F, G, H, I, J

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.

The shell of the black walnut (Juglans nigra) is obtained from the immature fruit of the tree. The black walnut, also known as the "black nut," is a type of walnut native to the United States and Canada. The tree belongs to the walnut family.
The black walnut fruit is dark brown and has a distinctive aroma that differs from that of European walnuts. They are sometimes processed into extracts or tinctures, preserving their natural compounds. The fruit is edible and contains polyphenols, tannins, juglone, tannins, and omega fatty acids, among other nutrients.
The common walnut (Juglans regia) is widely used in food and culinary applications for its edible nuts.

Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) is a species of brown algae in the genus Fucus. It is found along the northern coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, often in kelp forests. The plant is notable for the air bladders that some varieties possess, which serve as flotation devices; however, there are also varieties without these bladders.
Bladderwrack belongs to the brown algae and naturally contains various polyphenols, including phlorotannins. The plant also contains minerals such as iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Because of this natural composition, bladderwrack has been included in botanical and historical descriptions of seaweeds.

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.

Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) owes its name to the striking, claw-like spines that cover its fruits. The botanical name is derived from the Greek word harpagos, meaning "anchor," and refers to the characteristic shape of these spines.
The plant grows naturally in dry regions of southern Africa, particularly in the Kalahari Desert, which extends across parts of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. Devil's claw is a distant relative of the sesame plant and blooms with striking, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red to purple.
Botanical and ethnographic descriptions primarily focus on the underground parts of the plant, such as the tubers and roots. 

The Elecampane (Inula helenium) is a perennial plant that belongs to the composite family (Compositae or Asteraceae). This plant is naturally found in Western and Central Asia and has been known for its culinary and medicinal uses since ancient times.
The ancient Greeks called the plant helenion, which means "the radiant, the splendid." This name is related to hèlios, which means "sun". There are several myths surrounding the naming. The Romans adopted the Greek name and called the plant inula. When Linnaeus introduced the scientific Latin name Inula helenium in 1753, he combined the Roman genus name with the Greek specific name.

The great yellow gentian, also known as Gentiana lutea, is a perennial plant in the gentian family (Gentianaceae). It grows naturally in European mountains, primarily at altitudes up to 2200 meters.
The plant can reach a height of 0.5–1.5 meters. Its opposite leaves have five to seven arching veins. The large yellow flowers appear in clusters of three to ten in the axils of the upper leaves, but the plant only blooms after seven to ten years and can then live for 40 to 60 years.
The rhizome of the great yellow gentian can grow up to 1 meter long and is fleshy and thickened to 5 cm. The root contains sugars such as gentiobiose and natural bitter substances, as well as phytosterols, phenolic acids, oligosaccharides, and pectins. 

The Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhairtree), also known as the Japanese temple tree, is a unique deciduous tree with a very long history. The species has been mentioned for centuries in botanical and cultural sources from East Asia and is native to China.
Ginkgo biloba is unique within the plant kingdom and is considered a species with no direct relatives. For this reason, Charles Darwin called the ginkgo a "living fossil." The tree has existed for approximately 250 million years and has survived several mass extinctions. Today, it is planted worldwide as an ornamental and avenue tree.

Panax ginseng is a plant with a slow-growing, sturdy root and belongs to the Araliaceae family. It is one of the most well-known plants in traditional Chinese medicine and has been used in Asia for thousands of years.
The name "Panax" comes from the Greek word for "all-healer," referring to the plant's historical reputation in traditional medicine. Panax ginseng contains unique compounds called ginsenosides, which are found only in this plant.
Other plants with "ginseng" in their names, such as Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) or Indian ginseng/Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), belong to different plant families and do not contain these specific ginsenosides.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), also known as roselle, is used worldwide in both hot and cold beverages and as a natural flavoring and coloring agent in the food industry. The plant is especially prized for its fresh, tart flavor and striking deep red color.
Hibiscus sabdariffa L. is an annual shrub that can reach a height of over two meters. The plant typically has smooth, red-tinged stems and creamy to light yellow flowers that turn pink at the end of the day. After flowering, a characteristic red calyx develops, which is fleshy, crisp, and juicy. When this calyx fully develops and dries, it turns brown and bursts open.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is an herb with valuable essential oils.
This striking shrub reaches a height of 30 to 60 cm and has a woody base with ascending branches. The dark green lanceolate leaves are about 2 to 2.5 cm long. During the flowering period, from July to September, hyssop produces small blue/lilac-like lipped flowers that grow in whorls, although some specimens may be white or pink.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum, also known as jiaogulan, is a climbing vine native to Japan, Southeast China, and Thailand. In the Netherlands, this plant is known as "immortality herb" or "everlasting life herb."
The herb is traditionally used in Chinese culture and contains various plant compounds, including antioxidants. Gynostemma pentaphyllum is often used in teas or supplements due to its rich composition of natural substances.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a versatile herb that has been used for centuries in various traditions, including Ayurvedic culture. The plant is cultivated in various parts of the world, such as Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and can also grow in the Netherlands. The roots take three to four years to mature before they can be harvested.
Besides the roots, licorice leaves are also used, for example, in making tea. Licorice is known for its characteristic sweet flavor, which is due in part to the natural substance glycyrrhizin. It is widely used in foods and herbal preparations.

The meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is a perennial plant belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae). It is an erect plant that can reach a height of 0.6 to 2 meters. The flowers of the meadowsweet are numerous and cream-colored, with a width of 0.4 to 1 cm and each consisting of five petals, which have a strong almond scent. The leaves are pinnately compound, with a large top leaflet that is palmately split.

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.

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.

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.

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.