Botanical
List of Food Families
by
Katherine Aaron, NMD
Including
Medicinal Herbs and Edible Flowers
To
make your own allergy-free recipes and
to assist you with your rotation diet
the listings are color-coded. Foods,
culinary herbs, flours,
milks and oils available
in each botanical food family are listed
as well as M edicinal
Herbs.
Actinidiaceace
Food:
Chinese Gooseberry, Kiwi
Medicinal
Herb: Actinidia polygama, Chinese
Gooseberry, Kiwi Skin, Schisandra
Amaranthaceae
Food:
Amaranth Seeds and shoots, Chinese
Spinach, Duck Spinach
Flour:
Amaranth
Oil:
Amaranth
Medicinal
Herb: Amaranth, Bhadram, Brazilian
Ginseng (Pfaffia Paniculata), Joy
Weed, Prostate Pigweed, Semen Celosiae
(Qing Xiang Zi), Radix Cyathulae
(Chuan Niu Xi)
Algae
Food:
Agar-Agar, Dulse, Irish Moss, Kelp,
Nori, Other Seaweeds, Spirulina
Flour:
Agar-Agar Powder
Medicinal
Herb: Kelp, Spirulina, Irish Moss,
Bladderwrack , Corsican
Arum
Food:
Indian Turnip, Poi, Taro
Flour:
Taro
Medicinal
Herb: Araceae, Calamus, Cuckoopint,
Green Dragon, Skunk Cabbage, Sweet
Sedge (Always consult an herbalist
when using herbs in the Arum Family.)
Banana
(Musae)
Food:
Banana (Banana Blossom), Plantain
Medicinal
Herb: Kalpatharu, Musa paradisiaca, Musa
sapientum
Berberidaceae
Food:
May Apple, Barberry Juice
Medicinal
Herb: Barberry Bark, Berries; Jaundice
Berry, Piprage, Darvi, Horny Goatweed,
Nepal Barberry, Oregon Grape Root,
Mandrake, Rusot, Sanke Zhan, Tree
Tumeric
Birch
(Betulaceae)
Food:
Filbert, Hazelnut (Hazelnut Butter)
Flour:
Hazelnut
Milk:
Hazelnut Milk
Oil:
Hazelnut
Medicinal Herb:
Birch Bark, Birch Leaf, 'Funduq’ Corylus
Colurna, Common and Tag Alder
Boraginaceae
Food:
Borage/Borago (Borage Flower),
Forget-Me-Not Flower, Kou
(Devil Pepper), Tarweed Fiddleneck Shoots
Medicinal
Herb: Alkanets, Boneset, Borage
(All Heal), Comfry, Forget-Me-Not,
Heliotrope, Lungwort
Brazil
Nut (Lecythidaceae)
Food:
Brazil Nut (Brazil Nut Butter)
Flour:
Brazil Nut
Milk:
Brazil Nut
Oil:
Brazil Nut
Food:
Buckwheat, Sorrel, Rhubarb
Flour:
Buckwheat
Medicinal
Herb: Bian Xu, Buckwheat, Fagopyrum,
Knotgrass, Senega, Snake Root, Sorrel,
Rhubarb, Yellowdock
Cactus
(Cactaceae)
Food:
Buckhorn Cholla Blossoms, Hylocereus
Undatus (Pitaya, Dragon Fruit,
Strawberry Pear), Indian Fig, Jiotilla,
Prickly Pear (Nopales, Nopalitos),
Saguaro Fruit, Strawberry Hedgehog
Fruit.
