P, Q, R, S, T

Anise seed has a naturally sweet, warm taste reminiscent of licorice. It is a versatile seasoning that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. All over the world, anise seed is used in confectionery, and it is also often added to liqueurs, such as Ouzo.
You can add anise seeds to bread, pastries, cookies, fruit and gingerbread. In Indian cuisine, anise is indispensable in curries and fish dishes, and it gives a delicious flavor to vegetables such as pumpkin and carrot. In the Netherlands it is a tradition to use anise seed on rusk with mice at birth.
Anise seed tea has a warm, mild flavor and is popular as an after-dinner tea.

Blackberries are the dark purple to black fruits of plants in the Rubus genus. They grow naturally in temperate regions and are common along forest edges, hedgerows, and open fields. The berries are known for their full flavor and are prized worldwide in a wide variety of culinary applications.
Blackberries are traditionally used in jams, juices, desserts, pastries, and sauces, among other things. They are also eaten fresh or used as an ingredient in both classic and modern recipes. Their deep color and characteristic flavor have earned them a permanent place in the kitchen.
The striking purple color of blackberries is due to the presence of natural plant pigments, including anthocyanins.

Chia, also known as Salvia hispanica, is a plant from the Lamiaceae family, originally from central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. The Aztecs cultivated this plant even before Columbus discovered America, and chia seeds were used as currency to the rulers. Today, chia is still prized in Mexico and Guatemala; the ground seeds are used in dishes, while whole seeds are often added to nutritious drinks.
The main purpose of growing chia is for its seeds, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. About 25-30% of the seed contains vegetable oil, including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Chia seeds are small and oval, about 1 mm in diameter, and have a color palette of brown, gray-black and white.

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum), an evergreen tree native to the Moluccas. The flower buds are harvested before they fully open and then dried. This drying process gives them their characteristic dark color and intensely aromatic scent.
The spice is characterized by its strong flavor and warm, spicy aroma. These properties are primarily due to the presence of essential oils, of which eugenol is the most important component. Eugenol largely determines the scent and flavor profile of cloves and contributes to the stability of the product.

The dog rose (Rosa canina) is a native rose species in the Benelux region and is native to Europe, Northwest Africa, and West Asia. It was later introduced to North America. The plant often grows along forest edges, hedgerows, and thickets.
It is a large, upright shrub that can reach a height of approximately 1 to 4 meters. The long, arching branches can partially arch. The glandless leaves and branches are green and sometimes have a reddish tinge.
Flowering occurs from June to July. The flowers are usually light pink, sometimes white, and are approximately 3.5 to 4.5 centimeters in diameter. They appear singly or in small clusters of one to ten flowers.

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.

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.

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.

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 Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) belongs to the pine family (Pinaceae) and can reach an age of 200 to 300 years. This tree is known for its rich resin content and characteristic pine scent.
The needles and buds of the Scots pine contain natural compounds such as tannins, flavonoids, and vitamins. The tree's resin contains turpentine and a large number of monoterpenes, including α-pinene, β-pinene, and limonene, which are components of the tree's essential oil.
Scots pine is traditionally used in various applications, such as in aromatic products and in the production of pine oil. Both needles and buds are used in some traditional preparations for their fragrance and flavor.

The Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) belongs to the pine family (Pinaceae) and can reach an age of 200 to 300 years. This tree is known for its rich resin content and characteristic pine scent.
The needles and buds of the Scots pine contain natural compounds such as tannins, flavonoids, and vitamins. The tree's resin contains turpentine and a large number of monoterpenes, including α-pinene, β-pinene, and limonene, which are components of the tree's essential oil.
Scots pine is traditionally used in various applications, such as in aromatic products and in the production of pine oil. Both needles and buds are used in some traditional preparations for their fragrance and flavor.

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.

Psyllium husk comes from the seeds of the Plantago psyllium plant. These seeds are largely fiber-rich and are often used as an ingredient in nutritional products and supplements. Psyllium contains both soluble and insoluble fiber.
The seed consists of over 80% fiber, of which approximately 70% is soluble and 30% is insoluble. When psyllium husk comes into contact with water, it forms a gel-like substance that can absorb a significant amount of fluid. Therefore, it is important to drink plenty of water when using psyllium.
Because of these properties, psyllium is often used in products intended to supplement daily fiber intake.

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.

Rosae damascena, also known as the damask rose, is a versatile flower with many names, including the Iranian rose, Bulgarian rose, Taif rose, Ispahan rose and Castile rose.
These flowers are known for their delicate fragrance and are grown commercially for rose oil, both "rose otto" and "rose absolute", which is widely used in perfumery. They are also used to make rose water and "rose concrete". The petals are even edible and are used to flavor dishes, as a garnish, to make herbal tea and to preserve gulkand in sugar. Moreover, the damask rose is the national flower of Iran.

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.

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.