Your Complete Guide to Medicinal Plants in Aotearoa New Zealand
Welcome to The Public Herbarium’s comprehensive collection of herb monographs. Each monograph provides detailed, scientifically-grounded information about medicinal plants you can grow, forage, or purchase in New Zealand.
Whether you’re looking for a specific herb or exploring options for a health concern, this library helps you find exactly what you need.
Find Herbs By What You Need
🌿 Digestive Support
Looking for herbs to support healthy digestion, ease bloating, or settle an upset stomach?
View all herbs for digestive support →
Popular herbs: Chamomile, Ginger, Peppermint, Kawakawa, Fennel
🛡️ Immune Support
Find herbs that support your immune system, especially during cold and flu season.
View all herbs for immune support →
Popular herbs: Elder, Garlic, Echinacea, Thyme, Ginger
💤 Sleep & Relaxation
Herbs that help you unwind, reduce anxiety, and support restful sleep.
View all herbs for sleep & relaxation → | View calming herbs →
Popular herbs: Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Valerian, Passionflower
🫁 Respiratory Support
Support for coughs, congestion, and breathing comfort.
View all herbs for respiratory support →
Popular herbs: Thyme, Mullein, Elder, Horehound, Hyssop
🩹 Skin Health & Wound Healing
Topical herbs for cuts, scrapes, burns, rashes, and skin conditions.
View all skin herbs → | View wound healing herbs →
Popular herbs: Calendula, Plantain, Comfrey, Kawakawa, Aloe Vera
🔥 Pain & Inflammation
Herbs that reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle tension.
View all pain relief herbs → | View anti-inflammatory herbs →
Popular herbs: Turmeric, Ginger, Willow, Arnica, St. John’s Wort
💚 General Wellness & Nutrition
Nourishing herbs rich in vitamins and minerals for everyday health.
Popular herbs: Nettle, Oatstraw, Red Clover, Dandelion, Chickweed
Find Herbs By How You’ll Use Them
☕ Tea Herbs
Herbs that make delicious, effective teas and infusions.
🌸 Topical Applications
Herbs for salves, oils, poultices, and compresses.
🍯 Culinary Herbs
Kitchen herbs with medicinal properties.
💧 Tinctures
Herbs that extract well in alcohol for concentrated preparations.
Find Herbs By Where You Can Get Them
🏔️ New Zealand Native Plants
Taonga – precious medicinal plants native to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Featured: Kawakawa, Koromiko, Horopito, Mānuka, Kānuka
🌱 Forageable Herbs
Plants you can safely identify and harvest in the wild.
Featured: Dandelion, Plantain, Chickweed, Cleavers, Nettle, Purslane
🌿 Easy to Grow
Herbs that thrive in New Zealand gardens with minimal care.
Featured: Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, Calendula, Lemon Balm, Sage
🏪 Kitchen Cabinet Herbs
Medicinal herbs you probably already have in your spice rack.
Featured: Ginger, Turmeric, Garlic, Cinnamon, Thyme, Sage
Browse All Herbs
Alphabetical Index
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
B
C
- Calendula
- Cardamom
- Catnip
- Cayenne
- Chamomile
- Chasteberry
- Chickweed
- Cinnamon
- Clary Sage
- Cleavers
- Clover, Red
- Clover, White
- Clove
- Comfrey
- Cramp Bark
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
V
W
Y
New to Herbalism?
Start With These “Must-Know” Herbs
If you’re just beginning your herbal journey, start with these versatile, safe, and effective herbs:
- Chamomile – Gentle, calming, great for tea
- Peppermint – Digestive powerhouse, easy to grow
- Plantain – First aid hero, grows everywhere
- Ginger – Already in your kitchen, powerful medicine
- Calendula – Skin healing superstar
- Kawakawa – New Zealand’s medicinal treasure
- Nettle – Nutritive tonic, free to forage
- Dandelion – Whole-body support, abundant
- Lavender – Calming, versatile, beautiful
- Thyme – Respiratory support, antimicrobial
View all beginner-friendly herbs →
Featured Collections
🌺 Native NZ Medicinal Plants
Explore the healing plants that have supported health in Aotearoa for centuries.
💰 Budget-Friendly Herbs
Free or low-cost herbs perfect for budget-conscious herbalists.
🏡 Easy Garden Herbs
No green thumb needed – these herbs thrive with minimal care in NZ.
☕ Daily Tonic Herbs
Nourishing herbs you can use every day for long-term wellness.
How to Use This Library
1. Explore by Need
Start with what you’re trying to address – click any category above to see relevant herbs.
2. Read the Monograph
Each herb page includes:
- Botanical information & identification
- Traditional & modern uses
- How to prepare & use safely
- Dosage guidelines
- Safety considerations & contraindications
- Scientific research
- Cultural context (especially for native plants)
3. Cross-Reference
Use the tags at the bottom of each monograph to find similar herbs or alternative options.
4. Start Simple
Begin with 1-2 herbs you can access easily (grow, forage, or buy). Learn them thoroughly before expanding.
Important Safety Reminders
✓ Always positively identify plants before harvesting or using
✓ Start with small amounts to test for sensitivities
✓ Consult qualified practitioners for serious health conditions
✓ Check for drug interactions if taking medications
✓ Respect native plants – many are taonga and require cultural protocols
✓ Sustainable harvesting only – never take more than 10% of any wild population
Read our complete safety guidelines →
Can’t Find What You’re Looking For?
Try These Resources:
Browse by tag: View all tags →
View recent additions: Latest herb monographs →
Need guidance? Read our getting started guide →
About Our Monographs
Every herb monograph in this library is:
✓ Scientifically referenced – Backed by research and traditional knowledge
✓ NZ-focused – Includes local growing, foraging, and purchasing information
✓ Safety-first – Clear contraindications and precautions
✓ Practical – Real-world preparation methods and dosages
✓ Accessible – Written in plain language, not herbalist jargon
✓ Free – All information freely available to support accessible herbalism
Our mission is to democratise herbal knowledge and make plant medicine accessible to everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand, regardless of background or budget.
Ready to explore? Pick a category above, search for a specific herb, or browse the alphabetical index. Happy learning!
The Public Herbarium – Making herbal knowledge accessible to all