Reliable online resources on medicinal herbs

At In Praise of Herbs, we love to share as much knowledge about herbs as possible. If you’re looking to deepen your herbal knowledge on your own, you’ll be happy to know that there are several reliable sources available online.

Due to strict regulations concerning health claims, we are unfortunately not allowed to provide detailed information about the effects of plants or herbs on our website. However, we are happy to guide you towards a few free and accessible online resources. It may take a bit of searching, but the results are often surprisingly rich.

Kruidwis (Dutch)

A true treasure trove of information on plants and herbs. You’ll find hundreds of articles on both well-known and lesser-known species, often accompanied by historical, folk-medicinal and scientific context. Tip: use the discreet search bar in the top left corner to look up a specific herb.

Mens-en-gezondheid.infonu.nl/natuurgeneeswijze (Dutch)

This website offers concise herbal monographs based on the work of Geert Verhelst, author of the Groot Handboek Geneeskrachtige Planten.
Unfortunately, it does not have a search function per herb, so you’ll need to browse manually but the content is well worth the effort.

Herbal Medicines – European Medicines Agency (EMA) (English)

An official, medical EU source containing monographs of medicinal plants, compiled by the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). You’ll find scientific evaluations, uses, side effects, and dosage information. Highly reliable, although the language can be somewhat technical.  Click on “Herbal Products” to access an alphabetical list of medicinal plants.

WikiPhyto (French)

For those who understand French, this extensive database is highly recommended. Each plant entry provides in-depth information about active constituents, therapeutic use, dosage, and scientific references.
Perfect for anyone looking for medical or pharmacological depth.

Studying herbs on your own takes some patience and a bit of detective work, but with these resources, you’ll be well on your way. Let yourself be inspired, read critically, and above all: stay amazed by what nature has to offer.

Do you have any tips for free and reliable online resources yourself? Feel free to share them in a comment below this blog post.