--- title: "Same Name, Different Plants | Herbadex" description: "Thyme, sage, St John's wort, ginseng, cinnamon: several plants share one common name. Why the Latin name matters for buying the right herb." language: en url: https://herbadex.com/en/guide/same-name-different-plants/ source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com) --- Guides # Same Name, Different Plants Herbs sold under the same name are not always the same species, while EMA assessments refer to a specific species. Looking for the Latin name on the label is the most reliable way to get the herb whose effects and safety were assessed. Updated: October 15, 2026 ## Why it matters Information about a herb applies to a specific species and plant part. Another species may contain different substances and have a different effect and safety profile. ## Common mix-ups - "Kantaron" in Turkish: St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) interacts seriously with many medicines; centaury (Centaurium erythraea) is a bitter herb used for indigestion - Thyme: the EMA assessment covers Thymus vulgaris and T. zygis; in Turkey "kekik" is often Origanum or Thymbra - Sage: the EMA assessment covers common sage (Salvia officinalis); Greek sage, common in Turkey, is Salvia fruticosa - Cinnamon: the EMA assessment covers Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum); cassia (C. cassia), common in shops, is different - Ginseng: Korean ginseng is Panax ginseng, Siberian ginseng is Eleutherococcus senticosus; they are separate plants, assessed separately - Passion flower: the assessment covers Passiflora incarnata herb; Passiflora edulis, grown for its fruit, is different - Plantain: ribwort (Plantago lanceolata) and broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) are separate species - Elder: the assessment covers dried flowers; berries, leaves and bark are outside it ## What to do - Look for the Latin name and plant part (leaf, flower, root) on the label - Every Herbadex herb card shows the Latin name under its title; compare it with the product - If unsure, ask your pharmacist ## Frequently asked questions Is St John's wort the same as centaury? No. St John's wort is Hypericum perforatum; centaury is Centaurium erythraea. St John's wort has serious drug interactions. What is the thyme sold in Turkish markets? Often Origanum or Thymbra species. The EMA assessment covers Thymus vulgaris and T. zygis. How do I know I have the right herb? Check the Latin name and plant part on the label and compare it with the Herbadex card. ## Sources 1. [Community herbal monograph on Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L., herba](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-thymus-vulgaris-l-and-thymus-zygis-l-herba_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2013 2. [European Union herbal monograph on Salvia officinalis L., folium – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-salvia-officinalis-l-folium-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2016 3. [Community herbal monograph on Passiflora incarnata L., herba](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-passiflora-incarnata-l-herba_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2014 4. [European Union herbal monograph on Sambucus nigra L., flos – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-sambucus-nigra-l-flos-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2018 5. [European Union herbal monograph on Plantaginis lanceolatae folium – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-plantaginis-lanceolatae-folium-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2025 6. [Community herbal monograph on Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim., radix](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-eleutherococcus-senticosus-rupr-et-maxim-maxim-radix_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2014 7. [Community herbal monograph on Cinnamomum verum J.S. Presl, cortex](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/community-herbal-monograph-cinnamomum-verum-js-presl-cortex_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2011 8. [European Union herbal monograph on Hypericum perforatum L., herba – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-hypericum-perforatum-l-herba-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2022 9. [European Union herbal monograph on Panax ginseng C.A.Mey., radix – Revision 1](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-panax-ginseng-camey-radix-revision-1_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2024 10. [European Union herbal monograph on Centaurium erythraea Rafn s.l., herba](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/european-union-herbal-monograph-centaurium-erythraea-rafn-sl-herba_en.pdf) EMA HMPC · 2015 Next guide in series ### [Buying and Storing Herbs Safely at Home →](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/buying-and-storing-herbs-safely/) Species mix-ups, moisture, mould and volatile oil loss in loose herbs: how to check Latin names, spot quality issues and store dried herbs safely at home. ## Related herbs ### [Sage](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/sage/) T Traditional use Salvia officinalis Sage leaf is traditionally used as a gargle for mouth and throat inflammation, for mild indigestion and for excessive sweating. [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) +1 [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Passion Flower](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/passion-flower/) T Traditional use Passiflora incarnata Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) herb tea is traditionally used to relieve mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep. [Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Ribwort Plantain](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/ribwort-plantain/) T Traditional use Plantago lanceolata Ribwort plantain leaf is traditionally used for throat irritation with dry cough, for cough with a cold and for minor skin inflammation. [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Thyme](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/thyme/) T Traditional use Thymus vulgaris, Thymus zygis Thyme tea is traditionally used for chesty (productive) cough that comes with a cold. The EMA assessment covers Thymus species. [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Centaury](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/centaury/) T Traditional use Centaurium erythraea Centaury herb tea is traditionally used for mild indigestion and temporary loss of appetite; do not confuse it with St John's wort. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Korean Ginseng](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/korean-ginseng/) T Traditional use Panax ginseng Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) root is traditionally used for symptoms of weakness such as fatigue; use it for no more than 3 months. [Energy & Focus](https://herbadex.com/en/for/energy-focus/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Elderflower](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/elderflower/) T Traditional use Sambucus nigra Elderflower tea is traditionally used to relieve early symptoms of the common cold. The assessment covers the flowers only. [Immunity](https://herbadex.com/en/for/immunity/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [St. John's Wort](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/st-johns-wort/) A Strong clinical evidence Hypericum perforatum St John's wort extract may help with mild to moderate depressive episodes, but it seriously interacts with many medicines, including the pill. [Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Eleuthero](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/eleuthero/) T Traditional use Eleutherococcus senticosus Eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) root is traditionally used for symptoms of weakness such as fatigue; do not use it for more than 2 months. [Energy & Focus](https://herbadex.com/en/for/energy-focus/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Cinnamon](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/cinnamon/) T Traditional use Cinnamomum verum Ceylon cinnamon bark tea is traditionally used for mild digestive complaints such as bloating and wind, and for mild diarrhoea. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.