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Medicinal plants and herbal medicine
Many herbs actually work very well in different conditions - without comparable toxicity as some medicinal plants. From pine to sage and horsetail to lavender. As old as proven is the wild fruit as a remedy. Here is a small selection of the most popular medicinal plants in natural medicine.
contents
- Bark, blossom or roots?
- Roots - The Big Burdock
- Leaves - The ivy
- Bark - The Faulbaum
- Seeds - Real Fenugreek
- Fruits - The mountain ash
- Fruits - The rosehip
- Shoots - The field horsetail
- Flowers & Leaves - The dandelion
- Blossoms - the yarrow
- Blossoms - The camomile
- Herbs
- rosemary
- sage
- thyme
- lavender
- borage
Bark, blossom or roots?
What to do in case of illness? Just pick out a herb and bite into it? It's not that easy: Some plants have healing fruits, but leaves that are not. Others, like the ivy, are poisonous fruits, while the leaves have a therapeutic effect. Some plants can only enjoy boiled up, in others, the active ingredients disappear during cooking. As a general rule: Only with safe determination may the self-collected medicinal plants be used.
Partially forgotten medicinal herbs of the naturopathy, here already in dried form. (Image: JPC-PROD / fotolia.com) Bark is collected in the spring. Then the branches are full of juice and the bark is easy to peel off. We collect leaves in late spring, then the active ingredient content is highest. Herbs refers to the parts of small plants growing above the earth. We collect them before or during flowering. We collect flowers just before they have fully opened. We collect fruits completely ripe, we collect seeds just before they are released. Mash and juices are made with a mortar to crush the leaves, fruits, roots and tubers.
The shoots of silver fir help, for example, with many breathing difficulties. Two grams in 100 milliliters of water are the right dose. Already in the Middle Ages the resin was used against rheumatism. Kneipp recommended this tea from fresh shoots to promote the expectoration when coughing. Shoots, twigs and needles placed on the skin, increase blood flow and disinfect.
The ingredients of the pine buds have antiseptic effects on the respiratory and urinary tract and inhibit inflammation. The essential oils can be used for soaps and have a refreshing effect on tiredness. The components of the needles clean urinary tract and lungs.
Marigolds use leaves and flowers. Flowers boiled up as tea, facilitate the menstruation and relieve pain in the abdomen. Applied externally, they also reduce pain and release cramps.
Wood and bark of silver fir (Abies alba) contain various phenolic acids that have an antioxidant effect in the body. (Image: Petro Teslenko / fotolia.com) A hardly known medicinal plant today is the cherry. Not the kernels, they are even poisonous. Not the fruits, but the most carelessly discarded fruit stalks are helpful. When dissolved and drunk in water, they have a diuretic effect, are applied externally, and help against chapped skin. This shows how crucial the selection of the right plant parts is for the effect.
Roots - The Big Burdock
"Weeds" are often medicinal plants. The big burdock, for example, hates any traditional allotment gardeners. This biennial plant consists of a spindle-shaped root and heart-shaped bottom leaves and purple flowers, which are arranged in round heads and surrounded with hook-shaped tips. It also makes brown fruits with black spots, a crown of hair and bristles. Not a classic beauty, but effective: Essential oils, inulin, mucilage, tannins, phytoserine and chlorogenic acid make it a medical cocktail of unparalleled beauty.
The burdock stimulates the liver, the gallbladder and lowers the sugar content in the blood. Therefore, the Great Burdock helps, under medical supervision of course, against diabetes.
Not a weed but a medicinal plant: the burdock. (Image: Otto Durst / fotolia.com) Folk medicine knows the burdock as a remedy for acne, home remedies for boils, eczema, itchy rash and as a home remedy for varicose veins. For this we use compresses from the dried root. Ten grams per 100 milliliters of water are placed on the affected area for half an hour.
We dig out the roots in the fall of the first year of the burdock, cut off the side roots and wash them. The leaves are collected in May and June; we cut them without a stalk. The burdock roots are cut into a centimeter thick slices, dried in the sun and stored in glass containers. We wash the fresh leaves and use them like soap.
Leaves - The ivy
The one dear of him greened house walls and the other hate him, because he overgrows everything. As a medicinal plant, however, the ivy is hardly anyone in view, although he proves to be a multi-talent: Whether as a home remedy for dry cough, home remedies for bronchitis, bronchial catarrh or congested bronchi, whether rheumatism, sciatic pain or arthritis - the ivy helps. On top of that, he was even used as a means of anesthesia.
