A, B, C, D, E

The common agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) is a herbaceous plant belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae). This plant, with its bright yellow flowers in long, slender spikes, is quite common on calcareous roadsides and dikes in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The most common use is as a tea, but the herb can also be made into a tincture.

The great angelica, also known as archangelica, belongs to the Apiaceae family. The plant grows naturally in moist, nutrient-rich soil along waterfronts, such as those near Lake IJssel, riverbanks, and willow groves, and is also cultivated in gardens.
The plant is traditionally cultivated in various regions, from central Germany to Turkestan. An aromatic oil, known as angelica oil, is extracted from the seeds and roots and is used in cosmetics, baking, and distilling. The stems and petioles can be candied for their sweet and fragrant flavor.

The artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is a plant native to the Mediterranean region. The green or purple flower buds are often eaten as a vegetable and are known for their slightly bitter, aromatic flavor. The plant has been used for centuries in various cuisines and preparations.
Artichokes contain a wide range of nutrients and phytonutrients. These include beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin B, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. They also contain flavonoids, enzymes, and tannins, which contribute to the characteristic color and flavor of the flower buds.
Thanks to their rich flavor and unique texture, artichokes are popular in salads, soups, pastas, and various culinary dishes.

Centella asiatica, also known as Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), is a low-growing plant native to parts of Southeast Asia. It prefers humid areas and has played an important role in traditional systems such as Ayurveda for centuries.
Within these traditions, Centella asiatica is valued for its long history and diverse cultural applications. Due to the presence of various natural plant compounds, the plant has earned a permanent place in Asian herbal traditions.
Centella asiatica is recognizable by its creeping stems and small, rounded leaves. During the flowering period, small white to light pink flowers appear. Traditionally, the above-ground parts of the plant are primarily used.

Astragalus, also known as fleshy box pod (Astragalus membranaceus), is a plant native to Asia. The root of the plant has been used in traditional Chinese culture for thousands of years.
Astragalus holds an important place in this tradition and is associated with the concept of "qi," which represents life energy. Astragalus is used in a variety of applications, such as herbal teas, powders, and other herbal preparations.
The root contains various natural plant compounds and is valued for its long history of traditional use.

The barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a deciduous shrub belonging to the barberry family (Berberidaceae). The plant is native to large parts of Eurasia and prefers relatively dry, often calcareous soils, such as along forest edges and in thickets.
The shrub is known for its thorny branches, yellow flowers, and elongated, bright red berries. The roots, bark, leaves, and fruits naturally contain various plant compounds, including berberine. This compound is characteristic of plants in the Berberis genus.
Barberries have long been valued in various cultures for their culinary uses.

The bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a low-growing, evergreen plant in the heather family (Ericaceae). The Dutch name "berendruif" (bear grape) refers to an old folk belief that bears enjoy eating the fruit of this plant.
The scientific name is a tautology, composed of both Greek and Latin words. Arktos (Greek) and ursus (Latin) both mean "bear," while staphyle and uva both mean "grape." The name thus emphasizes the same meaning twice.
Bearberry has been mentioned in historical herbals since the Middle Ages and is part of the European herbal tradition. Within this context, the plant was described and valued for its special place in traditional use.

Betony, also known as feverwort (Betonica officinalis, synonym Stachys officinalis), is a herbaceous plant in the Lamiaceae family. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the species is listed on the Red List of Plants and is classified as very rare, with a sharply declining population. In addition to its natural habitat, betony is also frequently cultivated as an ornamental.
The plant reaches a height of approximately 30 to 90 centimeters and blooms from June to August. The flowers are usually purplish-red, although white varieties also occur. They are clustered in dense, spike-shaped, pseudo-inflorescences. Most leaves form a basal rosette; the lower leaves have long petioles, while the upper leaves have short petioles. All leaves have distinctly reticulate venation. 

The birch (Betula) is a tree that has held a special place in European cultures and traditions for centuries. Historically, the birch was sometimes seen as a symbolic or even sacred tree, partly due to its role in seasonal rituals and folk customs.
In early spring, just before the tree begins to bud, birch sap can be tapped. This time coincides with the period when the sap flow is most active. Young birch leaves are also traditionally collected during this phase. Both the sap and the leaves are part of ancient customs and have long been described in botanical and herbal sources.
Birch leaves naturally contain various plant compounds, including flavonoids, saponins, and tannins.

The birch (Betula) is a tree that has held a special place in European cultures and traditions for centuries. Historically, the birch was sometimes seen as a symbolic or even sacred tree, partly due to its role in seasonal rituals and folk customs.
In early spring, just before the tree begins to bud, birch sap can be tapped. This time coincides with the period when the sap flow is most active. Young birch leaves are also traditionally collected during this phase. Both the sap and the leaves are part of ancient customs and have long been described in botanical and herbal sources.
Birch leaves naturally contain various plant compounds, including flavonoids, saponins, and tannins.

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), also known as black cohosh, is a plant that has been used for centuries in traditional North American herbal medicine. The roots were used by various North American tribes and are known as "squawroot."
The plant is known today for its long history of use and cultural significance. Black cohosh is increasingly sold in the Netherlands, especially as an ingredient in herbal teas, supplements, and traditional herbal blends.

Black Tea Assam is a black tea from the state of the same name in India. Since 1838, this tea has also been drunk outside India, but in the first 25 years it could not compete with the already popular Japanese and Chinese teas, which had been popular in Europe since the 17th century. Today, about half of the total Indian tea production comes from Assam, making this region more popular than the other famous Indian teas: Darjeeling and Nilgiri.

