Upper or above-ground portion of a herb –it includes leaf with some stem

Flowering is a process in which a plant reveals its stigma or stamens to the environment and the pistil is ready for fertilization

Fruit consists of the ripe ovary and seeds of the flowering plant

Leaf - vegetative organ in which photosynthesis and transpiration takes place and water and minerals are stored in it. The main part of the leaf is the leaf petiole, which is located where the chloroplast is, there water is distributed and disintegrates (transpiration), the leaf’s petiole has different shapes and it is green because of the chlorophyll.

Root - an underground vegetative organ that keeps plants attached to the soil and absorbs water and mineral salts from it . Its growth is unlimited . It is characterized by some features that distinguish it from the stem such as lack of leaves , root canopy , root tip , root hairs and shape.

Flower - a reproductive organ in angiosperms. Therefore, they are also called flowering plants. The flowers are pollinated and fertilized, after which fruits and seeds are formed from them. The flowers are usually brightly colored and have a pleasant aroma, which attracts a variety of pollinators.

Stem - the main vegetative aboveground organ that forms , bears and connects the fruits , buds , flowers and leaves of the plant . It makes a connection by conducting the sap of the plant and connecting the parts of the plant together.

Fruit ripening - the last stage of blossom development . Usually after ripening the fruits are ready for collection and consumption later.

Epicormic buds - lie dormant beneath the bark, their growth suppressed by hormones from active shoots higher up the plant.

Sap - organic substance that hardens when it comes into contact with the atmosphere , being produced mostly by conifers . It serves as a natural protective mechanism in case the bark of the plant gets hurt or damaged . Sap is mostly amorphic mass , containing carbon . It isn't soluble in water.

Sepals are part of the flowers of angiosperms . They are usually green and have a protective function for the color in the bud and often support the petals during flowering . Together, all sepals form a calyx , which together with the corolla (the set of petals) forms a perianth.

Petals-modified leaves ,usually brightly colored and with extraordinary shape to attract pollinators. All the petals together form a corolla. All sepals together form a calyx, which together with the corolla forms a perianth.

Pistil - the female reproductive organ of angiosperms . It is formed by 1 or several carpels , and its location is in the middle of the flower. In most cases it consists of an ovary , a column and a stigma . The seed buds are placed in the ovary. There is one egg in each seed bud.

Stamens - the fertile part of the flower, characteristic as a structure only for angiosperms. Each stamen has a stalk and anther with two anther sacs, in which, after meiotic division, haploid microspores (pollen) are formed - male gametes. Their number and arrangement in color vary in different species and superspecies groups - this is an important systematic feature in the classification and phylogetry of flowering plants.

Protected plants- a species at risk of extinction because of human activity , changes in climate and predator-prey ratios , etc. , especially when officially designated as such by a governmental or international agency.

Rhizome - a modified underground plant stem from which roots and shoots emerge . The rhizomes grow horizontally , but also can grow vertically , as well as create new shoots . Its function is identical to that of the root.

Chlorophyll - a green pigment found in most plants, some algae and green fungi. It is found in chloroplasts in higher plants and in chromatophores in lower plants. With his participation, photosynthesis takes place. Its amount in the leaves is from 0.6 to 1.2%. It absorbs solar energy and transforms it into energy of chemical bonds in organic compounds that are synthesized in the process of photosynthesis.

Branch - a tree structure connected to, but not part of, the central trunk of a tree or shrub. Usually, thin twigs with leaves are called twigs.

Stems - part of the shoot system of a plant. They may range in length from a few millimeters to hundreds of meters. They also vary in diameter, depending on the plant type. Stems are usually above ground, although the stems of some plants, such as the potato, also grow underground. Stems may be herbaceous (soft) or woody in nature.

Inflorescence - a group of flowers with a common stalk having a certain type of structure and arrangement. Most flowering plants form inflorescences, but some flowers are arranged singly on their own stalks. The variety of inflorescences is extremely large and there is no generally accepted overall classification of inflorescences.

