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Now is the Right Time to Plant Garlic

Growing garlic yourself is very easy: separate the cloves, stick them in the ground and watch the garlic thrive. As soon as the green shoots turn brown, the garlic bulb is ready to be harvested. Read here why autumn is the best planting time and what you should consider for a rich garlic harvest.

Growing garlic is also great for people without a green thumb because the tuber is undemanding and can survive frost.

The best time to grow the white tuber is autumn. In this way, the tuber can grow over the spring and autumn and develop better than if cultivation were only started at the classic planting time in May. The cold of winter does not damage the seedlings but actually promotes their growth.

To plant garlic yourself, you do not need special plant garlic. The only important thing is that the tuber comes from the region in which you live because garlic from China or the Mediterranean region is used to higher temperatures and thrives much worse than the more robust bulbs from colder areas.

How to plant the garlic bulb

Garlic naturally thrives best in a bed. Make grooves about four centimeters deep and put a clove of garlic in each about ten centimeters apart (transverse distance to the next groove 20 centimeters). Cover loosely with soil and water. In spring, the green garlic begins to sprout, later the plant bears a decorative flower.

In these inflorescences sit small bulbs, not unlike a clove of garlic. They can also be sown, but they don’t produce as good a yield as garlic cloves. It is recommended to pinch off the flowers so that the plant puts all its energy into developing the tuber.

As soon as the green wilts, the garlic bulb is ready to be harvested: pull it out of the ground and let it dry in a dry, airy place. You can either use the cloves in the kitchen or replant them.

Garlic also thrives on the balcony. It is vital to choose a sufficiently large planter, for example, a wooden or plastic box. You can get them in any supermarket for little money. Before you fill the container with soil, provide the bottom with a few drainage holes so that the moisture cannot accumulate. Garlic plants prefer sunny, sheltered locations.

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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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Protein Bombs: These Plant Foods Have More Protein Than Eggs

Not only relevant for sports enthusiasts, but for everyone who wants to eat healthily: protein. Proteins have become a popular term, especially due to the fitness trend. Animal foods such as meat and milk are considered protein guarantors. What many do not know: many plant-based foods can compete with them. These are the vegetable protein bombs.

Benefits of plant-based protein sources

An egg has about eleven grams of protein. Not that much at all, considering that proteins owe their name to him.

It is well known that animal foods are harmful to health in large quantities. An egg, for example, contains five grams of fat and up to 280 mg of cholesterol, more than half the recommended daily allowance.

Plant-based sources of protein are a real alternative, not only because of the lack of cholesterol, but also because they fill you up for longer with the high levels of dietary fiber and secondary plant substances.

These are the vegetable protein bombs

But these are not the only advantages of plant-based protein sources. If you use protein sources from plants, you almost automatically avoid factory farming and the associated problems such as animal suffering or exposure to antibiotics. Another advantage of vegetable protein sources is the ecological footprint: the eco-balance of vegetable protein suppliers is generally better than that of animal protein sources. We have compiled a list of the top protein suppliers among plants for you.

Spirulina

Spirulina doesn’t tell you anything? No wonder, the superfood is only slowly making its way into the supermarkets. Spirulina is an alga found mainly in Mexican and partly African lakes. There, the algae have long been valued by primitive peoples for their anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects. But that’s not all: 100 grams of spirulina contain a whopping 57 grams of protein.

Spirulina, which is considered a superfood, is now being cultivated or bred in a targeted manner. Although the alga is not a food in the narrower sense, but rather a dietary supplement, it is still the protein bomb par excellence. For comparison: Spirulina contains more than twice as much protein as beef.

The green-blue alga has a slightly fishy taste. If you like that, you can, for example, prepare a smoothie with a spoonful of spirulina powder and thus add almost eight grams of protein. Important: When buying spirulina products, you should always make sure that they are sustainably produced and certified.

wheat germ

Wheat germ is also a rather less well-known food in this country. Perhaps you know them from yoghurt or smoothies, for example. Wheat germ is actually – just like wheat bran – a “waste product” in flour production, even though it is very healthy. The oily wheat germ is located at the top of the wheat grain and accounts for only about three percent of the total weight. In addition to many B vitamins, vitamin E and other nutritional values, 100 grams of wheat germ also contain 32 grams of protein.

Overall, wheat germ contains 70 important nutrients, lots of fiber and also a lot of folic acid, which makes them particularly interesting for pregnant women. With their antioxidants, wheat germ also ensures beautiful and healthy skin and a healthy cardiovascular system. Wheat germ* is ideal as an addition to yoghurt, in a smoothie, in a salad or as wheat germ oil*. Wheat germ is high in calories, so two to three tablespoons a day is enough.

Important: Wheat germ is very sensitive to heat, so it should not be heated, boiled or baked, otherwise it will lose valuable nutrients.

hemp seeds

eat hemp seeds? Yes indeed. Competitive athletes have long discovered hemp protein for themselves. The seeds of industrial hemp – so everything is legal, no problem at all – contain many amino acids that the body cannot produce itself, but are very important for muscle building. In addition to this and the reported potency and fertility-enhancing effect, 100 grams of hemp seeds* contain 24 grams of protein, which is exactly as much as beef.

lenses

Lentils, a rather inconspicuous food that has it all. In addition to the many uses of legumes, lentils are also very healthy. Lentils, which, like all legumes, contain a lot of fiber and thus keep you full for a long time, also have a high zinc content, which stimulates the metabolism. In addition, 100 grams of lentils have 23 grams of protein – almost as much as beef – which also has a high biological value, i.e. can be easily absorbed by the body. Lentils are rightly the miracle cure for vegetarians and vegans.

pumpkin seeds

Nuts, kernels and seeds are healthy snacks for in between. They all have one thing in common: they all contain a lot of fat. For example, 100 grams of walnuts contain 65 grams of fat. Pumpkin seeds come off relatively well with their 19 grams of fat. In addition, the tasty seeds also contain all the essential amino acids and 19 grams of protein per 100 grams. The high lysine content also speaks in favor of the pumpkin seeds: lysine is an amino acid that ensures healthy bones and strong connective tissue. Chew on a handful of pumpkin seeds* regularly – your health will thank you.

quinoa

Quinoa: The South American plant is one of the pseudocereals and is one of the healthiest protein sources of all: It contains all the essential amino acids, with the high tryptophan content being particularly noteworthy. Tryptophan is an amino acid that stimulates the production of the happiness messenger serotonin and thus makes eating happy. In addition, quinoa is gluten-free and therefore also edible for people suffering from celiac disease. 100 grams of quinoa contain 13 grams of protein – significantly more than other grains.

Other plant-based protein sources

But that’s not the end of the list of plant-based protein sources. Other high-protein plants are (per 100 grams):
Soy flour – 40 grams of protein
Soybeans – 34 grams of protein
Peanuts – 25 grams of protein
Pine nuts – 24 grams of protein
Pistachios – 23 grams of protein
Peanut Butter – 22 grams of protein
Kidney beans – 22 grams of protein
Chia seeds – 21 grams of protein
Almonds – 20 grams of protein
Oats – 13 grams of protein

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Lifestyle

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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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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