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Chamomile Tea – Natural Medicinal Plant

Chamomile tea is not only tasty, it is also beneficial. Explore the many ways to actively improve your well-being with fresh chamomile tea.

Chamomile tea – the natural medicinal plant

Almost every household lacks chamomile tea. The tasty tea is particularly popular to treat colds or to recharge your batteries on cold days. But what makes the plant so special? Chamomile tea contains, among other things, anti-inflammatory effects and improves the digestive system. But there are also other areas in which chamomile flowers prove to be very helpful.

Chamomile has an anti-inflammatory effect

One of the most important properties of the medicinal plant is that it has an anti-inflammatory effect. In particular, it has positive effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Since it is also antibacterial and has an antispasmodic effect, there are several ways to use chamomile tea beneficially. The natural product should not only be drunk. In order to ensure the full effect in the individual areas of application, the medicinal plant must be used accordingly. There is no need to buy any special products like dried flower or anything like that. Good chamomile tea is enough to enjoy the many benefits of the plant:
Treat inflammation in the throat or gums with regular gargling of chamomile tea. The herbal tea must not be too hot, otherwise it will unnecessarily burden the inflamed areas. Do not swallow the tea afterwards, but spit it out.
To relieve discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, enjoy a cup of chamomile tea in the morning. To unfold the full effect, let the tea steep for at least five minutes. The tea also helps with mild constipation and cramps.
To relieve cold symptoms, use the tea for inhalation. Pour boiling water over the chamomile tea and let it steep for eight minutes. Then inhale the steam deeply – let it cool down sufficiently beforehand to avoid burns.

Also suitable for external treatment

The healing effect of the plants is due, among other things, to essential oils. Above all, the so-called bisabolo. This is a precursor to chamazulene. The oil is used in natural cosmetics as an extract. There are a number of ready-made creams and lotions that are often suitable for treating dry or inflamed skin. These funds are mixed with the extract of chamomile flowers. The withdrawn bisabolo is blue in its natural form. High-quality creams can be recognized, among other things, by the fact that they have a slight blue tinge.

It is possible to get the healing properties of the oils from chamomile tea as well. Small wounds can be cleaned and disinfected with cool tea, dry and inflamed facial skin can be treated with a facial tonic made from chamomile tea. It is not necessary to add other ingredients. Simply brush the skin with the cooled tea. Then apply a rich moisturizing cream.

Use certified teas

Not every chamomile tea offers the same quality. High-quality products rely on ingredients from natural, organic and sustainable cultivation. This ensures that the tea retains its pure ingredients in high concentration. Cheap teas, for example, are heated unnecessarily or treated with additives to extend their shelf life. There are also different types of chamomile tea. The so-called real chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla, is considered by connoisseurs to be particularly tasty and healthy.

It is possible to grow chamomile plants in your own garden or on the balcony with little effort. These are wild plants that do not require any special care. To brew the delicious tea, pinch off the chamomile flowers right at the top of the stalk and set aside to dry. Depending on the size of the flowers, this can take up to two weeks. Then put the chamomile blossoms in a tea strainer and pour boiling water over them.

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Lavender and Lavender as a Home Remedy and Medicinal Plant

Lavender has numerous properties that make the plant very popular as a home remedy and remedy. It has numerous useful characteristics. Cultivation and care are not difficult. And lavender oil is also great for health.

Lavender is a beautiful flowering plant that can be used in a variety of ways. In addition to being used for decoration, such as in ornaments and landscaping, lavender is also used as a home remedy and medicinal plant. For this purpose, a high-quality essential oil is also produced from the buds of the lavender.

Manufacture of essential oils

Essential oils are mostly extracted from English lavender and are used in creams, perfumes, and numerous cosmetics. Dutch lavender also provides essential oils, but these have a slightly sharper scent.

Cultivation and care of lavender

Easy to grow and care for, lavender thrives in full sun in well-drained soil. Lavender is cultivated for its essential oils. After a wet winter, you need to drain the plants and move them to a spot with plenty of sunlight and airflow. Be sure to trim the lavender regularly. Lavender also thrives in tight flower pots and boxes indoors. The ideal spot is dry and sunny with some fresh air.

