Botany & Plants
Test your knowledge of Medicinal & Culinary Herbs with a free trivia word search from thewordfind.com. Read each clue, work out the answer, then find it hidden in the letter grid — every puzzle is freshly generated, so no two plays are ever quite the same. Don't know an answer? Tap the hint button in-game to reveal the first letter, or just scan the grid — every answer is hiding in there somewhere. Between the clues and the full answer key below, this topic doubles as a quick study guide — good for a trivia night, a classroom quiz, or just picking up something new about Medicinal & Culinary Herbs along the way.
Play This Puzzle →A few sample clues
Which pungent root vegetable in the Brassicaceae family is grated into a hot green paste for sushi?
_ _ _ _ _ _
Which tonic root genus in traditional Asian medicine is prized for boosting energy and vitality?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
What daisy-like flower genus is commonly brewed into herbal tea to promote relaxation and sleep?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Which aromatic herb genus native to South America yields leaves used as a zero-calorie sweetener?
_ _ _ _ _ _
Psyllium husk harvested from Plantago ovata is rich in soluble dietary _ _ _ _ _ .
All 100 questions in this topic, with answers — use it to study, or just browse. Every actual play of the puzzle only pulls a random handful of these into one game, so knowing them all here won't spoil which ones show up or where they're hidden in the grid. Play it here.
Which soothing succulent plant gel is widely applied topically to treat skin burns and sunburns?
ALOEElderberry syrups and supplements belong to which plant genus?
SAMBUCUSWhich flowering plant species root has strong sedative properties used to treat insomnia?
VALERIANWhat alkaloid chemical in black pepper grains produces its characteristic sharp heat?
PIPERINEWhich medicinal flower species with prickly leaves is widely taken to support liver health?
MILKTHISTLEThe metal filter straw used to drink yerba mate tea in South America is called a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
BOMBILLATurmeric root owes its distinct golden shade to which active biological pigment compound?
CURCUMINWhich perennial plant with edible young shoots is prized as a spring vegetable in culinary cooking?
ASPARAGUSFrench cooking traditionally uses a tied bundle of fresh herbs called a bouquet _ _ _ _ _ .
GARNIWhat purple-flowered herb genus is famous for its soothing essential oils used in aromatherapy?
LAVENDERWhich perennial herb with bitter leaves was traditionally used to flavor vermouth and absinthe?
WORMWOODWhich Mediterranean herb genus with needle-like leaves is widely used in cooking and roasted meats?
ROSEMARYWhich yellow-flowered herbal remedy for mild depression is named after Saint _ _ _ _ ?
JOHNBee balm is also known by what alternative North American common name?
BERGAMOTWhich small edible Allium bulb forms clusters of copper-skinned cloves with delicate flavor?
SHALLOTWhich pungent bulb species in the Allium family contains the antimicrobial sulfur compound allicin?
GARLICWhich toxic nightshade plant was historically used in tiny doses as a cosmetic pupil dilator?
BELLADONNALiquid wax extracted from jojoba seeds is widely used in cosmetic skin _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
MOISTURIZERWhich delicate leafy herb is the most widely produced culinary garnish across Western cooking?
PARSLEYWhat delicate French herb with a mild anise flavor is one of the classic fines herbes?
CHERVILFlat-leaf Italian parsley belongs to which plant species family?
APIACEAEWhich aromatic herb in the mint family with dark crinkled leaves is used in Asian cuisine?
PERILLAWitch hazel extract acts on human skin as a natural _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to tighten pores.
ASTRINGENTWhich bulb vegetable species closely related to garlic produces long flat leaves and mild onion flavor?
LEEKWhich chili pepper chemical compound triggers thermal heat receptors on the human tongue?
CAPSAICINWhat bitter alpha acid gland resin in hop cones gives beer its characteristic bitterness?
LUPULINWhich perennial herb with bitter leaves and yellow flower clusters was used for liver ailments?
DANDELIONWhich coneflower genus native to North America is popular as an herbal immune system supplement?
ECHINACEAWhat tropical stalk grass with citrus fragrance is essential to Thai curries and tom yum soup?
LEMONGRASSWhich fragrant leaf herb is the primary ingredient in traditional Italian pesto sauce?
BASILWhich perennial herb species root was historically used to brew traditional root beer?
SASSAFRASWhich hot aromatic rhizome is widely used to treat nausea and motion sickness?
GINGERWhat sweet licorice-flavored herb seed is widely used in Italian sausage and rye bread?
FENNELWhich aromatic herb species features feathery leaves that smell like sweet anise?
TARRAGONCalendula petals are rich in yellow carotenoid compounds used as a natural food _ _ _ .
DYEWhat potent compound in wormwood gives absinthe its historical reputation and distinct flavor?
THUJONEWhat active antioxidant complex extracted from milk thistle seeds protects liver cells?
SILYMARINWhich climbing vine species produces black green and white peppercorns from dried berries?
PIPERWhat ancient maidenhair tree leaf extract is used to support memory and cognitive function?
GINKGOWhich medicinal shrub species produces leaves used to extract hamamelis water?
WITCHHAZELFenugreek seeds contain a distinct aroma compound that smells remarkably like maple _ _ _ _ _ .