Flour:
Cactus
Medicinal
Herb: Prickly Pear Cactus, Night
Blooming Cereus (Haworth)
Camelliaceae
Food:
Black Tea, Camellia Flower, Green
Tea, Oolong Tea, White Tea
Oil:
Camellia Seed Oil (Tsubaki Oil)
Medicinal
Herb: Black Tea, Camellia Theifera,
Green Tea, Thea Bohea, White Tea
Capers
(Capparidaceae)
Food:
Capers
Herb:
Ajgandha, Three-leaved Caper, Varuna
Cashew
(Anacardiaceae)
Food:
Cashew (Cashew Butter), Mango,
Pistachio
Medicinal
Herb: Cashew Nut Oil
Citrus
(Rutacea)
Food:
Angostura, Citron, Grapefruit (Grapefruit
Blossom), Kumquat (Kumquat Blossom),
Lemon (Lemon Blossom), Lime (Lime
Blossom), Orange (Orange Blossom),
Tangerine, Clementine, Ugli Fruit
Medicinal
Herb: Bael, Bitter Orange Peel,
Bushu, Grapefruit Seed Extract,
Prickly Ash (Berries, Bark), Sweet
Orange Peel
Composite
Family (Compositae):
Foods:
Artichoke, Calendula Peta, Chamomile
(Petals), Chicory (Chicory Flower),
Dandelion (Dandelion Petals, Dandelion
Greens), Endive, English Daisy
Petal, Escarole, Head Lettuce,
Leaf Lettuce, Oyster Plant, Ox-eye
Daisy Petal, Salsify, Sesame Seeds
(Tahini), Shungiku Chrysanthemum
Petal, Sunflower (Sunflower Seeds,
Sunflower Bud, Sunflower Petal),
Marsh Thistle Flower, Milk Thistle
Flower, Musk Thistle Flower, Veronica,
Yarrow
Flour:
Artichoke
Oil:
Safflower, Sesame, Sunflower
Medicinal
Herbs: Absinthe, Arnica, Bearsfoot,
Blessed thistle, Burdock, Calendula,
Chicory, Coltsfoot, Chrysanthemum,
Dandelion, Echinacea, Elecampane,
Feverfew, Globe Artichoke, Goldenrod,
Holy Basil, Lavender, Marigold,
Maudlinwort, Mugwort, Safflower,
Sesame, Milk Thistle Seed, Mugwort,
Tansy, Southernwood, Yarrow
Dianthus
(Caryophyllaceae)
Food:
Carnation Petal, Dianthus Flower,
Pink Clove, Sweet William
Medicinal
Herb: Dianthus Superbus L, Dianthus
caryophyllus, Dianthus Chinensis , Qu
Mai
Ebony
(Ebenaceae)
Food:
Persimmon
Medicinal
Herb: Calyx and Receptacle Persimmon
Flax
(Linaceae)
Food:
Processed Flaxseed
Oil:
Flaxseed
Medicinal
Herb: Mountain Flax, Purging Flax
Fungi
Food:
Mushrooms, Bakers Yeast, Brewers
Yeast
Medicinal
Herbs: Cordyceps, Grifola, Maitake,
Lentinula, Shiitake, Ganoderma,
Reishi, Ling Zhi, Tremmella, Poria,
Silver Ear, Pleurotus
Ginger
(Zingiberaceae)
Food:
Arrowroot, Cardamom, Ginger, Turmeric
Flour:
Arrowroot, Galangal, Ginger, Turmeric
Gooseberry
(Grossulariaceae)
Food:
Black Currant, Gooseberry, Red
Currant
Medicinal
Herb: Amla, Amalaki, Black Current,
Feverberry, Indian Gooseberry,
Emblic Myrobalan, Red Current
Goosefoot
(Chenopodiaceae)
Food:
Beet, Beet Sugar, Chard (Swiss,
Red, Green, Rainbow), Kochia, Lambs
Quarters, Spinach, Quinoa
Flour:
Spinach, Quinoa
Medicinal
Herb: Goosefoots, Wormseeds, Glassworts,
Sea Beet
Gourd
(Cucurbitacea)
Food:
Casaba, Cantaloupe, Cucumber, Honey
Dew, Muskmelon, Pawpaw, Papaya,
Persian Melon, Pumpkin (Pumpkin
Blossom), Squash (Winter and Summer
Variety, Squash Blossom), Watermelon
Oil:
Pumpkin Seed
Medicinal
Herb: Bitter Melon, Jiaolulan,
Mamaeire, Musk
Melon Seed, Watermelon
Grains,
Grasses, Cereal
Food:
Bamboo Shoots, Barley (Barley Malt),
Cane sugar (white sugar, brown
sugar, raw sugar, Molasses), Chestnut,
Water Chestnut, Couch Grass, Corn