Medicinal uses as a remedy

During World War I, lavender oil was used in hospitals to disinfect floors. In aromatherapy, lavender oil is an essential ingredient and is used along with other herbs. Infusions of lavender seeds relieve skin burns and headaches. The intense scent of lavender helps repel insects.

Probably the best-known medicinal use of lavender is based on its calming effect. It is usually sufficient to infuse some lavender buds with hot water and drink a cup of it before sleeping and relaxing.

For acne and skin inflammation

Lavender oil is also used to heal acne and treat skin inflammation. Lavender oil is simply mixed with water in a ratio of 1:10 and applied to the skin. The antiseptic effect is also ideal for treating cuts, scars, and sunburn.

Lavender tea for stress and headaches

You can use lavender in numerous home remedies. For lavender tea, steeping a few dried buds in hot water and drinking it while the tea is still warm is enough. Lavender tea is great for relieving stress, depression, nervous headaches, and indigestion.

Lavender oil for hair loss

You can use lavender as a helpful home remedy for genetic hair loss. Studies have shown that lavender oil stimulates natural hair growth on bald areas of the scalp. Smelling lavender or putting a few drops of lavender oil on your temples will help relieve headaches. Lavender is very good for calming the senses. So, lavender is a natural remedy and helpful to relax and sleep better.

For muscle pain

As a remedy, you can use lavender to relieve muscle pain. Just try massaging some lavender oil on the body areas where you feel muscle pain. It has helped many people feel much more relaxed and relieved of pain. In any case, natural lavender oil is much better than taking painkillers, as long as there are no serious illnesses.

Using lavender in the home

Lavender possesses several relaxing properties and a very distinct flavor. When cooking, lavender can be used to add a sweet flavor to a number of dishes. The scent and taste of lavender originate in the buds. The essence is contained in lavender essential oil. Lavender has a healing and calming effect and is often used in massages.

You can use dried buds in many ways: Use the flower stalks as dried flower decorations. The fragrant flowers and buds will keep the laundry in the closet fresh when you sew them into a cloth bag. At weddings, you can also sprinkle lavender buds as natural confetti with a wonderful aroma. There are many uses for lavender, and its use in the kitchen is nothing new. You can use the sweet scent of English Lavender in a variety of dishes. Some of the most common are shortbread and cookies.

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Sage as a Home Remedy and Medicinal Plant

Sage tastes good and is healing. It helps with all sorts of complaints such as inflammation, gastrointestinal problems, and insect bites. It can be used for dental care, as a deodorant, and as coloring hair.

Use healthy sage

Sage is healthy and tasty. As a medicinal plant, it can be used in the kitchen and as a cosmetic. It is easily digestible and goes well with fatty foods. It helps with inflammation, gastrointestinal complaints, and insect bites. It can be used for coloring hair, for dental care, and against sweating.

Sage has always been used in cooking and medicine. Its name comes from Latin and means to heal (= salvare) or healthy (= salvus). There are over 850 different species of sage and the sage plant is found on almost every continent with the exception of Australia. In the following, we will deal with the kitchen or medicinal sage (Salvia officinalis), which is most widespread in Germany.

Ingredients

Sage contains essential oils, tannins, and bitter substances. Even if sage is a medicinal plant in itself, it should not be taken in large quantities. In excess, the essential oil is toxic. We, therefore, advise against drinking several cups of sage tea every day.

Sage is healing

Sage has an antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effect. Its oil is used in pharmacies for disinfectants. If you have a sore throat or other inflammatory diseases of the mouth and throat, you can gargle with sage tea or simply drink it. Aqueous and alcoholic sage extracts for gargling are also commercially available.

In addition to its anti-inflammatory effect, sage is said to have other healing properties:

It helps with excessive sweating and has a digestive and secretion-promoting effect. Especially after antibiotic therapy, it can relieve stomach and intestinal pain. It is also said to support the proper functioning of the nervous system. Some substances contained in sage also protect against carcinogenic substances.

