Discover How Herbs Play Key Roles in Pop Culture

Herbs have been a part of our cultures for centuries. From ancient gardens to the spices on your kitchen shelf, herbs are more than just plants—they’re traditions passed down through generations to help support our health and vitality. And now, herbs are getting some serious spotlight in pop culture. Whether it’s a plant-based potion in a fantasy movie or a beneficial herb in a period drama, herbs have made their way into our favorite movies, shows, books, and video games. In this post, we’re diving into these fictional worlds where herbs play an essential part. We’ll examine their portrayal and how these creative uses occasionally connect to real-life herbal traditions.

Herbs in Pop Culture

Across countless fictional worlds, plants and natural ingredients play pivotal roles, often holding the key to survival, health, and even magic. Whether in a potion class at a wizard school or on the battlefield of a medieval fantasy, herbal knowledge is portrayed as an ancient and powerful skill set. Let’s explore how some favorite movies, TV shows, and video games have woven herbs into their storylines, giving them a starring role alongside the characters we love.

And if you’re like us, anytime we see an herbal reference in pop culture,  we immediately wonder, “Is this accurate or completely fictionalized?”

TV Shows 

Comfrey (Symphytum officianale)

Outlander Series

In Outlander, we see herbalism through the eyes of Claire Randall, a time-traveling nurse who uses her knowledge of modern medicine and herbalism to aid illnesses and injuries in the 1700s. Whether she’s crafting willow bark tea for pain or applying comfrey to tend to a wound, Claire’s blend of historical and modern herbal knowledge stands out. Her skills are a lifesaver in a time when medical resources are scarce, making her expertise with herbs one of her most important skills. 

Herbal accuracy: Both willow bark tea and comfrey poultices are common preparations in herbalism, which leads us to believe the herbal references in Outlander are, at least, modeled on truth. 

The Witcher Series

In The Witcher, herbs are about survival and strength. Geralt of Rivia, the main character, uses potions made from herbs like balisse fruit to boost his strength, reflexes, and combat skills. These potions help him take on tough monsters and get through dangerous situations. In the accompanying Witcher video games, players have to gather these herbs from the wild, driving home how essential nature is for survival. The Witcher shows just how much of an edge herbalism can give to warriors and adventurers when they’re up against formidable enemies.

Herbal accuracy: Herbal “potions” can help you combat unseen enemies, like colds and flu, but more evidence is needed to know whether they will boost endurance when fighting monsters. We’re curious to know whether any of these herbs are adaptogens! 

Movies

Mandrake (Mandragona officinalis)

Harry Potter Series

In the wizarding world of Harry Potter, herbs are a big part of magical education. In Professor Snape’s potions class, students learn about different magical plants like mandrake, wolfsbane, and gillyweed. Each one has a unique job: mandrake roots revive those who have been petrified, wolfsbane helps werewolves stay in control, and gillyweed lets its user breathe underwater (just like Harry did in the Triwizard Tournament). This mix of magical abilities and herbal knowledge shows how herbs are seen as both mysterious and essential in a world full of wonder.

Herbal accuracy: Unfortunately, to our knowledge, herbs will not help you breathe underwater or control werewolves.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Practical Magic

In Practical Magic, herbs play a key role in the Owens sisters’ lives. The family’s deep knowledge of herbalism is shown throughout the film, from the sisters growing their own herbs in the garden to using them in spells and more. One popular quote from the character Sally Owens is “Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can.”

Lavender is used multiple times, most notably during the Owens sisters’ cleansing rituals. For example, after the death of Jimmy, the abusive ex-boyfriend, the sisters use lavender to help cleanse and purify the house of negative energy. Lavender bundles are hung around the home, reinforcing its historical association with peace, calm, and protection. 

Herbal accuracy: While the film adds a magical spin, the herbal practices shown in Practical Magic seem to be somewhat rooted in genuine folk traditions and real-life uses of these plants. 

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

Game of Thrones

The maesters of Westeros, like Maester Pycelle and Maester Aemon, are known for their knowledge of herbs and medicinal practices. They use herbs like milk of the poppy (a pain-easing substance similar to opium) to aid injuries and illnesses in the Seven Kingdoms. These herbal concoctions often play a role in saving characters from otherwise fatal wounds. By integrating herbalism into the lore of Game of Thrones, the series demonstrates how vital herbs can be in both political and battlefield survival.

Herbal accuracy: Poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source of strong narcotics like opium and opium derivatives, which leads us to believe that at least some of the herbal references in Game of Thrones are modeled on truth with a fictional spin. In herbalism traditions, California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is used to ease pain and support sleep, and has a long record of safety, even for children. 

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

The Lord of the Rings

Middle-Earth is full of ancient herbal knowledge, and characters like Aragorn use this information to support injuries and illnesses. A well-known herb is athelas, or kingsfoil, a plant with mystical powers. Aragorn famously uses it to help Frodo after he’s stabbed by a Morgul-knife. Its powers go beyond basic medicinal use, showing just how special and important this plant is in Middle-Earth’s history.

