Herbs

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.

Schisandra, also known as the schisandra berry (Schisandra chinensis), is a plant that has been used in traditional Chinese herbalism for over 2,000 years. The plant produces dark red berries, of which only the seeds are used. These are traditionally harvested after the first frost and then dried.
The schisandra berry naturally contains various plant compounds, including antioxidants. Due to its unique composition and long history, schisandra is often used in herbal blends and teas for traditional purposes.
Within traditional Chinese culture, schisandra is valued and frequently used in herbal formulas. Today, the berry is also used outside of Asia as an ingredient in various herbal preparations.

Schisandra, also known as the schisandra berry (Schisandra chinensis), is a plant that has been used in traditional Chinese herbalism for over 2,000 years. The plant produces dark red berries, of which only the seeds are used. These are traditionally harvested after the first frost and then dried.
The schisandra berry naturally contains various plant compounds, including antioxidants. Due to its unique composition and long history, schisandra is often used in herbal blends and teas for traditional purposes.
Within traditional Chinese culture, schisandra is valued and frequently used in herbal formulas. Today, the berry is also used outside of Asia as an ingredient in various herbal preparations.

Mallow (Malva) is a genus of herbaceous plants in the Malvaceae family. It comprises approximately thirty species found in temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of Africa and Eurasia.
The flowers and leaves of mallow are highly recognizable and traditionally valued in various cultures. The plant produces mucilaginous substances, which were historically mentioned in botanical and folklore sources.
The fruit of the mallow is a schizocarp and owes its name to its flat, rounded shape, which resembles a small cheese. This fruit contains contiguous seeds and is a characteristic botanical element of the genus.
Mallow is primarily valued today for its botanical properties, its ornamental flowers, and its cultural significance in traditional botanical lore.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus L.), also known as chaste tree berries, is a plant native to the Mediterranean region. The name "chasteberry" refers to its historical use by monks, who used the herb for its supposed effects on physical desire.
Today, chasteberry is widely used in herbal products and supplements. The plant's fruits contain various plant compounds, including flavonoids and iridoids, which give the herb its unique properties. Chasteberry is popular in traditional herbalism and is valued for its long history of use.

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.

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.

The mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a member of the marram family (Scrophulariaceae) and mainly thrives in dune and chalk areas, where it is quite common. This plant is rare to find elsewhere in the Netherlands.
The flowers of the mullein are yellow and have a diameter of 1.5–3 cm. They consist of five connate petals, five sepals and five stamens, three of which are covered with yellow or white hairs. The flowers grow in dense spikes and bloom from July to autumn. An adult plant can reach a height of more than two meters.

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.

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.

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.