Sage is also useful for painful and swollen insect bites. To do this, you should briefly boil a handful of sage with plenty of water and simmer for two minutes over low heat. The still warm sage leaves can then be placed on the insect bites and covered with a gauze bandage. It is best to leave it on for one to two hours. The whole thing also helps with small abrasions or cuts.

The aromatic ingredient

In the kitchen, sage is often used as a spice. It tastes a bit bitter but aromatic. Because of the fine hairs on its leaves, it leaves a slightly furry feeling in the mouth.
Sage goes well with fatty foods. It gives dishes with meat and poultry, game or fish a special touch. Herb cheese can also be wonderfully refined with it. In addition, sage is said to promote the digestibility of heavy food and allows fats to go rancid more slowly. Sage is also suitable for light cooking. It refines soups and vegetable dishes.

German cuisine knows the sage cake as a traditional pastry. It is served and eaten especially at the church consecration festival or the fair, as it is said to protect against intoxication.

A little tip: Sage can also be used to flavor homemade herbal sweets.

Sage makes you beautiful

Because of the tannins contained in sage, the medicinal plant can even be used to color hair. A decoction is prepared from the sage plant, which dyes the hair a little darker. This is also helpful for concealing the first gray hairs. To do this, take a handful of sage, and a bag of black tea and pour a cup of boiling water over it. Let the mixture steep for 30 minutes and then pour it through a colander. The collected liquid is then distributed well in the hair. Leave on for 30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.

The antibacterial effect of sage helps with impure skin. It is also suitable for dental care. To do this, chew two or three fresh sage leaves after each meal. This has a calming effect on the gums, cleans them, and makes the teeth whiter.

Sage is also suitable as an additive for homemade deodorants, as it has antiperspirant and antibacterial effects. It also helps to get rid of sweaty feet. To do this, take a hot foot bath and add a few sage leaves.

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Oregano: Much More Than a Pizza Spice – What The Medicinal Plant Can do

In most households, oregano is probably better known as a spice than as a medicinal plant. However, the healing effect should not be underestimated. The ancient Greeks already knew how to use oregano for healing.

Particularly important: the essential oils of oregano

While only the leaves of the plant can be used for the spice, regardless of the growing season, the whole plant is used for medicinal purposes and reaches its best harvest time at flowering time. The tannins and bitter substances of the plant, as well as their essential oils, are particularly relevant for the healing effect. The latter include thymol, carvacrol, cymene and borneol.

Oregano mainly helps against digestive problems (in the stomach, intestines, liver or bile) and respiratory diseases and has a general anti-inflammatory effect in the throat and mouth. In addition, oregano oil is considered to be the most powerful natural antibiotic. The gesundheit.de platform recommends oregano tea (a teaspoon of oregano in a quarter liter of water) for various purposes:
Sweetened several times a day against coughs
Against indigestion, unsweetened after steeping for ten minutes
Against inflammation in the mouth and throat: gargle with tea

Oregano: Let it cook for a long time

Oregano is still very popular for cooking and is used as a spice in Mediterranean cuisine. It is important to note that the spice develops its flavor best after long cooking.

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Coriander: Worth Knowing About The Spice and Medicinal Plant

Coriander is not only a delicious spice in Asian cuisine. It also has healing properties. We will show you everything you need to know about the spice and medicinal plant coriander.

Coriander is one of the oldest culinary herbs in the world. Above all, coriander is known from Asian, Arabic or Indian dishes. Fresh coriander leaves have a strong, slightly pungent flavor of their own. Dried or ground coriander seeds taste a little milder. At the same time, the spice contains a substance that has an antibiotic effect (dodecenal) and it contains different essential oils. As a result, coriander has a healing effect – in a completely natural way.

Coriander: Healing properties of the plant

With its health-promoting nutrients, various essential oils and proteins, coriander can help with many ailments. It has a strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and circulation-enhancing effect. It also has a fungicidal effect and thus inhibits the growth of fungi. Coriander has this effect:
Coriander relieves digestive problems (bloating, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome),
reduces chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism,
reduces infections,
inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi,
has an antispasmodic effect,
relieves gastrointestinal complaints,
supports detoxification
relieves bladder infections,
lowers cholesterol and blood sugar,
relieves menstrual cramps,
has an antibacterial effect on salmonella,
heals wounds and ulcers in the mouth.

