This is a list of

culinary herb In general use, herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables and other plants consumed for macronutrients, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal ...

s and

spice A spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark, or other plant substance primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of plants used for flavoring or as a garnish. Spice ...

s. Specifically these are food or drink additives of mostly

botanical Botany, also called , plant biology or phytology, is the science of plant life and a branch of biology. A botanist, plant scientist or phytologist is a scientist who specialises in this field. The term "botany" comes from the Ancient Greek wo ...

origin used in nutritionally insignificant quantities for

flavoring A flavoring (or flavouring), also known as flavor (or flavour) or flavorant, is a food additive used to improve the taste or smell of food. It changes the perceptual impression of food as determined primarily by the chemoreceptors of the gus ...

or coloring. This list does not contain fictional plants such as aglaophotis, or

recreational drugs Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasur ...

such as

tobacco Tobacco is the common name of several plants in the genus '' Nicotiana'' of the family Solanaceae, and the general term for any product prepared from the cured leaves of these plants. More than 70 species of tobacco are known, but the ...

. This list is not for plants used primarily for

herbal tea Herbal teas, also known as herbal infusions and less commonly called tisanes (UK and US , US also ), are beverages made from the infusion or decoction of herbs, spices, or other plant material in hot water. Oftentimes herb tea, or the plain term ...

s, nor for purely

medicinal Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practic ...

plant products, such as valerian.

A

Ajwain Ajwain, ajowan (), or ''Trachyspermum ammi''—also known as ajowancaraway, omam (in Tamil), thymol seeds, bishop's weed, or carom—is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. Both the leaves and the seed‑like fruit (often mistakenly called ...

, carom seeds ('' Trachyspermum ammi'') (Pakistan,

South Asia South Asia is the southern subregion of Asia, which is defined in both geographical Geography (from Greek: , ''geographia''. Combination of Greek words ‘Geo’ (The Earth) and ‘Graphien’ (to describe), literally "earth descr ...

, India,

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...

Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...

Egypt Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Medit ...

, Eritrea &

Ethiopia Ethiopia, , om, Itiyoophiyaa, so, Itoobiya, ti, ኢትዮጵያ, Ítiyop'iya, aa, Itiyoppiya officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the ...

) * Alexanders (''Smyrnium olusatrum'') * Alkanet ('' Alkanna tinctoria''), for red color *

Alligator pepper Alligator pepper (also known as mbongo spice or hepper pepper) is a West African spice made from the seeds and seed pods of '' Aframomum danielli'', '' A. citratum'' or '' A. exscapum''. It is a close relative of grains of paradise, obtained from t ...

, mbongo spice (mbongochobi), hepper pepper (''Aframomum danielli'', ''A. citratum'', ''A. exscapum'') (West Africa) * Allspice (''Pimenta dioica'') *

Angelica ''Angelica'' is a genus of about 60 species of tall biennial and perennial herbs in the family Apiaceae, native to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, reaching as far north as Iceland, Lapland, and Greenland. They gr ...

(''Angelica archangelica'') * Anise (''Pimpinella anisum'') * Aniseed myrtle ('' Syzygium anisatum'') ( Australia) *

Annatto Annatto ( or ) is an orange-red condiment and food coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree ('' Bixa orellana''), native to tropical America. It is often used to impart a yellow or orange color to foods, but sometimes also for its f ...

(''Bixa orellana'') * Artemisia ('' Artemisia'' spp.) *

Asafoetida Asafoetida (; also spelled asafetida) is the dried latex ( gum oleoresin) exuded from the rhizome or tap root of several species of ''Ferula'', perennial herbs growing tall. They are part of the celery family, Umbelliferae. Asafoetida is th ...

(''Ferula assafoetida'') * Avens (''

Geum urbanum ''Geum urbanum'', also known as wood avens, herb Bennet, colewort and St. Benedict's herb (Latin ''herba benedicta''), is a perennial plant in the rose family (Rosaceae), which grows in shady places (such as woodland edges and near hedgerows) in ...

'') * Avocado leaf (''Persea americana'')

B

* Barberry (''Berberis vulgaris'' and other ''

Berberis ''Berberis'' (), commonly known as barberry, is a large genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from tall, found throughout temperate and subtropical regions of the world (apart from Australia). Species diversity is greatest in South Amer ...

'' spp.) *

Basil Basil (, ; ''Ocimum basilicum'' , also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae (mints). It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide. In Western cuisine, the generic term "basil" refers to the variety also k ...

, sweet (''Ocimum basilicum'') * Basil, Holy (''Ocimum tenuiflorum'') * Basil, lemon (''Ocimum'' × ''citriodorum'') * Basil, Thai (''O. basilicum'' var. ''thyrsiflora'') * Bay leaf (''Laurus nobilis'') * Bay leaf, Indian; ''tejpat'', ''malabathrum'' ('' Cinnamomum tamala'') * Bay leaf, Indonesian; Indonesian laurel, Salam leaf, ''daun salam'' ('' Syzygium polyanthum'') * Bay leaf, Mexican; ''laurél'' (''

Litsea glaucescens ''Litsea glaucescens'', also called Mexican bay leaf, is an evergreen tree or shrub high in the genus ''Litsea'' belonging to family Lauraceae. It is native from southern North America, mostly in Mexico. Distributed by Mexico and Central Americ ...