(Corn Meal, Corn Syrup, Cornstarch,
Grits, Hominy, Pasole, Popcorn),
Lemon Grass, Ling Nut, Millet,
Oats (Oat Meal, Oat Groats, Oat
Straw), Rice (Wild Rice, Brown
Rice, White Rice, Rice Syrup, Rice
Pasta, Rice Milk), Rye, Sorghum,
Tapioca, Wheat (Bran, Farina, Sprouted
Wheat, Wheat Berries, Wheat Grass
Juice, Wheat Germ, Soy Sauce unless
Wheat Free)
Flour:
Barley, Corn, Chestnut, Millet,
Oat, Rice, Rye, Tapioca, Wheat
(Duram, Graham, Kamut, Spelt)
Milk:
Rice
Oil:
Corn, Rice Bran Oil
Medicinal Herb:
Barley Water, Corn-silk, Lemon
Grass, Vetivert
Grape
(Vitaceae)
Food:
Brandy, Champagne, Cognac, Crème
of Tartar, Grape (Grape Leaf),
Raisin, Wine, Wine Vinegar
Oil:
Grape Seed Oil
Medicinal
Herb: Grape Seed, Grape
Heath
(Ericaceae)
Food:
Cranberry, Blueberry, Huckleberry,
Wintergreen
Medicinal
Herb: Bearberry, Boxberry, Checkerberry,
Mountain Tea, Teaberry, Uva Ursi,
Wintergreen
Honeysuckle
(Caprifoliaceae)
Food:
Elderberry (Only Fruit and Blossom
is edible), Honeysuckle Petal (Only
Flower is edible)
Medicinal
Herb: Elder Bark, Elder Berry, Elder Flower,
Elder Leaf, Goats' Leaf, Lonicera Caprifolium,
Lonicera Periclymenum
Iris
(Iridaceae)
Food:
Saffron
Medicinal
Herb: Crocus, Iris Tenax, Orris,
Saffron Tea, Yellow Flag
Laurel
(Lauraceae)
Food:
Avocado, Bay Leaves, Cinnamon,
Laurel, Sassafras
Medicinal
Herb: Bay Laurel, Camphor, Cinnamon
Bark, Daruchini, Tvak
Legume
(Leguminosae)
Food:
Adzuki Bean, Alfalfa, Alfalfa Bean
Sprouts, Black-eyed pea, Black
Turtle Beans, Carob, Fava Beans,
Fenugreek, Field Pea, Garbanzo
Bean (Chick Pea), Great Northern
Bean, Green Bean, Green Pea, Guar
Gum, Jicama, Kidney bean, Lentil,
Licorice, Lima bean, Mung Bean
(Mungo Beans, Mung Bean Sprouts),
Navy Bean, Peanut, Pinto Bean,
Soybean (Lecithin, Tofu, Soy Milk,
Soy Sauce, Tamari, Soy Pasta, Soy
Protein, Soy Grits, Natto, Miso,
Edemame), Split Pea, String Bean,
Tamarind.
Flour:
Garbanzo Bean, Mung Bean, Soy
Milk:
Soy
Oil:
Peanut, Soy
Medicinal
Herb: Acacia Bark, Alfalfa, Astragalus,
Balsam of Peru, Chirmiti, Cowage,
Fenugreek, Griffonia, Huang Qi, Licorice
(Glycyrrhiza) , Mucuna Pruriens,
Natto (Nattokinase), Redbud, Saraca
Indica, Senna, Sweet Clover
Lily
(Leguminosae)
Food:
Asparagus, Chives (Chive Blossom),
Garlic (Garlic Blossom), Leek,
Onion, Shallot, Yucca, (Yucca Petals)
Medicinal
Herb: Adder's Tongue, Agave, Aloe
Vera, Butcher's Broom, False Unicorn
Root, Mocha Black Aloe, Garlic,
Tiger Lily
Food:
Litchi Nut, Lychee Nut
Herb:
Chinese Soapberry, Guarana
Mallow
(Malvaceae)
Food:
Hibiscus Tea, Hollyhock Petal,
Okra (Okra Petals)
Medicinal
Herb: Althea Root Tea, Marshmallow,
Musk Seed
Maple
(Aceraceae)
Food:
Maple Syrup, Maple sugar
Mint
(Labiatae)
Food:
Apple Mint, Basil (Basil Flower),
Bergamot (Earl Grey Tea Ingredient),
Bee Balm Flower, Dittany, Lavender,
Marjoram, Mints, Oregano (Oregano
Flower), Rosemary (Rosemary Flower),
Sage (Sage Flower), Savory (Summer
Savory Flower), Thyme (Thyme Flower)
Medicinal
Herb: Basil, Bee Balm, Horehound,
Hyssop, Lavender, Oswego Tea, Catnip,
Lemon Balm, Mint, Oregano, Marsh
Woundwort, Rosemary, Sage, Self
Heal, Thyme, Motherwort, Skullcap,
Woundwort
Morning