Stipule- one of a pair of lateral appendages, often leaflike, at the base of a leaf petiole in many plants.

Monocotyledons are grass and grass-like flowering plants (angiosperms), the seeds of which typically contain only one embryonic leaf or cotyledon.

Dicotyledons, also known as dicots, are one of the two groups into which all the flowering plants or angiosperms were formerly divided. The name refers to one of the typical characteristics of the group, namely that the seeds has two embryonic leaves or cotyledons.

Perianth - the sterile outer part of the flower and it serves to protect the fertile part located in it. In addition, through its bright colors, aroma and nectarines, it attracts potential pollinators. It usually consists of a corolla and a calyx and in this case is called a complex perianth. In most cases, the calyx is composed of green sepals, and the corolla - of brightly colored petals . When the petals of the perianth are relatively homogeneous and do not separate into a separate cup and corolla, it is called simple.

Conservationally significant species-these are species on which the protection of nature depends . They are to some extent responsible for the protection of the natural environment - they regulate the cycle of the flora and fauna.

Categories of endangerment-the desire to protect the Bulgarian nature is illustrated by the content of the "Red Book of Bulgaria, Volume 1. Plants and fungi". More than 800 species of seed plants, mosses, ferns, algae and fungi have been evaluated according to internationally accepted criteria (IUCN 2001, 2003a, b). The categories for endangerment are as follow: extinct - EX, regionally extinct - RE, critically endangered - CR, endangered - EN and vulnerable - VU.

Leaf bud - а bud that develops into a leafy shoot and does not produce flowers.

Bulb - a modified stem, an underground organ in some plants. It is a swollen part located in the soil, between the actual stem and the root, composed of layers of plant cells, the outermost layers being transformed into protective scales. It can be seen in the representatives of the Liliaceae, the Amaryllidaceae, the Allioideae and others. As part of the protective evolution of plants, some bulbs have become poisonous to animals.

Tuber - a solid , globular thickening of the stem or root of a plant. A well – known plant that forms tubers is the potato/ Its tuber is a thickened top of the underground stem.

Herbal medicine -the most ancient method of treating diseases. The fact that the method has not lost its relevance to this day, shows its rather high efficiency. However, herbal medicine requires knowledge, proper application and a responsible approach.

Herbarium – technological method of drying plants

Antiseptic action – a way of destruction or ending the reproduction of microorganisms outside or inside an organism by substances called antiseptics to prevent infections

Extraction – process of getting a substance out of a fusion by solvent called extractant

Tincture – extract or solution with alcoholic or other organic solvent, of vegetal or weakly volatile substance, used in medicine

Infusion – a way of preparing a tea, usually from dry leaves or blossoms of plants, by steaming, to relieve light diseases such as running nose or stomachache.

Decoction- a concentrated liquor resulting from heating or boiling a substance, especially a medicinal preparation made from a plant.

Dose - a quantity of a medicine or drug taken or recommended to be taken at a particular time.

Dosing - the measured quantity of a therapeutic agent to be taken at one time.

Еssential oil- a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile chemical compounds from plants.

Dye - coloring substances, paint

Flavoring agent - freshens the air

Aromatherapy - used to relieve and / or treat various disease states

Immunostimulants - stimulate the immune system

syrup - saturated sugar solution dissolved in water or naturally sweet juices from fruits. It can be used in the bakery or in medicine

Antioxidant action - action of a group of compounds that have a beneficial and relaxing effect on the body. This action counteracts the oxidant, which releases radicals, by removing the released radicals in the body

Tea - an aromatic beverage commonly prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of the Tea plant. The tea made from herbs is called tisanes

Gargle - gargling with water or medicine, in which the fluid is stored in the mouth and moves with the excess jet of weak thrusts

Herbs - any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavouring, food, medicine, or perfume.

