Have you ever noticed how many plants, especially herbs, end with ‘Wort’? Over the years, wyrt, the Old English word used for beneficial herbs, roots, or plants, has gradually transformed into "wort."

The opposite of wort was weod, used for plants not valued for use or beauty. That is now pronounced "weed," which makes perfect sense when you see the distinction our ancestors made between useful plants and unwanted ones.

Even now, the soap is used by museums and conservators for cleaning the finest lace, old delicate tapestries, and fabric artwork.

It has several other names referring to its cleansing properties, such as Lady’s washbowl and Lather-wort, as well as the intriguing "Bouncing Bet," inspired by pink flower petals that resemble the jiggling buttocks of a washer-woman.

The Roman Emperor Charlemagne (842–814 AD) proclaimed that every one of his subjects should plant it on their homes to ward off lightning strikes and fire—hence the references to Jupiter and thunder. While it sounds like pure folklore, the plant's high water content would actually help prevent small fires from igniting the thatch.

There is still an old folk belief in Wales that houseleek between the slates ensures the health and prosperity of the home, and today you will find it used as a green method of insulation.

Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)

This confusingly named plant is neither an artichoke nor from Jerusalem, but is actually a member of the sunflower family.

The name is a linguistic corruption of the old Italian girasole articiocco, meaning "sunflower artichoke." The "artichoke" part refers to the taste of the edible tubers, which are said to resemble globe artichokes, while "Jerusalem" stems from an English mispronunciation of girasole (which sounds close when spoken quickly).

Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale)

This herb may come in handy if you enjoy a jog around the block.

Having a leaf shaped like a dog’s tongue supported the old belief that keeping one in your shoe would stop dogs from barking at you, and if they did bite (obviously without a warning bark), the leaves would cure the wound.

Another name for this plant was Rats and Mice, referring to the dreadful smell emanating from the crushed leaves.

Perhaps you should just change your route or run faster, as a hound's-tongue leaf in your shoe really will give you stinky feet!

Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)

The name doesn't refer to an aphrodisiac - in fact, it is a sedative that is more likely to put your beloved to sleep!

The name originates from 16th-century Spanish explorers and Christian missionaries arriving in South America, who saw the flower as a symbol for the Passion of Christ.

The fringed corona represents the crown of thorns, the three stigmas represent the nails, the five stamens represent the wounds, the ten sepals represent the Apostles (excluding Judas and Peter), and the long tendrils symbolize the whips, all centered around a shape resembling a cross.

Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris): This weed has been around for thousands of years and used as both a food and a medicine.

Seeds were discovered in the stomach of the Tollund man, dating back to 500 BC, and found in excavations in Turkey, which go even further back to 5 950 BC.

Thousands of years of use gave rise to several names, mostly referring to the small heart-shaped seed pods. The name that stood the test of time is Shepherd’s Purse, as the tiny pods looked like the leather pouches in which shepherds carried their food.

Names such as Case-Weed, Shovel-Weed, Witches’ Pouch, and Pick-Pocket describe the packet-like pods, and Mother’s Heart signifies the many seeds cared for by the heart of the Mother.