What does medicinal mean?
Medicinal is an adjective describing something that has healing, therapeutic, or disease-treating properties. It is especially common in expressions such as “medicinal properties,” “medicinal use,” and “medicinal herbs,” where it identifies a substance as useful in treating or alleviating illness or injury. The word can also mean connected with medicine, as in “medicinal research,” although “medical” is usually more natural in that broader sense. In everyday speech, medicinal may suggest traditional remedies or remedies whose benefits have not been scientifically established, so a claim about a product’s medicinal value may sometimes be viewed skeptically. Compared with “medical,” the term is more specifically associated with healing. Historically, it belongs to a family of English words that descend from Latin words associated with medicine and healing.
Having properties that promote healing, recovery, or the treatment of disease.
"Researchers are studying the plant’s potential medicinal value."
This is the dominant contemporary sense, especially when describing herbs, remedies, and other substances.
Relating to medicine or the treatment of disease.
"The discovery transformed medicinal practice."
This broader sense is somewhat formal; “medical” is often more idiomatic for the field of medicine or healthcare generally.
Not everything used in healthcare is medicinal: a medicinal substance is one valued for its ability to heal or treat disease.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does medicinal come from?
Medicinal derives from Latin medicinalis, meaning “pertaining to healing” or “relating to medicine.” The Latin adjective is connected with medicina, “medicine,” which is in turn based on mederi, “to heal.” The word entered English during the Middle English period and continues the same Latin root found in medicine, medication, and medical.
Related word forms
How medicinal is actually used
In contemporary English, medicinal is most commonly used to describe substances, plants, or preparations with healing effects. It can also be used more generally in relation to medicine, though this use is sometimes perceived as formal or traditional-sounding.
Easily confused with medicinal
Medical means relating broadly to medicine, healthcare, or the treatment of illness, whereas medicinal usually means specifically possessing healing or therapeutic properties.