botanical glossary
Chamomile belongs to the Asteraceae (daisy or sunflower) plant family. It forms a daisylike flower with small white petals, a yellow center. Chamomile has been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years to calm anxiety and to settle the stomach.
chamomile
Elderflower is the flower of the elder tree (Sambucus nigra), a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Europe, parts of Asia, and North Africa. The flowers have been used in traditional medicine and is commonly used for various food/drink purposes. Elderflowers are typically harvested in late spring or early summer.
elderflower
goji berry
Goji berries have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to promote health and longevity. Today, they are consumed as a superfood and added to various foods and beverages like soups, teas, juices, wines, and supplements
Honeybush (Cyclopia) is a flowering shrub native to the coastal and mountainous regions of the Western and Eastern Cape in South Africa. It has pale yellow flowers with a sweet, honey-like aroma and taste, which is where the plant gets its name. Honeybush is gaining in popularity for its use in teas due to the full-bodied and sweet floral flavours and antioxidant properties.
honeybush
lavender
Lavender is an aromatic herb native to the Mediterranean region. It has purple flowers have a distinct floral scent, the essential oil extracted from the flowers have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and aromatherapy. Lavender is often used to reduce anxiety, stress, and insomnia.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an aromatic herb in the mint family with a mild lemon scent and flavor. It has been used for over 2000 years in traditional medicine and cuisine. Lemon balm leaves contain antioxidants, antimicrobials, and compounds which may have calming effects. Lemonbalm attracts bees, with nectar which produces citrusy honey.
lemonbalm
Passionflower, also known as Maypop, is a wildflower native to South America. The plant is fast-growing with vines that can span up to 25 feet long, with herbaceous stems and serrated leaves. The flower, which typically blooms in the NZ springtime, is the most striking feature of this plant. The fruit appears soon after the flower, ripening in autumn.
passionflower
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is an aromatic evergreen herb native to the Mediterranean region. Rosemary is widely used as a spice in cooking, especially in Mediterranean dishes. Traditionally, rosemary has been used medicinally to relieve muscle pain and spasm, stimulate hair growth, and support the circulatory and nervous systems
Rosehips are small oval-shaped fruits which grow at the base of the blossoms of wild roses. Scientifically known as ‘rosa canina’, they are rich in vitamins C, E, and B, as well as other minerals and antioxidants
rosehip
rosemary
Schisandra berries, also known as the five-flavor fruit, is a vine plant native to northern China, Russia, and Korea. Its red berries contain five basic flavors: salty, sweet, sour, pungent, and bitter. In traditional Chinese medicine, schisandra is used to tonify qi (chi), the vital life force, and is thought to benefit the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
schisandra berry
thyme
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an aromatic evergreen herb native to the Mediterranean region. It has been used since ancient times for its culinary, medicinal, and symbolic properties. Thyme essential oil contains thymol and carvacrol, which have antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.