As the seasons go by, Nature generously shares her benefits with us. If you have a small plot of land, chances are you'll see wild plants with medicinal properties growing right before your eyes. In this article, we present the most common medicinal plants, so that you can stop thinking of these treasures of nature as mere weeds.
Dandelion, sunshine in the garden
Le dandelion is reputed to stimulate hepato-biliary activity. It has a depurative effect. Eaten fresh in salads(flowers, leaves and, for the bravest, the root) or dried as an infusion, it will save you from the stresses of the day. after the holidaysEaster chocolate binge ....
Try: dandelion budpickles...
Recipe idea: Oily dandelion buds. Dry your flower buds for a few days before covering them with sunflower or rapeseed oil. Leave to macerate for 21 days, taking care not to close the lid. Strain, and you've got a fragrant oil for your seasonings! Store away from light.
The daisy, the Easter flower
The daisy blooms around Easter. It has interesting properties for relieving skin problems: eczema, psoriasis, burns, itching, etc....
Pick a handful, leave to dry for several days, then place in a glass jar and cover with vegetable oil. Leave to macerate for 21 days (one lunation). Filter and store in a dark place.
In case of sunburn, eczema or skin irritation, massage the area with this anti-inflammatory oil.
Dock or wild patience
This "weed" is edible and medicinal. It is, however, rich in oxalic acid. People prone to kidney stones should therefore take care. On the other hand, it contains iron and its root is a depurative.
Plantain, a renowned anti-histamine
Plantain grows "like quackgrass"! The leaves are used fresh to soothe itchy mosquitoes, bee stings or nettle bites. To do this, rub the leaves to extract the juice and apply to the affected area.
Infused, the leaves have anti-coughing properties.
Recipe for a cough syrup: gather 4 handfuls of fresh leaves and boil in 1.5l water and 800g honey. Leave to macerate overnight. The next day, filter and return to the heat until the preparation takes on the consistency of a syrup. Store in a glass jar, away from light.
Baraganes or wild leeks
On country roadsides (unpolluted), in vineyard alleys or in large gardens, wild leeks are springing up... A gourmet's delight! Their flavor is a little more pronounced than that of leeks found on market stalls, and their flesh more tender.
In soup or simply pan-fried, let yourself be invaded by wild cuisine...
Wild carrot
Be careful not to confuse wild carrots (hairy stems and leaves with a distinctive scent), wild chervil (grows anywhere in rich soil), and hemlock (inedible, smooth stem).
Roots can be eaten like carrots!
Yarrow, the herb with a thousand leaves
Yarrow grows naturally on embankments and compacted ground. Crushed leaves applied to a cut stop bleeding. For women with irregular periods, taken in the second half of the menstrual cycle, this plant promotes the onset of menstruation.
Nettles, a nutrient bomb
Are you feeling tired, struggling to recover from an illness, or completely out of it? A nettle cure fresh leaves in salads or infusions will remineralize you. In tartar, juice, soup, salad or infusion, let yourself be tempted by one of the many simple, natural, wild and gourmet recipes!
To conclude
The plants that grow naturally on your land are bio-indicators of the nature of your soil. It's worth knowing if you're thinking of creating your own vegetable garden.
Garden mowing, lawn seeding, phytosanitary treatments and a lack of knowledge of wild plants have impoverished private plots. Don't hesitate to space out your mowing or set aside a "wild" spot in your garden to let life develop. Pollinating insects and wild plants will thank you!