More Safe Herbs: Safe & Gentle Series

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.