Medicinal plant – any plant that possess therapeutic properties or exert beneficial pharmacological effect on the human
or animal body

Biologically active compounds - compound that exerts a direct physiological effect on
a plant, animal or another microorganism

Herbal medicines - medicines that have in their composition compounds derived from medicinal plants

Organoleptic compounds - substances that create an individual experience via the senses—including taste, sight, smell, and touch

Synergistic effect of active substances - nonlinear cumualtive effects of two active ingredients with similar or related outcomes of their different activities, or active ingredients with sequential or supplemental activities

Alkaloids - natural substances of plant origin that contain one or more nitrogen atoms in their molecule, have a basic character and are physiologically active. The first alkaloid was isolated in
1805 by Serturner. The discovery of alkaloids is almost as important to medicine as the discovery of iron for
world culture. They are mainly divided into 4 large groups: - Tropan alkaloids, they have a strong narcotic effect;
- Steroid alkaloids. They are found in some of the most common vegetables.
- Pyrrolizine alkaloids have pharmacological activity;
- Indole alkaloids - used as medicines

Flavonoids - plant pigments found in many fruits and flowers. Most commonly, these plant pigments are red, yellow, blue and purple, and are found in the cytoplasm and plastids of flowering plants. Flavonoids have a serious presence in citrus fruits, tea, red wine, dark chocolate and saturated berries. Flavonoids are best known for their action as antioxidants

Rules for collecting herbs
1. Only pick healthy plants that are free of parasites.
2. Do not collect herbs that are included in the list of the Nature Protection Act, as well as medicinal plants from protected areas and parks.
3. When picking herbs, it is always good to leave stems, seeds and whole plants to ensure the natural regeneration of these valuable plants so that you can pick them from next year.
4. Pick only those parts of the plant that are necessary and medicinal.
It is inadmissible to pull out the plants with roots, as well as to break whole branches.
5. Herbs are harvested only in dry and sunny weather. Poisonous herbs that are used as directed by a doctor should be taken separately from non-poisonous ones

Terpenes - a large class of organic hydrocarbons synthesized by a huge number of plants. They are the main building block of any plant resin and contribute to the aroma, taste and color of the plant. Some have a medical application. Terpenes are the main aromatic compounds in cannabis. Also tolerable are spices such as basil, mint, oregano, rosemary and others. Terpenes play an important role in the natural protection of plants from bacteria and fungi

Extraction of raw material from deposits (localities) - the extraction of a species of plant from the place where it grows. These places are different for each type of plant, as each has different optimal conditions for development.

Ingathering – fruit collection. Harvesting is an important and long-awaited stage for every farmer. It is important to take into account the degree of maturity. It depends on the biological characteristics of the species, etc.

Alternation mode of deposits (localities) - alternation of the places where a given type of plant grows. Thus, the localities are not depleted, and the plant species have time to mature and grow. This change of habitats occurs once every 2 or 4 years, depending on the conditions and type of plant

Labeling of herbs
(1)Each transport package with herbs must have a label with the following data:
1. name of the herb in Latin;
2. weight (mass);
3. additional information if necessary.
(2) The packages with herbs from poisonous medicinal plants must be marked with a red line with a width of two centimeters and a symbol for poisoning.
(3) No toxic inks, paints or glues are be used for labeling.
(4) The labels must be placed in a way that does not allow their easy separation from the packaging.
All packaging and packaging materials are stored in herbal collection points and / or herbal warehouses in a separate, clean and dry place, without risk of contamination and damage.

Transport of herbs – it is carried out by vehicles which are clean, dry and, if necessary, covered with a waterproof material. The transport of herbs must be carried out in such a way as to exclude the possibility of their contamination or damage. The transport of herbs together with other goods shall be permitted provided that the necessary conditions are in place to prevent contamination and contact between the herbs and other goods. The herbs are accompanied by specific documents under at every stage of their movement.