Why Can Two Wild Thyme Oils Be So Different?

Two bottles of essential oil made from the same species of wild thyme may not contain exactly the same balance of active compounds. Wild thyme is known for its chemotype diversity. This means that plants belonging to the same species can produce essential oils with...

What Gives Wild Thyme Its Power?

Wild thyme contains two quite different groups of natural compounds, depending on whether we look at its extracts or its essential oil. Alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Thymus serpyllum are rich in polyphenols. Important compounds include rosmarinic acid and...

Why Are Elderberries So Dark?

The deep purple-black colour of ripe elderberries is not just decorative – it tells us something about their chemistry. Elderberries are particularly rich in natural plant pigments called anthocyanins. Among the most characteristic are cyanidin compounds, including...

What Gives Elder Its Power?

Elder is particularly interesting because its berries and flowers have different chemical profiles, even though they come from the same plant. The dark colour of elderberries comes from compounds called anthocyanins, especially cyanidin derivatives. These natural...

What Gives Rosemary Its Power?

Rosemary contains two quite different groups of natural compounds, depending on whether we look at its extracts or its essential oil. Alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis, now also known scientifically as Salvia rosmarinus, are particularly...