Medicinal plants

Around 50,000 years ago, Neanderthals probably chewed certain plants to relieve pain. And even today, according to a survey, almost 80 per cent of Germans prefer purely herbal products to synthetically produced preparations for ailments. There is a good reason for this: nature has a natural herb for almost every ailment.

People have been interested in the healing powers of plants since time immemorial, as ancient writings from China, Egypt and Greece prove. In Europe, it was mainly monks and nuns who deepened their knowledge of medicinal plants in monastery gardens and wrote them down. For example, the Benedictine nun and polymath Hildegard von Bingen published a book on medicine entitled "Causae et Curae" (Causes and Cures) as early as the 12th century. Other pioneers of modern phytotherapy - the science of using medicinal plants as medicine - included the naturopath Paracelsus and the priest Sebastian Kneipp.

Healing power from your own garden

As effective as chemical preparations may generally be today, it has been shown that they do not always fulfil expectations and their use is often associated with unpleasant side effects. In the search for better tolerated alternatives, more and more people are turning to the natural healing powers of native plants, which they often cultivate in their own gardens. We have put together a short overview for anyone who would like to know which plants can help against which ailment:

Colds

The flowers of camomile contain an essential oil that is good for coughs and colds when inhaled. The ideal mixing ratio is six grams of flowers to one litre of hot water. If you only have a slight cold, you can try to cure the loose cough with fennel tea. Thyme extracts, on the other hand, promote coughing up stuck mucus and thus clear the airways. Studies have even shown that thyme oil can alleviate the symptoms of acute bronchitis.

To relieve diarrhoea caused by viruses or bacteria, the dried rhizome of bloodroot can be crushed, boiled briefly with cold water, the liquid strained and drunk up to three times a day between meals. An infusion of blackberry leaves can also help with mild stomach complaints.

Salbeitee, Mundspülungen zum Gurgeln oder andere Zubereitungen aus Salbei sind ausgezeichnet bei allen Entzündungen im Mund- und Rachenraum. Wer sich mit trockenem Reizhusten herumschlägt, kann diesem mit einem heißen Sud aus den Blättern und Wurzeln des Eibischs entgegenwirken.

Sage tea, mouthwashes for gargling or other preparations made from sage are excellent for all inflammations in the mouth and throat. If you struggle with a dry, irritating cough, you can counteract this with a hot decoction made from the leaves and roots of marshmallow.

Valerian is certainly the best-known medicinal plant for calming the nerves. The highest concentration of its coveted active ingredients is found in the root, pieces of which can be used to prepare a soothing infusion. The essential oil of lavender flowers has a very special fragrance. A hot lavender bath in the evening alleviates stress symptoms and is considered beneficial for a healthy night's sleep. Lemon balm tea is also helpful before going to bed.

If the prostate begins to enlarge benignly in old age, preparations made from nettle roots can make it easier to urinate - so-called phytohormones are probably responsible for the positive effect. The same ingredients are also contained in pumpkin seeds, which can therefore also be taken as a helpful remedy for prostate problems. Unfortunately, affected men are still not spared a visit to the urologist.

Blunt injuries

For bruises, haematomas and sprains, external application with ointments and tinctures made from arnica flowers is recommended. The helenalin contained in them suppresses the formation of inflammation-causing substances. The root and herb of comfrey, which contain large amounts of allantoin and tannins that promote wound healing, are also helpful.

Please note, however, that both arnica and comfrey can cause symptoms of poisoning when used internally! You should therefore refrain from adding them to teas or taking them in powder form.