'') * Bay leaf, West Indian ('' Pimenta racemosa'') * Blue fenugreek, blue melilot (''Trigonella caerulea'') *

Boldo ''Peumus boldus'', the only species in the genus ''Peumus'', is commonly known as boldo (from the Mapuche name ''foḻo''). This tree of the family Monimiaceae is natively endemic to the central region of Chile, occurring from 33° to 40° sou ...

(''Peumus boldus'') *

Borage Borage ( or ; ''Borago officinalis''), also known as starflower, is an annual herb in the flowering plant family Boraginaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region, and has naturalized in many other locales. It grows satisfactorily in gard ...

(''Borago officinalis'')

C

California bay laurel ''Umbellularia californica'' is a large hardwood tree native to coastal forests and the Sierra foothills of California, and to coastal forests extending into Oregon. It is endemic to the California Floristic Province. It is the sole species in th ...

(''Umbellularia californica'') * Cao guo, Chinese black cardamom (''

Lanxangia tsaoko ''Lanxangia tsaoko'', formerly ''Amomum tsao-ko'', is a ginger-like plant known in English by the transliterated Chinese name (). It grows at high altitudes in Yunnan, as well as the northern highlands of Vietnam. Both wild and cultivated plants ...

'') ( China) *

Caper ''Capparis spinosa'', the caper bush, also called Flinders rose, is a perennial plant that bears rounded, fleshy leaves and large white to pinkish-white flowers. The plant is best known for the edible flower buds (capers), used as a seasoning ...

(''Capparis spinosa'') *

Caraway Caraway, also known as meridian fennel and Persian cumin (''Carum carvi''), is a biennial plant in the family Apiaceae, native to western Asia, Europe, and North Africa. Etymology The etymology of "caraway" is unclear. Caraway has been ...

(''Carum carvi'') *

Cardamom Cardamom (), sometimes cardamon or cardamum, is a spice made from the seeds of several plants in the genera ''Elettaria'' and ''Amomum'' in the family Zingiberaceae. Both genera are native to the Indian subcontinent and Indonesia. They are r ...

(''Elettaria cardamomum'') * Cardamom, black; ''badi ilaichi'' (''Amomum subulatum'', ''Amomum costatum'') (

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 243 million people, and has the world's second-lar ...

) * Cassia (''

Cinnamomum aromaticum ''Cinnamomum cassia'', called Chinese cassia or Chinese cinnamon, is an evergreen tree originating in southern China, and widely cultivated there and elsewhere in South and Southeast Asia (India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam ...

'') *

Cayenne pepper The cayenne pepper is a type of '' Capsicum annuum''. It is usually a moderately hot chili pepper used to flavor dishes. Cayenne peppers are a group of tapering, 10 to 25 cm long, generally skinny, mostly red-colored peppers, often with ...

(''Capsicum annuum'') *

Celery Celery (''Apium graveolens'') is a marshland plant in the family Apiaceae that has been cultivated as a vegetable since antiquity. Celery has a long fibrous stalk tapering into leaves. Depending on location and cultivar, either its stalks, ...

leaf (''Apium graveolens'') *

seed (''Apium graveolens'') *

Chervil Chervil (; ''Anthriscus cerefolium''), sometimes called French parsley or garden chervil (to distinguish it from similar plants also called chervil), is a delicate annual herb related to parsley. It was formerly called myrhis due to its volati ...

(''Anthriscus cerefolium'') *

Chicory Common chicory (''Cichorium intybus'') is a somewhat woody, perennial herbaceous plant of the family Asteraceae, usually with bright blue flowers, rarely white or pink. Native to the Old World, it has been introduced to North America and Austra ...

(''Cichorium intybus'') *

Chili pepper Chili peppers (also chile, chile pepper, chilli pepper, or chilli), from Nahuatl '' chīlli'' (), are varieties of the berry-fruit of plants from the genus ''Capsicum'', which are members of the nightshade family Solanaceae, cultivated for ...

(''Capsicum'' spp.) * Chironji, charoli (''

Buchanania lanzan ''Buchanania cochinchinensis'' (syn. ''Buchanania lanzan'') is a deciduous tree which produces seeds that are edible to humans. It is native to the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and adjacent parts of China. It is known as ''chironji'' (or ...

'') *

Chives Chives, scientific name ''Allium schoenoprasum'', is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae that produces edible leaves and flowers. Their close relatives include the common onions, garlic, shallot, leek, scallion, and ...

(''Allium schoenoprasum'') * Cicely, sweet cicely (''Myrrhis odorata'') *

Cilantro Coriander (;

, coriander greens, coriander herb, Chinese parsley (''Coriandrum sativum'') * Cinnamon, Indonesian ('' Cinnamomum burmannii'', ''Cassia vera'') * Cinnamon, Saigon or Vietnamese ('' Cinnamomum loureiroi'') * Cinnamon, true or Ceylon (''Cinnamomum verum'', ''C. zeylanicum'') * Cinnamon, white ('' Canella winterana'') * Cinnamon myrtle (''

Backhousia myrtifolia ''Backhousia myrtifolia'' (commonly referred to as ''carrol, neverbreak, iron wood, grey myrtle'' or ''cinnamon myrtle'') is a small rainforest tree species which grows in subtropical rainforests of Eastern Australia. First discovered and subs ...

'') ( Australia) * Clary, Clary sage (''

Salvia sclarea ''Salvia sclarea'', the clary or clary sage, is a biennial or short-lived herbaceous perennial in the genus ''Salvia''. It is native to the northern Mediterranean Basin, along with some areas in north Africa and Central Asia. The plant has a len ...

