Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Ornamental plant with greenish yellow to brownish red spiked flower. A medicinal herb that can be used to aid digestion, as well as a seasoning for meat, fish, and rice. Available at health food stores and some pharmacies. Bitter flower buds add an interesting touch to rich meat, poultry or fish dishes, and improve the…

Tea made from the Ephedra or Ma Huang plant.  

A semiparasitic, tree-born shrub that has small white berries and yellowish flowers. A plant that usually grows attached to the branches of another bush or tree. The leaves are used to treat respiratory and circulatory ailments. Available at health food stores.  

A high-protein food paste made from fermented soybeans. This ingredient is a fermented mixture of soybean paste and rice, commonly used in a variety of culinary creations, including soups and stews. It is often paired with bean curd, also known as tofu, to create a savory and flavorful dish that is rich in umami flavor.…

Any herb or shrub of the genus Polygala.  

A green-leaf plant with a yellowish-white and purple flower head surrounded by thorns. Striking plant. Its glossy leaves are painted with veins of creamy white which, according to tradition, originated from the milk of the Virgin which once fell upon a plant. Medicinal use similar to blessed thistle. An annual or biennial herb (Silybum marianum)…

A perennial herb of the mint family, grown for its lemon-scented leaves. Melissa Plant also known as Lemon Balm, Balm Root, Sweet Balm.  

Member of the barberry family that produces a yellow, edible fruit. Referring to the small, egg-shaped fruit of a wild plant sharing the same name, this fruit is typically yellowish in color and about the size of a small plum. Although somewhat seedy, it is occasionally consumed raw or utilized to create marmalade, primarily in…

A composite plant with yellow, orange, or maroon flowers. A type of ornamental flower commonly found in gardens, featuring circular petals with a bright golden or orange hue that can be utilized, albeit sparingly, to introduce a distinctive and pungent taste to salads, stews, and soups. When reduced to a fine powder, the flowers are…