Home Persian Herbal Heritage Library

A living library of Persian herbal wisdom

Browse herbs by Persian alphabet, explore traditional preparation methods passed down through generations, and trace each remedy back to its historical Persian sources — alongside the modern scientific evidence that supports it.

Browse by Persian letter

All herbs in the library

32 entries
Saffron
زعفران
Saffron
Crocus sativus
Warm · Dry
Rose
گل سرخ
Rose
Rosa damascena
Cool · Moist
Ginger
زنجبیل
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Hot · Dry
Turmeric
زردچوبه
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Warm · Dry
Cinnamon
دارچین
Cinnamon
Cinnamomum verum
Hot · Dry
Fennel
رازیانه
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
Warm · Dry
Cardamom
هل
Cardamom
Elettaria cardamomum
Warm · Dry
Sumac
سماق
Sumac
Rhus coriaria
Cool · Dry
Mint
نعناع
Mint
Mentha spicata
Warm · Dry
Chamomile
بابونه
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Warm · Dry
Black Seed
سیاه‌دانه
Black Seed
Nigella sativa
Hot · Dry
Licorice
شیرین‌بیان
Licorice
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Warm · Moist
Thyme
آویشن
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Hot · Dry
Borage
گل گاوزبان
Borage
Echium amoenum
Warm · Moist
Fenugreek
شنبلیله
Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Hot · Dry
Dill
شوید
Dill
Anethum graveolens
Warm · Dry
Tarragon
ترخون
Tarragon
Artemisia dracunculus
Warm · Dry
Persian Basil
ریحان
Persian Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Warm · Dry
Cumin
زیره
Cumin
Cuminum cyminum
Warm · Dry
Coriander
گشنیز
Coriander
Coriandrum sativum
Cool · Dry
Lavender
اسطوخودوس
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Hot · Dry
Sage
مریم‌گلی
Sage
Salvia officinalis
Hot · Dry
Marshmallow
ختمی
Marshmallow
Althaea officinalis
Cool · Moist
Golpar
گلپر
Golpar
Heracleum persicum
Warm · Dry
Barberry
زرشک
Barberry
Berberis vulgaris
Cool · Dry
Garlic
سیر
Garlic
Allium sativum
Hot · Dry
Rosemary
اکلیل کوهی
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Warm · Dry
Holy Basil (Tulsi)
ریحان مقدس
Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Ocimum tenuiflorum
Warm · Dry
Ashwagandha
آشواگاندا
Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
Warm · Dry
Milk Thistle
خار مریم
Milk Thistle
Silybum marianum
Cool · Dry
Dandelion
قاصدک
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Cool · Dry
Peppermint
نعناع فلفلی
Peppermint
Mentha × piperita
Cool · Dry
Traditional Preparation Methods

How Persian remedies are prepared

Each preparation method shapes how an herb's properties are released. These are the classical Persian forms — reusable across hundreds of herbs.

دمکرده
Infusion
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Steeping delicate flowers or leaves in just-boiled water to extract aromatic, water-soluble compounds.

How to prepare

Pour water at ~95°C over 1 tsp dried herb per cup. Cover and steep 5–10 minutes. Strain and drink warm.

Best for
  • Chamomile
  • Borage
  • Mint
  • Lavender
جوشانده
Decoction
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Simmering tough roots, barks, or seeds to extract deeper, mineral-rich constituents.

How to prepare

Add 1 tbsp herb to 2 cups cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a low simmer for 15–25 minutes. Strain.

Best for
  • Licorice root
  • Cinnamon bark
  • Fenugreek seed
  • Ginger
تنتور
Tincture
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Alcohol-based extract that concentrates herbal compounds for long shelf life and small dosing.

How to prepare

Fill a jar one-third with dried herb, top with 40–60% alcohol. Steep 4–6 weeks, shaking daily. Strain and bottle.

Best for
  • Echinacea
  • Milk thistle
  • Holy basil
  • Lemon balm
ضماد
Poultice
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A warm, moist herbal paste applied directly to the skin to soothe localized issues.

How to prepare

Crush fresh herbs or mix powdered herbs with warm water/oil. Spread on cloth, apply to area for 20–40 minutes.

Best for
  • Joint pain
  • Skin irritations
  • Bruises
  • Muscle aches
کمپرس
Compress
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Cloth soaked in a strong herbal infusion or decoction and laid on the body.

How to prepare

Prepare a strong infusion. Soak a clean cloth, wring lightly, and apply warm or cool to the affected area.

Best for
  • Headaches
  • Eye fatigue
  • Sore muscles
  • Sinus relief
حمام گیاهی
Herbal Bath
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Full-body immersion in herb-infused water for relaxation, circulation, and skin care.

How to prepare

Brew a strong pot of infusion or decoction (1 cup herb to 2 liters water), strain into a warm bath. Soak 20 minutes.

Best for
  • Stress relief
  • Sleep support
  • Muscle tension
  • Skin care
لوسیون
Lotion
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Liquid herbal preparation applied to the skin for hydration and topical effects.

How to prepare

Combine herbal infusion with a small amount of carrier oil and emulsifier. Apply gently to the skin.

Best for
  • Dry skin
  • Minor inflammation
  • Cooling skin care
قطره چشم
Eye Drops
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Sterile, gentle herbal water used for eye comfort — must be prepared with strict hygiene and clinical guidance.

How to prepare

Always consult a qualified practitioner. Sterile preparation, isotonic water, and filtered herbal water are essential.

Best for
  • Eye fatigue (under guidance)
  • Mild irritation (under guidance)
غرغره
Gargle
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Warm herbal liquid swished and gargled to soothe the throat and mouth.

How to prepare

Brew a strong infusion or decoction, cool to warm. Gargle for 30 seconds, 3–4 times daily.

Best for
  • Sore throat
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Gum care
  • Bad breath
Historical Sources

Classical & modern Persian herbal texts

Every entry in the library clearly separates traditional Persian use from modern scientific evidence, with references back to its original source.

In Library

صد گیاه و هزار درمان

One Hundred Herbs and a Thousand Remedies
مؤسسه انتشارات سکه، تهران، بازار کاشانی

A foundational modern Persian herbal reference cataloging traditional uses of medicinal plants alongside everyday remedies.

Planned

قانون در طب

The Canon of Medicine
Avicenna (ابن سینا)

The 11th-century medical encyclopedia that systematized humoral medicine and the nature (mizaj) of foods and herbs for centuries to come.

Planned

متون آینده

Future Persian Herbal Texts

Additional classical and contemporary Persian herbal references will be added as the library grows.

Ask the AI

Ask Holistic Health AI about any herb in this library

The AI Coach references this heritage library alongside modern research — always clearly distinguishing traditional Persian use from current scientific evidence.

Open the AI Coach