'') * Clove (''Syzygium aromaticum'') * Coriander seed (''Coriandrum sativum'') * Coriander, Vietnamese (''Persicaria odorata'') * Costmary ('' Tanacetum balsamita'') *

Cubeb ''Piper cubeba'', cubeb or tailed pepper is a plant in genus '' Piper'', cultivated for its fruit and essential oil. It is mostly grown in Java and Sumatra, hence sometimes called Java pepper. The fruits are gathered before they are ripe, and c ...

pepper (''Piper cubeba'') * Culantro, culangot, long coriander, recao (''

Eryngium foetidum ''Eryngium foetidum'' is a tropical perennial herb in the family Apiaceae. Common names include culantro ( or ), recao, chadon beni (pronounced shadow benny), Mexican coriander, bhandhania, long coriander, sawtooth coriander, and ngò gai. It i ...

'') * Cumin (''Cuminum cyminum'') * Curry leaf (''Murraya koenigii'') * Curry plant ('' Helichrysum italicum'') *

Cyperus articulatus ''Cyperus articulatus'' is an aromatic species of sedge known by the common names jointed flatsedge and priprioca. It has also been known as Guinea rush or adrue. It grows as a perennial herb. It grows in water or near it in rivers, streams, l ...

D

Dill Dill (''Anethum graveolens'') is an annual herb in the celery family Apiaceae. It is the only species in the genus ''Anethum''. Dill is grown widely in Eurasia, where its leaves and seeds are used as a herb or spice for flavouring food. Growth ...

herb or weed (''Anethum graveolens'') * Dill seed (''Anethum graveolens'')

E

* Elderflower (''

Sambucus ''Sambucus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae. The various species are commonly called elder or elderberry. The genus was formerly placed in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, but was reclassified as Adoxaceae due to ge ...

'' spp.) * Epazote (''

Dysphania ambrosioides ''Dysphania ambrosioides'', formerly ''Chenopodium ambrosioides'', known as Jesuit's tea, Mexican-tea, ''payqu'' ''(paico)'', ''epazote'', ''mastruz'', or ''herba sanctæ Mariæ'', is an annual or short-lived perennial herb native to Central ...

'')

F

Fennel Fennel (''Foeniculum vulgare'') is a flowering plant species in the carrot family. It is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. It is indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean but has become widely naturalized ...

(''Foeniculum vulgare'') * Fenugreek (''Trigonella foenum-graecum'') *

Filé powder Filé powder, also called gumbo filé, is a spicy herb made from the dried and ground leaves of the North American sassafras tree ''( Sassafras albidum)''. Culinary use Filé powder is used in Louisiana Creole cuisine in the making of some t ...

, gumbo filé (''Sassafras albidum'') * Fingerroot, ''temu kuntji'', ''krachai'', ''k'cheay'' (''Boesenbergia rotunda'') (

Java Java (; id, Jawa, ; jv, ꦗꦮ; su, ) is one of the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea to the north. With a population of 151.6 million people, Java is the world's mos ...

Thailand Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is b ...

Cambodia Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, spanning an area of , bordered by Thailan ...

) * Fish mint, leaf; ''giấp cá'' ( ''Houttuynia cordata'') (

Vietnam Vietnam or Viet Nam ( vi, Việt Nam, ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,., group="n" is a country in Southeast Asia, at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of and population of 96 million, making i ...

) * Fish mint, rhizome; ''zhé ěrgēn'' ( ''Houttuynia cordata'') (Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guangxi provinces of China)

G

* Galangal, greater (''Alpinia galanga'') * Galangal, lesser (''Alpinia officinarum'') * Garlic (''Allium sativum'') *

Garlic chives ''Allium tuberosum'' (garlic chives, Oriental garlic, Asian chives, Chinese chives, Chinese leek) is a species of plant native to the Chinese province of Shanxi, and cultivated and naturalized elsewhere in Asia and around the world. Description ...

(''Allium tuberosum'') * Ginger (''Zingiber officinale'') * Ginger, torch; ''bunga siantan'' (''

Etlingera elatior ''Etlingera elatior'' (also known as torch ginger, ginger flower, red ginger lily, torch lily, wild ginger, ''combrang, bunga kantan'', Philippine wax flower, ගොඩ ඕලු (goda olu), ගොඩ නෙලුම් (goda nelum), සිද් ...

'') (

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...

) * Golpar, Persian hogweed (''Heracleum persicum'') (

) *

Grains of paradise ''Aframomum melegueta'' is a species in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, and closely related to cardamom. Its seeds are used as a spice (ground or whole); it imparts a pungent, black-pepper-like flavor with hints of citrus. It is commonly ...

(''Aframomum melegueta'') *

Grains of Selim Grains of Selim are the seeds of a shrubby tree, '' Xylopia aethiopica'', found in Africa. The seeds have a musky flavor and are used as a spice in a manner similar to black pepper, and as a flavouring agent that defines , the dominant style of ...

, Kani pepper (''Xylopia aethiopica'')

H

* Hoja santa, hierba santa, acuyo (''

Piper auritum ''Piper auritum'' is an aromatic culinary herb in the pepper family Piperaceae, which grows in tropical Central America. Common names include hoja santa (Spanish for "sacred leaf"), yerba santa, hierba santa, Mexican pepperleaf, acuyo, tlanepa, a ...

