9 Medicinal Plants and their Research-Backed Health Benefits – Healthline

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Certain plants and herbs have long been used for medicinal purposes. In some cases, scientific research backs their purported health benefits.
Many herbs and plant-based teas offer subtle benefits that can 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, as well as for those who are pregnant and nursing. 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 discuss together.
This article reviews 9 medicinal plants and what research has found about their purported health benefits.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the same way it regulates medications. If you decide to take an herbal supplement, it’s best to choose products that have gone through independent third-party testing. This helps verify that the supplements contain what they say they do and in the listed amounts.
In addition, supplements typically contain much higher doses of vitamins and nutrients than are commonly found in food. It’s best to talk with a doctor before adding a new supplement to your routine, as they can cause unintended side effects and may interact with medications.
Read more about how to safely choose supplements.
As one of the oldest tree species, ginkgo is also one of the oldest homeopathic plants and a key herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
TCM practitioners use leaves of the ginkgo tree in formulations with other herbs to create capsules, tablets, and extracts. When dried, ginkgo leaves can be consumed as tea.
There are various anecdotal benefits of ginkgo biloba, but limited scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of these benefits, which include helping:
There are also no FDA indications for the use of ginkgo.
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.
There are various potential side effects to consider when choosing whether to add ginkgo biloba to your diet:
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’s 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:
However, more research is needed.
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:
You should speak with your healthcare professional before using.
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 2018 study found that evening primrose may reduce fatigue and 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.
There are some side effects and other factors to consider before using evening primrose:
It’s important that you speak with a 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:
Flax seed consumption may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It may also 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.
The current recommended 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 blending it into 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:
According to the NCCIH, there is limited research and few human studies to verify the effectiveness of tea tree oil, which is applied topically, for most of these conditions.
More research is needed on the uses and effectiveness of tea tree oil.
Consider the following before using tea tree oil:
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 its potential ability to modulate the immune system, echinacea is thought to be good for the common cold and other infections. It may help to shorten a cold and, in some instances, may help prevent the occurrence of colds.
A 2024 study found that echinacea has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, but more studies are needed to evaluate echinacea’s effectiveness in fighting colds.
Before using echinacea, consider the following:
Grapeseed extract comes from the seeds of wine grapes. It is promoted as a dietary supplement that may help with various conditions, like:
Grape seeds and leaves may have antioxidant properties and other benefits.
Other conditions grape seeds may be beneficial for include:
However, these claims have not been verified by scientific studies, and the FDA has not approved grape seed extract for the treatment of any health condition.
More research is needed on the effectiveness and benefits of grape seed extract.
In most short-term clinical studies, the adverse effects of grape seed extract were listed as uncommon.
The NCCIH lists the following factors to consider before using grape seed extract:
Lavender is native to the Mediterranean areas. It’s commonly used to flavor foods and beverages and as a scent in soaps and cosmetics.
Lavender has been promoted to have various uses, such as:
A review from 2019 shows that lavender can help reduce anxiety. The authors note that research shows taking lavender orally may be more effective in reducing anxiety than inhalation or using it topically through massage.
While more research is needed, a 2018 study 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 topically or orally.
However, be sure to talk with a doctor before consuming essential oils orally. Certain oils may be toxic.
The NCCIH notes a few things to consider before using lavender:
Chamomile has been noted as a medicinal tool in ancient medical practices, like Egyptian, Greek, and Roman practices.
Chamomile is promoted as a remedy for mental and physical health. However, limited human studies have verified its effectiveness in treating individual conditions.
A review from 2023 notes that while more research is needed, chamomile shows promise as an herbal therapy for:
The NCCIH lists the following factors to consider before using chamomile:
Various herbs and plants 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.
Keep in mind that plants and supplements aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety or quality.
 
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