Centaurea benedicta, commonly known as St. Benedict's Thistle, blessed thistle, holy thistle, spotted thistle or dissolved knapweed, is a thistle-like plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. Originally native to the Mediterranean region, it ranges from Portugal and southern France to Iran. Outside its native habitat it is often found as a systematic species and in some regions such as North America it is observed as a conventional weed.
This annual plant grows up to 60 cm tall and has leathery, hairy leaves that can reach 30 cm long and 8 cm wide.

Boldo (Peumus boldus) is an evergreen tree native to South America and other warmer regions, including Chile, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina, and North Africa. It prefers sunny, dry locations and can reach a height of 8 meters and a width of 5 meters. Female trees produce drupes that were traditionally used as a spice.
Boldo leaves naturally contain various plant compounds, such as alkaloids, essential oils, flavonoids, and tannins. In Chile, the leaves have been mentioned in traditional customs for centuries and described in historical texts. Today, boldo is valued worldwide for its distinctive leaves, botanical characteristics, and cultural significance.

California poppy, also known as golden poppy (Eschscholtzia californica), is a plant with golden-yellow flowers belonging to the poppy family. The plant is native to California, which explains its name.
The aerial parts of the golden poppy contain various natural compounds, including quinolide alkaloids, rutin, phytosterols, carotenoids, and cyanogen glycosides. Indigenous peoples in North America used the plant for their traditional purposes.
Today, California poppy is used in herbal teas and other herbal preparations and is valued for its botanical characteristics and aromatic properties.

Centaury is the Dutch name for various herbaceous plants from the genus Centaurium (synonym: Erythraea), belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae). The genus contains approximately fifty species. The botanical name is often associated with the centaur Chiron from Greek mythology, who was known for his knowledge of plants. Another explanation refers to the Latin centum (hundred) and aurum (gold), possibly indicating the historical value attributed to the herb.
Centaury is native to large parts of Europe and the Mediterranean region. The plants prefer sunny and slightly moist locations, such as dunes, grasslands, forest edges, and meadows.

Chicory (Cichorium) belongs to the composite family (Compositae or Asteraceae) and includes well-known vegetables such as chicory and endive. It is mainly consumed for health reasons.
Since the late years of the twentieth century, chicory roots have been cultivated not only for chicory, but also for the production of inulin and sweeteners, especially fructose. Both inulin (a dietary fiber) and fructose are widely used in the food industry.
Roasted chicory root is used as a coffee substitute or as an ingredient in coffee brewing. In the past, this was done out of necessity, such as during the Napoleonic blockade during the French occupation.

Chicory (Cichorium) belongs to the composite family (Compositae or Asteraceae) and includes well-known vegetables such as chicory and endive. It is mainly consumed for health reasons.
Since the late years of the twentieth century, chicory roots have been cultivated not only for chicory, but also for the production of inulin and sweeteners, especially fructose. Both inulin (a dietary fiber) and fructose are widely used in the food industry.
Roasted chicory root is used as a coffee substitute or as an ingredient in coffee brewing. In the past, this was done out of necessity, such as during the Napoleonic blockade during the French occupation.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum ceylon) is an ancient spice extracted from the bark of the cinnamon tree. A section of the bark is carefully cut away, after which the rough outer layer is removed. The familiar cinnamon sticks or cinnamon powder are created from the inner layer of the bark. Cinnamon has been valued for centuries for its culinary and cultural uses.
In Asian and other cultures, cinnamon is traditionally used for various purposes, with its delightful aroma playing a significant role. This aroma is primarily determined by the volatile oil cinnamaldehyde. Cinnamon also naturally contains substances such as eugenol, coumarins, tannins, OPCs, and terpenes.

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is a shrub native to southern Texas, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. The plant belongs to the Passifloraceae family and is known for its aromatic leaves.
In Mexico and other parts of Latin America, damiana has been used for centuries in culinary and cultural traditions. The leaves are made into herbal teas and sometimes smoked, among other things. Damiana is also a traditional ingredient in Mexican liqueurs and is sometimes used in cocktails, such as margaritas, where it complements the flavor or replaces part of the liqueur.
Damiana leaves naturally contain various plant compounds, such as beta-sitosterol, arbutin, and various alkaloids.

The purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. The genus name Echinacea is derived from the Greek word echinos, meaning "hedgehog," and refers to the spiky flower cone that characterizes this plant.
Echinacea purpurea is native to North America and is now cultivated worldwide. The plant has striking purplish-pink flowers and is valued for its ornamental appearance and botanical properties. Since the early twentieth century, there has been considerable interest in this species in Europe, leading to extensive botanical and historical research.

The purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. The genus name Echinacea is derived from the Greek word echinos, meaning "hedgehog," and refers to the spiky flower cone that characterizes this plant.
Echinacea purpurea is native to North America and is now cultivated worldwide. The plant has striking purplish-pink flowers and is valued for its ornamental appearance and botanical properties. Since the early twentieth century, there has been considerable interest in this species in Europe, leading to extensive botanical and historical research.

Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a shrubby plant native to parts of Russia, China, Korea, and Japan. The plant belongs to the Araliaceae family and is botanically related to, but distinct from, the better-known Panax species such as Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).
The roots of Siberian ginseng have long been mentioned in East Asian and Russian botanical literature. These historical and cultural sources describe the plant as part of traditional practices. This long history of use has also led to Siberian ginseng becoming known beyond its native range.

Eucalyptus belongs to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) and is native to Australia and adjacent areas. A few specimens were brought to Europe by Joseph Banks during Captain Cook's expedition.
In Europe, eucalyptus is primarily planted in the Mediterranean region. Some species can also grow on the west coast of England and Scotland, although only a few are winter-hardy.
Early oil is extracted from the leaves of several eucalyptus species. The best-known species for this purpose are Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus odorata.