About The Public Herbarium
This website is for people who are curious about herbalism and want clear, trustworthy, practical information they can actually use — without needing prior training, expensive courses, or specialist language.
Our Mission
Herbalism should be accessible, evidence-informed, and understandable to everyone.
This website exists to share high-quality herbal information freely, in plain language, with a strong focus on science, safety, and the plants that are readily available in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Herbal knowledge has often been locked behind specialist language, paywalls, or traditions that assume prior training. While that depth has value, it can also create unnecessary barriers. Our aim is to help remove those barriers, without oversimplifying or misrepresenting the evidence.
Plain Language First
Language should invite people in, not keep them out.
On this site:
- Explanations are written in plain, everyday language
- Herbalist or technical terms are included in parentheses, when helpful
- You do not need to memorise Latin names or traditional classifications to understand what’s being discussed
This is not about oversimplifying or reducing accuracy. It is about clear communication, which is essential for learning and for safety.
Science-Informed, Not Science-Exclusive
Herbalism works because plants contain real chemical compounds that interact with the body.
This site prioritises:
- Pharmacology and physiology
- Clinical and laboratory research
- Known mechanisms of action
- Clear discussion of what evidence exists — and where it does not
Traditional uses are discussed where relevant, but they are clearly identified as traditional knowledge. Claims are not presented as fact unless there is reasonable evidence to support them.
Where evidence is limited, uncertain, or evolving, that uncertainty is stated openly.
Aotearoa New Zealand Focus
Herbalism does not need to rely on rare or imported plants.
This website focuses on:
Using locally available plants makes herbalism more practical, affordable, and environmentally responsible.
When non-native or imported herbs are discussed, this is made clear.
Safety Is Non-Negotiable
“Natural” does not automatically mean safe.
Throughout this site you will find:
- Clear safety notes
- Known contraindications and interactions
- Conservative, evidence-informed guidance
- Encouragement to start low and go slow
This website is educational, not a substitute for professional medical care. Readers are encouraged to involve qualified healthcare providers when dealing with:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Medications
- Chronic or complex conditions
- Children
If you would normally see a doctor for something, you should still see a doctor.
Respect for Rongoā Māori
Rongoā Māori is a complete healing system grounded in te ao Māori (the Māori worldview). It includes spiritual, cultural, and relational dimensions that cannot be separated from plant use.
When native plants are discussed here:
- Māori knowledge is acknowledged as the source
- Information is limited to physical properties and general safety
- Rongoā Māori is not presented as “herbalism” or “complementary medicine”
Learning rongoā Māori properly requires guidance from Māori practitioners and communities. This site does not attempt to teach rongoā, but seeks to speak about native plants with respect and care.
For more detailed information about our approach to cultural respect, see our Cultural Respect page.
About the Creator
Hello! I’m the person behind The Public Herbarium.
I’m passionate about demystifying herbalism and making plant medicine accessible to everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand. I believe that understanding the plants around us is a fundamental part of health empowerment, and that this knowledge shouldn’t be locked away behind complex language, high costs, or gatekeeping.
My approach is rooted in a few key principles:
- Clarity Over Jargon: If we can’t explain it simply, we don’t understand it well enough
- Science & Tradition: I value both modern research and traditional knowledge, and I love finding where they meet
- Local Focus: Our native plants and common “weeds” are powerful medicines. Let’s start with what’s outside our back door
- Democratisation: Herbal knowledge is a resource that should be shared freely and widely
A Note on How This Site Was Created
Transparency is a core value of The Public Herbarium.
The written content on this website was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), specifically large language models.
Here’s how the process worked:
- Idea & Direction: Every guide, article, and explanation started with my ideas, my structure, and my specific requests. I provided the vision, the focus on Aotearoa New Zealand, and the “plain language” philosophy.
- AI as a Tool: I used AI as a powerful research and writing assistant to help draft, structure, and format the content according to my detailed instructions.
- Human Review & Authority: Every single word generated by AI was meticulously reviewed, edited, fact-checked, and refined by me. I am the final authority on all content, and I take full responsibility for its accuracy and tone.
Why use AI?
My goal is to make quality herbal education as accessible as possible. Using AI allowed me to create a comprehensive, well-structured library of guides much more quickly than I could have alone, accelerating the mission of The Public Herbarium.
The heart, soul, and expertise behind this site are human. The AI was just a very efficient tool to help bring this resource to life for you.
This site is offered in the spirit of learning, openness, safety, and respect — for plants, for people, and for the knowledge systems that sustain both.
Thank you for being here.