How to use cilantro for ailments

Cilantro Tea: You can eat cilantro or take it as a tea. Do this by pouring hot water on some fresh leaves and seeds. The tea can help, especially with gastrointestinal or digestive problems. But you can also drink coriander tea if you have a loss of appetite or a bladder infection.
Coriander Oil: You can use coriander oil to make mouthwashes to help fight bacteria in your mouth. You can also apply the coriander oil externally or soak a cloth with a coriander infusion. You can apply both to infections or use them for athlete’s foot or other fungal diseases.

Coriander: cultivation, harvest, storage

You can often find cilantro individually wrapped in plastic in stores. Instead, you can grow it yourself and plant it in a pot in your herb garden on the balcony. Coriander grows up to 60-90 centimeters high. It has a short flowering period of June and July. In these months you can harvest it. The seeds can be harvested from August to September.

Coriander grows back in the pot. Once you have harvested your cilantro, place it in a glass of water. That makes it last longer. Coriander seeds remain aromatic for a long time when stored in a dark, cool and airtight place.

Coriander in the kitchen

In addition to tea and Asian dishes, you can also add coriander or coriander seeds to your smoothie or chopped into your vegetable soup. Or you season salads or spicy dishes with it. Add the cilantro and its stalks just before the end, or sprinkle them fresh over your dish on the plate. You can also prepare dips or make a coriander pesto yourself. A little coriander in your homemade bread is also delicious.

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Turmeric (Curcumin), The Indian Spice With Medicinal Properties

In Asia, especially in India, turmeric (curcumin) has been an integral part of the local cuisine for around 4000 years. The intense yellow root of the turmeric plant is part of every curry spice and is therefore included in almost all dishes. The tuber has been used in the traditional Indian healing art of Ayurveda for as long as turmeric has been in pots.

The yellow root is said to be a true medicinal miracle. It is said to help prevent or even heal cancer, alleviate depression and arthrosis symptoms, prevent Alzheimer’s, help with stomach and intestinal problems, act against inflammation and much more. In Europe, the ginger plant has been known since the Middle Ages. But only now does turmeric as a medicinal plant seem to be able to do what was not possible as a spice: conquering domestic households. Utopia has collected the most important facts about the miracle spice for you.

Interesting facts about the plant

Turmeric, scientific name Curcuma longa, also known as turmeric, is a subspecies of the turmeric plants that belong to the ginger family. The turmeric plant mainly grows in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia. India is the world’s largest producer of turmeric, but also consumes around 80 percent of the world’s harvest. The herbaceous plant grows about one meter high and forms a so-called rhizome (sprout) just above the ground. The “turmeric tuber” is actually this rhizome, which is intensely yellow-orange in color. As a real tropical plant, turmeric loves high humidity, sun, warmth and rather dry soil. Nevertheless, turmeric can also be grown in Europe: in greenhouses or conservatories, where the temperature does not fall below 18°C, the relatively undemanding exotic plant also grows in pots at home.

Turmeric powder, the Indians’ favorite spice

While the fresh tuber is grated and used in Thai cuisine, turmeric powder is on the spice shelf in India and Europe. For this, the rhizome of the turmeric plant is dried and ground. The drying process is the trickiest part because curcumin, the powerful yellow ingredient, is very delicate and volatilizes quickly. Traditionally, the tubers are dried in the sun, but special drying equipment is used for industrial production. The Indians use the powdered turmeric for countless dishes. The yellow powder is an essential ingredient in all curry mixes and curry pastes, as well as in all masalas apart from the red one. And traditional Indian dishes such as lentil stew would be unthinkable without turmeric powder.

Turmeric as a spice: recipes to try

If you love exotic dishes or want to add a healthy spice to your diet, do as Indians do and try a turmeric recipe. The tuber tastes a bit tart when fresh, but when dried it is mildly spicy and just a bit bitter. An easy way to experiment in the kitchen is to add some turmeric when cooking rice to give the rice a special touch. An aromatic Indian spiced rice is made from this with vegetables and other spices. Turmeric is also a classic for soups, for example as a yoghurt soup with turmeric.

