More Safe Herbs: Safe & Gentle Series
Apr 28, 2025
This article, "More Safe Herbs" is part of the Safe & Gentle Series and it follows the last blog, Holly's Favorite Safe & Tonic Herbs.
While these herbs are not gentle enough to be considered tonics, they are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) and can be used in many instances. Be sure to consult an herbalist to see if they'll work for you, because even though they're generally safe, each person has a specific constitution or need and not all herbs work for all people.
Safe Herbs (But Not Tonics)
This category includes herbs that are safe but not quite as gentle, or not quite as nutritious, or they have a little more zip in them so that they don't meet the Tonic criteria.
These herbs include lemon verbena, fennel, elderberry, cleavers, catnip, lavender, and rose hips. As you can see, all the herbs on this list are safe and many are even considered foods. However, they're not herbs you want to eat or consume daily in great amounts, which are two of the criteria of tonics.
It's also worth noting that some of these herbs fall under the classification of Rasayana tonics in Ayurveda, which classifies tonics differently than Western Herbal Medicine. (Rasayana herbs can be more stimulating and warming than the generally mild or cooling herbs here.) So when discussing tonic herbs, be sure you're clear on the traditional medical system!
Also, a lot of these herbs are used in aromatherapy; their essential oil content makes them ideal for scent-based healing.
12 Safe Herbs
This list provides details about the herb's flavor profile and how to use it in the kitchen.
Spearmint, Mentha spicata
Flavor: green, minty, bright
Use in: teas, syrups, ice creams, lozenges
Lemon Verbena, Aloysia citrodora
Flavor: strong, lemony, citrusy
Use in: teas, syrups, honeys
Catnip, Nepeta cateria
Flavor: minty, earthy, pleasant
Use in: hot milk, teas, syrups, vinegars
Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare
Flavor: anise, like licorice
Use in: salads, teas, vinegars
Lavender, Lavandula spp.
Flavor: strong, pungent, floral
Use sparingly in: salads, vinegars, teas
Dandelion lf, Taraxacum vulgare
Flavor: bitter, strong
Use in: vinegars, salads, pestos, salts
Rose hips, Rosa rugosa
Flavor: mealy, bland
Use in: teas, decoctions, vinegars
Chickweed, Stellaria media
Flavor: light, mild, slightly sweet
Use in: teas, salads
Burdock root, Arctium lappa
Flavor: earthy, bland, rooty
Use in: soups, stews, decoctions
Dill, Anethum graveolens
Flavor: punchy, bright, gardeny
Use in: soups, stir fries, honeys, pickled foods
Elder berry, Sambucus canadensis
Flavor: pungent, strong, earthy
Use in: teas, syrups, honeys, chai, decoctions
Cleavers, Gallium aparine
Flavor: bland, green
Use in: steamed veggies, stir fries, teas,
decoctions
Fo-Ti, Polygonum multiflorum
Flavor: sweetish, mildly bitter
Use in: smoothies, powder blends, hot milks
Our herbal materia medica is full of safe phytochemicals that support the work of the body and the mind and make us stronger and healthier.
Get to know these herbs and how they work so you can be versatile and innovative in the kitchen as you pursue natural health.