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Breechwort (Herniaria glabra) is a low-growing herbaceous plant in the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). The plant can be annual, biennial, or perennial and typically blooms from June to October. Its modest size and growth habit make it particularly noticeable in dry, open areas.
The plant is native to parts of Europe and prefers sandy, poor soil. Its creeping habit and small, greenish flowers often make it inconspicuous in the landscape.
Historical Context
The Dutch name "breukruid" refers to the plant's use in earlier times. Historical herbals and folklore sources mention "breechwort" in connection with traditional uses. These names and descriptions reflect the thinking and customs of the time.

Spearmint, also known as green mint (Mentha spicata), is an aromatic perennial plant from the Lamiaceae family. This plant originally comes from Central and Southern Europe, where it regularly establishes itself as a feral plant. Peppermint (Mentha ×piperata), a commonly used variety in food and care products, originated from a cross between spearmint and water mint (Mentha aquatica).
The leaves of spearmint contain a wealth of essential oils, with carvone being the most important. This component is also found in caraway, which gives the mint its characteristic scent. However, the leaves contain little menthol, which makes the taste milder than that of peppermint.

Speedwell (Veronica officinalis) is a perennial plant that forms a dense sward and belongs to the plantain family (Plantaginaceae). This plant occurs naturally in Eurasia.
The plant reaches a height of 10-50 cm and has stems that spread horizontally and then grow upwards. The stems are evenly hairy. The leaves, short-stalked, are elliptical or obovate in shape, with slightly toothed or serrate edges.
Male speedwell blooms from May to August with light blue flowers, which are darkly veined and have a size of 6-8 mm. There are also variants of the plant with dark blue, pink or white flowers. The flowers grow in bunches.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) has had a positive reputation in European herbal medicine for centuries. It can be used to support both moments of depression and cheerfulness, and it promotes a good night's sleep. In addition, St. John's wort is beneficial for bile function and contributes to healthy digestion, thanks to the presence of bioflavonoids, tannins and essential oils.
The use of St. John's wort dates back to the times of the Ancient Greeks and is traditionally harvested between June 21 and 24, on the occasion of the Feast of St. John, in both pagan and Christian traditions.

Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum; synonym: Asperula odorata) is a perennial, hardy herbaceous plant in the Rubiaceae family. It grows naturally in deciduous woodlands and shady areas and is known for its delicate fragrance, which becomes more pronounced after drying.
The plant has a thin, creeping root with numerous stolons. The upright, square stem is delicate, unbranched, and typically grows 10 to 30 cm tall. The leaves are arranged in whorls of six to nine and are lance-shaped, 1 to 4 cm long. Botanically, only two of these are true leaves; the others are stipules that resemble each other in shape and function and together form a star-shaped cluster.

Thyme is a herb valued in both cooking and traditional applications. It is recognizable by its distinctive aroma and can be used in teas, spice blends, syrups, or as a seasoning in dishes.
Thyme grows naturally in Europe, Asia, and Africa, forming hardy shrubs approximately 40 centimeters tall. The herb thrives in dry and stony soils. Both the leaves and flowers of thyme contain various plant compounds, including essential oils and flavonoids.
Thyme was used by the Greeks and Romans since ancient times, primarily for its aroma and culinary uses. Today, thyme is still valued for its fragrance and flavor.

Turmeric, also known as turmeric (Curcuma longa), is a tropical plant native to India and Southeast Asia. The root has been used for centuries and is best known in powdered form. In the Netherlands, it is often called "geelwortel" (yellow root) because of its bright yellow color, which is used in curry mixtures, mustard, and other culinary preparations.
Turmeric plays an important role in various Asian cuisines, where it is valued for its color, aroma, and distinctive flavor. The root is found in historical and cultural sources and was traditionally incorporated into dishes and spice blends.

Turmeric, also known as Javanese ginger (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), is a tropical plant native to India and Southeast Asia. The root of this plant has been used for centuries and is best known in powdered form. In the Netherlands, turmeric is also known as yellow root (gelukkigroot) because of its intense yellow color, which is used in curry mixtures and mustard, among other things.
Turmeric plays an important role in various Asian cuisines, where it is valued for its color, aroma, and characteristic flavor. Besides its culinary uses, turmeric is traditionally described in historical and cultural sources from India and Indonesia, where the root played an integral role in daily life.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a plant with a long history of use in Europe. It is still common in the Netherlands and prefers airy, moist soil. The roots of the plant, in particular, are known for their strong and distinctive odor, which attracts cats, among other things.
Valerian has been used in folk customs and traditions since ancient times. Our ancestors employed the herb in rituals and symbolic practices, for example, to ward off evil. Brides and grooms wore wreaths of valerian leaves, and farmers used the herb in traditional agricultural practices.
Valerian's distinct scent is due to the natural plant compounds found in the root. Today, valerian is primarily valued for its characteristic properties and historical significance.

