Herbs Cut

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.

Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), also known as goldenrod, is a native plant traditionally found in Europe and Asia. The plant is striking for its golden-yellow blooms and was once a familiar part of traditional Dutch herb gardens.
Historically, goldenrod flowers were widely harvested, dried, and ground. These were used, among other things, as a natural raw material for making yellow dyes. The plant is frequently mentioned in historical and botanical sources for its striking appearance and wide use in craft and cultural traditions.
Today, goldenrod is primarily valued for its botanical characteristics and its role in European plant history.

Gunpowder (zhūchá) is a Chinese green tea that gets its name from the grey-green, tightly rolled leaves that are reminiscent of 18th century gunpowder. Another possible explanation is that "freshly brewed" sounds like *gun-pao-da* in Chinese.
When steeped in hot water, the leaves unfold, giving the tea its characteristic grassy and sometimes smoky flavour.
In China, this tea is also known as pearl tea (珠茶). Gunpowder is mainly produced in the Ningbo region and is one of the most popular Chinese export teas. Nowadays, the balls are rolled by machine, except for the higher quality varieties, which are still made by hand.

The two-styled hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) is a thorny shrub or small tree native to much of Europe. In spring, it blooms with white flowers, while in autumn it produces dark red, spherical or egg-shaped berries, also known as "whitebeans."
The leaves, flowers, and berries of the hawthorn naturally contain a rich composition of plant compounds, including flavonoids, procyanidins, vitamin C, tannins, and glycosides. Because of this composition, hawthorn is traditionally used in various herbal products and supplements.

Heartwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is a fragrant perennial plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Originating in Central Asia, this plant has spread throughout the world.
The leaves are suitable for seasoning pea and lentil soup, and were also used in the past to brew beer. 
The plant grows to a height of 30-90 cm and forms rhizomes and square stems with scattered hairs. The leaves, which are medium green in color, have three to seven lobes and are downy hairy on the underside.

Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum) is a bushy, aromatic shrub belonging to the Asteraceae family. The plant is native to Southern Europe but was introduced early on to more northerly parts of Europe, where it adapted well.
Summer lemongrass has a long cultural and historical background. In ancient traditions of Germanic peoples, the plant was used symbolically in rituals, while the Romans prized it for its fragrance and made the perfume Abrotenum from it. Due to its aromatic properties, summer lemongrass was also used for household and cosmetic purposes.

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.

Epimedium, commonly known as fairy flower, is a genus of approximately 25 species of perennial plants in the barberry family (Berberidaceae). These plants are native to southern Europe and parts of Asia, including Central, South, and East Asia.
Epimedium species are perennial and have striking, graceful flowers that appear in spring or early summer. The delicate, spidery flowers consist of four petals and add a unique touch to any garden.
In China, the plant is known as "yin yang huo." According to ancient stories, it was given this name after a goat herder noticed his animals eating the plant.

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.

Cat's whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus), also known as Kumis Kutjing, is a plant traditionally used in various Asian herbal traditions. The species belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is native to tropical and subtropical regions, particularly Southeast Asia, including Malaysia and Java.
The plant prefers moist habitats, such as wetlands, riverbanks, and swampy areas. Cat's whiskers are particularly recognizable by their white to pale lilac flowers with conspicuously long, thread-like stamens that can grow up to approximately three centimeters long. These characteristics have led to the Dutch name "kattensnor" (cat's whiskers).

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) belongs to a genus of approximately one thousand species of perennial herbaceous and shrubby plants within the rose family (Rosaceae). The plant is primarily found in Europe and Asia, with some species in mountainous regions of Africa and North and South America. It prefers to grow in damp and disturbed places, such as forest edges, wet grasslands, and roadsides.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial plant in the Lamiaceae family and is known for its fresh, lemony scent. The plant is native to Southern Europe but also grows easily in temperate regions such as the Netherlands and Belgium. Thanks to underground rhizomes, lemon balm overwinters easily. The plant typically reaches a height of about 50 centimeters.
Lemon balm has a long history of cultivation and was already documented in ancient times. It is likely that the plant was introduced to Europe by Arab cultures via Spain, after which monasteries played an important role in its further spread and cultivation. Historical sources often mention lemon balm for its aromatic and culinary value.