Ivy alleviates the symptoms, among other things in neuritis, rheumatism or arthritis. (Image: Claudio Divizia / fotolia.com) For our herbal medicine, we collect the leaves, which offers the ivy in every season. We cut them directly under the stem. Carefully separate the leaves from the fruits, because they are poisonous. They are dried in the shade and then kept dark.
We add five grams of leaves in 100 milliliters of water, soak cloths and place them on aching spots for one hour.
Bark - The Faulbaum
The buckthorn will be a few feet high. Its dark brown bark is traversed by horizontal light stripes. In the spring, we peel off the bark in longitudinal strips, dry it in the sun and store it in fabric bags - at least two years. The fresh bark is namely an emetic and leads to poisoning. The powder is used for removal. It stimulates the colon. We use 20 grams of 100 milliliters of 20 percent alcohol and take three teaspoons before going to bed.
The bark of the decaying tree must contain at least seven percent of dusts effective in glucofrangulins to meet the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia. (Image: Ruckszio / fotolia.com) Seeds - Real Fenugreek
Fenugreek is native to the Mediterranean but is also growing in Germany today. He was already grown in the Copper Age for use. The real fenugreek consists of a tap root and a cylindrical stalk. It gets up to 80 inches high. The leaf is fanned into three single leaves and stands alternately on the stem. The leaves are pale yellow and purple at the top. It is used for different purposes, in studies even showed an effect against Parkinson complaints.
We collect the ripe seeds in July to August. For this we cut the plant at the base, bind it to tufts and let them dry in the sun. The seeds are tapped with a stick from the dried plant. We siege them, put them in the fresh air for a short time and then fill them with glasses. In the mortar, we then mash them to flour.
We boil a few spoons of this flour in the water until a porridge is formed. Put this mush on a warm, damp cloth and place it on boils, for example. This is repeated several times a day until the boil recedes.
Fenugreek also strengthens a weakened organism and is therefore recommended in diseases where we lose weight and lose appetite. 0.5 grams of fenugreek flour mixed with honey several times a day, strengthens the patient. Its effect as a hair restorer is appreciated.
The fenugreek (here leaves with the valuable seeds) was cultivated already in the copper age. Hildegard von Bingen saw him as a remedy for skin diseases, furthermore its effect is known as a hair restorer. (Image: Swapan / fotolia.com) Fruits - The mountain ash
The mountain ash we know as rowanberry and nature gardeners love it, because it is one of the most important food plants for winter birds. Many wonder: is the rowanberry poisonous or not? The deciduous tree with the smooth gray bark can be used in any case also good for healing, namely against sore throat, small intestinal inflammation and diarrhea, and against hemorrhoids.
Juice can be squeezed out of the fresh fruits, from which one to two glasses per day become intestinal problems (which also answers the question of toxicity). We can also dry the fruits and then gargle five grams per 100 milliliters of water. We also use this amniotic fluid against inflamed skin and wash the affected areas with it.
Fruits - The rosehip
With rose hips we mean the collecting nut fruits of the dog rose - in general, however, fruits of all roses can be so called. The pulp is sweet and sour and rich in vitamins such as vitamins A, C and B1 as well as B1. The later the harvest, the sweeter the fruits become. Even after the frost, they are easily edible. To handle the rosehips, the cores must be removed, the hairs are wonderful as itching powder.
The rose hips can be collected easily, danger from the fox tapeworm does not threaten in view of the stature height of the fruits. (Image: tony4urban / fotolia.com) By machine, a very high quality oil is obtained from these rosehip cores, which can be particularly helpful for dry or flaky skin. It is considered a home remedy for wrinkles.
As an infusion, the rosehip is ideal as a support against cystitis or kidney inflammation - as it acts diuretic and laxative on the metabolism. Likewise, they can be consumed as a must. The natural healing promises regular relief taking a relief of rheumatism and gout.
Shoots - The field horsetail
The horsetail is also called horsetail, as can be cleaned well with this herb tin. It is a perennial plant with underground roots. This does not form flowers, but a spring and a summer shoot. Field horsetail makes little demands, he needs only slightly mixed with clay ground. We harvest the summer shoots from May to September, drying the stems in an airy place in the shade; we cut the dried plants and prepare tea from them.
Its healing effect was already known in antiquity. The Greek physician Dioskorides wrote 50 AD, that the horsetail urges the urine and bleeding wounds quiet.
