The Romans obtained the ordinary anise from the Middle East and the islands of the Eastern region of the Mediterranean, and took it to the territory of today's Italy. The Romans used it as a general health promoting spice adding it especially to desserts to aid digestion. According to the writings of Plinius it does not only freshen the breath but also makes the person younger. If someone hung anise above their bed it kept away bad dreams. Growing anise spread throughout Europe in the Middle Ages and the herbal books often write of it as a balm. In the fourteenth century, king Edward I classified it as a luxury article and taxed it heavily.

Coriander, originating from the Mediterranean region is now grown throughout the world. Its use in food and in medicine was already mentioned in the 3000-year old papyrus rolls of Ebers. Hippocrates used it as medicine, also, and the Romans spread its use through Europe. It was one of the first herbs to be delivered over to the Americas. The fragrance, taste, and character of the fresh leaves are completely different from those of its fruit, which is also used as a spice, and its main component is linalool.

Achillea, belonging to the composite family of plants, has 80 different types of which the common and field yarrow are used therapeutically in Europe.

Records from the time of the Trojan War (i.e. 1200's) note that the famous Trojan hero, Achilles, used the leaves of this plant to heal the injured soldiers to stop their bleeding. This is where the plant's name originates. The oil of the plant was already being used in the beginning of the eighteenth century.

Originating from the Mediterranean area, the marigold's flower and sometimes the cold pressed oil of its seeds have been medically used. Marigold and its derivatives can be used to reduce inflammation, shed dead skin, heal wounds, protect cells, and serve as antioxidants and antibacterial agents. The oil of the seed of the marigold has a large content of multiply unsaturated fatty acids.

In modern therapy it is most commonly used as an ointment on skin problems and wounds. It is essential in baby care for sensitive, red skin or dermatitis caused by the diaper.

The wild rose's vitamin rich fruit, called rose-hips, is used greatly in medicine for its high contents of vitamin-C (-B1, -B2, and -K), as well as minerals and trace elements . Flavonoids and carotenoids are additionally important ingredients.
The traditional medicine applies rose-hips following numerous indications; the mild purgative effect can be explained by its pectin and fruit acid content.
Rose-hips are often used in teas to alleviate common colds and for troubles of the upper respiratory tracts. For children suffering from fever, sweetened rose-hip tea is an effective and soothing drink.

Caraway, belonging to the family of umbellates, is one of the most widely used and liked spices of the world.

It was already recognized as an herb by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. It was often grown in the cloister gardens of the middle Ages. Today's scientific knowledge proves the observations and indications that originated in those times.

In medicine, carvon and limonene, the two characteristic fragrant contents of the oil extracted from the seeds are used.