SYRUPWhich gum resin harvested from Commiphora trees was prized in antiquity alongside frankincense?
MYRRHWhich herbal root species produces a sweet compound fifty times sweeter than sucrose?
LICORICEWhich medicinal bark harvested from a North American tree was used historically as a laxative?
CASCARAWhich European shrub species produces dark berries loaded with antioxidants used in cold syrups?
ELDERBERRYWhich sweet aromatic seed spice in the Apiaceae family is used to flavor rye bread and sauerkraut?
CARAWAYWhich flowering medicinal plant species is commonly called pot marigold and used in salves?
CALENDULAStevia leaves contain sweet compounds called steviol _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
GLYCOSIDESWhich fragrant herb species native to Eurasia yields sweet licorice-flavored seed used in absinthe?
ANISEWhich herbal plant genus yields seeds containing psyllium fiber used as a bulk laxative?
PLANTAGOWhich star-shaped dry fruit spice from an Asian evergreen tree shares a flavor profile with anise?
STARANISEWhich fragrant herb species native to the Mediterranean yields leaves used to season meats?
SAVORYWhich leafy green herb is also known as coriander in many regions outside North America?
CILANTROThe aromatic compound safrole extracted from sassafras root was banned due to potential _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
TOXICITYWhat alkaloid compound extracted from Atropa belladonna dilates human eye pupils?
ATROPINEAshwagandha root is classified in herbalism as an adaptogen that helps manage physical _ _ _ _ _ _ .
STRESSWhich aromatic leaf spice from the evergreen Laurus tree is a staple in Mediterranean stews?
LAURELWhich sweet culinary herb in the oregano genus has a milder sweeter profile?
MARJORAMWhich evergreen herb with citrus-scented leaves is commonly known as lemon _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ?
VERBENAWhich delicate red thread spice harvested from Crocus sativus is the most expensive spice by weight?
SAFFRONThe Ayurvedic herbal supplement ashwagandha belongs to the plant genus _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
WITHANIAWhat sulfur-containing organic compound gives crushed garlic its characteristic sharp pungent aroma?
ALLICINWhich herb species with citrus-scented leaves is brewed into a soothing balm tea?
LEMONWhich aromatic herb species popular in Mexican and Greek cooking is closely related to marjoram?
OREGANOWhich feathery leaf herb in the carrot family is a key ingredient in pickling brine and ranch dressing?
DILLGentian root is famous for being one of the most intensely _ _ _ _ _ _ botanical substances.
BITTERWhich mint family herb with silver-green leaves is traditionally paired with Thanksgiving stuffing?
SAGEWhich medicinal herb species root is famously used in traditional European herbal bitters?
GENTIANWhich flowering vine species is cultivated for its bitter female cones used to preserve beer?
HOPSWhat bright yellow root spice from the ginger family contains the antioxidant compound curcumin?
TURMERICWhat organic compound in peppermint leaves produces a characteristic cooling sensation on the tongue?
MENTHOLWhich citrus fruit peel oil gives Earl Grey black tea its signature citrus fragrance?
BERGAMOTORANGEWhich herb species native to India is also known as holy basil in Ayurvedic practice?
TULSIWhich herbal tea made from South African red bush leaves is naturally caffeine free?
ROOIBOSPerilla leaves are commonly known in Japanese culinary tradition as _ _ _ _ _ .
SHISOWhat dried leaf from the sweet laurel tree is added to stews and removed before serving?
BAYWhich evergreen mint family herb with cooling menthol compound is used in teas and toothpaste?
PEPPERMINTFrench tarragon belongs to which scientific plant genus?
ARTEMISIAWhat aromatic herb species with tiny leaves is a staple of French bouquet garni and Italian cooking?
THYMEWhich South American holly leaf tea rich in caffeine is traditionally drunk from a gourd?
MATEWhich aromatic resin harvested from Boswellia trees has been burned as traditional incense?
FRANKINCENSEThe active sweet compound found in licorice root is called _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ acid.
GLYCYRRHIZICWhich seed spice from the carrot family is a primary ingredient in curry powder and chili powder?
CUMINThe heat level of chili peppers containing capsaicin is measured on which official scale?
SCOVILLEWhich perennial root is harvested and ground into a pungent white condiment paired with roast beef?
HORSERADISHWhich climbing orchid vine species produces long brown pods cured to yield sweet flavoring?
VANILLAWhich culinary herb in the Allium family features hollow green stalks with a subtle onion flavor?
CHIVESAngelica sinensis root is known in Asian herbalism as female _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
DONGQUAIWhich desert shrub species produces seeds containing a liquid wax ester identical to human sebum?
JOJOBAWhich aromatic seed pod spice in the ginger family produces small green pods containing black seeds?
CARDAMOMWhich mint family herb with bright red flowers attracts hummingbirds and makes tea?
BEEBALMSummer savory belongs to which botanical plant family?
LAMIACEAEWhich herbal seed species in the legume family is used in Indian curries and to increase milk production?
FENUGREEKWhich medicinal plant species features bright yellow flowers whose gel relieves muscle sprains?
ARNICAWhich aromatic herb species with feathery foliage is commonly known as sweet cicely?
MYRRHIS