U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Ashwagandha, officially known as Withania somnifera, is a plant that has been used for centuries in the Ayurvedic tradition of India. Within this traditional teaching, ashwagandha is referred to as a rasayana, a term used in Ayurveda for herbs with special cultural and historical significance.
The plant belongs to the Magnoliophyta family and is also known as Indian ginseng and winter cherry. The root of the plant is traditionally used most often.
The name ashwagandha literally means "horse scent," a reference to the characteristic, earthy aroma of the fresh root. In Indian culture, the herb is often symbolically associated with strength and vitality, similar to that of a horse.

Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa), also known as cat's claw, is a climbing plant native to the Amazon region of Brazil and Peru, among other places. The plant grows in rainforests and can cling to trees with its characteristic, claw-shaped thorns. These thorns, located at the base of the leaves, give the plant its name and enable it to climb to great heights.
In the Peruvian Amazon, cat's claw has special cultural significance and is considered part of traditional plant knowledge. Due to its origins and ecological importance, the species is a protected plant in certain regions.

Corn hair, also called corn beard, consists of the fine stigmas of the corn plant. When fresh, these threads are green; after drying, they turn dark brown to black.
Cornflour is traditionally used in various herbal and food preparations. It is prized for its mild flavor and has long been used in various traditional applications.

The elm (Ulmus), also known as olm, is a genus of deciduous trees. These trees have feather-veined leaves with a serrate or double-serrate leaf edge. They bloom before the leaves appear, with small green perianths whose petals are fused together. Above the perianths are the stamens with purple anthers and the pistil. The seeds of the elm are flattened and have a broad, winged edge. Elms thrive best in fairly nutrient-rich, moist and calcareous soil.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The pansy (Viola tricolor), also known as the wild violet, is an ornamental plant that has been part of European botanical knowledge for centuries. The tricolor violet belongs to the pansy family (Violaceae) and is native to Europe, from Lapland to the Mediterranean, and even to Siberia.
This plant, which is annual but can sometimes be perennial, grows to a height of 30 cm and has roots that can reach depths of up to 45 cm. Its flowering period extends from May to October. The flowers are at least 1 cm wide, but usually larger, with an average diameter of 1.5 cm. The plant was first described by the renowned botanist Rembert Dodoens in 1554.

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.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a plant with a long history of use in Europe. It is still common in the Netherlands and prefers airy, moist soil. The roots of the plant, in particular, are known for their strong and distinctive odor, which attracts cats, among other things.
Valerian has been used in folk customs and traditions since ancient times. Our ancestors employed the herb in rituals and symbolic practices, for example, to ward off evil. Brides and grooms wore wreaths of valerian leaves, and farmers used the herb in traditional agricultural practices.
Valerian's distinct scent is due to the natural plant compounds found in the root. Today, valerian is primarily valued for its characteristic properties and historical significance.

Verbena (Verbena officinalis) is a plant that belongs to the Verbena family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, sometimes annual, with a thin, erect stem that can grow up to 100 cm in height, with the bottom of the stem becoming lignified. The leaves of vervain are hairy and can take different shapes. This plant has no distinctive odor and tastes bitter raw and untreated.
The flowers of vervain appear in spike-shaped clusters in the leaf axils. They are trumpet shaped and vary in color from soft pink to violet. The flowering period extends from June to autumn. The flower spikes are slender yet sturdy and flexible. The fruit of vervain is a split fruit.