The field horsetail is seen here in the spring with the spore ears, but it usually propagates through rhizome foothills. Even with kidney semolina, the tea should help. (Image: octobersun / fotolia.com) We use the tea to purify the blood. He also complements the healing of gout, rheumatism, cough and asthma. Kidney problems can also be alleviated with field horsetail. He is also considered an effective remedy for urinary tract disorders. To do this, we pour 20 grams with one liter of water and drink two or three cups a day. In case of persistent kidney pain, however, a doctor should be consulted. The silicic acid contained is also very beneficial to refine the complexion in connective tissue weakness.
Flowers & Leaves - The dandelion
The usual dandelion - also known as dandelion - is found in countless locations with us, with good soil it is up to 35 cm high.
In natural medicine, the dandelion is in the form of extracts and tea in demand. The contained bitter substances and triterpenes protect the liver and detoxify the liver. Furthermore, dandelion contains a lot of potassium and inulin. He is therefore also used as a home remedy for diabetes, he also stimulates the metabolism of numerous organs. Furthermore, an inhibitory effect of dandelion extract on the growth of many cancer cells could be observed. Also recommended as a natural digestive stimulant is the dandelion.
Fresh juice can be easily made with a juicer. If one does not have one in the house, then the trade offers finished dandelion juice.
The dandelion is known to most people more as a weed, not as a medicinal plant. The latex of the stems leaves permanent stains on clothing, be careful when harvesting. (Image: stavtseva / fotolia.com) The roots can be collected in spring and early summer, for tea production. Wash the roots freed from leaves and dry thoroughly. Depending on the size of the diameter, quarter or only halve the roots. Now put in a dry place for three days, on newspaper. Then chop with the cleaver or a clean pruner. For the root tea add to half a liter of five teaspoons of this dry matter and soak in water overnight. Bring to the boil on the next day, pour through a sieve and possibly sweeten something else.
In the kitchen, the flowers can be processed to fine jelly, in Austria, the "Röhrlsalat" is known, which consists of fresh young leaves. The root can be eaten cooked and was already used for the production of substitute coffee.
Blossoms - the yarrow
The flowering shoot tips of the yarrow we gather from June to September. We cut them 10 to 15 centimeters below the inflorescence, dry them in the shade and then store them in fabric bags. The yarrow inhibits inflammation and promotes digestion. Boiled as a tea, it works against menstrual and abdominal pain and insomnia.
The yarrow inhibits inflammation and promotes digestion. (Image: behewa / fotolia.com) Applied externally or as a mouthwash, the yarrow can also be used. Compresses should be on the affected area for at least 15 minutes. Then they clean little wounds and reduce inflammation of the skin
Blossoms - The camomile
As a herbaceous plant, chamomile grows only once a year, originally it was native only in southern and eastern Europe. For stomach and intestinal complaints, but also for inflammation and bacterial skin problems, it serves as a medicinal plant. Furthermore, it relieves cramps, it should also be anxiolytic and soothing. The application can be done externally as well as internally and also an inhalation is possible. The chamomile can be drunk as a tea infusion, used as a wrap, taken as a tincture or tablet or applied in the form of cream. To reduce skin problems, continue to use sitz baths and envelopes with tincture or infusion.
A very old home remedy for acute digestive problems such as stomach problems or irritable bowel problems is the roll cure with chamomile tea. Half a liter of the vigorously brewed tea (let it rest for 15 minutes) is drunk in three small portions. After the first part you lay down relaxed on the back - for at least five minutes. Then drink the second third, turning to the left side. Also stay there for at least five minutes until after turning off the tea you turn your body to the right side for the same time. After only 20 minutes, the abdominal area is already much more relaxed - the chamomile has a muscle relaxant, so can loosen a distended belly, and also heals mucous membrane inflammation. It can help with different indigestion.
The flowers of chamomile are usually used in dried form or as a commercially available extract. (Image: nikolaydonetsk / fotolia.com) In case of bladder infection, sore throat, sinusitis or irritable bowel syndrome, the contained flavanoids and essential oils can help. Matricin, umbelliferone, chamazulene and bisabolol are responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile.
When picking the flowers in nature, care should be taken not to confuse the real chamomile with the feverfew. The latter can cause allergies.
Herbs
Many of our kitchen, aromatic and aromatic herbs are also medicinal plants. Such as sage, rosemary, lavender, mint and borage. The taste of rosemary and sage spices meat dishes; Borage is used for insertion. Almost all herbs can be drunk as a tea infusion.
rosemary
Rosemary stimulates the appetite, promotes digestion, relieves spasms, drives the urine flow, has an antiseptic effect and "gets the circulation going". A rosemary tea with one gram of young sprigs on 100 milliliters of water after meals soothes for whooping cough and promotes bile formation. The tea can also be applied to the skin, then acts antiseptic and helps with bruises and rheumatism. We can gargle it, rinse the mouth, or apply baths to the affected areas. He is also a wonderful home remedy for convulsions.
