A, B, C, D, E

The common agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) is a herbaceous plant belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae). This plant, with its bright yellow flowers in long, slender spikes, is quite common on calcareous roadsides and dikes in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The most common use is as a tea, but the herb can also be made into a tincture.

The angelica (Angelica archangelica), also known as archangelica, belongs to the umbellifer family (Apiaceae). This plant thrives in moist, very nutrient-rich soil along water edges, such as the IJsselmeer, river banks and in osier banks. In addition, the angelica is also grown in gardens.
Historically, angelica is known for its medicinal properties. The plant is still grown locally from central Germany to Turkestan. A sweet-smelling oil known as angelica oil is extracted from the seeds and roots, which is used in the cosmetic industry, liquor distilleries and bakeries. In addition, the stems and petioles are often candied because of their sweet and fragrant taste.

The artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is a plant native to the Mediterranean region. The green or purple flower buds are often eaten as a vegetable and are known for their slightly bitter, aromatic flavor. The plant has been used for centuries in various cuisines and preparations.
Artichokes contain a wide range of nutrients and phytonutrients. These include beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin B, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. They also contain flavonoids, enzymes, and tannins, which contribute to the characteristic color and flavor of the flower buds.
Thanks to their rich flavor and unique texture, artichokes are popular in salads, soups, pastas, and various culinary dishes.

Centella asiatica, also known as Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), is a low-growing plant native to parts of Southeast Asia. It prefers humid areas and has played an important role in traditional systems such as Ayurveda for centuries.
Within these traditions, Centella asiatica is valued for its long history and diverse cultural applications. Due to the presence of various natural plant compounds, the plant has earned a permanent place in Asian herbal traditions.
Centella asiatica is recognizable by its creeping stems and small, rounded leaves. During the flowering period, small white to light pink flowers appear. Traditionally, the above-ground parts of the plant are primarily used.

Astragalus, also known as Fleshy Locust (Astragalus membranaceus), is a plant native to Asia. It has been used for 2000 years in traditional Chinese herbal medicine to strengthen the immune system. In addition to this property, astragalus has many other benefits. According to Chinese tradition, it strengthens the life force, or 'qi', as it is called in China, when ingested. It is known as a powerful antioxidant and is especially valued for its ability to support the immune system.

The barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a deciduous shrub belonging to the barberry family (Berberidaceae). The plant is native to large parts of Eurasia and prefers relatively dry, often calcareous soils, such as along forest edges and in thickets.
The shrub is known for its thorny branches, yellow flowers, and elongated, bright red berries. The roots, bark, leaves, and fruits naturally contain various plant compounds, including berberine. This compound is characteristic of plants in the Berberis genus.
Barberries have long been valued in various cultures for their culinary uses.

The bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a low-growing, evergreen plant in the heather family (Ericaceae). The Dutch name "berendruif" (bear grape) refers to an old folk belief that bears enjoy eating the fruit of this plant.
The scientific name is a tautology, composed of both Greek and Latin words. Arktos (Greek) and ursus (Latin) both mean "bear," while staphyle and uva both mean "grape." The name thus emphasizes the same meaning twice.
Bearberry has been mentioned in historical herbals since the Middle Ages and is part of the European herbal tradition. Within this context, the plant was described and valued for its special place in traditional use.

Betony, also known as feverwort (Betonica officinalis, synonym Stachys officinalis), is a herbaceous plant in the Lamiaceae family. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the species is listed on the Red List of Plants and is classified as very rare, with a sharply declining population. In addition to its natural habitat, betony is also frequently cultivated as an ornamental.
The plant reaches a height of approximately 30 to 90 centimeters and blooms from June to August. The flowers are usually purplish-red, although white varieties also occur. They are clustered in dense, spike-shaped, pseudo-inflorescences. Most leaves form a basal rosette; the lower leaves have long petioles, while the upper leaves have short petioles. All leaves have distinctly reticulate venation. 

