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6 Home Remedies as Plant and Flower Fertilizer

You can use natural home remedies such as organic plant and flower fertilizer. There are many useful household wastes that make good biofertilizers for organic fertilizing.

Use plant fertilizer correctly

We show grandma’s old home remedies and modern DIY household tips for using waste as plant fertilizer and flower fertilizer. Flowers, plants, plants, and indoor plants can be supplied with all the minerals and nutrients with homemade organic fertilizer. The energy reserves are quickly used up, especially in plant pots. This is why indoor plants in particular need a fertilizer with additional nutrients from time to time. Then they can grow lush, colorful, and powerful again.

Types of plant fertilizers

When choosing a fertilizer, distinguish between green plants and flowering plants. The nutrient requirements are fundamentally different. Growing plants generally require more nitrogen than flowering plants. Flowering plants instead use more phosphoric acid and potassium. Special fertilizers should be used for azalea crops, and you should then follow the dosage instructions exactly to ensure the optimal dosage of fertilizer.

Make organic fertilizer yourself

Your plants constantly need nutrients, minerals, and water to grow. Indoor plants should therefore be fertilized especially when they are in flower. In spring and autumn, the garden beds should be fertilized with compost or shavings. With simple home remedies, it is possible to independently supply the plants from the garden and rooms with all the important nutrients, minerals, and trace elements.

For example, there are many leftovers in the daily household that are biodegradable and whose properties are particularly suitable as organic fertilizer. If you make plant fertilizer yourself, you will have enough organic flower fertilizer for months. In this way, all the nutrients that have been removed from the soil can be added back and the optimal supply of minerals can be guaranteed. Because home remedies from the household are cheaper and more environmentally friendly than commercial liquid fertilizers, long-term fertilizers, flower fertilizers, or plant fertilizers.

1) Liquid fertilizer made from vegetable water

Vegetables release many nutrients and minerals into the cooking water when they are cooked. One of the oldest home remedies for fertilizing grandma is potato water. But you can also use any other type of cooking water for vegetables, such as cauliflower water, broccoli water, cabbage water, or asparagus water.

2) Coffee grounds as flower fertilizer

Plants can be fertilized with coffee grounds with little effort and at no cost. The old coffee grounds are very versatile because they contain a lot of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. If you regularly fertilize your plants with the old coffee grounds, a nitrogen deficiency is prevented.

Old coffee grounds in the garden also attract small animals and earthworms. This makes coffee grounds a cheap and very popular flower fertilizer. The soil is supplied with nutrients, but small animals, in particular, loosen the soil and enrich the plant soil with additional nutrients through their excretions. Coffee also keeps snails in the garden away. Therefore, vegetable beds with coffee grounds are avoided by snails like the plague. In the compost, the coffee grounds also promote the decomposition of the food and stimulate the formation of bacteria.

If you fertilize with coffee grounds, you should dry the old coffee powder first. This prevents mold from forming. Incidentally, you can collect coffee grounds in an open, large container. Coffee grounds as a home remedy are particularly suitable for fertilizing the following types of plants: geraniums, roses, oleanders, angel’s trumpets, azaleas, rhododendrons, and hydrangeas.

3) Horse manure and horse manure

Horse manure or cow manure is an organic fertilizer that is particularly suitable for digging in the garden. Due to the many nutrients and minerals in the manure, horse manure tastes good on any plant. Try to get horse manure from farmers in your area and fertilize your vegetable beds with it regularly.

Organic fertilizers such as horse manure, cattle manure, cow manure, or sheep manure are good for vigorously growing plants. Manure is particularly suitable as an organic fertilizer for planting roses and preparing cold frames. Only suitable to a limited extent due to the smell of manure in the apartment or on the balcony.

4) Old mineral water as plant fertilizer

Old mineral water is well suited as a mineral fertilizer for indoor plants. Because the minerals in mineral water are vital for every living being, including plants. So make it a habit to consistently give old mineral water to your plants. However, mineral water is only suitable as a supplier of minerals, not of nutrients.

5) Beer and beer water as nutrient donors

An amazingly versatile home remedy is beer. You can mix the remains of old beer with the irrigation water without hesitation because hops and malt contain natural nutrients. Old beer residues can also be simply distributed in moderation to the plants in the household. However, the flowers should only be watered with such beer water a maximum of 2 times a week.

6) Sheep manure to manure

Sheep manure is also an excellent organic fertilizer. It has many ingredients that promote plant growth.

