Korean herbs (hanyakjae, 한약재) are usually sold under three different names at once: the Korean name, a Chinese pinyin name, and an English common name. The botanical (Latin) name is the only one that never changes, so it is the safest way to confirm you have the right herb. This glossary lists 45 Korean herbs with all of them side by side.
Quick answers: the most-searched Korean herb names
- 맥문동 (maekmundong) in English is lilyturf root, the tuberous root of Liriope platyphylla.
- 구기자 (gugija) is the goji berry, also called wolfberry (Lycium chinense).
- 홍화씨 (honghwassi) is safflower seed (Carthamus tinctorius).
- 어성초 (eoseongcho) is heartleaf or fish mint (Houttuynia cordata).
- 당귀 (danggwi) is Korean angelica root (Angelica gigas), a different species from Chinese dang gui (Angelica sinensis).
- 둥굴레 (dunggulle) is Solomon's seal root (Polygonatum), the base of Korea's nutty dunggulle tea.
- 죽염 (jugyeom) is bamboo salt: sea salt packed into bamboo and roasted, up to nine times.
- 새싹보리 (saessak bori) is barley sprout, or young barley grass.
Korean herb names in English: the full glossary
| Korean | Romanized | English name | Botanical name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 맥문동 | maekmundong | Lilyturf root (liriope) | Liriope platyphylla |
| 구기자 | gugija | Goji berry, wolfberry | Lycium chinense |
| 홍화씨 | honghwassi | Safflower seed | Carthamus tinctorius |
| 어성초 | eoseongcho | Heartleaf, fish mint | Houttuynia cordata |
| 당귀 | danggwi | Korean angelica root (dang gui) | Angelica gigas |
| 둥굴레 | dunggulle | Solomon's seal root | Polygonatum |
| 엄나무 | eomnamu | Kalopanax, castor aralia | Kalopanax septemlobus |
| 강황 | ganghwang | Turmeric | Curcuma longa |
| 죽염 | jugyeom | Bamboo salt | (roasted sea salt) |
| 새싹보리 | saessak bori | Barley sprout, young barley grass | Hordeum vulgare |
| 결명자 | gyeolmyeongja | Cassia seed (jue ming zi) | Senna tora |
| 오미자 | omija | Schisandra berry, five-flavor berry | Schisandra chinensis |
| 헛개 | heotgae | Oriental raisin tree, hovenia | Hovenia dulcis |
| 도라지 | doraji | Bellflower root, balloon flower root | Platycodon grandiflorus |
| 칡 (갈근) | chik (galgeun) | Kudzu root | Pueraria |
| 황기 | hwanggi | Astragalus, milk vetch root | Astragalus membranaceus |
| 감초 | gamcho | Licorice root | Glycyrrhiza |
| 대추 | daechu | Jujube, red date | Ziziphus jujuba |
| 산조인 | sanjoin | Sour jujube seed (suan zao ren) | Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa |
| 인진쑥 | injinssuk | Mugwort, capillary wormwood | Artemisia capillaris |
| 우엉 | ueong | Burdock root (gobo) | Arctium lappa |
| 돼지감자 | dwaeji gamja | Jerusalem artichoke, sunchoke | Helianthus tuberosus |
| 뽕잎 | ppongnip | Mulberry leaf | Morus alba |
| 감잎 | gamip | Persimmon leaf | Diospyros kaki |
| 수국차 | sugukcha | Hydrangea leaf tea | Hydrangea serrata |
| 옥수수수염 | oksusu suyeom | Corn silk | Zea mays |
| 영지버섯 | yeongji beoseot | Reishi mushroom (lingzhi) | Ganoderma lucidum |
| 천궁 | cheongung | Cnidium root | Cnidium officinale |
| 백출 | baekchul | White atractylodes (bai zhu) | Atractylodes |
| 백작약 | baekjagyak | White peony root (bai shao) | Paeonia lactiflora |
| 숙지황 | sukjihwang | Prepared rehmannia (shu di huang) | Rehmannia glutinosa |
| 두충 | duchung | Eucommia bark (du zhong) | Eucommia ulmoides |
| 가시오가피 | gasi ogapi | Eleuthero, Siberian ginseng | Eleutherococcus senticosus |
| 우슬 | useul | Ox knee root (niu xi) | Achyranthes |
| 유근피 | yugeunpi | Korean elm bark | Ulmus davidiana |
| 토복령 | tobongnyeong | Smilax root, China root | Smilax china |
| 인동초 | indongcho | Honeysuckle vine | Lonicera japonica |
| 사삼 | sasam | Ladybell root (sha shen) | Adenophora |
| 여주 | yeoju | Bitter melon, bitter gourd | Momordica charantia |
| 국화 | gukhwa | Chrysanthemum flower | Chrysanthemum |
| 백하수오 | baekhasuo | Baekhasuo root | Cynanchum wilfordii |
| 접골목 | jeopgolmok | Elder stem | Sambucus sieboldiana |
| 백삼 (인삼) | baeksam (insam) | Korean white ginseng | Panax ginseng |
| 메밀 | memil | Buckwheat | Fagopyrum esculentum |
| 상지 (뽕나무 가지) | sangji | Mulberry twig (sang zhi) | Morus alba |
Each English name links to the matching herb at Kosbee, where the label, origin and net weight are listed.
Why does one Korean herb have three names?
Korean, Chinese and English traditions named these plants separately. 결명자 is gyeolmyeongja in Korean, jue ming zi in Chinese and cassia seed in English, yet all three point to the same seed. English common names can also be loose: "angelica root" covers more than one species, which is why Korean danggwi (Angelica gigas) and Chinese dang gui (Angelica sinensis) are easy to mix up.
When two products share an English name, compare the botanical name and the country of origin on the label. Those two lines tell you exactly which plant you are buying.
How do you shop for a Korean herb if you only know the Korean name?
Search with the romanized Korean name plus the English name, for example "eoseongcho heartleaf tea". At Kosbee, every herb title carries the English name, a second search name and the Korean name, so 오미자, omija and schisandra berry all lead to the same page.
Browse the full range in Korean Herbs or the ready-to-steep Korean Tea Bags.
Frequently asked questions
What is 맥문동 called in English?
맥문동 (maekmundong) is called lilyturf root in English. In Korea it is the dried tuberous root of Liriope platyphylla; you may also see it labeled liriope root.
Is 구기자 the same as goji berry?
Yes. 구기자 (gugija) is the Korean name for goji berry, also sold as wolfberry. Korean gugija is usually Lycium chinense.
What is 어성초 in English?
어성초 (eoseongcho) is heartleaf, also called fish mint or chameleon plant, from Houttuynia cordata. In Korea it is dried and brewed as a tea.
What is 둥굴레차 in English?
둥굴레차 (dunggulle-cha) is Solomon's seal tea, made from the roasted root of Polygonatum. It is caffeine-free with a toasty, nutty taste.
