People often ask us where to start when stocking a home with herbs. It is a fair question. With hundreds of botanicals out there, a beginner can feel a little lost.
So we put together this list of twenty herbs we think are worth keeping on hand. They are versatile, widely available, and well loved for good reason. Many of them probably sound familiar, and a few might already be in your kitchen. For each one, we have included a simple note on how it has traditionally been used and an easy way to enjoy it.
A friendly starter list
- Ginger. A warming kitchen favorite, long valued as a digestive companion. Lovely grated into tea or added to cooking.
- Turmeric. The golden spice, traditionally used to support the body's everyday balance. Delicious in warm milk or a simple broth.
- Chamomile. Gentle and calming, chamomile has long been enjoyed as a soothing bedtime tea.
- Peppermint. Bright and cooling, traditionally used to settle the stomach. A wonderful after-meal tea.
- Garlic. A humble kitchen staple valued for centuries in cooking and folk wellness alike. Best enjoyed fresh in your everyday meals.
- Elderberry. A dark, tart berry long cherished during the cooler months. Often made into syrups and warm teas.
- Echinacea. A prairie flower traditionally valued as a seasonal wellness herb. Commonly enjoyed as a tea or tincture.
- Calendula. A cheerful golden flower traditionally used in skin-soothing salves and gentle teas.
- Lavender. Beloved for its calming scent, lavender has long been used to encourage rest and relaxation. Try a few buds in tea or a warm bath.
- Lemon balm. A member of the mint family, traditionally used to help ease and lighten the mood. Makes a bright, lemony tea.
- Nettle. A humble green traditionally valued as a nourishing, mineral-rich plant. Enjoyed as a hearty tea or cooked like spinach.
- Holy basil (tulsi). Revered in India, tulsi has long been valued as a calming, balancing herb. A fragrant and grounding tea.
- Ashwagandha. A traditional root of Ayurveda, long used to support a sense of steadiness. Usually taken as a powder stirred into warm milk.
- Cinnamon. A warming, sweet spice enjoyed for centuries in both cooking and wellness. Wonderful in tea, oatmeal, or baking.
- Fennel. Sweet, licorice-like seeds traditionally used as a digestive aid. Chew them after a meal or steep them into tea.
- Rosemary. A fragrant kitchen herb traditionally associated with clarity and focus. Lovely in cooking or a simple infusion.
- Thyme. A everyday culinary herb long valued during the cooler seasons. Makes a savory, warming tea and a great kitchen staple.
- Sage. An aromatic herb with deep roots in folk tradition. Used in cooking and as a comforting tea.
- Dandelion. Often dismissed as a weed, dandelion root and leaf have long been valued as gentle, everyday tonics. Enjoyed as tea or roasted root coffee.
- Hibiscus. A ruby-red flower traditionally enjoyed as a tart, refreshing tea, served hot or iced.
How to build your collection
You do not need to gather all twenty at once. In fact, we would gently suggest against it. Pick a few that appeal to you, get to know them, and grow your collection slowly over time.
Start with the ones that fit your life. If you love to cook, lean into the culinary herbs like garlic, rosemary, and thyme. If you are drawn to quiet evenings, chamomile and lavender might be your first friends. There is no wrong place to begin.
A word on quality
Wherever you get your herbs, quality matters. Fresh, well-sourced botanicals simply have more to offer than something that has been sitting on a shelf for years. Store them somewhere cool, dark, and dry, and they will keep their character far longer.
If you would like to explore beyond this list, we invite you to browse our herb collection, where you will find these favorites and hundreds more. And if you are still finding your footing, our guide on getting started with herbs is a gentle place to begin.
Building a home apothecary is one of life's quieter pleasures. Take your time, follow your curiosity, and enjoy getting to know each plant. If you ever want a hand choosing or blending, we are always happy to reach out and help.
A note on wellness: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Our products and articles are for general wellness and educational purposes and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always talk with a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal products, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.