Energetics and Tastes

Energetics

Warming
Cooling
Neutral
Drying
Moistening
Stimulating
Relaxing

Tastes

Bitter
Sweet
Pungent
Sour
Salty
Acrid
Bland

Warming

An energetic: temperature

Herbs that stimulate circulation, increase warmth, and are often used for cold conditions.

Examples: Ginger, Cinnamon.

Herbs that are warmingAngelica · Arnica · Bee Balm · Damiana · Dong Quai · Elecampane · Fennel · Holy Basil · Juniper · Kava · Nutmeg · Oregano · Rosemary · Thyme · Turmeric · Valerian · Wormwood

Back to the list

Cooling

An energetic: temperature

Herbs that calm inflammation, reduce heat, and are helpful for hot conditions.

Examples: Chamomile.

Herbs that are coolingBlue Vervain · Burdock · Calendula · California Poppy · Comfrey · Dandelion · Echinacea · Elder · Feverfew · Goldenseal · Gotu Kola · Hawthorn · Hibiscus · Hops · Jewelweed · Kelp (Bladderwrack) · Kudzu · Lemon Balm · Linden · Marshmallow · Motherwort · Mullein · Neem · Nettle · Oats · Oregon Grape · Passionflower · Peppermint · Plantain · Red Clover · Red Raspberry · Rose · Skullcap · Slippery Elm · Usnea · Uva Ursi · Verbena, Lemon · Violet · Wild Cherry · Yarrow · Yellow Dock

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Neutral

An energetic: temperature

Herbs that are neither noticeably warming nor cooling, and so suit most people.

Herbs that are neutralAgrimony · Ginkgo · Joe Pye Weed · Licorice Root · St. John's Wort · Wood Betony

Back to the list

Drying

An energetic: moisture

Herbs that reduce excess moisture or mucus in the body.

Examples: Sage.

Herbs that are dryingAgrimony · Angelica · Arnica · Bee Balm · Blue Vervain · Burdock · Calendula · Dandelion · Elder · Elecampane · Fennel · Feverfew · Goldenseal · Gotu Kola · Holy Basil · Hops · Juniper · Lemon Balm · Motherwort · Neem · Nettle · Nutmeg · Oregano · Oregon Grape · Peppermint · Red Raspberry · Rose · Rosemary · St. John's Wort · Thuja · Thyme · Turmeric · Usnea · Uva Ursi · Valerian · Wild Cherry · Wood Betony · Wormwood · Yarrow · Yellow Dock

Back to the list

Moistening

An energetic: moisture

Herbs that hydrate tissues and soothe dryness.

Herbs that are moisteningComfrey · Dong Quai · Flax Seed · Hawthorn · Kelp (Bladderwrack) · Kudzu · Licorice Root · Linden · Marshmallow · Mullein · Oats · Plantain · Red Clover · Slippery Elm · Violet

Back to the list

Stimulating

An energetic: tone

Herbs that energize or activate body systems.

Examples: Cayenne, Ginseng.

Herbs that are stimulatingAngelica · Arnica · Bee Balm · Damiana · Elecampane · Juniper · Oregano · Peppermint · Rosemary · Thuja

Back to the list

Relaxing

An energetic: tone

Herbs that calm and ease tension in the body.

Herbs that are relaxingBlue Vervain · Burdock · California Poppy · Gotu Kola · Hawthorn · Holy Basil · Hops · Joe Pye Weed · Kava · Kudzu · Lemon Balm · Linden · Motherwort · Mullein · Passionflower · Skullcap · Valerian · Verbena, Lemon · Wild Cherry · Wood Betony

Back to the list

Bitter

A taste

Herbs with a strong bitter taste that stimulate digestion, especially bile production.

Examples: Dandelion root, Gentian.

Herbs that are bitterAgrimony · Angelica · Arnica · Blue Vervain · Burdock · Calendula · California Poppy · Damiana · Dandelion · Dong Quai · Elder · Elecampane · Fennel · Feverfew · Ginkgo · Goldenseal · Gotu Kola · Hops · Joe Pye Weed · Juniper · Kava · Motherwort · Neem · Oregano · Oregon Grape · Passionflower · Plantain · Rosemary · Skullcap · St. John's Wort · Thuja · Thyme · Turmeric · Usnea · Uva Ursi · Valerian · Wild Cherry · Wood Betony · Wormwood · Yarrow · Yellow Dock

Back to the list

Sweet

A taste

Herbs that are nutritive, soothing, and balancing.