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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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Lifestyle

Plant Herbs on the Windowsill

Fresh herbs smell wonderful, are healthy, and give dishes a sophisticated touch. You can plant the herbs on the windowsill so that you have fresh ingredients at any time of the year. You can find out how this works best and which herbs are best suited in this article.

Plant your own herbs

Consistent temperatures and no onset of winter, sun, and light mean that herbs grow continuously on the windowsill. All you have to do is plant the right herbs and harvest them. This green splendor not only looks beautiful but refines many dishes and is healthy. In addition, the aroma is much more intense and fresh and tastes best. But even dried herbs round off the meal.

Which herbs are suitable for the windowsill?

Many herbs can be grown on the windowsill at home. There are certainly some herbs that do better outdoors, such as tarragon or lovage. These are suitable for your garden and for beautifying the balcony. But the overwintering of the plants is not always guaranteed. However, they are in good hands on the window sill. The following herbs are well suited for the windowsill:

  • basil
  • Nasturtium
  • chervil
  • oregano
  • Parsely
  • sage
  • chives
  • lemon balm

When planting for the windowsill, it is important that you roughly know the growth height of the individual types of herbs. Then you can plant almost all types of herbs. However, it can happen that individual herbs do not grow as luxuriantly on the windowsill as they do in the garden in summer. But these decorative herbal plants also transform your kitchen into a green, fragrant oasis.

Herbs from seeds or seedlings

You can plant and raise different herbs on the windowsill. Therefore, either by ordinary herbal plants from the garden supply store or just get the seeds from which you can grow your herbs. You can also use self-grown cuttings from your garden or from your girlfriend for the windowsill.

lighting conditions and temperature

The herbs should be selected depending on whether the window is north, east, west, or south. You should not place herbal plants that need a cooler and shady place on a south-facing window. Sun-seeking plants should be placed or hung here. On windows that face east and north, you should preferably put shade-loving herbs. In addition, the room temperature should always be at least 18 degrees if possible. Also, note our tips for watering plants.

Plant the right herbs

After you’ve planted the seeds, it’s time to wait. Then you have to let the herbs grow a bit and not harvest everything immediately. Sufficiently large pots and soil allow the plant to continue growing even with constant harvesting. Also, pay attention to moisture and repot the herbs if necessary. But this is not often necessary. In addition, you only have to fertilize the plants very rarely. If you fertilize them, then if possible with organic fertilizers. Also, read about suitable home remedies such as plant fertilizer.

Instructions for planting extraordinary herbs

It’s best if you try everything. You can use a wide variety of plants. So you have a large variety of different herbs for many dishes. Herbs are also suitable for snacking, the best example being cress, which also tastes good on its own or on bread and butter.

The right planter for planting herbs

If you want to plant herbs, you should place them in individual planters. You can use natural terracotta pots or colorfully painted pots that match the room decoration. The herbs on the windowsill also look particularly decorative in small baskets. Consequently, the variety of planters is inexhaustible and you can let your creativity run free. Homemade herb easels and herb garlands are also particularly pretty and practical.

Cultivate kitchen herbs

Herbs require regular care after planting or planting. There are basically three things that you should definitely take to heart:

  1. Water herbs daily. Not too much and not too little water (beware of overwatering). It would be best if you always water your herbs in the morning, with relatively little water.
  2. Most kitchen herbs need a lot of suns. So choose a sunny spot in the kitchen or, better still, place the herbs on the balcony or terrace if it is right next to the kitchen.
  3. Gently pluck off the leaves. In this way, the kitchen herbs can grow back better and are not “tormented”

Herbs on the windowsill – pest control

Even herbs are not always protected from pests. Because small flies infest the delicate plants. And that can have many causes, for example, excessive humidity or waterlogging. You should therefore water the herbal plants sparingly and make sure that there is no waterlogging. In the event of a fly infestation, you should dispose of the herbal plant if necessary. If you have to fight aphids, a shower bath several times is often sufficient. You should decide this on a case-by-case basis.

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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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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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Valerian as a Home Remedy and Medicinal Plant

Valerian is considered a calming and relaxing herbal remedy and home remedy for things like sleep problems. We will show you what effect the medicinal plant can have and in which areas it can help you.

The natural medicinal plant not only helps with sleep problems but also with nervous problems. Below you can find out more about the amazing effects of the herb, as well as the risks and side effects of taking it.

The medicinal herb and its origin

Valerian is a herb or shrub with white or pink flowers. The roots of the medicinal plant contain a strong-smelling and nerve-soothing oil. The real valerian occurs in large parts of Europe except for Portugal and western Asia. Valerian extracts are also used in the fragrance industry and in food.

