Healing Plants from the Bible
🌿 Plants Used for Healing & Medicine in the Bible
A note going in: scholarly research confirms that only five plants are explicitly named as medicines in the biblical text itself (Fig, Hyssop, Balm of Gilead, Nard/Spikenard, and Mandrake). The remainder appear in contexts of cleansing, anointing, burial preparation, and restoration — all of which ancient people understood as healing practices. Both categories are included here.
Directly Named as Medicinal in the Bible
1. Fig (Ficus carica) Used as a poultice to heal King Hezekiah's life-threatening boil.
2 Kings 20:7 / Isaiah 38:21 — "Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil, and he shall recover."
2. Balm of Gilead (Commiphora gileadensis — a healing resin) Referenced repeatedly as a treatment for sores and wounds. Jeremiah's famous lament uses it as the standard of medical care.
Jeremiah 8:22 — "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?"
Jeremiah 46:11; 51:8 — further references to balm for healing sores
Genesis 37:25; 43:11 — traded as a precious commodity
3. Hyssop (Origanum syriacum — Syrian oregano) Used in ceremonial cleansing of lepers and the diseased, in purification rites, and at the crucifixion.
Leviticus 14:3–4 — "The priest shall order two live clean birds, cedar wood, crimson stuff, and hyssop to be brought for him who is to be cleansed." Mex. Avenue
Psalm 51:7 — "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean."
Numbers 19:6, 18 — used in purification from contact with the dead
John 19:29 — hyssop stalk used at the cross
4. Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) Used as a fertility remedy, enabling Jacob and Leah to conceive. Research Outreach Mandrake had extensive medicinal uses in the ancient world.
Genesis 30:14–16 — Leah's son Reuben finds mandrakes; Rachel trades for them hoping for conception
Song of Solomon 7:13 — mentioned for their fragrance and association with love/fertility
5. Nard / Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) A costly healing and anointing oil poured over Jesus; also mentioned as a prized aromatic.
Mark 14:3; John 12:3 — Mary anoints Jesus with pure nard
Song of Solomon 1:12; 4:13–14 — listed among the finest healing aromatics
Olive (oil)
The most frequently used healing agent in all of Scripture.
6. Olive (Olea europaea) In biblical times, olive oil was used as a medicine for healing wounds (Isaiah 1:6, Luke 10:34), as anointing oil (Exodus 30:24, James 5:14), and for making soap for cleansing. Bible.org
Isaiah 1:6 — wounds "smoothed with olive oil"
Luke 10:34 — the Good Samaritan bound wounds, "pouring on oil and wine"
James 5:14 — "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church... anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."
Leviticus 14:15–18 — priest anoints the diseased person during ceremonial cleansing
Mark 6:13 — the disciples "anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them"
Cleansing & Purification
7. Cedar (Cedrus libani / Juniperus phoenicea) Used as a ceremonial tool for cleansing leprosy (Leviticus 14, Numbers 19). Natural Living Family
Leviticus 14:4, 6, 49–52 — cedar wood used in ritual cleansing of leprosy and contaminated houses
Numbers 19:6 — burned in purification from death
8. Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) Used as a purifying cosmetic treatment, in burial preparation, and in the holy anointing oil.
Esther 2:12 — women underwent six months of purification treatments with oil of myrrh
Genesis 37:25; 43:11 — a prized healing trade commodity
Exodus 30:23 — a chief ingredient in the sacred anointing oil
John 19:39–40 — Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes for Jesus' burial/preservation
Matthew 2:11 — brought as a gift to the Christ child (symbolic of healing and burial)
9. Aloe / Aloes (believed to be Aquilaria agallocha — aloeswood — in OT; possibly Aloe vera or aloe resin in NT) Used in burial preparation and as a prized aromatic/preservative.
John 19:39 — Nicodemus brought 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes to prepare Jesus' body
Psalm 45:8 — aloes listed among the finest fragrant garments
Proverbs 7:17 — aloes used to perfume a bed
Song of Solomon 4:14 — listed among the choicest healing spices
Anointing Ingredients (Exodus 30)
God gave Moses a specific medicinal/sacred blend in Exodus 30:22–25:
10. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)
Exodus 30:23 — ingredient in the holy anointing oil
Song of Solomon 4:14; Revelation 18:13
11. Cassia (Cinnamomum cassia) A cinnamon-like bark with aromatic and medicinal properties.
Exodus 30:24 — ingredient in the holy anointing oil
Psalm 45:8; Ezekiel 27:19
12. Calamus / Sweet Cane (Acorus calamus) A fragrant reed used in the anointing oil.
Exodus 30:23 — "fragrant cane" in the holy anointing oil
Song of Solomon 4:14; Ezekiel 27:19
Incense Ingredients (Exodus 30:34)
The sacred incense burned continually in the tabernacle also had healing aromatic properties:
13. Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) Used in offerings, incense, and widely understood as a healing agent.
