Herbs

Senna leaves ideal for better digestive system function.

The senna are the leaves of the senna plant (Egypt leaves). It is extremely effective against constipation and helps in proper functioning of the digestive system.

Soapwort root is widely used in confectionery.

It is usually used in the preparation of tahini halva, as it is what gives halva its rubbery fibrous texture.

It even goes well with meats, soups and salads.

Furthermore, it is even made as a decoction.

It is also known since ancient times as a cleaner for carpets and fabrics, as it contains substances that create foam in contact with water.

Spearmint is a perennial plant that reaches a height of 30 to 100 centimeters and is particularly known for its characteristic aroma.

Its leaves are consumed both fresh and dried.

Dried spearmint can be used in foods and salads, while as a decoction it offers multiple benefits to the body due to the abundance of nutrients it contains.

Speedwell is an evergreen shrub with green leaves and beige, pink or purple flowers.

Speedwell infusion makes a delicious tea. It was once used instead of real tea.

To prepare it, pour a teaspoon of boiling water over a teaspoon of dried herb, leave it covered for 20 minutes, strain and drink.

The sedge or wort, is a native plant with yellow-orange leaves, and usually yellow petals. It acts as a diuretic, emmenagogue, healing and hemostatic. Also, antidepressant, anticonvulsant and helps in insomnia situations, to improve the quality of sleep. Finally, it is very popular as healing wounds and first degree burns after extracting olive oil.

St. John's wort.

Known for its healing properties.

The Sunflower is a fast-growing annual plant, with broad, oval-shaped, hairy leaves.

Its name comes from the fact that its head is constantly turned towards the sun's rays.

In the summer it produces large, impressive yellow flowers.

The crushed flowers are prepared as an infusion.

In a glass of boiling water, pour a tablespoon, cover for 15 minutes, strain and drink.

The Tarragon is a perennial herbaceous shrub that originates from Eastern Europe.

It is used in salads, sauces, white and red meat, fish, eggs, ice cream, salads, etc.

Its leaves are added to soups for flavoring.

Finally, it is recommended to flavor vinegar and mustard.

Tip: Try to add a few leaves in the jar with your sun-dried tomatoes.

Teucrium is a perennial, herbaceous plant, known since ancient times.

Its taste is slightly spicy and aromatic and it is often used in sauces, soups, fish and meat.

It is also consumed as a decoction and can also be used for decorative purposes.

Milk thistle is an annual or biennial thorny herb, with light green leaves with white veins and serrated edges, while its flowers are purple.

Milk thistle seeds can be consumed as a beverage, as they offer multiple benefits to the body.

Put the seeds in a cup of boiling water. Let them soak for about 15 minutes. Strain and drink it. Consume 3-4 cups a day.

The seeds can also be ground and consumed raw, sprinkled over a salad or yogurt or fruit.

Uncaria (also known as “cat’s claw”) is a tropical plant traditionally used in herbal medicine for its powerful health-supporting properties.

It is known for helping boost the immune system and for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

It is often used to support joint health, digestive function, and overall well-being.

It can be consumed as a herbal infusion or in supplement form, making it a natural choice for supporting the body’s vitality.

The Uva Ursi plant belongs to the Blueberry family.

The parts of the plant that are used are the fruits and the leaves.

It is used in pharmaceuticals since it contains useful substances, and is also consumed as a decoction.

Valerian is a flowering perennial plant with pinnate leaves and small white or pink flowers.

It has been used since ancient times for its therapeutic effects.

It is consumed as a decoction and its taste is intense, dry and slightly bitter.

Extra Info: It attracts cats!

Verbena is a bushy plant, 1-1.5 meters tall with small, white flowers.

Verbena leaves are used to add a lemony flavor to fish and poultry, vegetables, marinades, sauces, jams, puddings, yogurt, and beverages.

It is also consumed as a decoction, or added to tea to give a lemony flavor.

Viscum album, is a plant that grows on the branches of some deciduous or coniferous trees, has yellowish-green flowers and white or yellow fruits.

The entire plant is useful except for the white fruits, which are toxic.

To prepare it as an infusion, pour 30gr of dry herb into a cup of boiling water and leave it for 10-15 minutes.

Willow is a plant that contains salicylic acid.

It helps relieve pain, especially in the musculoskeletal system, such as back pain.

There is no recommended daily dosage for willow.

Its leaves and bark contain tannin, salicin, salicortin, itein and calcium acetate.
It is considered to have antipyretic, antirheumatic, tonic and astringent, spasmolytic properties. It is also considered effective in the treatment of stones, gallstones, malaria and in the healing of wounds.

Precautions during use/interactions:

Do not take by people with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, kidney disease or liver disease.

Do not combine with aspirin or antithrombotic - anticoagulant drugs.

Avoid taking it as a supplement during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Willow herb is a small flowering plant with thin green lance-shaped leaves and a small pink or white four-petaled flower.

It is known for its healing properties, which it owes to its flowers and leaves.

To prepare it as an infusion, pour a teaspoon of dried herb into a cup of boiling water. Leave it for 10 minutes and strain.

It is consumed up to twice a day.

In the morning it is recommended to drink it on an empty stomach, while in the evening it is good to consume it before sleeping.

Witch hazel is a bushy plant, but it can also reach the dimensions of a normal tree, with particularly yellow or orange flowers and a fruit with white seeds.

The decoction of its leaves or bark has antiseptic, analgesic properties, stimulates the digestive system and can stop bleeding in the body.

It helps to hydrate the skin while it effectively treats hemorrhoids as well.

Wormwood or Artemisia takes its name from the goddess Artemis.

It is one of the most well-known medicinal plants, even Hippocrates used it.

To prepare Wormwood as an infusion, pour 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb into a cup of boiling water and leave for 10-15 minutes. Strain and drink up to three times a day. The infusion is bitter and if necessary, add honey.

Externally, it can be used in compresses and washes.

Yarrow is a native, aromatic plant with gray-green leaves and yellow flowers.

It is one of the best medicinal herbs.

It can be consumed as an infusion or decoction, while externally we can use the fresh herb directly on the skin, make a poultice or tincture and add its essential oil to our therapeutic ointments.

Beetroot powder can give flavor and color to smoothies, juices, sauces and pasta.

While at the same time, it offers the body antioxidant properties due to the vitamins it contains.

Horseradish contains volatile oils with antibacterial properties, vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, caustic substances, inorganic salts.
1 teaspoon 2-3 times a day

Hyssop wort bunch.

Verbasco or mullein is known for its beneficial properties.

It is consumed as a decoction. To make it, add 1-2 teaspoons of the herb to warm water for 7-10 minutes.

Thyme is a shrub of small height (up to 30 cm), with upright shoots, extremely durable and emits a very pleasant aroma.

The leaves of thyme, when dried, acquire a brownish-green color and release their aroma when crushed.

Their taste is very strong, slightly pungent and rich.

The leaves and the dried flowers, are used as a spice to flavor various foods in fish, meat, sauces, soups, etc.

In FOTSI Spices you will also find excellent quality thyme in a bunch for decoration and food styling but also to rub it just before use for even more aroma!

Choose the flavored olive oil with a mix of 4 peppers and a sprig of thyme to give it to the ones you love!!