'') (

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

) *

Horseradish Horseradish (''Armoracia rusticana'', syn. ''Cochlearia armoracia'') is a perennial plant of the family Brassicaceae (which also includes mustard, wasabi, broccoli, cabbage, and radish). It is a root vegetable, cultivated and used worldwi ...

(''Armoracia rusticana'') * Huacatay, Mexican marigold, mint marigold (''

Tagetes minuta ''Tagetes minuta'' is a tall upright marigold plant from the genus ''Tagetes'', with small flowers, native to the southern half of South America. Since Spanish colonization, it has been introduced around the world, and has become naturalized i ...

'') * Hyssop (''Hyssopus officinalis'')

J

* Jasmine flowers (''Jasminum spp.'') * Jakhya ('' Cleome viscosa'') *

Jalapeño The jalapeño ( , , ) is a medium-sized chili pepper pod type cultivar of the species ''Capsicum annuum''. A mature jalapeño chili is long and hangs down with a round, firm, smooth flesh of wide. It can have a range of pungency, with Scovi ...

(''

Capsicum annuum ''Capsicum annuum'' is a species of the plant genus ''Capsicum'' native to southern North America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. This species is the most common and extensively cultivated of the five domesticated capsicums. The spec ...

'' cultivar) * Jimbu (''Allium hypsistum'') (

Nepal Nepal (; ne, :ne:नेपाल, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne, सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in S ...

) *

Juniper berry A juniper berry is the female seed cone produced by the various species of junipers. It is not a true berry, but a cone with unusually fleshy and merged scales, which gives it a berry-like appearance. The cones from a handful of species, especia ...

(''Juniperus communis'')

K

Kaffir lime ''Citrus hystrix'', called the kaffir lime or makrut lime, (, ) is a citrus fruit native to tropical Southeast Asia. Its fruit and leaves are used in Southeast Asian cuisine, and its essential oil is used in perfumery. Its rind and crushed leav ...

leaves, Makrud lime leaves (''Citrus hystrix'') (

Southeast Asia Southeast Asia, also spelled South East Asia and South-East Asia, and also known as Southeastern Asia, South-eastern Asia or SEA, is the geographical south-eastern region of Asia, consisting of the regions that are situated south of mainlan ...

) * Kala zeera (or kala jira), black cumin ('' Bunium persicum'') (

) * ''Keluak'', ''kluwak'', ''kepayang'' (''

Pangium edule ''Pangium'' is a genus containing the sole species ''Pangium edule'', a tall tree native to the mangrove swamps of Southeast Asia (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea). It produces a large poisonous fruit (the "football fruit" or pangi) which can ...

'') * ''Kencur'', ''galangal'', ''kentjur'' ('' Kaempferia galanga'') (

, Bali) * ''Kinh gioi'', ''Vietnamese balm'' (''

Elsholtzia ciliata ''Elsholtzia ciliata'', commonly known as Vietnamese balm, xiang ru (香薷) or ''kinh giới'' in Vietnamese, is a plant native to Asia. In the US, it can go by the name Crested Late Summer Mint. In US Vietnamese grocery stores, it is called Kin ...

'') * ''Kokam'' seed ('' Garcinia indica'') (

Indian confectionery This is a list of Indian sweets and desserts, also called ''mithai'', a significant element in Indian cuisine. Indians are known for their unique taste and experimental behavior when it comes to food. Many Indian desserts are fried foods made wi ...

) * ''Korarima'', Ethiopian cardamom, false cardamom (''

Aframomum corrorima ''Aframomum corrorima'' is a species of flowering plant in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It's a herbaceous perennial that produces leafy stems 1–2 meters tall from rhizomatous roots. The alternately-arranged leaves are dark green, 10–30&n ...

'') ( Eritrea) * ''Koseret'' leaves (''

Lippia abyssinica ''Lippia abyssinica'', or koseret ( am, ኮሰረት , translit=koserēt), is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae. It is endemic to Ethiopia but cultivated throughout tropical African countries. The specific epithe ...

'') (

) *''Kudum Puli'' (''

Garcinia gummi-gutta ''Garcinia gummi-gutta'' is a tropical species of '' Garcinia'' native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. Common names include ''Garcinia cambogia'' (a former scientific name), as well as brindle berry, and Malabar tamarind. The fruit looks like ...

'')

L

Lavender ''Lavandula'' (common name lavender) is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World and is found in Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, and from Europe across to northern and easte ...

(''Lavandula spp.'') *

Lemon balm Lemon balm (''Melissa officinalis'') is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family and native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, and Central Asia, but now naturalised elsewhere. It grows to a maximum height of . The ...

(''Melissa officinalis'') * Lemon ironbark (''

Eucalyptus staigeriana ''Eucalyptus staigeriana'', commonly known as the lemon-scented ironbark, is a species of small ironbark tree that is endemic to the Cape York Peninsula. It has rough ironbark on the trunk and branches, lance-shaped to egg-shaped leaves that sme ...

'') ( Australia) * Lemon myrtle (''

Backhousia citriodora ''Backhousia citriodora'' (common names lemon myrtle, lemon scented myrtle, lemon scented ironwood) is a flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae, genus ''Backhousia''. It is endemic to subtropical rainforests of central and south-eastern Queensl ...

'') ( Australia) *

Lemon verbena ''Aloysia citrodora'', lemon verbena, is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family Verbenaceae, native to South America. Other common names include lemon beebrush. It was brought to Europe by the Spanish and the Portuguese in the 17th ce ...

