English name

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), also known as milk thistle, is a spiny plant in the Asteraceae family. It originates in the Mediterranean region, but also grows in temperate regions such as the Netherlands and Belgium.
The plant is known for its striking, white-flecked leaves and purple flower heads. Milk thistle seeds contain natural compounds, including silymarin, a group of bioactive compounds considered antioxidants. Because of this composition, milk thistle is traditionally used in various food and herbal products.

Mistletoe (Viscum album) is an evergreen plant belonging to the sandalwood family (Santalaceae). It is also known by common names such as mistletoe, mistletoe, and birdlime. Mistletoe is native to Europe, Northwest Africa, and West and Central Asia. It is a semi-parasitic plant that grows on various types of trees and shrubs, where it extracts water and minerals while photosynthesizing.
Throughout the centuries, mistletoe has become deeply intertwined with legends, rituals, and symbolism. Druids considered mistletoe growing on an oak tree sacred and associated it with the new year, fertility, and prosperity.

Moringa oleifera, often called the "tree of life," is a plant native to parts of Africa and Asia. The leaves of the moringa tree contain various nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants.
In many Asian and African cultures, moringa has been used for centuries as part of the daily diet. The leaves can be incorporated into meals or used as a supplement for their nutritional value.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is a plant in the Asteraceae family and is closely related to wormwood. It is a weakly aromatic plant with deeply incised leaves that are white and felt-like hairy on the underside. The stem can reach a length of approximately 60 to 120 centimeters and often exhibits a reddish discoloration.
Mugwort is common in the Netherlands and Belgium. The plant grows primarily in fallow land, along roads, and on other disturbed soil types. Mugwort thrives best in sandy soils and is known for its strong adaptability.

Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a herbaceous plant found in many places and known for its stinging hairs when touched. Despite this characteristic, the plant has long been valued and used in various cultures. Nettle is used in culinary preparations such as soup and herbal tea.
The plant is native to large parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Latin name Urtica dioica refers to the plant's stinging properties. Historical and botanical sources describe both the leaves and the roots as being traditionally collected and processed.
Both nettle leaf and root hold a firm place in herbal tradition. Due to their natural composition and long history, these parts of the plant have been mentioned for centuries in ethnobotanical and historical accounts.

Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a herbaceous plant found in many places and known for its stinging hairs when touched. Despite this characteristic, the plant has long been valued and used in various cultures. Nettle is used in culinary preparations such as soup and herbal tea.
The plant is native to large parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Latin name Urtica dioica refers to the plant's stinging properties. Historical and botanical sources describe both the leaves and the roots as being traditionally collected and processed.
Both nettle leaf and root hold a firm place in herbal tradition.

Usnea barbata, sometimes also called 'old man's beard', is a genus of lichens belonging to the ascomycetes. They are found in moist forests around the world, where they usually hang from tree branches. In rare cases they are also found on the bottom or on rocks. The genus belongs to the family of Parmeliaceae. Beard mosses are characterized by a shrub-like structure and a central axis from which branches arise. In areas free of air pollution they can grow 10 to 20 cm tall.

Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica), also known by the basic name Lichen islandicus, is a shrubby lichen belonging to the Parmeliaceae family (shell mosses). The species is native to cold and mountainous regions and is extremely rare in the Netherlands. For this reason, Iceland moss is listed on the Dutch Red List as critically endangered.
Iceland moss has a long cultural and historical background. Botanical and historical sources from the 17th century describe the lichen as part of the botanical knowledge of the time. During that period, the lichen was collected whole and used in traditional practices. These uses are part of historical and folklore.

Olive leaves come from the wild olive tree (Olea europaea) and naturally contain antioxidants. These trees are native to Western Asia, Egypt, and Syria, and are now also found in the Mediterranean, South America, the southern United States, southern Australia, and the tropics.
Olive leaves have been used for centuries in the Mediterranean region, for example, as a tea. They contain various plant compounds, including oleuropein, secoiridoids, and flavonoids. Olive leaves have a rich history in traditional cuisine and folk herbalism and are often associated with the olive tree, also known as the "tree of life."

