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 herbal root species produces a sweet compound fifty times sweeter than sucrose?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
French tarragon belongs to which scientific plant genus?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Perilla leaves are commonly known in Japanese culinary tradition as _ _ _ _ _ .
Psyllium husk harvested from Plantago ovata is rich in soluble dietary _ _ _ _ _ .
Which Mediterranean herb genus with needle-like leaves is widely used in cooking and roasted meats?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
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 herb species with citrus-scented leaves is brewed into a soothing balm tea?
LEMONBee balm is also known by what alternative North American common name?
BERGAMOTWhich sweet aromatic seed spice in the Apiaceae family is used to flavor rye bread and sauerkraut?
CARAWAYWhich evergreen herb with citrus-scented leaves is commonly known as lemon _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ?
VERBENAWhich hot aromatic rhizome is widely used to treat nausea and motion sickness?
GINGERWhat bitter alpha acid gland resin in hop cones gives beer its characteristic bitterness?
LUPULINWhich flowering vine species is cultivated for its bitter female cones used to preserve beer?
HOPSWhat delicate French herb with a mild anise flavor is one of the classic fines herbes?
CHERVILWhich aromatic herb genus native to South America yields leaves used as a zero-calorie sweetener?
STEVIASummer savory belongs to which botanical plant family?
LAMIACEAEWhich 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 perennial herb with bitter leaves was traditionally used to flavor vermouth and absinthe?
WORMWOODWhich gum resin harvested from Commiphora trees was prized in antiquity alongside frankincense?
MYRRHWhich soothing succulent plant gel is widely applied topically to treat skin burns and sunburns?
ALOEFrench cooking traditionally uses a tied bundle of fresh herbs called a bouquet _ _ _ _ _ .
GARNIWhich leafy green herb is also known as coriander in many regions outside North America?
CILANTROWhich herbal plant genus yields seeds containing psyllium fiber used as a bulk laxative?
PLANTAGOWhich mint family herb with silver-green leaves is traditionally paired with Thanksgiving stuffing?
SAGEWhich bulb vegetable species closely related to garlic produces long flat leaves and mild onion flavor?
LEEKWhich herbal seed species in the legume family is used in Indian curries and to increase milk production?
FENUGREEKWhich medicinal flower species with prickly leaves is widely taken to support liver health?
MILKTHISTLEWhich climbing orchid vine species produces long brown pods cured to yield sweet flavoring?
VANILLAWhich fragrant herb species native to the Mediterranean yields leaves used to season meats?
SAVORYFenugreek seeds contain a distinct aroma compound that smells remarkably like maple _ _ _ _ _ .
SYRUPLiquid wax extracted from jojoba seeds is widely used in cosmetic skin _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
MOISTURIZERWhich evergreen mint family herb with cooling menthol compound is used in teas and toothpaste?
PEPPERMINTWhich perennial herb species root was historically used to brew traditional root beer?
SASSAFRASWhat sulfur-containing organic compound gives crushed garlic its characteristic sharp pungent aroma?
ALLICINWhich herbal tea made from South African red bush leaves is naturally caffeine free?
ROOIBOSStevia leaves contain sweet compounds called steviol _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
GLYCOSIDESWhat daisy-like flower genus is commonly brewed into herbal tea to promote relaxation and sleep?
CHAMOMILEElderberry syrups and supplements belong to which plant genus?
SAMBUCUSWhat active antioxidant complex extracted from milk thistle seeds protects liver cells?
SILYMARINWhich sweet culinary herb in the oregano genus has a milder sweeter profile?
MARJORAMWhich chili pepper chemical compound triggers thermal heat receptors on the human tongue?
CAPSAICINWhich coneflower genus native to North America is popular as an herbal immune system supplement?
ECHINACEAWhich seed spice from the carrot family is a primary ingredient in curry powder and chili powder?
CUMINWhat aromatic herb species with tiny leaves is a staple of French bouquet garni and Italian cooking?
THYMEWhich toxic nightshade plant was historically used in tiny doses as a cosmetic pupil dilator?
BELLADONNAWhich culinary herb in the Allium family features hollow green stalks with a subtle onion flavor?
CHIVESThe metal filter straw used to drink yerba mate tea in South America is called a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
BOMBILLAWhich flowering plant species root has strong sedative properties used to treat insomnia?
VALERIANWhich medicinal bark harvested from a North American tree was used historically as a laxative?
CASCARAWhich citrus fruit peel oil gives Earl Grey black tea its signature citrus fragrance?
BERGAMOTORANGEWhich small edible Allium bulb forms clusters of copper-skinned cloves with delicate flavor?
SHALLOTThe active sweet compound found in licorice root is called _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ acid.
