
  • depression
  • digestive issues
  • topically
  • aromatherapy

A review from 2019 shows that lavender can help to reduce anxiety. The authors note that research shows taking lavender orally may be more effective in reducing anxiety than inhalation or using topically through massage.

While more research is needed, one study from 2018 found that lavender essential oil may have an anti-inflammatory effect. The authors of the study note that lavender oil can have an anti-inflammatory effect when used both orally and topically.

Things to consider

The NCCIH notes a few things to consider before using lavender:

  • short-term use is generally considered safe
  • topical use may cause allergic reactions in some people
  • there is little evidence on the safety of lavender when pregnant or nursing

Chamomile has been noted as a medicinal tool in ancient medical practices, like Egyptian, Greek, and Roman practices.

There are various ways chamomile is promoted to aid in both mental and physical health. However, there are limited human studies to verify its effectiveness on individual conditions.

A review from 2023 notes that while more research is needed, chamomile shows promise as an herbal therapy for a variety of conditions, including:

  • anxiety
  • sleep quality
  • gastrointestinal dysfunction
  • chronic pain
  • diabetes

Things to consider

The NCCIH lists the following factors to consider before using chamomile:

  • chamomile is generally safe for short-term use
  • the effects of long-term use are unknown
  • side effects are uncommon but may include:
    • nausea
    • dizziness
    • allergic reaction
  • interactions between chamomile and drugs used to prevent organ rejection, as well as blood thinners have been reported
  • the safety for use during pregnancy or while nursing is unknown

There are various herbs and plants that may be beneficial to your health. However, overall research is limited on these benefits.

You should speak with a healthcare professional before beginning the use of any kind of herbal supplements, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking any medications.

9 Most Powerful Medicinal Plants and Herbs, Backed by Science (2024)

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