Turmeric for drinking: tea and latte

Warm drinks are always in demand, especially in the colder months of the year. Turmeric can be used as a tea for colds and sore throats, but also acts as a means of warmth from within. But the insider tip for a warm power drink is a completely different one: turmeric latte, better known as golden milk. For this purpose, a special turmeric paste is stirred into warm milk (cow’s milk or plant-based milk substitute) and possibly sweetened. After chai, the actually gold-colored drink is probably the new drink next winter.

What else is turmeric used for?

Turmeric is not just a spice. As the name turmeric suggests, the bulb turns an intense yellow; it is also significantly cheaper than the yellow coloring saffron. Turmeric has therefore long enjoyed great popularity in the food industry as a natural coloring agent in mustard, sauces and pasta. The yellow pigment is called curcumin – and it is precisely this component that makes turmeric a remedy for many diseases in the ancient Indian healing art of Ayurveda. And modern medicine has long since discovered the spice as a medicine from nature, and studies have been dealing with the effects of curcumin for years. The main focus was on the anti-cancer or anti-cancer effects and anti-depression effects.

Medicinal effects of turmeric (curcumin)

In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is often used as an anti-inflammatory and digestive-regulating agent. The anti-inflammatory effect of turmeric is said to provide relief from arthrosis, rheumatism and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. In 2012, curcumin was tested as an arthritis drug for an Indian study and brought very positive results.

The same anti-inflammatory properties may also be responsible for the possible anti-carcinogenic effect. The tuber shows potential especially in the prevention of colon cancer and the prevention of metastases in common types of cancer such as breast or prostate cancer. But curcumin has also been used to treat metabolic diseases such as diabetes or to treat Alzheimer’s and prevent heart attacks (University Hospital Freiburg). Recently, turmeric is also being discussed as a natural remedy for depression. In a 2014 study, curcumin was found to be as effective as a traditional antidepressant in similar circumstances.

Medicinal miracle turmeric (curcumin)?

A 4000-year-old tradition in phytomedicine and numerous studies on its effectiveness: So is turmeric the miracle cure of the future against the health plagues of modern civilization? That is not entirely true with the proven effectiveness. Although turmeric proved to be effective in all tests, these study results are only initial indications and not proof of a medical miracle from nature (Apotheken Umschau). Research on the effects of curcumin on cancer has been tested either in test tubes or on animals. The extent to which this can be transferred to humans has yet to be tested (mt).

The study results on the subject of depression also have weaknesses: too small a sample, too short a duration or financed by the manufacturer of the turmeric preparation. This means that an effect can be assumed, but it is not certain (mt). Nevertheless, the Indian spice is one of the great hopes for the future for the natural treatment of various diseases.

Is Turmeric Healthy?

Regardless of the medical effect, curcumin is still healthy. The spice from India regulates digestion, stimulates the formation of bile and, like ginger, has an anti-inflammatory effect on arthrosis and similar complaints. Seasoning your food with turmeric from time to time is therefore certainly not a bad idea. In India, for example, where turmeric has been used as a flavoring for thousands of years, the number of people suffering from colon cancer or depression is significantly lower than in the USA or Europe.

There are only two cases in which caution is advisable: in diseases of the gallbladder and in pregnant or breastfeeding women. For pregnant women, there is still too little reliable research to be able to say that turmeric is harmless. In the case of gallbladder disease, stimulating the gallbladder with curcumin could actually make symptoms worse.

How to Use Turmeric: Capsules or Powder?

As a spice, turmeric powder is of course more suitable. But for an effect on osteoarthritis or stomach problems, you would have to consume two or three tablespoons of powder every day – that much is not in a dish. And pure, the turmeric powder is very dry and tastes bitter in large quantities. In addition, curcumin is poorly soluble in water. From tea, golden milk or curry dishes, too little of the active ingredient gets into the body, even if consumed daily. In this case, turmeric capsules are the solution. They contain highly concentrated curcumin in the right amount to enable an effect. In addition, the active ingredient in the capsules, which is sensitive to light and air, does not evaporate so quickly.