Herbal accuracy: While athelas, or kingsfoil, is a fictional herb, its use in The Lord of the Rings reflects real-world plants like comfrey and yarrow, which have been used for centuries to support wound healing.

Video Games

The Legend of Zelda

In the vast world of The Legend of Zelda, players collect herbs for their health-boosting and magical effects. One example is the Hyrule Herb, a powerful plant used to restore health. As you explore the open world, you gather herbs, mushrooms, and other natural elements to replenish energy and unlock special abilities. The game highlights the idea that nature is key to survival, a common theme across many fantasy worlds.

Herbal accuracy: While people have certainly been gathering herbs for health and nutrition for millennia, the Hyrule Herb is purely fictional. 

Fiddlehead fern

Stardew Valley

In Stardew Valley, players can grow and harvest all kinds of crops, including herbs used for cooking, crafting, and brewing potions. Herbs like garlic and fiddlehead fern have both culinary and health benefits, making them useful to cultivate. The game encourages players to connect with the land, highlighting the rewards of sustainable farming. This easygoing yet thoughtful approach to herbs reflects the real-world value of plant-based wellness in everyday life.

Herbal accuracy: The herbs in Stardew Valley, like garlic and fiddlehead fern, mirror real-life uses. Garlic is well-known for its culinary and health benefits, such as boosting immunity, while fiddlehead ferns are foraged and eaten in many cultures. 

Skyrim

In Skyrim, the vast open-world RPG (role-playing game), herbalism plays a big role. Players can gather herbs like aloe vera, blue mountain flower, and tundra cotton to craft potions that have health benefits, boost abilities, or cure diseases. Herbalism isn’t just a side activity in this game—it’s key to survival, with players using their knowledge of plants to get by in a tough world.

Herbal accuracy: Though some of the herbs in Skyrim, like blue mountain flower and tundra cotton, are fictional, they reflect how real plants are used to support health and wellness. Plants like aloe vera, which appears in the game, have been used for centuries to support various conditions.

Books

Herbs and herbalists have made their mark in the world of literature, too. From magical potions to practical herbalism fictional books have long celebrated the power of plants and those who know how to use them. For a deeper dive into the world of herbalism in fiction, here are a handful of books you might wish to explore:  

1. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner: The Lost Apothecary tells the story of Nella, an 18th-century apothecary who secretly sells poisons to women seeking revenge, and Caroline, a modern-day historian who uncovers clues about the long-unsolved apothecary murders. Their lives become connected in a tale of secrets, vengeance, and the enduring strength of women across time. Read it here.
2. The Witches of New York by Ami McKay: In The Witches of New York, Adelaide Thom and Eleanor St. Clair run a mystical tea shop offering spiritual guidance to women. When young Beatrice Dunn, with hidden magical gifts, becomes their apprentice, she begins to unlock her powers. But as she delves deeper into the world of magic, Beatrice faces growing dangers in 1880s New York, where dark forces lurk. Read it here. 
3. The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart follows Alice, a young girl sent to live with her grandmother on a flower farm after a family tragedy. Raised with the language of Australian native flowers, Alice grows frustrated with the secrets of her family’s past. In her twenties, after betrayal and loss, she flees to the Australian desert, where new challenges arise. Spanning two decades, the novel tells Alice’s journey of self-discovery and healing. Read it here.
4. Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland by Lisa Schneidau: This book offers a collection of traditional stories centered around the plants and trees that shape the landscapes and culture of Britain and Ireland. From the magical yew tree to the dandelion, these tales explore the deep connections between people and plants across various environments. Suitable for all ages, this collection is perfect for those interested in botany, the environment, and the region’s rich plant folklore. Read it here. 
5. The Apothecary’s Daughter by Julie Klassen: In The Apothecary’s Daughter, Lillian Haswell dreams of escaping her small village and her father’s apothecary shop, while seeking answers about her mother’s disappearance. An opportunity in London introduces her to society, romance, and new clues, but she is soon called back to care for her sick father. With women forbidden from practicing as apothecaries, Lilly must secretly run the business while contending with a suspicious physician, a rival apothecary, and three suitors vying for her heart. Read it here.
6. The China Bayles Herbal Mysteries series by Susan Wittig Albert: This mystery series follows China Bayles, a former attorney who leaves her legal career to run an herb shop in a small Texas town. She soon becomes involved in solving local mysteries, using her knowledge of herbs to assist in the investigations. The series blends cozy mystery with herbal lore as China balances her new life with her role as an amateur sleuth. Read it here. 

Learn Real-Life Herbalism with the Herbal Academy

If you’re fascinated by the herbal magic you’ve seen in movies, TV shows, or video games, guess what? You can learn how to use herbs in real life, too! While you may not learn how to use herbs to breathe underwater or fight monsters, you can use them to become your family’s own superhero, tending to sniffles, sore throats, bites, burns, and stings with confidence and grace.

The Herbal Academy is a great place to start if these fictional stories have sparked your curiosity. We’ve got courses for everyone—from beginners to seasoned herbalists—so you can take your love for herbs and turn it into practical, hands-on knowledge that fits right into your everyday routine. Start your journey today—click here to see our available courses.