Oregano (Origanum vulgare), also known as wild marjoram, is an aromatic herb that has been used for thousands of years in various cuisines and cultures. The herb belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which also includes rosemary, thyme, and mint.
Oregano naturally contains several plant compounds, including carvacrol, which is responsible for its characteristic spicy and slightly bitter flavor. This compound contributes to oregano's distinct aroma.
The most aromatic oregano grows naturally in Mediterranean mountain regions on calcareous soils. Wild oregano blooms in spring, after which it is traditionally harvested. Thanks to its flavor and composition, oregano is widely used in culinary applications and herbal teas.

The pansy (Viola tricolor), also known as the wild violet, is an ornamental plant that has been part of European botanical knowledge for centuries. The tricolor violet belongs to the pansy family (Violaceae) and is native to Europe, from Lapland to the Mediterranean, and even to Siberia.
This plant, which is annual but can sometimes be perennial, grows to a height of 30 cm and has roots that can reach depths of up to 45 cm. Its flowering period extends from May to October. The flowers are at least 1 cm wide, but usually larger, with an average diameter of 1.5 cm. The plant was first described by the renowned botanist Rembert Dodoens in 1554.

The papaya (Carica papaya) belongs to the Caricaceae family and is imported to Belgium and the Netherlands from Central America, Asia, Central and South Africa. Recently, the papaya has also been grown in greenhouses in the Netherlands, which requires special soil. This fruit is available all year round, without significant seasonality.
The papaya grows on the trunk of a melon tree and is therefore also called "tree melon". The origin of the papaya tree is in Mexico. This tree can grow up to six meters tall, with a hollow trunk and large, finger-shaped leaves. There are several subspecies of the papaya.

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a biennial, hardy herbaceous plant from the Apiaceae family. The herb is widely used in European, American, and Middle Eastern cuisine for its fresh, aromatic flavor.
In ancient times, parsley had symbolic meaning. For the ancient Greeks, the herb symbolized joy and was frequently used in rituals and traditions. The Romans spread the use of parsley throughout Western Europe. In the Middle Ages, parsley was eaten and cultivated as both an herb and a vegetable, including in the gardens of Charlemagne.
For culinary use, the leaves are primarily used, preferably just before serving. Parsley is often combined with garlic in herb butter, used in salads, and incorporated into a variety of dishes. The seeds can also be ground and used as a spice. 

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a plant native to Central and North America. Various parts of the plant have long been used in diverse cultures. Today, passionflower is also found in other parts of the world.
The striking flowers of Passiflora incarnata are edible and prized for their distinctive appearance. In autumn, the plant produces fruit, and the leaves are also edible. These leaves naturally contain various plant compounds, including tannins, flavanols, saponins, and choline, as well as minerals such as magnesium.
Passionflower is traditionally used in herbal cultures and is often incorporated into herbal teas and other herbal preparations.

Pau d’arco (Tabebuia avellanedae) is a tree native to the Amazon region. Traditionally, the inner layer of the bark is primarily used. This bark has a long history within various cultures in South America.
Pau d’arco bark naturally contains various plant compounds, including flavonoids and quinones. More than twenty different quinone compounds have been identified in the bark, including lapachol and beta-lapachone. These compounds contribute to the characteristic composition of pau d’arco.
Pau d’arco is traditionally made into tea or other herbal preparations and is valued for its natural origins and rich plant profile.

Peppermint oil is extracted from the leaves of the peppermint plant (Mentha piperita), a cross between water mint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata). Peppermint belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which also includes other aromatic herbs such as basil and rosemary.
The plant was recognized as a distinct species in England in the 17th century and has been widely cultivated ever since. Peppermint naturally contains several essential oils, including menthol, menthone, and cineole, which together contribute to its characteristic fresh scent and flavor.
Peppermint oil is used as an ingredient in a variety of products, such as peppermint candy, flavorings, and herbal preparations. The leaves of the peppermint plant are also traditionally made into tea.