(''Lippia citriodora'') * Lemongrass (''

Cymbopogon citratus ''Cymbopogon citratus'', commonly known as West Indian lemon grass or simply lemon grass, is a tropical plant native to Maritime Southeast Asia and introduced to many tropical regions. ''Cymbopogon citratus'' is often sold in stem form. While i ...

'', '' C. flexuosus'', and other '' Cymbopogon'' spp.) * Leptotes bicolor (

Paraguay Paraguay (; ), officially the Republic of Paraguay ( es, República del Paraguay, links=no; gn, Tavakuairetã Paraguái, links=si), is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to th ...

and southern Brazil) * Lesser calamint (''Calamintha nepeta''), ''nipitella'', ''nepitella'' (

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

) *

Licorice Liquorice (British English) or licorice (American English) ( ; also ) is the common name of ''Glycyrrhiza glabra'', a flowering plant of the bean family Fabaceae, from the root of which a sweet, aromatic flavouring can be extracted. The liq ...

, liquorice (''Glycyrrhiza glabra'') * Lime flower, linden flower ('' Tilia spp.'') *

Lovage Lovage (), ''Levisticum officinale'', is a tall perennial plant, the sole species in the genus ''Levisticum'' in the family Apiaceae, subfamily Apioideae. It has been long cultivated in Europe, the leaves being used as a herb, the roots as a veg ...

(''Levisticum officinale'') *Locust beans (''

Ceratonia siliqua The carob ( ; ''Ceratonia siliqua'') is a flowering evergreen tree or shrub in the Caesalpinioideae sub-family of the legume family, Fabaceae. It is widely cultivated for its edible fruit pods, and as an ornamental tree in gardens and lands ...

'')

M

* Mace (''Myristica fragrans'') * ''

Mahleb Mahleb or Mahlepi is an aromatic spice made from the seeds of a species of cherry, ''Prunus mahaleb'' (the Mahaleb or St Lucie cherry). The cherry stones are cracked to extract the seed kernel, which is about 5 mm diameter, soft and chewy ...

'', mahalepi, St. Lucie cherry (''Prunus mahaleb'') *

Marjoram Marjoram (; ''Origanum majorana'') is a cold-sensitive perennial herb or undershrub with sweet pine and citrus flavours. In some Middle Eastern countries, marjoram is synonymous with oregano, and there the names sweet marjoram and knotted marj ...

(''Origanum majorana'') *

Mastic Mastic may refer to: Adhesives and pastes *Mastic (plant resin) *Mastic asphalt, or asphalt, is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid * Mastic cold porcelain, or salt ceramic, is a traditional salt-based modeling clay. *Mastic, high-grade con ...

('' Pistacia lentiscus'') * Mint (''

Mentha ''Mentha'' (also known as mint, from Greek , Linear B ''mi-ta'') is a genus of plants in the family Lamiaceae (mint family). The exact distinction between species is unclear; it is estimated that 13 to 24 species exist. Hybridization occurs nat ...

'' spp.), 25 species, hundreds of varieties * Mountain horopito (''

Pseudowintera colorata ''Pseudowintera colorata'', also known as mountain horopito or pepper tree, is a species of woody evergreen flowering trees and shrubs, part of family Winteraceae. The species is endemic to New Zealand. All Winteraceae are magnoliids, associated ...

''), 'pepper-plant' (

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

) * Musk mallow, ''abelmosk'' ('' Abelmoschus moschatus'') * Mustard, black, mustard plant, mustard seed (''

Brassica nigra ''Brassica nigra'', or black mustard, is an annual plant cultivated for its dark-brown-to-black seeds, which are commonly used as a spice. It is native to tropical regions of North Africa, temperate regions of Europe, and parts of Asia. Descri ...

'') * Mustard, brown, mustard plant, mustard seed (''

Brassica juncea ''Brassica juncea'', commonly brown mustard, Chinese mustard, Indian mustard, leaf mustard, Oriental mustard and vegetable mustard, is a species of mustard plant. Cultivar ''Brassica juncea'' cultivars can be divided into four major subgroup ...

'') * Mustard, white, mustard plant, mustard seed (''

Sinapis alba White mustard (''Sinapis alba'') is an annual plant of the family Brassicaceae. It is sometimes also referred to as ''Brassica alba'' or ''B. hirta''. Grown for its seeds, used to make the condiment mustard, as fodder crop, or as a green manu ...

'') * Mustard, yellow ('' Brassica hirta'' = ''Sinapis alba'')

N

New Mexico chile New Mexico chile or New Mexican chile (Scientific name: ''Capsicum annuum'' 'New Mexico Group'; es, chile de Nuevo México, ) is a cultivar group of the chile pepper from the US state of New Mexico, first grown by Pueblo and Hispano communitie ...

(''Capsicum annuum 'New Mexico Group, also known as Hatch or Anaheim) which includes Big Jim, Chimayó, and Sandia, and other pepper cultivars. * Nigella, black caraway, black cumin, black onion seed, ''kalonji'' (''

Nigella sativa ''Nigella sativa'' (black caraway, also known as black cumin, nigella, kalonji or siyahdaneh) is an annual flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to eastern Europe (Bulgaria and Romania) and Western Asia (Cyprus, Turkey, Iran and Ir ...

'') * '' Njangsa'', ''djansang'' (''Ricinodendron heudelotii'') (West Africa) *

Nutmeg Nutmeg is the seed or ground spice of several species of the genus ''Myristica''. ''Myristica fragrans'' (fragrant nutmeg or true nutmeg) is a dark-leaved evergreen tree cultivated for two spices derived from its fruit: nutmeg, from its seed, an ...