The birch (Betula) is a tree that has held a special place in European cultures and traditions for centuries. Historically, the birch was sometimes seen as a symbolic or even sacred tree, partly due to its role in seasonal rituals and folk customs.
In early spring, just before the tree begins to bud, birch sap can be tapped. This time coincides with the period when the sap flow is most active. Young birch leaves are also traditionally collected during this phase. Both the sap and the leaves are part of ancient customs and have long been described in botanical and herbal sources.
Birch leaves naturally contain various plant compounds, including flavonoids, saponins, and tannins.

The birch (Betula) is a tree that has held a special place in European cultures and traditions for centuries. Historically, the birch was sometimes seen as a symbolic or even sacred tree, partly due to its role in seasonal rituals and folk customs.
In early spring, just before the tree begins to bud, birch sap can be tapped. This time coincides with the period when the sap flow is most active. Young birch leaves are also traditionally collected during this phase. Both the sap and the leaves are part of ancient customs and have long been described in botanical and herbal sources.
Birch leaves naturally contain various plant compounds, including flavonoids, saponins, and tannins.

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), has been used in North American herbal medicine for centuries. The roots of this plant have been used for centuries by northern Indian tribes, where it is known as "squawroot" (where 'squaw' refers to 'Indian woman'). Black cohosh is best known as an herb specifically aimed at women and is becoming increasingly popular in the Netherlands. It provides support for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and irritable feelings.

Black Tea Assam is a black tea from the state of the same name in India. Since 1838, this tea has also been drunk outside India, but in the first 25 years it could not compete with the already popular Japanese and Chinese teas, which had been popular in Europe since the 17th century. Today, about half of the total Indian tea production comes from Assam, making this region more popular than the other famous Indian teas: Darjeeling and Nilgiri.

Centaurea benedicta, commonly known as St. Benedict's Thistle, blessed thistle, holy thistle, spotted thistle or dissolved knapweed, is a thistle-like plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. Originally native to the Mediterranean region, it ranges from Portugal and southern France to Iran. Outside its native habitat it is often found as a systematic species and in some regions such as North America it is observed as a conventional weed.
This annual plant grows up to 60 cm tall and has leathery, hairy leaves that can reach 30 cm long and 8 cm wide.

Boldo (Peumus boldus) is an evergreen tree native to South America and other warmer regions, including Chile, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina, and North Africa. It prefers sunny, dry locations and can reach a height of 8 meters and a width of 5 meters. Female trees produce drupes that were traditionally used as a spice.
Boldo leaves naturally contain various plant compounds, such as alkaloids, essential oils, flavonoids, and tannins. In Chile, the leaves have been mentioned in traditional customs for centuries and described in historical texts. Today, boldo is valued worldwide for its distinctive leaves, botanical characteristics, and cultural significance.

California Poppy, also known as golden poppy (Eschscholtzia californica), is a plant with golden yellow flowers that belongs to the poppy family. It owes this name to its soothing properties, which help with natural, healthy sleep and stress reduction.
This plant is native to California, hence the name. The indigenous people of America traditionally used golden poppy as a sedative herb and to help them sleep better. The aerial parts of the golden poppy contain several active substances, including quinolide alkaloids, rutin, phytosterols, carotenoids and cyanogen glycosides.

Centaury, also known by the scientific name Centaurium (synonym: Erythraea), includes about fifty species of herbaceous plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae). The genus may have been named after the centaur Chiron from Greek mythology, who was known for his knowledge of medicinal herbs and reportedly treated his wounds with this herb. An alternative explanation for the botanical name is derived from the Latin 'centum' (= one hundred) and 'aurum' (= gold).
In North America, the European centaury is sometimes cultivated as a medicinal plant and has been partly introduced as an exotic plant. The herb contains various bitter substances, glycosides, flavonoids, essential oils, valeric acid and xanthones.