Herbs that are sweetBurdock · Calendula · Comfrey · Dong Quai · Elder · Elecampane · Fennel · Gotu Kola · Hawthorn · Holy Basil · Kudzu · Licorice Root · Linden · Marshmallow · Mullein · Nutmeg · Oats · Passionflower · Peppermint · Red Clover · Rose · Slippery Elm · Verbena, Lemon · Violet · Wild Cherry · Wood Betony

Back to the list

Pungent

A taste

Herbs with a sharp, spicy quality that stimulate digestion and circulation.

Examples: Black pepper, Garlic.

Herbs that are pungentAngelica · Arnica · Bee Balm · Damiana · Dong Quai · Echinacea · Elecampane · Holy Basil · Juniper · Kava · Nutmeg · Oregano · Peppermint · Rosemary · St. John's Wort · Thuja · Thyme · Turmeric · Valerian · Wormwood · Yarrow

Back to the list

Sour

A taste

Herbs with a tart taste that are cooling and refreshing.

Herbs that are sourElder · Ginkgo · Hawthorn · Hibiscus · Lemon Balm · Red Raspberry · Rose · Verbena, Lemon · Yellow Dock

Back to the list

Salty

A taste

Herbs with a mineral, faintly salty taste that are nourishing and rich in minerals.

Herbs that are saltyKelp (Bladderwrack) · Mullein · Nettle · Plantain · Red Clover

Back to the list

Acrid

A taste

Herbs with a sharp, biting taste that catches in the throat.

Herbs that are acridBurdock · Echinacea · Jewelweed · Kava · Kudzu

Back to the list

Bland

A taste

Herbs with little taste of their own, often slippery and soothing.

Herbs that are blandComfrey · Flax Seed · Slippery Elm · Violet

Back to the list

Herbs A–Z Herbal Actions

For educational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

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Tastes

Bitter
Sweet
Pungent
Sour
Salty
Acrid
Bland

Warming

An energetic: temperature

Herbs that stimulate circulation, increase warmth, and are often used for cold conditions.

Examples: Ginger, Cinnamon.

Back to the list

Cooling

An energetic: temperature

Herbs that calm inflammation, reduce heat, and are helpful for hot conditions.

Examples: Chamomile.

Back to the list

Neutral

An energetic: temperature

Herbs that are neither noticeably warming nor cooling, and so suit most people.

Herbs that are neutralAgrimony · Ginkgo · Joe Pye Weed · Licorice Root · St. John's Wort · Wood Betony

Back to the list

Drying

An energetic: moisture

Herbs that reduce excess moisture or mucus in the body.

Examples: Sage.

Back to the list

Moistening

An energetic: moisture

Herbs that hydrate tissues and soothe dryness.

Back to the list

Stimulating

An energetic: tone

Herbs that energize or activate body systems.

Examples: Cayenne, Ginseng.

Herbs that are stimulatingAngelica · Arnica · Bee Balm · Damiana · Elecampane · Juniper · Oregano · Peppermint · Rosemary · Thuja

Back to the list

Relaxing

An energetic: tone

Herbs that calm and ease tension in the body.

Back to the list

Bitter

A taste

Herbs with a strong bitter taste that stimulate digestion, especially bile production.

Examples: Dandelion root, Gentian.

Back to the list

Sweet

A taste

Herbs that are nutritive, soothing, and balancing.

Back to the list

Pungent

A taste

Herbs with a sharp, spicy quality that stimulate digestion and circulation.

Examples: Black pepper, Garlic.

Back to the list

Sour

A taste

Herbs with a tart taste that are cooling and refreshing.

Herbs that are sourElder · Ginkgo · Hawthorn · Hibiscus · Lemon Balm · Red Raspberry · Rose · Verbena, Lemon · Yellow Dock

Back to the list

Salty

A taste

Herbs with a mineral, faintly salty taste that are nourishing and rich in minerals.

Herbs that are saltyKelp (Bladderwrack) · Mullein · Nettle · Plantain · Red Clover

Back to the list

Acrid

A taste

Herbs with a sharp, biting taste that catches in the throat.

Herbs that are acridBurdock · Echinacea · Jewelweed · Kava · Kudzu

Back to the list

Bland

A taste

Herbs with little taste of their own, often slippery and soothing.

Herbs that are blandComfrey · Flax Seed · Slippery Elm · Violet

Back to the list

Herbs A–Z Herbal Actions

For educational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

↑ Top