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Black Pepper – Effect and Application of The Medicinal Spice

Apart from salt, no other spice is used as frequently in German cuisine as black pepper. What many people don’t know, however, is that black pepper has long been considered a remedy and has numerous health benefits.

How is black pepper different from other types of pepper?

Whether white, green, red or black pepper – all come from the same plant species, the pepper bush (Piper nigrum). Depending on the time of harvest and further processing, the peppercorns then get their specific color.

For the black pepper, the unripe, green peppercorns are harvested and stored in heaps for a few days. The grains are then dried in the sun.

The types of pepper differ not only in appearance, but also in the degree of sharpness, the taste and the composition of their components. White and black pepper are the hottest and have the highest levels of piperine — see why this ingredient is so important below.

use in the kitchen

From sweet to savory – pepper goes well with almost every dish. So it is not surprising that it is the second most used spice in German cuisine after salt. At least one type of pepper is therefore included in numerous spice mixtures.

The black pepper has a particularly hot aroma and a light citrus note. White pepper, on the other hand, is less aromatic and fruity, while green pepper is mild and has a light herbal note. The fully ripe red pepper is rarely eaten in this country due to its perishability.

Tip: Pepper that has already been ground has already lost large parts of its ingredients and aroma. Therefore, always use whole grains that you grind freshly just before use.

Black pepper – the most important active ingredients

Pepper contains over 200 different components. From a medical point of view, the most interesting is the alkaloid piperine. Numerous health-promoting effects are attributed to this ingredient. The traditional areas of application range from colds and flu to digestive problems and diabetes to rheumatic diseases and muscle pain.

Recent human studies have demonstrated its digestive, antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic and antiasthmatic effects, among other things. Also, it is scientifically proven that piperine promotes the absorption of nutrients as well

antifungal
antioxidant
expectorant
anti-inflammatory
antimicrobial
works (see review from 2017). The Federal Center for Nutrition emphasizes above all the digestive effect – since piperine stimulates the saliva and gastric juice secretion. The list of potential applications is impressively long.

Other important ingredients are various essential oils, flavonoids and various piperine derivatives.
An English-language Open Access Scientific Report from India provides a comprehensive overview of the numerous active ingredients and areas of application of black pepper.

Piperine as a bioenhancer

Piperine also deserves special attention because it increases the bioavailability of various other components. Such substances are called bioenhancers. Piperine was the first bioenhancer identified in 1979 – and is still considered the most effective substance of this kind.

The most prominent partner substance whose bioavailability is increased by piperine: curcumin, the most important active ingredient in turmeric. When combined with piperine, the effectiveness of curcumin is increased by up to 20 times. That is why it is often recommended to add some black pepper to turmeric for medicinal purposes – as is done with the healing golden milk. Black pepper is also said to increase the bioavailability of selenium, vitamin A and vitamin C.

Use black pepper effectively and safely

If you want to benefit from the health effects of black pepper, you can of course add the spice to your food as usual. You should not cook the pepper at the same time, but only add it to the finished dish at the end.

However, if you want to use the black pepper specifically for colds and illnesses, you can use a higher dose. The already mentioned golden milk with a high pepper content is ideal for this. You can also add freshly ground pepper to your tea – for example in combination with fresh turmeric. Pepper is also popular with colds when combined with hot milk and honey.

possible side effects

In general, black pepper is considered very safe. However, you should never consume the ground spice individually, as the particles could get into the lungs and irritate them severely. If you suffer from acute stomach or intestinal problems, you should discuss the application with your doctor beforehand. You should also avoid large amounts of black pepper during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

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Medicinal Honey: Difference, Effect and Application

Honey not only belongs on the breakfast table, but is also used in medicine. But what is the difference between medicinal and regular honey? And what is it used for?

What are the differences between medicinal and conventional honey?

In order to be able to use honey for medical purposes, it is freed from the germs it contains by various processes. These are the differences between medicinal and conventional honey:
Medicinal honey is mainly used to heal wounds. Scientists found that the methylglyoxal contained in honey has an antibacterial effect.
Essentially, medicinal honey consists of a variety with a high content of hydrogen peroxide and New Zealand Manuka honey, the ingredients of which are largely obtained from the tea tree.
Sterility: In food, pathogens are rendered harmless during digestion. However, if germs get into a wound, they multiply and inflammation occurs. That is why medicinal honey must be as germ-free as possible.