Chicory (Cichorium) belongs to the composite family (Compositae or Asteraceae) and includes well-known vegetables such as chicory and endive. It is mainly consumed for health reasons.
Since the late years of the twentieth century, chicory roots have been cultivated not only for chicory, but also for the production of inulin and sweeteners, especially fructose. Both inulin (a dietary fiber) and fructose are widely used in the food industry.
Roasted chicory root is used as a coffee substitute or as an ingredient in coffee brewing. In the past, this was done out of necessity, such as during the Napoleonic blockade during the French occupation.

Chicory (Cichorium) belongs to the composite family (Compositae or Asteraceae) and includes well-known vegetables such as chicory and endive. It is mainly consumed for health reasons.
Since the late years of the twentieth century, chicory roots have been cultivated not only for chicory, but also for the production of inulin and sweeteners, especially fructose. Both inulin (a dietary fiber) and fructose are widely used in the food industry.
Roasted chicory root is used as a coffee substitute or as an ingredient in coffee brewing. In the past, this was done out of necessity, such as during the Napoleonic blockade during the French occupation.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum) has been known for centuries for its many uses. It is extracted from the bark of the Cinnamomum verum tree, where part of the bark is carefully cut loose and the rough outer surface is removed with a knife. The well-known cinnamon sticks or cinnamon powder are made from the inside of the bark. Cinnamon has been valued for centuries, both in culinary and herbalist circles.
This herb has been used in Asian cultures for centuries for its versatile uses. The wonderful aroma of cinnamon is determined by volatile oils, of which cinnamaldehyde is the most common. In addition, cinnamon also contains substances such as eugenol, coumarins, tannins, OPCs and terpenes.

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is a shrub native to southern Texas in the United States, as well as Central America, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean. It belongs to the Passifloraceae family and has been used by the Mayan Indians for centuries for its known effects on libido. Both men and women benefit from the libido-supporting properties of damiana, which is also known for its stress-reducing effect.
In Mexico, women often prepare tea from the fragrant leaves of the damiana shrub or smoke them to stimulate their feelings of pleasure. Damiana leaf contains several active substances, including beta-sitosterol, arbutin and alkaloids.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is one of the most widely grown and used herbs in the world because of its positive influence on the immune system. The genus name 'echinacea' is derived from the Greek word 'echinos', meaning 'hedgehog', because of the spiky flower cone. Since the beginning of the last century, much research has been done into Echinacea purpurea in Europe.
This plant has a rich history and originally comes from North America. Indigenous tribes used this perennial plant for its beneficial effects on the immune system. Colonist doctor H.C.F. Meyer adopted this knowledge from the indigenous population and brought the first product based on echinacea onto the market in 1871.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is one of the most widely grown and used herbs in the world because of its positive influence on the immune system. The genus name 'echinacea' is derived from the Greek word 'echinos', meaning 'hedgehog', because of the spiky flower cone. Since the beginning of the last century, much research has been done into Echinacea purpurea in Europe.
This plant has a rich history and originally comes from North America. Indigenous tribes used this perennial plant for its beneficial effects on the immune system. Colonist doctor H.C.F. Meyer adopted this knowledge from the indigenous population and brought the first product based on echinacea onto the market in 1871.

Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) has had a good reputation in both China and Russia for centuries as a supporter of the immune system. Siberian ginseng root extract is beneficial for memory and concentration.
The carrots are a rich source of beta-carotene, vitamins B1, B2, C and E, and they are high in eleutherosides. It is important not to confuse Siberian ginseng with its Korean variant (Panax ginseng) or the American one (Panax quinquefolius). Not only do the names differ, but also the properties.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) belongs to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) and is native to Australia and neighboring areas. Some specimens were brought to Europe by Joseph Banks during Captain Cook's expedition.
In Europe, eucalyptus is mainly planted in the Mediterranean region, although it can also thrive on the west coast of England and Scotland, although only some species can withstand winter.
Aromatic oil containing eucalyptol is extracted from various eucalyptus species. This oil, extracted from the leaves, is used for inhalation for colds to clear the airways. The two main species from which the oil is extracted are Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus odorata.