The effect of valerian

The oil from the roots of the plant has a relaxing and anticonvulsant effect. During the day, the herb relieves restlessness, in the evening it helps you with nervous-related problems falling asleep. Valerian root extracts can be found in numerous mono and combination preparations, and the effect has also been well studied. In addition to valerian, there are other home remedies that act as natural antibiotics.

1) Valerian for a restful sleep

One of the areas of action of the medicinal plant is a peaceful sleep. Through the interaction of different ingredients, the plant can help with sleep problems and restless sleep. The following sleeping pills made from valerian make it easier to fall asleep and improve the ability to sleep through the night.

2) When does the plant take effect?

Valerian doesn’t necessarily improve sleep after the first dose, as it may take about two weeks for the sedative to make you sleep better. In contrast to many chemical sleeping pills, the use of valerian does not normally lead to daytime sleepiness. Normally, you should take it about an hour before bedtime.

3) Effect of valerian on the psyche

In addition to plants such as hops, valerian is also one of the herbal mood enhancers. The medicinal herb promotes concentration, motivation, and the ability to cope with stressful situations and stabilizes the nervous system. Studies suggest that the medicinal herb has calming and anxiolytic effects. For example, if you are afraid of an exam or suffer from nervous restlessness in stressful situations, you can use valerian preparation in consultation with your doctor.

Risks and side effects of medicinal plants

The medicinal herb is not addictive, but if the dose is too high, it can lead to tiredness, tremors, and stomach cramps. It can also lead to dizzy spells, tachycardia, and disorientation. Furthermore, the medicinal plant valerian can contribute to lowering blood pressure if taken regularly.

You should not take the medicinal plant together with other sedatives or sleeping pills or with alcohol unless a combination with other sleep-inducing drugs has been agreed with the doctor.

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Aloe Vera Plant as a Natural Home Remedy

Aloe vera as a home remedy has many uses. Because the aloe vera gel or its juice can promote wound healing. And also in beauty care, it is used against wrinkles and moisturizes. Learn now how to use the aloe vera plant.

In some cultures, aloe is praised as a miracle cure, since in its unaltered form it is a small powerhouse of nature that is bursting with positive active ingredients. So it is high time to take a closer look at this medicinal plant and its effective effects.

What is aloe vera?

The aloe vera plant usually grows in tropical areas. In our native regions, too, it is being used more and more frequently as a houseplant. Because it is easy to care for, it can filter formaldehyde from the air and it can also convert carbon dioxide into oxygen at night. It is also very popular in the beauty and health industries as its ingredients can provide positive effects. It is important to remember that not all health and beauty products are effective. Consequently, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has warned against dietary supplements. And also other products with poor quality should be avoided.

How does aloe vera gel work?

The valuable gel of the plant is still used today for the natural treatment of sunburn, skin diseases, and wounds of all kinds. The reason for this is provided the valuable ingredients of the natural medicinal plant. The hydrous plant provides salicylic acid, and amino acids such as mono- and polysaccharides. These substances in combination have an antiseptic, antibacterial, and analgesic effect. And these positive properties are also used in cosmetics and naturopathic medicine. For this reason, aloe vera is considered the best addition to many body creams and lotions.

Aloe is a versatile home remedy

If you use organic products, you shouldn’t have any problems. You can also take advantage of your own houseplant. Because the medicinal plant offers many possibilities for application. We have collected the most important ones for you.

1) Treat burns and relieve pain

If you’ve burned yourself on a hot tray or frying pan, you don’t need a commercially available wound healing ointment. Because you can also cut an aloe leaf lengthwise and place it on the burn area for a while. The jelly-like pulp cools immediately thanks to the high moisture content. As a result, you can quickly relieve such a minor burn. The gel also has a soothing effect on your skin.

2) Treat mouth blisters with aloe vera

From time to time small blisters may appear in the mouth. These mouth ulcers usually heal on their own within a week. But if you want to speed up the healing process of the painful blisters, put a piece of aloe, the wet side, on the affected area. The gel of the plant has an anti-inflammatory and healing effect. Also, note our natural home remedies for herpes.

3) Drink aloe vera juice for constipation

The juice of the plant is also an effective way to relieve constipation. So if you suffer from constipation, drink a glass of aloe vera juice after meals. However, a little caution is required here, because studies from the USA say that people with gluten intolerance or hemorrhoids should not consume aloe juice. Therefore, you should get rid of the hemorrhoids first and then drink the juice.

4) Aloe vera juice helps with diabetes

Several studies show that regular and moderate consumption of aloe vera juice can have positive effects on blood sugar levels. The ingredients in the juice are particularly effective in people with type 2 diabetes. However, researchers have found that prolonged consumption of the juice increases the risk of liver damage, so you should consult your doctor beforehand.

