Medicinal Herbs: Names, Uses and Properties

Dr. Boris Wydoff

Medicinal herbs are a large group of plants traditionally used to prepare teas, infusions, extracts and herbal blends. To understand their properties, start by learning the names of the plants, find out which parts are used and how they are prepared, and then explore the characteristics of each species. It is easy to understand why people are interested in herbal medicine: they want to learn more about natural remedies and take a more informed approach to their health. But studying plants should never turn into prescribing treatment for yourself.

What Are Medicinal Herbs and How Do They Differ?

Herbal medicine, also known as phytotherapy, is the use of plants and plant-based preparations as part of health and wellness practices. The word comes from Greek terms meaning plant and treatment. Herbal materials may include leaves, flowers, roots, fruits and other parts of plants. Depending on how they are processed, they can be made into teas, infusions, powders, extracts or ready-made supplements.

Medicinal herbs and their properties are studied from several different perspectives. Botany helps identify a plant and determine which family it belongs to. Plant chemistry examines the substances it contains, while pharmacology looks at how those substances interact with the body. Another area of study focuses on the history of traditional plant use in different cultures.

It is important to distinguish between a plant itself and a finished product made from it. For example, dried leaves, a water-based infusion and a concentrated extract from the same plant are not the same thing. They may differ in composition and concentration of active compounds. That is why knowing the name of a plant alone does not tell you how safe a particular product is.

I believe that an interest in herbal medicine deserves respect. Plants were used in family traditions, monasteries and folk healing schools long before modern pharmacology emerged. Later, herbal materials became the subject of research in pharmacies, clinics and scientific institutions. However, centuries of traditional use and proven effectiveness for a specific medical condition are two different things.

What Types of Medicinal Herbs Are There and How Can You Remember Their Names?

When people first explore herbal medicine, the sheer number of plant names can be confusing. Rather than trying to memorize hundreds of plants at once, it is easier to group them according to the parts that are used. This makes it easier to navigate botanical diversity and understand what goes into an herbal blend.

Here are a few examples to start with:

• Plants valued for their leaves: sage and alfalfa. When studying them, pay attention to leaf structure, shape, scent and harvesting requirements.
• Plants whose flowers are used: calendula and red clover. Here, it is important to learn how to recognize their flower heads, colors and distinctive botanical features.
• Plants valued for their roots: this group is particularly interesting when it comes to the structure of underground plant parts. When studying these plants, find out exactly which part is used.
• Plants valued for their fruits: rosehip is a well-known example. Its fruits are found in traditional herbal blends.
• Plants containing bitter compounds: wormwood belongs to this group because of its characteristic bitter taste. You should not select it for personal use without professional guidance.

These are examples of plant names, not a universal list of remedies for specific diseases. You cannot automatically apply the properties of one plant to an entire botanical family. Even plants that look very similar may have different chemical compositions.

If you are just starting out, it can be helpful to create your own plant reference guide. For each species, write down its common and Latin names, botanical family, plant parts used, available preparations and known precautions. Make separate notes about which properties are based on traditional use and which have been supported by research.

How to Study Plant Properties and Understand the Ingredients in Herbal Blends

You cannot determine the properties of medicinal herbs simply by looking at their common names or listening to stories from friends. The first step is to identify the exact botanical species. Some plants have similar names, and looking alike does not guarantee that they have the same composition. Misidentifying herbal material can result in using an entirely different plant.

The next step is to understand which parts of the plant are used. Flowers, leaves, roots and fruits may contain different groups of compounds. That is why professional descriptions always specify not only the plant's name but also the particular plant material being used.

The third question concerns the preparation. Plants are sold as dried herbs, teas, powders, capsules, tablets and liquid extracts. Each form has its own production methods and concentration levels. A cup of herbal infusion cannot be considered interchangeable with a capsule containing a concentrated extract.

When studying a particular plant, it is useful to look for answers to several questions in order:

1. What is its exact botanical name?

2. Which botanical family does it belong to?

3. Which parts of the plant are used?

4. What compounds have been identified in it?

5. Which form of the herbal product is being considered?

6. What has it traditionally been used for?

7. What research findings are available regarding its specific uses?

8. What precautions and interactions with medications are known?

Ready-made herbal supplements require particular attention. Their formulations may differ even when the packaging carries the same product name. Doctors point out that products sold in shops and online do not always match the preparations studied in scientific research.

Read the label, check the complete list of ingredients and pay attention to the manufacturer's warnings. If a product contains several plants, it is important to study not only each ingredient individually but also their possible interactions. For some combinations, there is not enough information about their safety.

Which Medicinal Herbs Are Harvested in May and How Should You Learn About Harvesting?

May attracts the attention of people who are new to herbalism: nature awakens, young leaves appear and the first flowers begin to bloom. However, it would be wrong to say that all useful plants are harvested during this month. Harvesting time depends on the particular botanical species, climate zone, weather and the part of the plant intended for use.

With one plant, the leaves are of interest; with another, the flowers; and with a third, the fruits or roots. That is why harvesting calendars are prepared separately for each species. Even within the same country, harvesting periods can vary considerably.

To learn about harvesting, start by identifying the plant botanically. Study photographs showing its different stages of growth, as well as the distinctive features of its leaves, flowers and stems. Compare several images to understand which characteristics help distinguish the desired species from similar-looking plants.

