Whether in the forest, in the meadow, or in the city park, you can find them everywhere – wild herbs.
What some people think is a weed or simply “meadow” has healing powers for the body and soul. Many wild herbs contain more nutrients than many vegetables and can also help with illnesses and injuries. It is common to use medicinal plants in the form of teas, capsules, tinctures, ointments, or oils. However, you can make use of the benefits of medicinal herbs with little effort. It is important to be on the safe side with everything you collect yourself! Only take what you can clearly identify!
For those of you who are completely new to this field and/or would like to delve deeper into the matter, there are also guided herb walks where you can get to know, smell and taste the most important meadow herbs. Today, however, I would like to introduce you to three uses for medicinal herbs that you can find in (almost) every meadow or that you can simply buy.
Eyebright & Peppermint Hangover Cure
50:50 Pour hot water over a mixture of eyebright and peppermint, steep for 5-7 minutes & enjoy.
Note: When making tea from fresh medicinal herbs, it is important not to make the water too hot as this can affect the essential oils and flavour.
Most of us are familiar with it – we’ve had one too many glasses and peeled ourselves out of the sheets in the morning with thick heads. Conveniently, nature even has a remedy up its sleeve for us. Eyebright. Its blossoms are not only particularly pretty to look at, but also a terrific helper against the horrible feeling the day after. Among other things, the plant has pain-relieving, calming, and appetite-stimulating effects and is actually known among herbalists as an anti-hangover remedy. It can be found in many meadows and pastures, especially in higher regions. In well-stocked tea and herb shops, you can also buy eyebright already dried.
Peppermint has a refreshing and invigorating effect and can help with headaches and digestive complaints. The essential oils of peppermint contain menthol, which is responsible for a cooling effect. It can relax the muscles and relieve pain.
Together, the two medicinal herbs fight off any hangover, so you don’t have to worry about “the day after” at the next party.
Ribwort ointment for minor injuries and insect bites
- 200 ml olive oil
- 30 g beeswax
- 50 g handful of fresh ribwort plantain
Ribwort ointment is especially good for treating minor wounds, scratches, insect bites, or sunburn. I personally have had great experiences with ribwort ointment for treating wasp stings. The ointment should be stored in a cool and dark place and has a shelf life of about 6 months.
Cut the ribwort leaves into small pieces and place them in a heat-resistant container. Then pour the oil over the leaves until they are completely covered. Place the container on the cooker and heat the oil slowly. The temperature should not be too high so that the oil does not get too hot and the active ingredients of the ribwort leaves are destroyed. The ideal temperature is 40 – 45°C.
Heat the oil and the ribwort leaves for 1-2 hours, stirring regularly. As soon as the leaves turn brown and the oil has also taken on a slightly brownish colour, the leaves have released all the active ingredients and the oil can be filtered through a sieve or cloth. Then add the beeswax and let it melt while stirring constantly. Pour the mixture into a clean jar or tin and leave to cool.
Express Detox with Yarrow
- Yarrow – fresh or dried
Yarrow is THE medicinal plant if you want to detoxify your body and it is very versatile in its use.
One possibility is to prepare yarrow tea. Dried yarrow flowers or yarrow leaves can be used for this. For a cup of tea, a teaspoon of dried yarrow is poured over hot water and left to steep for about five minutes. The tea can be drunk throughout the day to detoxify the body and stimulate digestion.
Another possibility is to use yarrow in baths or foot baths. For this, dried yarrow flowers can be added to warm bath water. The yarrow bath supports the detoxification of the body and at the same time has a relaxing effect on the body.
Yarrow can also be used as an ingredient in a detox soup or a detox smoothie. Fresh yarrow leaves or flowers can be used for this. Yarrow can be pureed together with other vegetables or fruit in a blender or cooked in a soup.
The use of medicinal herbs can be a gentle and natural alternative to synthetic medicines. They offer a wonderful opportunity to support one’s own health in a natural way and can contribute to keeping body, mind, and soul in harmony. However, it is important to pay attention to the correct dosage and preparation when using them and to always consult a doctor or alternative practitioner if you are unsure. Moreover, medicinal herbs should never be used as a substitute for medical treatment for serious illnesses or acute complaints.
