Herbs

Rhodiola rosea (Rhodiola rosea), also known as "golden root," is a succulent plant that grows naturally in cold, rocky regions around the world. The plant's roots have a distinctive scent reminiscent of roses.
Rhodiola rosea is traditionally used in various cultures and is incorporated into herbal preparations. The root naturally contains several plant compounds, including rosavin and salidroside. These compounds are part of the root's composition and contribute to the herb's characteristic properties.
Rhodiola rosea can be used in herbal teas and other herbal products and is prized for its natural origins and rich composition.

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.

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.

Savory (Satureja), also known as winter or summer savory, belongs to the Lamiaceae or Labiatae family. The scientific name is derived from the Latin word "satyr."
Historical and Cultural Context
During Roman times, savory was often used in rituals and cultural practices. It was incorporated into wreaths and jewelry and featured in traditional dishes. Historical sources describe it as playing an important role in Roman cuisine.
Culinary Uses
Savory is traditionally used as a seasoning in a variety of dishes. In ancient times, it was used in sauces for fish and meat, stuffings for veal, and in sausages or pork pies. Over the centuries, chefs have developed their own recipes using this aromatic herb.

Sheep's sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a perennial plant that is part of the knotweed family (Polygonaceae). This versatile plant grows to a height of 10 to 60 cm and spreads via numerous long, underground runners.
The leaves, which reach a length of 3 to 7 cm, have a characteristic spike shape and vary from obovate to narrow linear. From May until deep into autumn, sheep's sorrel adorns itself with plumes that usually have a greenish hue, sometimes with a light red glow. In certain specimens, the plumes can even turn dark red, which provides a striking contrast in the landscape.

Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) is a plant in the Brassicaceae family. It is an annual or biennial, upright-growing plant that can reach a height of approximately 5 to 60 centimeters. The plant is winter-hardy and usually has a woody taproot. The sinuously serrated leaves form a rosette around the spindle-shaped root.
Shepherd's purse is common in temperate regions and grows in a variety of locations, such as fields, roadsides, and fallow land. Its distinctive heart-shaped seed pods make the plant easy to identify.
In historical and folklore sources, shepherd's purse is mentioned as part of traditional plant knowledge. The young rosette leaves are also used in culinary dishes. They can be used raw in salads or added to soups and other hot dishes.

The Heather (Erica vulgaris - Calluna vulgaris) belongs to the heath family (Ericaceae) and grows throughout Europe, especially in Central and Northern Europe. It even reaches Western Siberia in the east. In the nineteenth century, Scottish immigrants brought the heather to Canada, from where it spread throughout North America. It is the only species in the genus Calluna, meaning it is a monotypic genus.
The shrub heath can grow to a height of 10-100 cm, sometimes even up to 150 cm in certain places. It has hermaphroditic, symmetrical flowers, with the calyx and petals being the same color. Purple flowers appear towards the end of the branches, creating the purple heaths from late July to early September.

The Heather (Erica vulgaris - Calluna vulgaris) belongs to the heath family (Ericaceae) and grows throughout Europe, especially in Central and Northern Europe. It even reaches Western Siberia in the east. In the nineteenth century, Scottish immigrants brought the heather to Canada, from where it spread throughout North America. It is the only species in the genus Calluna, meaning it is a monotypic genus.

The shrub heath can grow to a height of 10-100 cm, sometimes even up to 150 cm in certain places. It has hermaphroditic, symmetrical flowers, with the calyx and petals being the same color. Purple flowers appear towards the end of the branches, creating the purple heaths from late July to early September.

The Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra), also known as the Slippery Elm, is a deciduous tree native to the humid highlands of eastern North America. Initially, in 1753, this species was mistaken for Ulmus americana, but in 1793 it was determined to be a distinct species, after which the name Ulmus rubra was assigned.
In North America, the slippery elm has a long history of practical use. The tree grows rapidly and produces sturdy, rot-resistant wood. Traditionally, the tree's fibers were used for making wire, rope, and other applications.

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.

Spirulina is a type of single-celled algae that contains both chlorophyll (a green pigment) and phycocyanin (a blue pigment). The algae forms spiral-shaped microscopic strands and grows naturally in warm, freshwater.
Spirulina contains various nutrients, including protein, vitamins (such as B-complex and E), carotenoids, iron, manganese, zinc, and some fatty acids. Because of this composition, spirulina is often used as part of a varied diet.
The algae can grow in warm environments and retain many of their nutrients, even during processing at higher temperatures..

The Norway spruce (Picea abies) belongs to the pine family (Pinaceae) and is native to Northern and Central Europe. It is an imposing conifer that can grow up to 50 meters high.
This tree is monoecious and has a narrow, cone-shaped crown. Spruce trees that grow at lower elevations tend to have wider crowns to be less affected by snow accumulation. The twigs are reddish to orange-brown, while the buds are smooth, brown and pointed. The needles are dark green on all sides and surround the twigs. They are stiff, sharply pointed, square in cross-section and can grow 1 to 2.5 cm long. The lifespan of the needles can be up to 5 to 7 years.

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.

Star anise is a tree or shrub whose fruits serve as a spice. Originally from southern China and Vietnam, it is now also grown in Cambodia, Laos, Japan and the Philippines. Best known for its eight-armed fruits, this tree has been known as a spice in Europe since the 17th century, but is best known for its Asian flavor profile. Star anise thrives in warm tropical areas.
The fruits are often used whole or ground into an easily dosed powder. The spicy taste is not in the seeds, but in the lignified peel of the fruit. Star anise has an intense scent of anise due to the large amount of anethole in the essential oil. The taste of the fruit is richer and firmer than that of the anise plant.

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.

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 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.