Pay particular attention to safety. Do not collect unfamiliar plants simply because they look like something in a reference guide. Do not use herbal materials of unknown origin, and never assume that a wild plant is automatically safe.

You also need to distinguish between harvesting, drying, storage and use. These are separate stages in working with herbal materials. Incorrect identification or processing can make the material unsuitable for use.

If you are just starting out, it is more useful to learn how to recognize a few common plants than to collect a large assortment of unfamiliar species. Knowing their botanical characteristics is the foundation of a sound introduction to herbal medicine.

My Advice: How to Approach the Study of Medicinal Herbs

I have always placed great importance on medicinal plants and their role in naturopathic practice. But I believe that simply memorizing herb names is not enough. You need to understand their composition, origins and how they combine with other plants. In my books, I repeatedly return to the idea that learning about herbal medicine should begin with studying the plant materials themselves.

First. Learn which parts of plants go into herbal blends: flowers, roots and leaves. In my books, I pay particular attention to these combinations. In my experience, an herbal blend should not be treated as one uniform substance: each plant has its own history of use, and the parts used may differ. That is why I recommend reading the ingredients carefully, learning the names of every component and looking beyond the general name of the mixture.

Second. Do not dismiss traditional knowledge about medicinal plants. I have written that medicinal herbs should not be regarded as a thing of the past. For centuries, people have passed down their experience of using plants through families, monasteries and folk healing schools. Later, interest in plants also grew in pharmacies, clinics and medical institutions. I see this as the result of practical knowledge accumulating over time about herbal materials. At the same time, modern medicine evaluates the effectiveness and safety of specific plants through scientific research, not simply by looking at how long they have been used in folk traditions.

Third. Study not only individual plants but also their combinations. In my books, I discuss herbal blends made from flowers, roots and leaves as a separate area of the naturopathic approach. I also describe blends that I consider relevant to the bronchi, liver, intestines and kidneys. This is my own system of thought regarding the purpose of herbal combinations, not proof that one blend can treat diseases affecting all these organs at the same time.

Fourth. Learn the names of specific plants and check the information available about them. In my materials, I mention sage, wormwood, calendula, red clover, rosehip and alfalfa. I recommend studying each plant separately: which parts are used, how it has traditionally been used and what precautions are known. I believe that a meaningful understanding of herbal medicine begins with these details, not with the search for a universal remedy.

I consider these recommendations part of my naturopathic approach. Modern medicine reminds us that even natural plant materials can have contraindications and interact with medications. That is why you should discuss the use of herbs with a doctor beforehand.

Where and How Can You Learn More?

For those who want to study naturopathy in a structured way, I recommend exploring the Academy of Natural Healing program. This educational course is based on the doctor's books, videos, seminars and audio recordings. The program consists of five stages, each building on the previous one.

The first stage focuses on books: "The ABCs of Health," "A Handbook for the Healthy and the Sick," "Secrets of Youth, Health and Beauty," "Victory Over Cancer," "The Power of the Mind" and other works. The second stage introduces nutrition and cleansing, including the subject of herbal teas. The third focuses on diseases and practices: chronic illnesses, the heart and blood vessels, diabetes, the thyroid gland, joints, skin, baths and wraps are all covered.

The fourth stage brings together seminars and audio recordings. The program includes the doctor's explanations, answers to listeners' questions and video materials on herbal medicine. The fifth stage focuses on consciousness, the mind, suggestion, hypnosis and parapsychology.

After completing the program, participants will have a better understanding of the principles of naturopathy, learn more about nutrition and lifestyle, become familiar with various practices and understand which questions should be discussed with a specialist. The program concludes with a personal examination by Dr. Boris Wydoff and the awarding of personalized certificates in naturopathy and parapsychology. Details and registration are available on the Academy's page.

For anyone interested in medicinal herbs, this approach is useful primarily as an opportunity to gain a broader understanding of naturopathic principles. However, studying herbal medicine does not replace formal medical education and does not qualify anyone to prescribe products to other people independently.

When to See a Doctor

When Is Emergency Medical Help Necessary?

For this reason, you should not create an arbitrary list of symptoms and attribute them to herbal products. If someone's condition suddenly deteriorates, they should seek emergency medical care rather than trying to determine the cause of the reaction on their own.

When Should You Schedule a Consultation?

Discuss the use of herbal supplements with your doctor if you take medication regularly. Some ingredients can interact with prescribed medicines and affect the safety of using them together.

A consultation is also necessary if you have existing medical conditions, before undergoing surgery and while preparing for an operation. Extra caution is required during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as when choosing products for children: many herbal supplements have not been adequately studied in these groups.

If you are already taking prescribed medication, do not change your treatment on your own in favor of an herbal blend or extract. Tell your healthcare professional about all the supplements you use, including teas, powders and capsules. This will make it easier for your doctor to assess possible interactions and recommend a safe approach.

You can find out more about how I approach this subject on the "Youth and Longevity" page.

Boris Wydoff — naturopath and author, Ph.D. in nutrition. For over fifty years I have helped people restore health through nutrition, cleansing and the power of the mind — in Europe, America and Asia. About the author →

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