P, Q, R, S, T

Skullcap (Scutellaria) is a versatile genus of both annual and perennial plants, belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The genus includes about two hundred species, all of which are characterized by their characteristic, calyx-shaped flowers. These flowers are distinguished by clearly visible upper and lower lips. The name "Scutellaria" is derived from the Latin word "scutella", which means "small shield" or "saucer", and refers to the shape of the calyx.

The genus Blackberry (Rubus) belongs to the rose family and has more than 1400 species worldwide. More than 200 of these species grow in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Blackberries are prized primarily for their fruits, which range in color from red to dark blue. They have a sweet taste and can be eaten fresh or processed into jam, for example.
The leaves of the blackberry can be used to make herbal tea. After picking, the leaves should be dried in a dry and airy place, after which they can be used to make tea.

The blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) is a plant native to Northern Asia, Northern Europe, and Central Europe. The name "nigrum" refers to the dark color of the berries, while "ribes" refers to the berries themselves.
The blackcurrant thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soil and is resistant to cold and humidity. It is common in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Various parts of the plant are traditionally used, including the berries, seeds, and leaves. The berries contain vitamins and minerals, while the leaves are rich in natural plant compounds such as bioflavonoids, anthocyanins, and tannins. The use of blackcurrant leaf (Folium Ribis nigri) has a long history in culinary and traditional applications.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a plant that has been used for centuries in various cultures. Both the root and the aerial parts of the plant are used and are known for their versatile uses.
The young leaves of the dandelion are traditionally used in dishes such as salads, especially in spring. The yellow flowers can be used as decoration and are also suitable for drying and making into herbal tea.
Dandelions naturally contain various plant compounds, including bitter substances, flavonoids, and fatty acids. They are also a source of vitamins, such as B vitamins and vitamin C, and contain minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and manganese. Because of this composition, the dandelion is valued as an edible wild plant in herbal culture.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a plant that has been used for centuries in various cultures. Both the root and the aerial parts of the plant are used and are known for their versatile uses.
The young leaves of the dandelion are traditionally used in dishes such as salads, especially in spring. The yellow flowers can be used as decoration and are also suitable for drying and making into herbal tea.
Dandelions naturally contain various plant compounds, including bitter substances, flavonoids, and fatty acids. They are also a source of vitamins, such as B vitamins and vitamin C, and contain minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and manganese.

The elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) is a native tree or shrub that grows widely in the Netherlands. It grows in a variety of locations, such as along roads, in forest edges, and in gardens.
At the end of May, the elderberry blooms with large umbels of small, creamy-white flowers that exude a sweet, floral fragrance. These blossoms are traditionally used to make elderflower liqueur, syrup, and pancakes, among other things.
The flowers contain various natural plant compounds, including flavonoids such as rutin, quercetin, and astragalin. They also contain tannins, triterpenes, fatty acids, and essential oils.

Feverfew, also known as feverfew, is an aromatic perennial plant native to southwestern Europe. It has a long history in herbal medicine and is traditionally grown in herb gardens for its aromatic flowers and leaves.
The plant naturally contains various plant compounds, including flavonoids and other bioactive components. Flowers and leaves are used in herbal products and teas. Thanks to its rich composition, feverfew is a popular herb for use in various traditional applications and botanical collections.

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.
Pelargonium sidoides belongs to the Geraniaceae family. Originally, the Pelargoniums brought to Europe closely resembled common garden geraniums, but botanically, there appears to be a clear difference between this South African species and the geraniums grown in gardens. In the wild, the plant occurs only in a few small areas of South Africa, but today it is also cultivated on plantations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The papaya (Carica papaya) belongs to the Caricaceae family and is imported to Belgium and the Netherlands from Central America, Asia, Central and South Africa. Recently, the papaya has also been grown in greenhouses in the Netherlands, which requires special soil. This fruit is available all year round, without significant seasonality.
The papaya grows on the trunk of a melon tree and is therefore also called "tree melon". The origin of the papaya tree is in Mexico. This tree can grow up to six meters tall, with a hollow trunk and large, finger-shaped leaves. There are several subspecies of the papaya.

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a biennial, hardy herbaceous plant from the Apiaceae family. The herb is widely used in European, American, and Middle Eastern cuisine for its fresh, aromatic flavor.
In ancient times, parsley had symbolic meaning. For the ancient Greeks, the herb symbolized joy and was frequently used in rituals and traditions. The Romans spread the use of parsley throughout Western Europe. In the Middle Ages, parsley was eaten and cultivated as both an herb and a vegetable, including in the gardens of Charlemagne.
For culinary use, the leaves are primarily used, preferably just before serving. Parsley is often combined with garlic in herb butter, used in salads, and incorporated into a variety of dishes. The seeds can also be ground and used as a spice. 

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a plant native to Central and North America. Various parts of the plant have long been used in diverse cultures. Today, passionflower is also found in other parts of the world.
The striking flowers of Passiflora incarnata are edible and prized for their distinctive appearance. In autumn, the plant produces fruit, and the leaves are also edible. These leaves naturally contain various plant compounds, including tannins, flavanols, saponins, and choline, as well as minerals such as magnesium.
Passionflower is traditionally used in herbal cultures and is often incorporated into herbal teas and other herbal preparations.

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.

The Plantain Broadleaf (Plantago major) is a plant belonging to the plantain family (Plantaginaceae) and varies in size from 10 to 50 cm. It forms a dense leaf rosette that is resistant to foot traffic, which is why it is often considered a weed. This plant species is common in gardens, along roads and paths, and is sometimes derisively called the "white man's footprint". Nevertheless, there is a cultivated variety known as Plantago major 'Rosularis'.

Propolis is a natural, reddish-brown substance produced by honeybees. Within the hive, bees use propolis as a building and sealing material, among other things, to close openings and strengthen the hive's structure.
Honeybees collect propolis starting in the summer on warm days by gathering resins from the buds and leaves of trees and other plants. These resins are mixed with beeswax and processed with saliva and the bees' legs, creating propolis.
Propolis consists of a combination of plant resins, beeswax, essential oils, and pollen, along with small amounts of vitamins and minerals. The composition can vary depending on the plants in the hive's environment.

Bitterwood, known in Suriname as kwasibita, is the heartwood of Quassia amara, a plant species in the Quassia genus, belonging to the Simaroubaceae family. The plant is native to tropical South America.
Quassia amara is a small, evergreen shrub found in regions including the Guyanas, northern Brazil, and Venezuela. The plant grows primarily in the rainforest understory. Its striking bright red flowers, which are primarily pollinated by hummingbirds, are a striking feature. Because of these decorative flowers, the plant is also cultivated outside its natural habitat as an ornamental.

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.

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.