Medicinal plant elections open in Lithuania

Lithuania's traditional election of the Medicinal Plant of the Year has started. This year's theme is „Medicinal Plant 2026 – Immunity Helper“, calling attention to plants that contribute to strengthening the immune system and promoting human health.

Anyone interested in medicinal plants is invited to vote and help choose the plant that best reflects nature's health-boosting powers. Voting is open until 10 February 2026

This year's election is dedicated to the 140th anniversary of the birth of the eminent scientist Prof. Casimir Grybauskas. Grybauskas was the head of the Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University, the founder of the Department of Medicinal Plants, a pharmacognosist, a researcher and promoter of medicinal plants, as well as the chairman of the Lithuanian Society of Botanists and Pharmacists. His activities contributed significantly to the development of medicinal plant science and practice in Lithuania.

The meeting of the Commission of Experts will take place on 12 February 2026, and the results of the election will be announced on 16 February, on the occasion of the Day of the Restoration of the State of Lithuania.

We invite you to take part in the election and vote together for the plant that will symbolically and practically reflect the 2026 ambition to strengthen immunity naturally, with respect for nature and based on scientific knowledge.

The election is organised by the Scientific Sector of Medicinal and Herbal Plants of the VMU Botanical Garden, the Lithuanian Pharmaceutical Union, the magazine „Lietuvos farmacijos žinios“ and UAB „Švenčionių vaistažolės“.