Lemongrass, also known as sereh (Cymbopogon citratus), belongs to the grass family (Poaceae). This plant is widely used in Asian cuisine, especially in dishes from Thailand, India, Vietnam and Indonesia. Lemongrass thrives in several regions, including India, Africa, Vietnam, Australia and America. In Indonesia it is known as sereh, and this name is also often used in the Netherlands.
The leaves of the lemongrass plant are the culinary stars. They have a refreshing, lemony taste and are not consumed raw. Pieces of lemongrass are often added to dishes during cooking or stewing, after which they are removed before serving.

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 lime tree (Tilia) is native to the Benelux and is known for its remarkable lifespan, which can easily exceed 1000 years. This majestic tree can reach a height of 20 to 30 meters, depending on its growing conditions. The Latin name for the lime tree is Tilia.
Although the lime tree is widespread in Europe, it is not found in the northernmost and southernmost parts of the continent. Outside Europe, the lime is also found in parts of Asia, but to a much lesser extent.
The tree blooms in the months of June and July. The lime blossom produces a lot of honey, and the flowers can be used to make herbal tea.

The long sundew (Drosera longifolia) is a perennial carnivorous plant belonging to the sundew family (Droseraceae).
The plant grows to a height of 5-20 cm and forms a rosette of leaves. The leaves have long stems and are upright, oblong to lanceolate, with the widest point above the center. They are covered with numerous red, sticky tentacles containing glandular tissue. These tentacles catch small insects such as Simuliidae. Once an insect touches the tentacles, the leaf coils around the insect and secretes digestive enzymes. The released nutrients, including nitrogen, are absorbed by the plant.

Lovage, also known as the maggi plant, is a perennial plant from the umbellifer family (Apiaceae). The name "maggi plant" refers to the strong smell, which is reminiscent of the maggi aroma. However, the herb is not an ingredient in the original Maggi recipe.
Originally from Southeast Asia and Iran, the Romans spread lovage throughout Europe during their conquests. Today, the plant grows in large parts of Europe and North America and occasionally occurs in northern Thailand.

Lungwort belongs to the genus Pulmonaria within the borage family (Boraginaceae). The botanical name is derived from the Latin word pulmo, meaning "lung." This name refers to the striking leaf markings of some species, such as spotted lungwort, which were once compared to the appearance of human lungs.
This association played an important role in the theory of signatures, a traditional doctrine in which it was believed that a plant's appearance provided clues to its intended use. Based on this line of thought, lungwort was historically used for conditions associated with the lungs.
The Dutch name lungwort is derived directly from the botanical name. Similar names also appear in other Western European languages, indicating the plant's wide cultural and historical renown.

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) belongs to the mallow family (Malvaceae) and has been spread worldwide by human activity, especially to areas with suitable soil, humidity and climate.
The starch in the carrot, mixed with proteinaceous substances, was formerly used in making marshmallows and bacon. The leaves can be eaten cooked and the flowers can be used raw in salads.

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) belongs to the mallow family (Malvaceae) and has been spread worldwide by human activity, especially to areas with suitable soil, humidity and climate.
The starch in the carrot, mixed with proteinaceous substances, was formerly used in making marshmallows and bacon. The leaves can be eaten cooked and the flowers can be used raw in salads.

The marigold, or Calendula officinalis, belongs to the Asteraceae family (Compositae) and is often cultivated in ornamental gardens. It originates from Southern Europe.
It is an annual plant with usually orange flowers, sometimes yellow, that can reach a height of 30–45 cm. The flowering period runs from May to November, and the fruits are often curved and boat-shaped.
Both fresh and dried flowers can be used in soups and as a natural coloring for cheese, butter, and other foods. Historically, the petals were also used to simulate saffron.
In addition, marigold petals are used in products such as ointments and tinctures. The flowers contain essential oils that are used in the processing of these products.

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.