Medicinal honey: miracle cure for wound healing

Medicinal honey is used in particular in the field of wound healing. This is how honey acts on the wound:
Wound protection: Medicinal honey protects the wound from bacteria.
Wound cleaning: The honey keeps the wound moist and cleans it.
Wound healing: This is how the miracle cure accelerates the healing process.
Smell: The agent also has a positive effect on the smell.
Pain relief at dressing changes: Changing your dressing will usually cause you less pain if you have previously used medicinal honey on your wound.

Medicinal Honey: This is where you can use it

You can apply medicinal honey to everything from small cuts to large-scale wounds. Here is a small selection of possible areas of application:

Acute and chronic wounds
burns
cuts and abrasions
Poorly healing or smelling wounds
surgical wounds

Medicinal honey: It really is that ecological

Medicinal honey is often praised as a natural product. However, it is not produced in a very climate-friendly way:
The Manuka honey on which medicinal honey is based is imported from New Zealand and parts of Australia.
Because it has to be transported so far and is only available in small quantities, medicinal honey is comparatively expensive.
Medical honey is not pasteurized like other types of honey. Instead, he is treated with gamma rays. The process kills bacteria, while other ingredients are retained. But it is also very energy intensive.

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Anise: Effect and Application of The Versatile Medicinal Plant

Anise is best known as an ingredient in Christmas cookies. Anise has long been used as a medicinal plant because of its expectorant and antispasmodic properties.

Anise belongs to the umbelliferae and reaches a height of about half a meter.

Although they share the name, anise is not related to star anise. This article will only deal with anise.

The spice plant originally comes from the Mediterranean region. The commercially available anise comes mainly from Turkey, Egypt or other tropical growing areas such as Argentina or Southeast Asia.

In Central Europe, anise very rarely grows wild. You should also never collect anise yourself, as the fruits look very similar to the poisonous hemlock fruits.

You can buy anise both in the pharmacy and in the health food store. We always advise you to use organic quality spices to avoid pesticides in the environment and in the product.

If you store aniseed with exposure to light, chemicals called photoanetholes with estrogenic properties can form. It is therefore particularly important to store aniseed away from light and air.

Effect and application of anise

A study from 2012 shows that anise has the following effects, among others:
antibacterial
antifungal
antiviral
muscle relaxant
antispasmodic
expectorant
This is mainly due to the essential oils that make up up to 80 percent of the seeds. Anise also contains valuable flavonoids.

Due to the different modes of action, anise can also be used in many different ways in terms of health. The main areas of application include:
Colds: The expectorant effect clears the bronchi, while the antispasmodic effect relieves the upper respiratory tract.
Digestive problems: Anise relaxes the intestinal tract and at the same time stimulates the production of digestive juices. This relieves bloating.
Milk production: Anise is said to stimulate breast milk production in breastfeeding mothers. In addition, the spice reduces flatulence in the baby, since the active ingredient is passed on through breast milk.

Preparation of anise

A tea made from the seeds of the aniseed plant is recommended for use as a remedy.

Preparation:
In order for the essential oils to develop in the best possible way, you should first grind the seeds lightly with a mortar.
Pour about 250 milliliters of hot water over about 1 teaspoon of ground anise seeds. Because of the volatile nature of essential oils, it is important that the water does not boil.
Then let the tea steep for about 10 minutes before removing the seeds.
You can also mix anise with fennel and caraway. Both plants support digestion and also stimulate milk production.
You can also use anise as a pure essential oil. However, it is very rare and therefore quite expensive. Star anise essential oil is often offered instead, but it is of lower quality and has different effects.

Anise is also often used as an addition to pastries or desserts. Anise is very popular, especially around Christmas. Anise is often found in gingerbread spices and mulled wine.

But aniseed is also ideal for flavoring hearty dishes such as red cabbage or carrots.

In addition, alcoholic drinks made from anise, such as ouzo, are not only popular in Greece. As an aperitif, it is said to stimulate digestion before eating.