(''Myristica fragrans'')

O

* Olida (''

Eucalyptus olida ''Eucalyptus olida'' is a species of small to medium-sized tree that is endemic to a restricted area of New South Wales, Australia. It has rough, flaky and fibrous bark on the trunk and larger branches, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower ...

'') ( Australia) * Oregano (''Origanum vulgare, O. heracleoticum'', and other species) * Oregano, Cuban (''

Coleus amboinicus ''Coleus amboinicus'', synonym ''Plectranthus amboinicus'', is a semi-succulent perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae with a pungent oregano-like flavor and odor. ''Coleus amboinicus'' is considered to be native to parts of Africa, the Arabian ...

'') * Oregano, Mexican (''

Lippia graveolens ''Lippia graveolens'', a species of flowering plant in the verbena or vervain family, Verbenaceae, is native to the southwestern United States (Texas and southern New Mexico), Mexico, and Central America as far south as Nicaragua. Common names i ...

'') *

Orris root Orris root (''rhizoma iridis'') is the root of '' Iris germanica'' and ''Iris pallida''. It had the common name of Queen Elizabeth Root. Constituent chemicals The most valued component of orris root is oil of orris (0.1–0.2%), a yellow-whi ...

(''

Iris germanica Iris most often refers to: *Iris (anatomy), part of the eye *Iris (mythology), a Greek goddess * ''Iris'' (plant), a genus of flowering plants * Iris (color), an ambiguous color term Iris or IRIS may also refer to: Arts and media Fictional ent ...

'', '' I. florentina'', '' I. pallida'')

P

* Pandan flower, ''kewra'' ('' Pandanus odoratissimus'') * Pandan leaf, screwpine ('' Pandanus amaryllifolius'') * Pápalo ('' Porophyllum ruderale'') (

and

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the sout ...

) * Paprika (''Capsicum annuum'') * Paracress (''Acmella oleracea'') (

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

) * Parsley (''Petroselinum crispum'') * Pennyroyal (''Mentha pulegium'') *

Pepper Pepper or peppers may refer to: Food and spice * Piperaceae or the pepper family, a large family of flowering plant ** Black pepper * ''Capsicum'' or pepper, a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae ** Bell pepper ** Chili ...

, black, white, and green (''Piper nigrum'') * Pepper, Brazilian, or pink pepper (''Schinus terebinthifolius'') * Pepper, Dorrigo (''Tasmannia stipitata'') ( Australia) * Pepper, long (''Piper longum'') * Pepper, mountain, Cornish pepper leaf ('' Tasmannia lanceolata'') *

Peppermint Peppermint (''Mentha'' × ''piperita'') is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, the plant is now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of the world.Euro+Med Plantba ...

(''Mentha piperata'') * Peppermint gum leaf (''

Eucalyptus dives ''Eucalyptus dives'', commonly known as the broad-leaved peppermint or blue peppermint, is a species of tree that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has rough, finely fibrous bark on the trunk and larger branches, smooth bark above, lance- ...

'') *

Perilla ''Perilla'' is a genus consisting of one major Asiatic crop species ''Perilla frutescens'' and a few wild species in nature belonging to the mint family, Lamiaceae. The genus encompasses several distinct varieties of Asian herb, seed, and veget ...

(''Mentha pulegium'') ** ''

Deulkkae ''Perilla frutescens'', commonly called deulkkae, perilla or Korean perilla, is a species of ''Perilla'' in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is an annual plant native to Southeast Asia and Indian highlands, and is traditionally grown in the Korean ...

'' (''Perilla frutescens'' seeds) ** ''

Kkaennip ''Perilla frutescens'', commonly called deulkkae, perilla or Korean perilla, is a species of ''Perilla'' in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is an annual plant native to Southeast Asia and Indian highlands, and is traditionally grown in the Korean ...

'' (''Perilla frutescens'' leaves) ** ''

Shiso ''Perilla frutescens'' var. ''crispa'', also known by its Japanese name shiso, is a cultigen of ''Perilla frutescens'', a herb in the mint family ''Lamiaceae''. It is native to the mountainous regions of China and India, but is now found world ...

'' (''Perilla frutescens'' var. ''crispa'' leaves) *

Peruvian pepper ''Schinus molle'' (Peruvian pepper, also known as American pepper, Peruvian peppertree, escobilla, false pepper, rosé pepper, molle del Peru, pepper tree, (Archived bWebCite peppercorn tree, California pepper tree, pirul (in Mexican Spanish si ...

(''Schinus molle'') * Pipicha, straight-leaf pápalo ('' Porophyllum linaria'') (

) * Poppy seed (''

Papaver somniferum ''Papaver somniferum'', commonly known as the opium poppy or breadseed poppy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae. It is the species of plant from which both opium and poppy seeds are derived and is also a valuable orname ...

'') *

Purslane Purslane is a common name for several mostly unrelated plants with edible leaves and may refer to: * Portulacaceae, a family of succulent flowering plants, and especially: ** ''Portulaca oleracea'', a species of ''Portulaca'' eaten as a leaf vegeta ...

Q

* Quassia (''

Quassia amara ''Quassia amara'', also known as amargo, bitter-ash, bitter-wood, or hombre grande (spanish for ''big man'') is a species in the genus '' Quassia'', with some botanists treating it as the sole species in the genus. The genus was named by Carl Lin ...

