Latin name

Garlic (Allium sativum) belongs to the Alliaceae family and is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. The plant develops a leafy, round flower shaft from the bulb in spring. Garlic is prized worldwide for both its characteristic flavor and distinct aroma.
The use of garlic has a long history in various cultures. Since ancient times, the plant has been part of traditional cuisines and herbal lore. Its intense aroma makes garlic a common ingredient in a wide variety of dishes.

The Cape geranium (Pelargonium sidoides), known locally as "umckaloabo," is a native geranium species from South Africa. It grows wild among tall grasses and aromatic flower beds on the slopes of the Cape coast and in the grasslands of Lesotho.
The Cape geranium has soft, velvety gray-green leaves and deep magenta flowers. The plant's rhizomes turn dark red when dried and ground.

Ginger comes from the root of the ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) and is used worldwide as a spice for its characteristic flavor. The root contains natural compounds such as gingerol, shogaol, and zingiberene, which contribute to ginger's characteristic aromas and flavors.
Ginger is a versatile plant used in cuisines around the world, both fresh and dried, and can be incorporated into teas, spice blends, or dishes.

The Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair tree), 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.

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.

The juniper (Juniperus communis) is a conifer native to Europe, Asia, and North America. The plant bears both flowers and berries, which vary in color from green to black as they ripen. The name Juniperus derives from the Celtic word juneprus, meaning rough, prickly, or bitter, while communis means "common."
The black berries of the juniper have a characteristically bitter and aromatic flavor. It takes about three years for the berries to fully ripen: in the first year, the flowers appear, in the second year they turn green, and in the third year they turn blue and then black or dark purple.

Kelp, a member of the brown algae (Laminariales) family, thrives in the cold waters of the major oceans. This large species of seaweed is an excellent source of iodine, an essential element for healthy thyroid function in humans.
In Asia, especially Japan, seaweed has been an integral part of the daily diet for centuries. A well-known kelp species is kombu (Laminaria japonica), which is often cooked with rice for sushi. In addition to being one of the largest plants in the world, kelp is known for growing extremely quickly, sometimes up to three meters per day.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a plant native to Europe and Central Asia. It is characterized by its compound leaves, which usually consist of three leaflets, and its light purple flower heads.
Red clover flower heads naturally contain various plant compounds, including isoflavones. Isoflavones belong to the polyphenol group and are part of the plant's natural composition. Red clover also contains vitamins such as vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, beta-carotene, and choline.
Red clover has a long history of use in various cultures and is now incorporated into a variety of herbal preparations, such as teas and other plant products.

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.

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.

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.

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..

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.