Superfoods & Herbs

Goji berries have been cultivated in China for over 2000 years and are a central herb in traditional Chinese medicine.Historical useThe berry is mentioned in Chinese texts from the Tang Dynasty (7th-10th century) and has long been used as both food and in traditional herbal medicine in China.What goji berries containGoji berries contain iron, calcium, zinc, and selenium, as well as beta-carotene and vitamins C and E.Good to knowPeople with pollen allergies should be aware that some may react to goji berries.In the kitchenThe red, tart berries are eaten dried as snacks, in tea, or mixed into smoothies and muesli. Our organic goji berries are an example of how they are typically sold.

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a tenacious climbing liana that grows wild in the Amazon rainforest, from Mexico down to northern Argentina. Its name comes from the claw-like, hooked thorns on the plant's tendrils, which help it cling to treetops as it climbs towards the light.A liana that can grow up to 30 meters longThe plant is a true climber and can reach impressive lengths as it scales through the different layers of the rainforest.Historical useThe root and bark have a long tradition in folk medicine among indigenous peoples in Peru and neighboring areas of the Amazon.What Cat's Claw containsThe bark contains phytochemicals such as tannins, sterols, glycosides, and alkaloids.Good to knowShould be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and used with caution in cases of bleeding disorders or low blood pressure.UseMix a pinch of the powder with water, juice, or tea, a couple of times a day.

Cordyceps is a fungus with a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, which in the wild grows at high altitudes in the Himalayan region.An unusual fungusIn nature, cordyceps grows parasitically on the larvae of certain butterfly species, which historically made the fungus very rare and valuable – wild cordyceps could cost more than gold per weight. Today, cordyceps is instead cultivated on a large scale on nutrient substrates, which has made the fungus significantly more accessible.Historical useThe fungus is mentioned in Chinese texts from the Tang Dynasty and has long been part of traditional Tibetan and Chinese medicine.UsageMix 0.5-1 teaspoon daily with water, yogurt, juice or smoothie. Our organic cordyceps powder is an example of how it is usually sold.Good to knowShould not be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Chia seeds have been historically used by the Aztecs and Mayans in Central America, where the seeds were such an important crop that they were used as currency and as offerings in religious ceremonies.From whole seeds to flourChia flour is made by grinding whole chia seeds into a fine powder, which makes the nutrients more accessible than from whole seeds, where the husk can otherwise pass relatively undigested through the digestive system.What chia flour containsChia flour contains omega-3 (ALA), protein, and fiber, as well as minerals such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.UsageChia flour is well-suited for gluten-free baking or can be stirred into water for a jelly-like consistency, unlike whole seeds which retain their slightly crispy texture. Our organic chia protein (chia flour) is an example of how it is typically sold.

Stinging nettle is one of our most well-known wild plants, notorious for its stinging hairs that cause an itchy, prickly sensation upon contact – a defense mechanism the plant developed against grazing animals. The stinging hairs contain, among other things, formic acid, which is the cause of the skin reaction.The nettle's long history as a fiber plantBefore cotton became common, nettle fiber was used for fabric production in large parts of Europe for centuries. During the First World War, when cotton was scarce due to trade blockades, Germany resumed large-scale cultivation of nettle to produce uniform fabric – an example of how a seemingly worthless weed gained strategic importance.As foodYoung nettle leaves, harvested in spring before the plant flowers, can be cooked much like spinach – cooking eliminates the effect of the stinging hairs. Nettle is traditionally used in soup, as filling in pies, or dried for tea.What nettle containsNettle contains chlorophyll, iron, and several vitamins, as well as amino acids.UsageDried nettle can be brewed as tea – 2 teaspoons to a cup of boiling water, let steep for 5-7 minutes. Nettle powder can also be mixed into muesli, bread dough, or egg batter. Our nettle powder is an example of how the powder is usually sold.

Astragalus, in Mandarin "Huang Qi" ("yellow leader"), is a plant in the pea family with roots from northern and eastern China, Mongolia, and Korea.One of the Ancient HerbsAstragalus is one of the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine and is mentioned in writings that are several thousand years old, often in combination with other herbs in classic formulas.What Astragalus ContainsThe root contains saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides.Good to KnowShould be avoided by women who are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.Usage1 teaspoon of organic astragalus powder in tea, a couple of times a day. Our organic astragalus powder is an example of how it is typically sold.

Aronia, also known as chokeberry, is a dark berry in the rose family that originates from eastern North America.From North America to European gardensIndigenous peoples in North America used the berry long before aronia was introduced to Europe and Russia in the 20th century, where the bush quickly became popular as a hardy garden plant.What aronia containsAronia contains anthocyanins (the dark pigments), vitamin C, carotenes, folate and vitamin E.Taste and preparationFresh aronia berries are quite tart and astringent, so they are most often used dried, as a powder, or cooked into juice and jam together with sweeter berries.CultivationThe black aronia bush is very hardy and can be grown up to USDA hardiness zone 6 in Sweden, making it one of the hardiest berry bushes you can have in the garden. Our organic aronia powder is an example of how it is typically sold.

Amla, the Indian gooseberry, grows on trees that can reach eight metres in height and is common in Southern India.A sacred berryAmla has a central place in Ayurvedic tradition and is mentioned in ancient Indian texts, where the tree is still considered sacred in Hinduism and is often planted near temples.In the kitchenThe berry is often used in spiced sauces, pickles, chutneys, and curries in Indian cooking, where its tart flavour balances strong spices.What amla containsAmla contains vitamin C, alkaloids, tannins, and amino acids.Good to knowAmla can be mildly diuretic and gently laxative in larger quantities.Usage1-2 teaspoons of powder daily is a common amount, mixed with a drink of your choice. Our organic amla powder is an example of how it is typically sold.