The oil of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - here with blossom - has a strong antiseptic effect. Daily doses of six grams should not be exceeded, because it can cause convulsions. (Image: Oskar / fotolia.com) sage
Genuine sage comes originally from southern Europe, but can be found everywhere today in the allotment gardens. It stimulates the intestinal function and is therefore excellently suitable as a spice herb to fat meat. Externally, even the ancient Roman doctors knew him as a wound healer. Sage is antiseptic and therefore promotes scar healing in severe wounds.
Sage stimulates the gallbladder, helps with asthma and cleanses the respiratory tract. It lowers the blood sugar level, dampens the sweat flow and relieves pain in the abdomen. Sage helps against bleeding gums, ulcers and bad breath. This is ensured by its essential oils, namely borneol, camphor, cineole and thujone, tannins, saponosides and choline. These serve in concentrated form as fragrance oils. Caution is advised: Such oils should not be swallowed, they act as poison.
We make tea from fresh leaves and add lemon and honey to taste. For tea we can also dry the leaves in the shade with air supply and give about a teaspoon per 100 milliliters of water. As a home remedy for tonsillitis we gargle the strong lukewarm tea - bleeding the gums or the mouth smells bad, we rinse the throat. For coughing and acute asthma we drink several cups daily.
Sage has a soothing effect on colds and also preventative. (Image: mates / fotolia.com) thyme
The common thyme grows as a branched semi-shrub near the ground. Of course, it occurs in the western Mediterranean region and in some alpine areas. He likes full sun and rocky, dry and meager soils - in good conditions, it spreads herbaceous. The content of essential oils in the herb can be up to 2.5 percent, for the most part it consists of the terpenes thymol (up to 50 percent) and carvacrol. Furthermore, borneol, p-cymene, geraniol and linalool are included. The mucolytic, antitussive and bronchospasmolytic effects make it a very valuable medicinal plant for colds, painful cough and problems of the lungs. As a cheap home remedy for colds, he can stock up well.
In the kitchen, on the other hand, it contributes to the flavor of numerous regional dishes such as Thuringian bratwurst. Here it can be dried or used fresh. Also as a bee pasture the herb is good, the honey is a delicacy. The essential oils are antiviral and antibacterial. Even with severe infections such as whooping cough and bronchitis, he can greatly promote healing. For tea, use one teaspoon of dried herb per cup, infuse for at least 15 minutes.
The essential oil can also be used for respiratory diseases, but not pure but only diluted. Without dilution, contained terpenes could greatly irritate the skin. Even as a cold bath, there are ready mixes. Furthermore, a custom made cast can be used. Simply pour 80 grams of the dried herb with a liter of boiling water. Cover for 15 minutes, then place in the warm bath water.
Lavender relieves depressive moods and can alleviate insomnia. (Image: Kavita / fotolia.com) lavender
We already love some plants because of their fragrance. It is all the better if the herb helps us at the same time in terms of health. A lavender pillow in bed dispels the muff, the smell is also avoided by clothes moths. However, few people today know that lavender is also effective against coughing, calms asthma, stimulates bile flow and strengthens the liver. Lavender flowers help against acne, support the scar healing, help against headaches and as a home remedy for stomach cramps, home remedies for nausea, nausea and hiccups. In addition, they relieve pain in the throat. In addition, lavender also helps against anxiety and panic attacks.
We cut the flowers from June to July at the base, then dry the tufts in the shade. The flowers are kept in jars in a dark place.
We apply a tincture with 20 grams of the flowers on 100 milliliters of 30 percent alcohol - for eight days. We then apply this tincture to inflamed areas of the skin and oral mucosa.
A tea is used with one gram of flowers per 100 milliliters of water. This stimulates the bile and relieves stomach cramps. We can also give this tea in bath water. When applied, it cleanses the skin.
borage
Borage smells and tastes like Schmorgurken. It is said to inhibit inflammation and to help against colds, cough and hoarseness. For this purpose, two to three tablespoons of borage are boiled in two cups of water. Borage can also be applied to the skin and helps with rashes. Furthermore, borage is also used in the treatment of varicose veins.
Borage flowers from May to September. We pick it with gloves, let the harvest wither in the sun and dry in the shade. The flowers and leaves are equally suitable for teas. (Dr. Utz Anhalt, dp, updated on 26.11.2018)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)