''), bitter spice in aperitifs and some

beer Beer is one of the oldest and the most widely consumed type of alcoholic drink in the world, and the third most popular drink overall after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of starches, mainly derived from ce ...

s and fortified wines

R

* Red rice powder (''

Monascus purpureus ''Monascus purpureus'' (syn. ''M. albidus'', ''M. anka'', ''M. araneosus'', ''M. major'', ''M. rubiginosus'', and ''M. vini''; , lit. "red yeast") is a species of mold that is purplish-red in color. It is also known by the names ang-khak rice mo ...

'') ( China) * Rice paddy herb (''

Limnophila aromatica ''Limnophila aromatica'', the rice paddy herb, is a tropical flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia, where it flourishes in hot temperatures and grows most often in watery environments, particularly in floo ...

'') (

) *

Rosemary ''Salvia rosmarinus'' (), commonly known as rosemary, is a shrub with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region. Until 2017, it was known by the scientific name ''Rosmar ...

(''Rosmarinus officinalis'') *

Rue ''Ruta graveolens'', commonly known as rue, common rue or herb-of-grace, is a species of ''Ruta'' grown as an ornamental plant and herb. It is native to the Balkan Peninsula. It is grown throughout the world in gardens, especially for its bluis ...

(''Ruta graveolens'')

S

Safflower Safflower (''Carthamus tinctorius'') is a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual plant in the family Asteraceae. It is commercially cultivated for vegetable oil extracted from the seeds and was used by the early Spanish colonies along ...

(''Carthamus tinctorius''), only for yellow color *

Saffron Saffron () is a spice derived from the flower of ''Crocus sativus'', commonly known as the "saffron crocus". The vivid crimson stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried for use mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in ...

(''Crocus sativus'') **

use of saffron Saffron is a key seasoning, fragrance, dye, and medicine in use for over three millennia. One of the world's most expensive spices by weight, saffron consists of stigmas plucked from the vegetatively propagated and sterile ''Crocus sativus'', k ...

Sage Sage or SAGE may refer to: Plants * ''Salvia officinalis'', common sage, a small evergreen subshrub used as a culinary herb ** Lamiaceae, a family of flowering plants commonly known as the mint or deadnettle or sage family ** ''Salvia'', a large ...

(''Salvia officinalis'') *

Salad burnet ''Sanguisorba minor'', the salad burnet, garden burnet, small burnet, burnet (also used for ''Sanguisorba'' generally), pimpernelle, Toper's plant, and burnet-bloodwort, is an edible perennial herbaceous plant in the family Rosaceae. It has ...

(''Sanguisorba minor'') * ''

Salep Salep, also spelled sahlep or sahlab,( tr, salep, sahlep; fa, ثعلب, ; ar, سحلب, ; al, salep; az, səhləb; he, סַחְלָבּ, ; el, σαλέπι, ; Serbian, Macedonian, Bulgarian and Bosnian: салеп, ''salep'') is a flour ma ...

'' (''Orchis mascula'') *

Sassafras ''Sassafras'' is a genus of three extant and one extinct species of deciduous trees in the family Lauraceae, native to eastern North America and eastern Asia.Wolfe, Jack A. & Wehr, Wesley C. 1987. The sassafras is an ornamental tree. "Middle ...

(''Sassafras albidum'') *

Sesame Seed Sesame ( or ; ''Sesamum indicum'') is a flowering plant in the genus '' Sesamum'', also called benne. Numerous wild relatives occur in Africa and a smaller number in India. It is widely naturalized in tropical regions around the world and is cu ...

, Black Sesame Seed * Savory, summer (''Satureja hortensis'') * Savory, winter (''Satureja montana'') *

(

Perilla frutescens ''Perilla frutescens'', commonly called deulkkae, perilla or Korean perilla, is a species of ''Perilla'' in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is an annual plant native to Southeast Asia and Indian highlands, and is traditionally grown in the Korean ...

) * ''

Silphium Silphium (also known as ''silphion'', ''laserwort'', or ''laser'') is an unidentified plant that was used in classical antiquity as a seasoning, perfume, aphrodisiac, and medicine. It also was used as a contraceptive by ancient Greeks and Romans ...

'', ''silphion'', ''laser'', ''laserpicium'', ''sorado'' (

Ancient Roman cuisine The cuisine of ancient Rome changed greatly over the duration of the civilization's existence. Dietary habits were affected by the political changes from kingdom to republic to empire, and the empire's enormous expansion, which exposed Romans to ...

Ancient Greek cuisine Ancient Greek cuisine was characterized by its frugality for most, reflecting agricultural hardship, but a great diversity of ingredients was known, and wealthy Greeks were known to celebrate with elaborate meals and feasts. The cuisine was found ...

) *

Sorrel Sorrel (''Rumex acetosa''), also called common sorrel or garden sorrel, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Polygonaceae. Other names for sorrel include spinach dock and narrow-leaved dock ('dock' being a common name for the genus '' ...

(''Rumex acetosa'') * Sorrel, sheep ('' Rumex acetosella'') * Spearmint (''

Mentha spicata Spearmint, also known as garden mint, common mint, lamb mint and mackerel mint, is a species of mint, ''Mentha spicata'' (, native to Europe and southern temperate Asia, extending from Ireland in the west to southern China in the east. It is nat ...

'') *

Spikenard Spikenard, also called nard, nardin, and muskroot, is a class of aromatic amber-colored essential oil derived from '' Nardostachys jatamansi'', a flowering plant in the honeysuckle family which grows in the Himalayas of Nepal, China, and India ...

