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Wormwood Artemisia absinthium L. Compositae Wormwood is an aromatic, bushy, evergreen perennial with finely delineated leaves that are grey-green on top and silver underneath.  In summer, it offers panicles composed of bunches of small yellow flowers. The name of the species, absinthium, is derived from…

Marshmallow Althaea officinalis L. Malvaceae The marshmallow is a downy perennial plant that can reach 1.5 meters in height and offer many pink flowers in the summer. Native to France, it is most often found in the tall grasses on the Atlantic side, often close…

Beetroot Beta vulgaris L. Amaranthaceae Beetroot comes from the maritime chard, a wild beet that grows from the shoreline of the Mediterranean coast all the way to the North Sea. The Romans named it beta, because the shape of the stem tilts under the weight…

Chicory Cichorium intybus L. Compositae Chicory grows wild in plain as well as in mountain. We can find some alongside rocky meadows and wastelands of most of Europe, West Asia and North Africa. It is a perennial plant with blue flowers whose peculiarity is to…

Stevia Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni Compositae Stevia is a small evergreen shrub from the tropical forests of the border area between Paraguay and Brazil. The Guarani Indians who live on this territory call it "Kaa-he-e", which could be translated as "leaf as honey", and have…

Milk thistle Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. Compositae Milk thistle is a large biennial plant, which can reach 1m50 during flowering. Its thistles have strong thorns, its leaves are broad and veined with white streaks. It has a flowering head similar to small artichokes edged with…

Elder Sambucus nigra L. Caprifoliaceae Elder is a small common tree, present throughout Europe with the exception of the Mediterranean zone. Its genus name, ‘’Sambucus’’ derives from the Greek “Sambyke”, which was a kin dof flute made from the branches of this plant, from which…

Ironwort (Shepherd’s tea) Sideritis scardica Griseb. Lamiaceae The genus name Sideritis comes from the Greek Sideros, meaning iron. There could be a double etymological meaning. In ancient medicine, sideritis was a generic reference for plants capable of healing wounds made from iron guns during battles.…