Exodus 30:34 — ingredient in the holy incense
Leviticus 2:1–2 — added to grain offerings
Matthew 2:11 — brought as a gift to Jesus
Revelation 18:13 — listed among precious trade goods
14. Galbanum (Ferula galbaniflua) An aromatic resin in the sacred incense.
Exodus 30:34 — "Take sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum..."
15. Onycha / Stacte Aromatic resin/plant ingredient in the sacred incense blend.
Exodus 30:34 — component of the holy incense
Restoration & Physical Strengthening
16. Vine / Grapes / Wine (Vitis vinifera) Wine poured on wounds as an antiseptic; also recommended for stomach ailments.
Luke 10:34 — the Good Samaritan poured oil and wine on wounds
1 Timothy 5:23 — "Use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities."
17. Garlic (Allium sativum) Craved by the Israelites as part of their diet for health and strength.
Numbers 11:5–6 — "We remember the fish, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic." (mourned as part of Egypt's health-sustaining diet)
18. Onion / Leek (Allium cepa / Allium porrum) Eaten for nourishment and strength; mourned alongside garlic.
Numbers 11:5 — listed as foods missed for their sustaining properties
19. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) Referenced in the wilderness provision narrative; digestive and nourishing properties.
Exodus 16:31 — manna compared to coriander seed
Numbers 11:7 — coriander seed again as a reference point for manna
20. Mint (Mentha spicata) A digestive herb tithed and valued medicinally.
Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42 — Jesus mentions mint as something carefully tithed
21. Dill / Anise (Anethum graveolens) Valued for digestive and medicinal use; carefully tithed.
Matthew 23:23 — "You tithe mint, dill, and cumin..."
22. Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) Used medicinally and as a spice; harvested with care.
Isaiah 28:25, 27 — described in careful agricultural terms
Matthew 23:23 — tithed as a valued herb
23. Rue (Ruta graveolens) A medicinal bitter herb tithed by the Pharisees.
Luke 11:42 — "you tithe mint, rue, and every herb..."
24. Myrtle (Myrtus communis) Used in purification and restoration; associated with God's provision and renewal.
Nehemiah 8:15 — branches used in the Festival of Booths for restoration
Isaiah 41:19; 55:13 — myrtle replaces thorns as a symbol of healing/restoration
Zechariah 1:8–11 — appears in prophetic vision of peace
25. Mandrake (already listed above — fertility/restoration)
26. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) A fruit of health, abundance, and restoration; used decoratively on priestly garments.
Numbers 13:23 — among the fruits of the Promised Land signifying blessing
Deuteronomy 8:8 — listed among the nourishing plants of the land
1 Samuel 14:2 — symbolic of provision
27. Bitter Herbs (a collective of herbs including wild lettuce, endive, chicory, horseradish) Eaten at Passover for physical and spiritual significance; historically noted for digestive and detoxifying properties.
Exodus 12:8 — "They shall eat the flesh... with unleavened bread and bitter herbs."
Numbers 9:11 — repeated Passover instruction
28. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) Mentioned as intensely bitter; used in traditional medicine for parasites and digestion. In the Bible it appears as a symbol of bitterness and suffering.
Proverbs 5:4; Lamentations 3:15, 19; Revelation 8:11
29. Saffron (Crocus sativus) Listed among the choicest healing and aromatic plants of Solomon's garden.
Song of Solomon 4:13–14 — "saffron, calamus, and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all choice spices"
30. Flax (Linum usitatissimum) Linen from flax was used for bandaging and priestly cleansing garments.
Leviticus 6:10 — priestly linen garments
Isaiah 1:6 — wounds bound up (linen bandages)
Ezekiel 44:17–18 — linen worn by priests for cleanliness
Trees of Healing (Prophetic/Eschatological)
31. Tree of Life The leaves of this tree are specifically described as being "for the healing of the nations."
Revelation 22:2 — "the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations"
Ezekiel 47:12 — "their fruit will be for food and their leaves for medicine"
Genesis 2:9; 3:22 — the original source of life in Eden
A Helpful Summary
CategoryPlantsDirectly medicinal in textFig, Balm of Gilead, Hyssop, Mandrake, NardWound/skin healingOlive oil, Myrrh, Aloe, WineRitual purification/cleansingHyssop, Cedar, Frankincense, Galbanum, Onycha/StacteSacred anointing oilMyrrh, Cinnamon, Cassia, Calamus, OliveNourishment & strengthGarlic, Onion, Leek, Pomegranate, Coriander, Bitter HerbsDigestive/medicinal herbsMint, Dill/Anise, Cumin, Rue, WormwoodAromatic/healing spicesSaffron, Frankincense, Myrtle, NardProphetic healingTree of Life, Myrtle
This is as complete a list as the biblical text supports. The Bible, as scholars note, is not a book on medicine but a collection of writings on religious experience — so most herbal healing knowledge of the time was passed through oral tradition rather than scripture Research Outreach. But what is recorded gives us a rich picture of how God wove healing into the fabric of creation itself.