(''Nardostachys grandiflora'' or ''N. jatamansi'') * Star anise (''Illicium verum'') *

Sumac Sumac ( or ), also spelled sumach, is any of about 35 species of flowering plants in the genus ''Rhus'' and related genera in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). Sumacs grow in subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world, including Eas ...

(''Rhus coriaria'') * Sweet woodruff (''

Galium odoratum ''Galium odoratum'', the sweet woodruff or sweetscented bedstraw, is a flowering perennial plant in the family Rubiaceae, native to much of Europe from Spain and Ireland to Russia, as well as Western Siberia, Turkey, Iran, the Caucasus, China ...

'') * Szechuan pepper, Sichuan pepper (''Zanthoxylum piperitum'')

T

Tarragon Tarragon (''Artemisia dracunculus''), also known as estragon, is a species of perennial herb in the family Asteraceae. It is widespread in the wild across much of Eurasia and North America and is cultivated for culinary and medicinal purposes ...

(''Artemisia dracunculus'') * Tasmanian pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata)) *

Thyme Thyme () is the herb (dried aerial parts) of some members of the genus '' Thymus'' of aromatic perennial evergreen herbs in the mint family Lamiaceae. Thymes are relatives of the oregano genus ''Origanum'', with both plants being mostly indigen ...

(''Thymus vulgaris'') * Thyme, lemon (''Thymus citriodorus'') *

Tonka beans ''Dipteryx odorata'' (commonly known as "cumaru", "kumaru", or "Brazilian teak") is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. The tree is native to Central America and northern South America and is semi-deciduous. Its seeds are kno ...

(''Dipteryx odorata'') *

Turmeric Turmeric () is a flowering plant, ''Curcuma longa'' (), of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, the rhizomes of which are used in cooking. The plant is a perennial, rhizomatous, herbaceous plant native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast ...

(''Curcuma longa'')

V

Vanilla Vanilla is a spice derived from orchids of the genus ''Vanilla (genus), Vanilla'', primarily obtained from pods of the Mexican species, flat-leaved vanilla (''Vanilla planifolia, V. planifolia''). Pollination is required to make the p ...

(''Vanilla planifolia'') * Voatsiperifery (''Piper borbonense'') adagascar

W

Wasabi Wasabi ( Japanese: , , or , ; ''Eutrema japonicum'' or ''Wasabia japonica'') or Japanese horseradish is a plant of the family Brassicaceae, which also includes horseradish and mustard in other genera. The plant is native to Japan and the Russi ...

(''Wasabia japonica'') *

Water-pepper ''Persicaria hydropiper'' (synonym (taxonomy), syn. ''Polygonum hydropiper''), also known as water pepper, marshpepper knotweed, arse smart or tade, is a plant of the family Polygonaceae. A widespread species, ''Persicaria hydropiper'' is found ...

, smartweed (''Polygonum hydropiper'') *

Wattleseed Wattleseeds are the edible seeds from any of 120 species of Australian '' Acacia'' that were traditionally used as food by Aboriginal Australians, and eaten either green (and cooked) or dried (and milled to a flour) to make a type of bush bread ...

(from about 120 spp. of Australian ''Acacia'') * Wild thyme (''

Thymus serpyllum ''Thymus serpyllum'', known by the common names of Breckland thyme, Breckland wild thyme, wild thyme, creeping thyme, or elfin thyme, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to most of Europe and North Africa. It is ...

'') *

Wintergreen Wintergreen is a group of aromatic plants. The term "wintergreen" once commonly referred to plants that remain green (continue photosynthesis) throughout the winter. The term "evergreen" is now more commonly used for this characteristic. Most ...

(''Gaultheria procumbens'') * Wood avens, herb bennet (''

'') * Woodruff (''

'') * Wormwood, absinthe (''

Artemisia absinthium ''Artemisia absinthium'' (wormwood, grand wormwood, absinthe, absinthium, absinthe wormwood, mugwort, wermout, wermud, wormit, wormod) is a species of '' Artemisia'', native to temperate regions of Eurasia and North Africa, and widely naturalize ...

'')

Y

* ''

Yerba buena Yerba buena or hierba buena is the Spanish name for a number of aromatic plants, most of which belong to the mint family. ''Yerba buena'' translates as "good herb". The specific plant species regarded as ''yerba buena'' varies from region to regi ...

'', any of four different species, many unrelated * Yarrow (''

Achillea millefolium ''Achillea millefolium'', commonly known as yarrow () or common yarrow, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Other common names include old man's pepper, devil's nettle, sanguinary, milfoil, soldier's woundwort, and thousand seal. The ...

'')

Z

* ''

Za'atar Za'atar ( ; ar, زَعْتَر, ) is a culinary herb or family of herbs. It is also the name of a spice mixture that includes the herb along with toasted sesame seeds, dried sumac, often salt, as well as other spices. As a family of rela ...

'' (herbs from the genera ''Origanum'', ''Calamintha'', ''Thymus'', and ''Satureja'') * ''

Zedoary ''Curcuma zedoaria'' (zedoary, white turmeric, or temu putih) is a perennial herb and member of the genus ''Curcuma'', family Zingiberaceae. The plant is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia but is now naturalized in other places including t ...

'' (''Curcuma zedoaria'')

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Herbs And Spices Lists of plants Lists of foods Gardening lists +

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See also

Culinary herbs and spices by country, region and culture

References