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The Best Medicinal Plants as Clever Home Remedies

Nature is full of healing surprises. Humans and animals have known this for millions and millions of years. We still use all these wonderful healing powers of nature today.

We use the medicinal plants against flu-like discomfort, inflammation, muscle problems, or skin problems. Below we present some of the best medicinal plants.

Chamomile flowers – yellow-white speckles in meadows

Chamomile flowers help with stomach and intestinal cramps, stomach ulcers, and flatulence. Its healing powers also work against inflammation of the gastric mucosa and intestines as well as inflammation in the mouth and throat. The inhalation vapors of the flowers have an anti-inflammatory and expectorant effect on colds or bronchitis.

Prepare chamomile infusions with flower heads. Let it steep for about ten minutes and drink it several times a day. Or take steam baths with it. For rolling cures, you can also use the infusions on each side of the body for a few minutes. Sitz baths in chamomile flower baths help with hemorrhoids. And in case of skin injuries and inflammations, fill envelopes with yellow and white flowers.

Even ants know that: thyme protects against pathogens

Thyme has an antiseptic effect and thus protects against diseases. This is also known in the insect world because ants use it to protect their mounds. The thyme has an antibacterial effect and it disinfects. That is why the ancient Greeks used thyme to season and preserve their food. The perfect protection against rotting! It helps to relieve asthma, colds, and coughs as well as inflammatory conditions of the lungs and bronchi. Thyme as a tea with honey in it has an antispasmodic and soothing effect and relieves tremendously. Incidentally, herbal pillows full of thyme also have a relaxing effect and promote sleep.

Spoon sage with red wine

Sage has an anti-inflammatory effect on the mouth and throat and kills bacteria and fungi. This makes it ideal as a gargle. To do this, mix a tablespoon of sage with a little table salt and half a liter of water. Let this steep for about ten minutes. Toothache sufferers could pinch a leaf of sage between their cheek and gums. Sage leaves also help with gas and bloating. In case of digestive problems, drink a cup of sage daily. The leaves are also antiperspirants. Therefore, they are an ideal remedy for women going through menopause. It helps against heavy sweating. Mix 80g of sage with a liter of red wine. Then let this elixir steep for a week and enjoy with two to three tablespoons a day.

Breath gold eucalyptus

The essential oil from eucalyptus leaves is great for colds. It improves breathing and promotes expectoration when coughing. Finished preparations are ideal for rheumatic complaints and for inhalation. Drink one to two teaspoons daily with eucalyptus leaves with hot water. Soon you will be enjoying easier breathing.

Magic weapon garlic

Since garlic contains the anti-cancer element ‘selenium’, it prevents blood from clotting and platelets from clumping. It improves blood circulation in the heart disease vessels and is therefore even an anti-stroke drug. Eating two cloves a day helps. Garlic has an antibacterial effect against parasites, viruses, and germs. For the athlete’s foot, it is best to smear garlic pulp between the toes. You can also combat lumbago or sciatica with garlic pulp mixed with olive oil. And with bronchitis, drink a mixture of cloves with a little lemon juice and honey several times a day.

Rosemary – activates love hormones

A tea with rosemary leaves stimulates the appetite. You should let it steep in boiling water for ten minutes. Rosemary aids in digestion and deflates the abdomen, helping the body to dehydrate. In addition, it is antiseptic. It has a rejuvenating effect because it gets the circulation going and helps against weakness in either the elderly or those who are still quite shaky on their feet after the flu. On top of that, it has an activating effect on the hormonal life of men and women. Applied externally, you can relieve rheumatism and muscle problems with rosemary packs.

Oregano – should not be missing in any household

The oregano promotes digestion and clears the stomach because the bitter substances in oregano stimulate bile activity. A tea with a tablespoon of the bitter-tart herb relieves stomach and intestinal diseases as well as diarrhea problems or flatulence.
In addition, the herb contributes to better breathing; it counteracts bronchial catarrh, and sweetened with honey it relieves coughing.
Mix oregano with thyme and eucalyptus. Let the infusion steep for a while. This herbal mixture is great for spasmodic coughs and chronic bronchitis

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