GLYCYRRHIZICWhich perennial herb with bitter leaves and yellow flower clusters was used for liver ailments?
DANDELIONWhat potent compound in wormwood gives absinthe its historical reputation and distinct flavor?
THUJONEWhich tonic root genus in traditional Asian medicine is prized for boosting energy and vitality?
GINSENGWhich medicinal plant species features bright yellow flowers whose gel relieves muscle sprains?
ARNICAWhich yellow-flowered herbal remedy for mild depression is named after Saint _ _ _ _ ?
JOHNWhich delicate red thread spice harvested from Crocus sativus is the most expensive spice by weight?
SAFFRONWhich medicinal shrub species produces leaves used to extract hamamelis water?
WITCHHAZELWhat sweet licorice-flavored herb seed is widely used in Italian sausage and rye bread?
FENNELWhich flowering medicinal plant species is commonly called pot marigold and used in salves?
CALENDULACalendula petals are rich in yellow carotenoid compounds used as a natural food _ _ _ .
DYEThe Ayurvedic herbal supplement ashwagandha belongs to the plant genus _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
WITHANIAAshwagandha root is classified in herbalism as an adaptogen that helps manage physical _ _ _ _ _ _ .
STRESSFlat-leaf Italian parsley belongs to which plant species family?
APIACEAEWhat organic compound in peppermint leaves produces a characteristic cooling sensation on the tongue?
MENTHOLWhich aromatic herb species with feathery foliage is commonly known as sweet cicely?
MYRRHISWhich South American holly leaf tea rich in caffeine is traditionally drunk from a gourd?
MATEWhat dried leaf from the sweet laurel tree is added to stews and removed before serving?
BAYWhich star-shaped dry fruit spice from an Asian evergreen tree shares a flavor profile with anise?
STARANISEAngelica sinensis root is known in Asian herbalism as female _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
DONGQUAIWhich feathery leaf herb in the carrot family is a key ingredient in pickling brine and ranch dressing?
DILLWhich perennial plant with edible young shoots is prized as a spring vegetable in culinary cooking?
ASPARAGUSWhich fragrant herb species native to Eurasia yields sweet licorice-flavored seed used in absinthe?
ANISEWhat ancient maidenhair tree leaf extract is used to support memory and cognitive function?
GINKGOWitch hazel extract acts on human skin as a natural _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to tighten pores.
ASTRINGENTWhich delicate leafy herb is the most widely produced culinary garnish across Western cooking?
PARSLEYWhich medicinal herb species root is famously used in traditional European herbal bitters?
GENTIANWhich aromatic herb species popular in Mexican and Greek cooking is closely related to marjoram?
OREGANOWhich European shrub species produces dark berries loaded with antioxidants used in cold syrups?
ELDERBERRYWhich fragrant leaf herb is the primary ingredient in traditional Italian pesto sauce?
BASILThe aromatic compound safrole extracted from sassafras root was banned due to potential _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
TOXICITYWhich aromatic herb species features feathery leaves that smell like sweet anise?
TARRAGONWhich climbing vine species produces black green and white peppercorns from dried berries?
PIPERWhich aromatic resin harvested from Boswellia trees has been burned as traditional incense?
FRANKINCENSEWhich pungent root vegetable in the Brassicaceae family is grated into a hot green paste for sushi?
WASABIWhich herb species native to India is also known as holy basil in Ayurvedic practice?
TULSIWhich aromatic herb in the mint family with dark crinkled leaves is used in Asian cuisine?
PERILLAGentian root is famous for being one of the most intensely _ _ _ _ _ _ botanical substances.
BITTERWhich mint family herb with bright red flowers attracts hummingbirds and makes tea?
BEEBALMWhat bright yellow root spice from the ginger family contains the antioxidant compound curcumin?
TURMERICWhat purple-flowered herb genus is famous for its soothing essential oils used in aromatherapy?
LAVENDERWhich perennial root is harvested and ground into a pungent white condiment paired with roast beef?
HORSERADISHWhat alkaloid compound extracted from Atropa belladonna dilates human eye pupils?
ATROPINETurmeric root owes its distinct golden shade to which active biological pigment compound?
CURCUMINThe heat level of chili peppers containing capsaicin is measured on which official scale?
SCOVILLEWhat alkaloid chemical in black pepper grains produces its characteristic sharp heat?
PIPERINEWhat tropical stalk grass with citrus fragrance is essential to Thai curries and tom yum soup?
LEMONGRASSWhich aromatic leaf spice from the evergreen Laurus tree is a staple in Mediterranean stews?
LAURELWhich pungent bulb species in the Allium family contains the antimicrobial sulfur compound allicin?
GARLIC