5 fascinating medicinal plants to discover in Adelaide Botanic Garden's Garden of Health

World Wildlife Day 2026 is celebrated each year on 3 March to recognise the important role plants and wildlife play in supporting people and the planet.

This year’s theme highlights the vital contribution of plants to human health, cultural heritage and local livelihoods.

Plants have been used throughout history to treat a variety of ailments and conditions, while they continue to be used in a variety of cosmetics, herbal remedies, food and medicinal research across the globe.

Many places around the world, particularly developing countries, also rely heavily on plants and traditional medicine as their main form of healthcare.

To help you gain an insight, here are five iconic plants long used for their medicinal properties.

1. Tea tree (Melaleucaalternifolia)

Traditional uses: antiseptic, wound care, respiratory relief
Modern uses: essential oils, research

Tea tree – native to New South Wales and Queensland – is probably one of Australia’s best-known medicinal plants. First Nations peoples traditionally used this plant to help treat coughs, colds and skin infections.

Today, tea tree oil is widely used and recognised for its strong antibacterial and antifungal properties.

2. Aloe vera

Traditional uses: soothing burns, digestive support, skin repair
Modern uses: wound healing research, cosmetics, dermatology

Aloe vera has been renown throughout history for its medicinal properties. The gel inside its leaves is prized for its cooling and healing effects.

It’s now a common ingredient in burn treatments, moisturisers and after‑sun lotions, thanks to its hydrating and anti‑inflammatory qualities.

Our friends at the Adelaide Botanic Garden tell us that aloe was listed as a healing plant on a Sumerian clay tablet – found in the ancient city of Nippur – which dates to 2200 BC!  

Fun fact: there are other Aloe species used for medicinal properties, including Aloe zebrina (used in a powdered form after childbirth) and Aloe ferox (used to treat psoriasis and dermatitis).

3. Eucalyptus species (gum trees)

Traditional uses: fever reduction, congestion relief, disinfectant
Modern uses: pharmaceuticals, inhalants, topical treatments

The eucalypt is a well-known Aussie icon.

With more than 900 species across Australia, Eucalyptus has been an essential part of traditional medicine.

Steam from the leaves was inhaled to ease congestion and treat respiratory illnesses, while infusions were used to reduce fevers or applied to wounds.

Eucalyptus oil is now a common ingredient in cough lozenges, chest rubs and disinfectants.

4. Echinacea species

Traditional uses: painkiller, poison antidote, burn dressing, cold treatment 
Modern uses: herbal remedy

Echinacea species – which you might know as purple coneflowers – are native to areas of North America.

Native Americans used this plant for centuries to treat many different conditions, including colds, coughs, infections and snakebites.

Today, you may see echinacea growing in some gardens. It is also sometimes used as an herbal remedy to treat colds or flu.

5. Common myrtle (Myrtus communis)  

Traditional uses: coughs, colds, wound treatment 
Modern uses: essential oils, natural skincare, aromatherapy

Common myrtle has been used since ancient times and across many cultures. It’s native to southern Europe, north Africa, western Asia, Macaronesia, and the Indian Subcontinent.

In India, common myrtle was used in the treatment of afflictions of the mind. Externally, it was used in the treatment of acne, wounds, gum infections and even haemorrhoids.

Explore more at the Adelaide Botanic Garden 

Did you know you can see many of these plants – and plenty more – at the Adelaide Botanic Garden?

You’ll find the Garden of Health in western part of the Adelaide Botanic Garden – on Kaurna Country – next to the Ginkgo Gate.

Containing 2,300 plants from 257 species, the Garden of Health demonstrates the diverse range of plants that have been used to promote health and wellbeing in both western and non-western cultures for thousands of years.

Check out the Botanic Gardens website to plan your next visit.

Protecting our biodiversity 

Many native plants across the country are threatened with extinction due to factors such as land clearance, urban expansion and competition with invasive species.

Learning more about the role plants – and broader biodiversity - play in supporting our health and wellbeing is a great first step in taking action to halt this loss.

Medicinal plants and safety 

It’s important to view plant-based medicines the same way you would any other food or medicine.

Use supplements and products from reputable sources and exercise caution and common-sense thinking where necessary.

While many plants can heal, it is also possible for them to harm. Think of foxglove (Digitalis species), which has been used to treat heart failure and produce cardiac drugs. However, the plant is very toxic, and the wrong dose can be deadly.

Honouring traditional knowledge

For more than 65,000 years, First Nations peoples have drawn on an extraordinary depth of knowledge about the landscape – using plants not only for food and materials but also as sources of healing.

These plants represent only a small fraction of the rich botanical and ecological knowledge held by First Nations peoples. Their understanding of how to use plants sustainably and medicinally offers immense value—not just scientifically, but culturally and environmentally.

Recognising, respecting and honouring this knowledge is essential as Australia continues to embrace native plants in modern health, wellness and conservation.

Want to learn more about plants? Check out five you shouldn’t grow and discover six simple steps to planting a tree.