The Plantain Broadleaf (Plantago major) is a plant belonging to the plantain family (Plantaginaceae) and varies in size from 10 to 50 cm. It forms a dense leaf rosette that is resistant to foot traffic, which is why it is often considered a weed. This plant species is common in gardens, along roads and paths, and is sometimes derisively called the "white man's footprint". Nevertheless, there is a cultivated variety known as Plantago major 'Rosularis'.

Propolis is a natural, reddish-brown substance produced by honeybees. Within the hive, bees use propolis as a building and sealing material, among other things, to close openings and strengthen the hive's structure.
Honeybees collect propolis starting in the summer on warm days by gathering resins from the buds and leaves of trees and other plants. These resins are mixed with beeswax and processed with saliva and the bees' legs, creating propolis.
Propolis consists of a combination of plant resins, beeswax, essential oils, and pollen, along with small amounts of vitamins and minerals. The composition can vary depending on the plants in the hive's environment.

Bitterwood, known in Suriname as kwasibita, is the heartwood of Quassia amara, a plant species in the Quassia genus, belonging to the Simaroubaceae family. The plant is native to tropical South America.
Quassia amara is a small, evergreen shrub found in regions including the Guyanas, northern Brazil, and Venezuela. The plant grows primarily in the rainforest understory. Its striking bright red flowers, which are primarily pollinated by hummingbirds, are a striking feature. Because of these decorative flowers, the plant is also cultivated outside its natural habitat as an ornamental.

Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is a native plant found in Europe, parts of Asia, North Africa, and North America. It prefers moist, sandy soil and can be found in grasslands, along roads and railways, and even between paving stones.
Ribwort plantain can reach a height of about 75 centimeters and has long, narrow leaves. Starting in May, the plant blooms with light green flower spikes bearing striking white stamens.
The young leaves contain various natural plant compounds, including mucilage, tannins, bitter substances, and flavonoids, as well as minerals such as potassium and zinc. Ribwort plantain has a long history of traditional and folklore uses and is often considered a common wild plant.

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is a plant in the legume family (Leguminosae) that grows naturally in the fynbos around the Cederberg Mountains in South Africa. Since around 1930, the plant has been cultivated for the production of rooibos tea. The leaves are picked, crushed, and left in the sun to oxidize, giving them their characteristic reddish-brown color.
The name 'rooibos' comes from Afrikaans and means "red forest," derived from the Dutch word.
Rooibos is traditionally used in South Africa as a spice and is used in both beverages and cosmetics. It is naturally caffeine-free and low in tannins, giving it a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Rooibos leaves contain various plant compounds, including antioxidants and minerals such as calcium and iron.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a fragrant, compact shrub from the Lamiaceae family. Native to the Mediterranean region, it is known for its aromatic leaves and lavender-blue flowers that appear in spring.
The name "rosemary" derives from the Latin: ros meaning "dew" and marinus meaning "sea," together meaning "dew of the sea." Rosemary has been prized for centuries in diverse cultures, from the ancient Greeks to the Romans, and is used in culinary dishes and herbal teas.
Rosemary naturally contains plant compounds, including aromatic oils and antioxidants, which contribute to the herb's characteristic aroma and flavor. It is used in a wide variety of dishes, from meat and fish dishes to sauces and marinades, and is also popular in aromatic oils and spice blends.

Rheum officinale, also known as Chinese rhubarb or Russian rhubarb, belongs to the knotweed family (Polygonaceae). The plant is native to mountainous regions of western and northwestern China, India, Tibet, Russia, and Turkey, at altitudes between 1,200 and 4,000 meters. Rheum officinale can reach a height of 1.5 to 2 meters.
The stems of the plant are often used as food, while the leaves contain oxalic acid and are therefore unsuitable for consumption.

Common sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is a well-known herb that has been used for centuries, from China to ancient Rome. Symbolic and magical properties were even attributed to the purple flowers.
Sage belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is prized for its aromatic leaves and characteristic scent. The herb naturally contains various plant compounds, including antioxidants, which contribute to sage's characteristic properties.
Sage is traditionally used in culinary applications, such as sauces, meat dishes, and herbal teas. The leaves can be used fresh or dried and are also popular in aromatic oils and spice blends.