5) As a home remedy for sunburn

It is also worth having a little aloe vera on hand in summer. Because the miracle plant is an effective alternative to ointments and the like. And therefore the perfect home remedy for sunburn. Accordingly, cut the leaf of the plant open on the side and place the moist side on the area to be treated. Then let it work. The antibacterial active ingredients in the pulp promote skin regeneration and provide the skin with moisture.

6) Soften and get rid of wrinkles

A popular ingredient in masks, creams, and ointments, aloe vera gel acts as a natural moisturizer, plumping up fine lines and brightening the complexion. Therefore, use the pulp of the plant as a home remedy for wrinkles. To do this, put it on your washed face. Then relax on the sofa for 20-30 minutes and remove the pieces of pulp again after a while. Then you can use your usual facial care or homemade face masks.

7) Treat bug bites quickly

If you are tormented by wasp or mosquito bites, the gel of the plant cools you down. In addition, it quickly takes away the itching and dampens the inflammation of the insect bite. Consequently, put some chilled aloe vera gel in high concentration directly on the sting. Then let it work. Then the pain relief should come quickly and the itching should disappear. It is an effective home remedy for insect bites.

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Tonka Bean: Taste and Effect of The Spice Plant

The taste of tonka beans is intense and unique. You can use the spice to refine desserts and sweets, for example. Here you can find out where tonka beans come from, how you use them and how they work.

Tonka beans are the elongated seeds of the tonka bean tree. Although this belongs to the legume family, it has little in common with the legumes we know. Tonka beans are brownish-black and a few centimeters long. The seeds are encased in the yellow fruits of the tonka tree.

onka trees are found in Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, Peru and Colombia, among others. Due to the great demand for the newly discovered spice, tonka beans are now also grown in other parts of South America, in Trinidad, as well as in Kenya and Nigeria. The tonka beans available in this country mostly come from Venezuela and Nigeria.

Tonka Bean: taste of the exquisite seeds

Tonka beans have a floral-sweet aroma and their taste is reminiscent of vanilla and bitter almonds. In haute cuisine, tonka beans are among the most important spice discoveries of recent years. Even if it is still relatively unknown in Germany, the seed is being used more and more frequently in fine desserts and sweet dishes.

You can refine creams, cakes, sweet pastries or ice cream with tonka beans. The fine floral note of the tonka bean is particularly good in panna cotta or crème brulée, for example. But you can also refine hearty dishes such as red cabbage, pumpkin soup or mashed potatoes with the taste of tonka beans.

Using tonka beans: tips for the kitchen

Tonka beans are only available dried from us and are therefore very hard. To use them in the kitchen, grate them with a nutmeg grater. But be careful: A small amount is sufficient, otherwise the taste of the tonka beans will quickly become too intrusive.

Alternatively, you can soak whole tonka beans in rum or boil them for milk or cream-based desserts. To do this, boil the tonka beans in milk or cream for ten minutes and let them soak overnight. Depending on the recipe, one or two beans are enough. Thanks to the intense taste, you can reuse the tonka beans up to ten times this way.

By the way, tonka beans are used not only as a spice, but also as a fragrance. As early as the 18th century, tonka beans were put in the laundry in Venezuela, leaving them with a pleasant scent. Tonka beans are also used for perfume, tobacco and aromatherapy.

Flavorful tonka bean: healthy or dangerous?

Among the natives of South America, the tonka bean is not only known for its taste. It has always been regarded as a medicinal plant with magical powers. It was said to have protective and lucky powers and the beans were carried as lucky charms. The scent of the seeds is said to have a mood-enhancing and erotic effect. Tonka beans are still used in folk medicine today. However, these effects have not been scientifically proven.

Today, tonka beans are best known for their relatively high coumarin content. On average, this is two to three percent, but can also be up to ten percent.

Coumarin is a flavoring substance that is also found in cassia cinnamon, among other things, and is liver-damaging in large quantities.
This flavoring was also suspected of being carcinogenic for a long time, which is why tonka beans were banned in Germany for some time. This was the result of animal experiments, but could not be confirmed in humans according to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). The import of the spice plant has been permitted again since 1991.
According to the BfR, a daily intake of up to 0.1 milligrams of coumarin per kilogram of body weight is harmless. So if you don’t season generously with tonka beans every day, you don’t have to fear the coumarin it contains. Nevertheless, the following applies: Use tonka beans sparingly – a small amount is sufficient for seasoning.
On the other hand, tonka beans are valued for their coumarin content, as the substance is also used medicinally. Coumarins (coumarin derivatives) are used as anticoagulant drugs.

