Originating from the Mediterranean regions, this perennial plant is now widely cultivated all over the world.

The botanical name Cynara scolymus is derived in part from the tradition of fertilising the plant with ashes (Latin: cinis, cineris), and partly from the Greek word skolymos, meaning “thistle” from the spines found on the bracts (they are not leaves) that enclose the flower heads forming the edible portion of the plant.

According to Greek myth, the artichoke owes its existence to Zeus who fell in love with Cynara, a mortal. He took her to Olympus however, the beauty missed her life on earth and one evening Cynara snuck back to her hometown. Upon her return to Olympus, Zeus was enraged and sent her home, in the form of an artichoke.

Globe artichokes are not only a culinary delight, but also a well-known and popular herbal medicine.

Traditionally used in Western Herbal Medicine to:

• Relieve symptoms of indigestion, flatulence and abdominal bloating
• Relieve nausea
• Reduce abdominal feeling of fullness
• Support digestive system health
• Promote bile flow from gall bladder

Artichoke has been known since the 4th century B.C. as a food and remedy. This plant has been appreciated by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, who used it both as a food and as a medicine.

Milk Thistle is native to the Mediterranean, but due to its widespread availability across the globe, it is also recognised as Saint Mary’s Thistle, Blessed Milk Thistle, Holy Thistle and Our Lady’s Thistle.

It is a member of the Asteraceae family (a relative to sunflowers and daisies) and is recognised as an annual or biennial herb. With its dense-prickly flower head and reddish-purple tubular flowers, this plant is considered a weed and invasive in some parts of the world because of its ability to spread quickly.

Its common name, Milk Thistle, derives from its characteristic milky-white veins on the leaves, which when broken open, produce a milky sap. According to legend, it was believed to carry the milk of the Virgin Mary, which may help explain its name variations.

Traditionally used in Western Herbal Medicine as a liver tonic and to:

• Support healthy liver function
• Protect the liver
• Support natural liver cleansing and detoxification processes
• Relieve symptoms of indigestion

Milk Thistle has a rich history in Western Herbal Medicine to help support healthy liver function.In the Middle Ages, the leaves and stalks were used in salads, soups and pies, with the leaves said to surpass the finest cabbage.

Native to East Asia, but due to its widespread availability across the globe, it is also recognised as Magnolia Vine or by its Chinese name, Wu Wei Zi, meaning five-flavoured fruit. This deciduous aromatic woody vine is also referred to as dioecious, meaning there are both male and female plants. Only the fruit (red berry) of Schisandra is used for medicinal purposes and has been described to possess all five basic flavours: salty, sweet, sour, sour, spicy and bitter.

Traditionally used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to:

• Reduce symptoms of stress
• Support healthy liver function
• Support healthy sleeping patterns.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, this herb is considered harmonising because of its ability to contain all five basic flavours.