Health and wild garlic

Wild garlic: The healthy spice is now growing everywhere in German forests

05.04.2011

Everywhere in German forests it smells like wild garlic. Fortunately, the once forgotten spice is finding more followers nowadays. And rightly so: Wild garlic is considered in natural medicine as vasodilator, digestive, bacteriostatic, detoxifying, performance enhancing, germicidal and also promotes productive ejection. If wild garlic is properly prepared, it simply tastes really good. To preserve the healing effect, wild garlic should be prepared as fresh and uncooked as possible.

Wild garlic grows from April to June
For about two weeks it has been smelling of wild garlic in the woods. Wild garlic grows every year from the beginning of April until the end of June. You will find the leek mainly on streams, in deciduous trees and undeveloped banks. In the vernacular, wild garlic is also called „forest garlic“ or „wild garlic“ designated. Because the slightly sweet smell of wild garlic is very reminiscent of fresh garlic scent. After all, wild garlic is even related to the garlic plant. The effect properties are also very similar.

From weeds to healthy spice
Only a few decades ago, wild garlic was considered „weed“ and was banished from German gardens and meadows. The humans were more likely to use garlic and the valuable plant was almost forgotten in this country. Even the healer and naturopathic visionary Hildegard von Bingen spoke of 'viriditas', the „Power that lets everything grow, sprout and turn green“.

Simply gather wild garlic yourself
Wild garlic does not have to be bought at the supermarket. As the herb grows everywhere in the forest, anyone can harvest it themselves for free and fast. However, great care must be taken when collecting them on their own: the long-stemmed leaves resemble the toxic lily-of-the-valley and fall-time lilies. To be on the safe side, the leaves should first be ground in your hands. Only when the hands smell of the typical sweet garlic scent, it is bear's garlic. If you are unsure, you should first consult an expert or alternative practitioner. In addition, the gathering of wild garlic in nature reserves is strictly prohibited.

Simple wild garlic pesto recipe
You need about 500 grams of wild garlic leaves, 120 grams of parmesan cheese, 80 grams of pine nuts, 280 ml of high-quality olive oil, 1 pinch of pepper and 1 pinch of sea salt for a simple wild garlic plague.

Wash the wild garlic and chop finely, mix with pine and parmesan. Slowly mix with a kitchen utensil (blender) at low speed and mix with olive oil. Finally season with pepper and salt to taste. The pesto goes best with spaghetti. Continue reading: Naturopathy: Beware of wild garlic picking (sb)

Image: Sarah Grazioli