Glory (Convolvulaciae)
Food:
Jicama, Sweet Potato, Yam
Flour:
Sweet Potato, Yam
Medicinal
Herb: Indian Jalap, Ipomea Purga,
Qian Shi, Tu Si Zi , Vidari-Kanda,
Wild Yam
Mulberry
(Artocapaceae)
Food:
Breadfruit, Fig, Mulberry
Medicinal
Herb: Mulberry
Mustard
(Cruciferae)
Food:
Arugula (Arugula Blossom), Broccoli
(Broccoli Blossom, Broccoli Sprouts),
Brussel Sprouts, Bok Choy Cabbage,
Cauliflower, Celery Cabbage, Chinese
Cabbage, Collard, Colza Shoots,
Diakon, Kale, Kohlrabi, Kraut,
Horsetail, Horse Radish (Horse
Radish Sprouts), Hyssop, Mustard
(Seeds, Mustard Greens), Napa,
Radish (Radish Flower, Radish Sprouts),
Rutabaga, Turnips, Turnip Greens,
Watercress, Wild Turnip (Rape),
Yu Choy
Oil:
Canola
Medicinal
Herb: Black Radish, Black Mustard,
Horseradish, Hyssop, Lai Fu, Lo
Po, Mooli, Shepherd's Purse, Wallflower,
Watercress, White Mustard, Wild
Pepper Grass, Woad
Myrtle
(Myrtaceae)
Food:
Allspice, Cloves, Guava (Pineapple
Guava Blossom), Paprika, Pimento
Medicinal
Herb: Cajuput, Cheken, Cloves,
Eucalyptus, Jambul, Ringwood, Tea
Tree Oil
Nightshade
(Solanaceae)
Food:
Anaheim Pepper, Banana Pepper,
Brinjal, Cayenne, Eggplant, Ground
Cherry, Habanera Pepper, Hatch
Pepper, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper,
Green Pepper, Jalapeno Pepper,
Mealy Potato, Red Pepper, Sweet
Pepper, Paprika, Pepino, Pimento,
Potato (All Varieties except Sweet
Potato), Tabasco, Thorn Apple,
Tomato
Flour:
Potato
Medicinal
Herb: Cayenne (Capsicum), Manaca,
Pichi, Tobacco (Tabaccum)
Nutmeg
(Myristicaceae)
Food:
Mace, Nutmeg
Medicinal
Herb: Mace, Nutmeg, Nux Moschata
Olive
(Oleaceae)
Food:
Lilac Petal, Olive (Black Olive,
Green Olive)
Oil:
Olive
Medicinal
Herb: Lilac, Manna, Olive Leaf
Onagraceae
Food:
Evening Primrose Petal, Willow
Herb Leaves and Sprouts, Ground
Clarkie Seeds, Fushia (Petal, Leaf,
Berries)
Medicinal
Herb: Clarkie, Evening Primrose
Oil, Evening Primrose Root, Epilobium
Angustifolium, Kaprie Tea, Sundrops,
Willow Herb
Orchid
(Orchidaceae)
Food:
Vanilla, Rein Orchid Root
Medicinal
Herb: Salep, Satyrion
Palm
(Palmaceae)
Food:
Coconut, Date (Date Sugar), Heart
of Palm, Palm Cabbage
Flour:
Palm
Milk:
Coconut
Oil:
Coconut
Medicinal
Herb: Areca nut, Betel nut, Dragon's
blood, Saw Palmetto
Parsley
(Palmaceae)
Food:
Angelica (Angelica Blossom, Root,
Seeds, Stems, Wild Celery), Anise,
Carrots, Celery, Celeriac, Chervil
(Chervil Flower), Caraway, Celery
Seed, Cilantro, Coriander, Cumin,
Dill (Dill Flower), Fennel (Fennel
Blossom), Parsley, Parsnips, Sweet
Cicily, Water Celery
Medicinal
Herb: Ajowana, Angelica, Aniseed,
Asafoetida, Bird's Nest Weed, Bishop's
Weed, Carosella, Carum (Caraway),
Cuminum Cyminun, Dong Quai (Female
Ginseng), Fennel (Foeniculum),
Lovage, Musk Root, Osha, Osmorrhiza
Longistylis (Sweet Cicily), Parsley,
Petroselini Radix, Pimpernel, Rock
Selinon, Sweet Cumin, Queen Anne's
Lace, Yavani
Pelargoniums
Food:
Scented Geranium Petals (Citronella
variety not edible)
Medicinal
Herb: Cranesbill Root, Herb Robert,
T'Namie
Pepper
(Piperaceae)
Food:
Black pepper, White Pepper, Pink
Peppercorn
Medicinal
Herb: Dried Catkins, Kava Kava,
Long Pepper, Matico
Pine
(Pinaceae and Coniferae)
