“I can’t eat that they’re weeds”

It wasn’t all that long ago when we went to the doctors, that we received plants to chew on or tees to drink to help make us feel better. Times have changed and most of the time we don’t even realise when we walk in the woods or dig in our Gardens, that we are simply surrounded by healing herbs and plants.

If however you were not feeling too well and decided to visit us then the chances are we’ll give you tees to drink and plants to chew. Even if you get tablets or drops to take the majority of the time there’s little else in it but herbs.

Just a few examples.

The Dandelion (taraxacum officinale) is a good example, generally considered to be a weed and it certainly grows like one! Commonly known as “pee the bed” where I come from, this plant activates the function of the Kidneys and the liver, which explains the bed peeing. It is commonly used in the spring as a form of detoxification treatment. Did you know that you can eat Dandelion leaves in salad and it increases you appetite?

Coltsfoot (tussilago farfara) is a member of the daisy family is a small yellow flower with hoof shaped woolly leaves. It is one of the first flowers to come out in springtime and may be the world’s oldest cough remedies.

Peppermint (menthe piperta) doesn’t just taste good, it’s also good for you. It’s generally used to sooth indigestion and stomach aches but can also be used to relive sore throats and colds.

The list is almost endless, but be wary. The German woods don’t only contain healing herbs, there are a lot of poisonous plants out there from deadly nightshade to Foxglove and even the seemingly harmless lily of the valley (which is in fact poisonous) is often mistaken for the aromatic ursinum in springtime.

So your motto has to be “if your not sure then leave it alone”.

So next time you’re out walking in the woods or in the garden complaining about the weeds, look around you these may be healing herbs!

If you’re interested in finding out more about healing plants, taking a guided walk through the woods or indeed being treated using herbal medicine then get in touch.