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Postelein: This is How You Plant and Use The Healthy Herb

Postelein is a hardy leafy vegetable and provides you with valuable vitamins even in the cold season. Here you can find out how to plant Postelein yourself. We also show you a simple recipe for salad with Postelein.

Postelein is a healthy leafy vegetable for the cold season. That is why the plant is also called winter purslane, although it is not related to purslane itself.

Postelein belongs to the springwort family and is also known as common plate herb. The annual plant originally comes from North America, but has also been cultivated and valued in Europe for many years.

Postelein has been somewhat forgotten in recent years. The regional leafy vegetables are easy to care for and provide you with vitamins even in the cold season.

Postel in your garden

You can easily plant Postelein in your garden. The lettuce is easy to care for and particularly suitable for the winter. Postelein withstands cold temperatures down to minus twenty degrees.

You should consider the following points so that Postelein thrives in your garden:
Location:
Postelein prefers a sunny to half-shady site.
Since the leaves don’t take root very deeply, you can grow the leafy greens on the balcony.
Floor:
Postelein thrives best in well-drained, humus-rich soil.
Before you start sowing, you should loosen the soil well and enrich it with some ripe compost.
Sowing:
The optimal germination temperature for Postelein is below twelve degrees. You should therefore only sow Postelein from the cool days of September. Depending on the temperature, sowing is possible until March.
To do this, make a groove about one centimeter deep in the soil and scatter the seeds densely. Then cover them lightly with soil. If you create several rows, you should keep a distance of four to six inches between them.
At eight to twelve degrees, the seeds need about two to three weeks to germinate.
Care:
Like spinach, Postelein is one of the so-called weak eaters. If you enriched the soil with compost at the beginning, you do not have to fertilize the plants additionally.
Postelein is sensitive to drought. Make sure the soil is always moist.
Harvest:
You can harvest Postelein for the first time after six to eight weeks. Cut the leaves about an inch off the ground.
Similar to arugula, the leaves grow back – so you can harvest regularly.
From April, Postelein will sprout small white flowers. It is then no longer suitable for consumption.
Caution: In the flowering period, Postelein likes to multiply itself and spreads widely. Cut off the flowers early to avoid this.

Recipe for a delicious salad with Postelein

The thick, heart-shaped leaves of Postelein are characterized by their mild, slightly sour taste. The winter salad provides you with something in the cold season

Vitamin C,
iron
and calcium.
Postelein is usually prepared as a salad. Older leaves can also be steamed like spinach. We present you a simple recipe for the tasty winter salad:

Ingredients:
200 g Postelein
1 ripe pear (alternatively 1 apple)
optionally 1 ripe avocado
1-2 cloves garlic
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
Salt
pepper
a handful of walnuts
Preparation:
Wash the Postelein thoroughly and pluck the larger leaves into small pieces.
Also wash the pear and cut it into small cubes.
Divide the avocado and cut the flesh into cubes.
Peel the garlic cloves(s) and cut them into fine pieces.
Mix all ingredients in a suitable container.
Season your salad with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.
Garnish with walnut pieces before serving.

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Phytic Acid: What You Need to Know About The Plant Substance

Phytic acid is found in whole grains, seeds, legumes and nuts. We explain what you should know about the effects of phytic acid.

Phytic acid is a phytochemical found primarily in protein-rich plant foods. According to the consumer advice center, you will find the ingredient mainly in the following products:
whole grains
Pseudo-cereals, for example buckwheat
seeds
legumes
nuts
Phytic acid is said to reduce the absorption of other nutrients in the body. That is why it is also called an antinutrient.

Phytic acid – an “antinutrient”

According to the health portal, phytic acid can form bonds with many minerals and trace elements, for example with iron or zinc. Such compounds that are formed during digestion are called phytates.

For example, rolled oats contain phytic acid and iron. When you digest oatmeal, the iron binds to the phytic acid, making it harder for the body to access.

However, the above foods not only contain phytic acid, but also an enzyme called phytase. When this enzyme is activated, it breaks down phytic acid, making more micronutrients available to the body.

Avoid whole grains because of phytic acid?

So is phytic acid good or bad? And is whole grain really that healthy?

According to the consumer center and the specialist portals, you don’t have to worry about nutrient deficiencies if you eat a balanced diet. Because how well the body can absorb nutrients from a food depends not only on the phytic acid content, but also on other ingredients. In addition, whole grain not only contains more phytic acid than white flour, but also more vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

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