Food:
Juniper Berry, Pinion Nut, Pine
Nut
Milk:
Pinion Nut, Pine Nut
Medicinal
Herb: Balm of Gilead, Black Larch,
European Larch, Meleze, Oil of
Juniper, Pin du Lord, Tamarac
Pineapple
(Bromeliaceae)
Food:
Pineapple
Medicinal
Herb: Pineapple Fruit Enzyme (Bromelain),
Pineapple Leaf
Pomegranate
(Lythraceae)
Food:
Pomegranate
Medicinal
Herb: Pomegranate, Henna, Purple
Loosestrife
Poppy
(Papaveraceae)
Food:
Poppy Flower, Poppy Seed
Medicinal
Herb: Californian Poppy, Corn Rose,
Macleaya, Mawseed
Rose
(Rosaceae)
Food:
Almond (Almond Butter), Apple (Apple
Blossom, Apple Cider, Apple Vinegar,
Apple Pectin), Apricot, Blackberry,
Boysenberry, Cherry, Dewberry,
Loganberry, Nectarine, Peach (Peach
Blossom), Pear (Pear Blossom),
Plum (Plum Blossom), Prune Raspberry,
Rose Petal, Strawberry, Youngberry,
Quince
Flour:
Almond
Milk:
Almond
Oil:
Almond
Medicinal
Herb: Agrimony, Apricot Kernel,
Avens, Blackberry Root and Leaf,
Bullace, Burnet, Cydonia Vulgaris,
Five-Leaf Grass (Five Fingers),
Hawthorne Berry, Kousso, Ladies
Mantle, Meadowsweet, Prune, Raspberry
leaf, Rose Hips Silverweed, Wild
Cherry
Ranunculaceae
Food:
Buttercup Petal
Medicinal
Herb: Anemone Pulsatilla, Black
Cohash, Clematis Patens, Figwort,
Goldenseal, Liverwort, Peaony
Rubiaceae
Food:
Coffee, Gardenia Blossom
Medicinal
Herb: Bai Ji Tian, Button Bush
(Pond Dogwood), Cat's Claw, Cleaver,
Gambir, Ipecac, Madder, Mitragyna
Speciosa (Kratom), Noni, Psychotria
viridis (Chacruna), Ramulus Squaw
Vine, Remija (Cuprea Bark), Sweet
Woodruff, Uncariae Cum Uncis (Gou
Teng), Yohimbe
Stercula
Food:
Cocoa, Cola Bean, Chocolate (Cocoa)
Tropaeolaceae
Food:
Indian Cress Nasturtium (Not Watercress),
Nasturtium Flower, Nasturtium Leaf
Medicinal
Herb: Tropaeolum Majus Nasturtium
Violaceae
Food:
Violet Flower, Pansy Flower, Johnny
Jump-Up Flower
Medicinal
Herb: Heartsease
Walnut
(Juglandaceae)
Food:
Butternut, Hickory Nut, Pecan (Pecan
Nut Butter), Walnut (Walnut Butter,
Black Walnut, English Walnut)
Flour:
Pecan, Walnut
Milk:
Butternut, Pecan, Walnut
Oil:
Walnut Oil
Medicinal
Herb: Black Walnut Hull, Butternut
Root Bark, Nux Persica, Wormwood
Animal
Food Families
Amphibia
Frog
Crustaceans
Crab,
Crayfish, Crawfish, Lobster, Prawns,
Shrimp
FISH
Fresh
Water Fish
Big
Mouth Bass, Catfish, Croaker, Mullet,
Perch, Pike, Sun Fish, Trout, Walleye,
Whitefish
Salt
Water Fish
Amberjack,
Anchovy, Striped Bass, Blue Fish,
Cod, Drum, Flounder, Grouper, Halibut,
Hake, Herring (Sardine), Mackerel
(Tuna), Mahi Mahi, Mullet, Orange
Roughy, Pompano, Salmon, Salt Water
Trout, Sheephead, Snapper, Swordfish,
Whiting
Fowl
Chicken,
Duck, Emu, Guinea Fowl, Grouse, Pheasant,
Quail, Ostrich, Partridge, Prairie
Chicken, Pea Fowl, Pigeon, Snipe,
Turkey, Woodcock. Eggs are included
in this category.
Mammal
Bear,
Beef (Veal, Cow's Milk, Cheese and
Butter), Buffalo (Bison), Caribou,
Deer (Venison), Elk, Goat (Goat Cheese,
Goat’s Milk), Horse (Mare's
Milk), Lamb (Mutton), Moose, Opossum,
Pork (Ham, Bacon), Rabbit (Hare),
Raccoon, Seal, Squirrel
Mollusk
Abalone,
Clam, Conch, Mussel, Oyster, Periwinkle,
Quahog, Scallop, Snail, Squid
Reptiles
Turtle,
Snake, Alligator
Back
to Library Index