Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria flores) has many names and has been highly valued since ancient times. It prefers to grow near water and can be found in the northern hemisphere from Europe to the temperate latitudes of Asia. In the third millennium BC, meadowsweet was brewed in English beers, and in the early modern period, it was simmered into wine. Scarcely documented in writing during the Middle Ages and antiquity, records of the plant in herbalism are only found from the 12th century onwards.
Fumitory
Fumitory herb is native to Europe and North Africa. This herbaceous plant from the Fumariaceae family has been valued since antiquity and is traditionally used to provide support for digestive and skin issues.
Yarrow
A remarkably resilient perennial, yarrow grows throughout Europe and northern Asia, extending as far as the Arctic Circle. So hardy it often remains visible above ground even in winter, it is a plant with a long and storied tradition in herbalism. Yarrow's legacy is rooted in ancient Greek mythology, which holds that the hero Achilles used the herb to treat his soldiers. This legend is immortalised in yarrow's botanical name, Achillea millefolium.
Lady's Mantle
Lady's mantle (Alchemilla) belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae). Its species are widespread across Europe, Asia and Africa, thriving particularly at higher altitudes, with around 300 species in Europe alone. Its botanical name, Alchemilla, alludes to alchemy and the plant's perceived magical properties, a belief inspired by the droplets of water that form on its leaves and have been used in home remedies since ancient times.
Heather
Heather (Calluna vulgaris L.) grows where few other plants stray: in peat bogs, on sand dunes, stony mountain meadows and in pine forests. This small, woody subshrub that has been mentioned in medival books, can grow up to 50cm high and live for up to 40 years, with its violet blossoms appearing in August. Its main habitat is Central and Northern Europe, and it is often found in areas shaped by the ice age. Heather owes its spread to Canada and North America to humans.
Marjoram
Marjoram (Origanum marjorana), which literally translates to "mountain beauty," is attributed in Greek mythology to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and in Egyptian mythology to Osiris, the god of rebirth and fertility. According to traditional lore, Aphrodite referred to the sweet spicy-scented marjoram flowers as a symbol of bliss, intended to bestow cheerfulness and balance upon people. The herb of the plant is predominantly used. Today it finds its main application as a spice, but was traditionally used both internally as a tea and externally.
Cinquefoil
Cinquefoil is known for its yellow flowers with five petals and its long tradition in herbal medicine. Due to its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, it has often been used to treat digestive complaints and inflammation of the oral cavity. Beyond its medicinal use, cinquefoil also had symbolic meaning in folklore, being considered an emblem of strength and protection.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus (Hibiscus L.) is native to the tropics and subtropics. Its cooling properties have made it an important plant in traditional herbal medicine, and it has become a refreshing ingredient in many fruit teas.