Verbena (Verbena officinalis) is a plant that belongs to the Verbena family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, sometimes annual, with a thin, erect stem that can grow up to 100 cm in height, with the bottom of the stem becoming lignified. The leaves of vervain are hairy and can take different shapes. This plant has no distinctive odor and tastes bitter raw and untreated.
The flowers of vervain appear in spike-shaped clusters in the leaf axils. They are trumpet shaped and vary in color from soft pink to violet. The flowering period extends from June to autumn. The flower spikes are slender yet sturdy and flexible. The fruit of vervain is a split fruit.

The Juglans regia, also known as walnut, walnut or walnut, belongs to the walnut family (Juglandaceae). This species is also known as common walnut or Persian walnut, to avoid confusion with the genus Juglans. Other species in the genus Juglans include the white walnut and the black walnut.
This deciduous tree can reach a height of up to 30 meters with a crown that can be more than 10 meters wide. The leaves are odd-pinnate and can be 25-40 cm long, consisting of five to nine leaflets per compound leaf. The three largest leaflets are located at the end of the leaf and measure 10-18 cm long and 6-8 cm wide. The leaflets at the base of the leaf are smaller, usually 5-8 cm long.

Watercress belongs to the Brassicaceae family and resembles the slender watercress (Rorippa microphylla), but is distinguished by shorter fruits and a different seed structure.
The plant grows in and around water, such as along streams, ditches, ponds, and in marshes. It is a spineless, hairless plant that can grow 10 to 60 cm tall and has a hollow, square stem that often creeps at the base. Watercress blooms with white flowers and petals of 4 to 6 mm.

The white willow (Salix alba), also known as the "white willow" in English, is a common tree in the Netherlands. The bark of the willow naturally contains salicin, a glycoside identified as early as 1828 by the German pharmacist Johann Andreas Buchner.
The white willow is valued for its long history of use and is botanically interesting for its characteristic leaves and growth habit.

The American witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a shrub belonging to the family Hamamelidaceae, native to North America from Nova Scotia to Minnesota, and from southern and central Florida to eastern Texas.
The shrub can reach a height of 6 to sometimes even 10 meters, with a bushy growth thanks to the many branches that arise just above the ground. The bark is light brown, smooth but somewhat flaky, and shows a reddish-purple color on the inside.
Blooming from September through October, the flowers of the American witch hazel display clusters of 4 stamens. They usually range from pale yellow to bright yellow, although orange or red hues also occur. The petals are ribbon-shaped and measure 10-20 mm in length.

Woddruff Sweet (Galium aparine) belongs to the star-leaved family (Rubiaceae). This plant is known for its ability to cling to objects it comes into contact with, thanks to the numerous hooks on both the stem and fruits. This causes plants and fruits to get caught in the fur of animals, resulting in widespread dispersal over great distances.
Cleaver leaves are widest above the middle and have one central vein. They grow together in whorls of seven. These leaves also have hooks, albeit less than the rest of the plant. The stem is thickened at the tips.

Absinthe wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a plant from the composite family (Asteraceae). This species is on the Dutch Red List of plants as quite rare and moderately reduced in numbers. It is a perennial plant that grows naturally on dry, calcareous, nitrogen-rich and cultivated soils in temperate regions of Europe, Asia and North Africa. The genus name Artemisia is derived from the Greek hunting goddess Artemis.
The bitter extract of these buds is an important ingredient in drinks such as vermouth and classic absinthe. The most important flavorings are absinthine and the menthol-smelling terpene thujone.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a herbaceous plant in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It is a hardy perennial species common in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe. The plant is recognizable by its finely divided, feathery leaves and small flower heads, which are usually white but sometimes have a light pink tinge.
Yarrow has a long history and has been described in botanical and historical sources for centuries. The plant is named after the Greek hero Achilles, who, according to tradition, used yarrow, contributing to the herb's fame in classical antiquity.

The Yellow Sweet Slover (Melilotus officinalis) is a biennial or perennial plant from the legume family (Leguminosae). Originally from Southern Europe, this plant has now spread worldwide. It is a slender, hairless plant that is frequently found along roads and on arable land, and is also found in dune areas. The lemon yellow honey clover reaches a height of 30 to 150 cm and blooms from July to October.