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Poinsettias: The Popular Classic Plants Are so Poisonous

Poinsettias are welcome guests in winter. But are they really that poisonous? We reveal what you need to look out for when it comes to plants.

You should definitely pay attention to this with poinsettias

Even if the cultivated poinsettias are not highly toxic, there are still a few things to consider. Normally, contact with the milky sap of the plant is harmless, but allergy sufferers who are sensitive to latex should still be particularly careful. It is best to handle the poinsettia with gloves if you want to repot it. This way you avoid direct skin contact.

Children and small animals should also stay away from the beautiful plant with the star-shaped leaves. Because they are still very sensitive to the plant toxin. If children or animals eat the plant, they may experience abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, sleepiness and drowsiness. The affected children or animals should then drink plenty of water and you should take them to a doctor immediately. However, you can also talk to your child in advance and explain the toxicity of the beautiful plant.

Our tip: The poinsettia is an absolute Christmas classic and creates a wintry atmosphere. If you pay attention to a few things, it is not a problem to have the plant in the house. Put them in a place where children and pets have difficulty getting to, so you can continue to enjoy your poinsettia in your own four walls without hesitation.

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Water and Care for Flowers and Plants on Holiday

With water bottles cut off or clay pots, you can keep your flowers nice and moist even when they’re on vacation. Drive with confidence. You no longer need to ask neighbors to water your flowers. The water bottles do this all by themselves. Do you want to go on vacation and can’t find anyone to water your flowers? No problem. With small water bottles, you will quickly master the problem.

Plants took care of despite vacation

If you don’t have a nice neighbor to water your indoor plants and window boxes during your vacation, you can also place the plants in the garden during your vacation without damaging them.

Dig a small pit in a partially shaded spot in the garden and place the plants in it. Then fill the space between the plants with wet peat and finally stretch a transparent film over it. Packed like this, your plants will survive the holiday undamaged and are well cared for.

Water bottles for watering flowers

Buy small plastic water bottles with a capacity of half a liter. They are nice and small and fit in your flower pots. All you need is a kitchen knife and you’re good to go.

How do I use the water bottles?

Cut the bottles in half with the kitchen knife. This creates a funnel. Now put the water bottles in your flower pots with the spout down. Then fill it with water using the watering can. The flower water can always flow and the soil stays nice and moist. Now you can go on vacation without worrying. The water supply lasts up to three weeks and you no longer have to worry about your flowers.

Clay pots for watering flowers

You can also use shapely clay pots for this purpose. which can be bought in hardware stores. You can also use these when you are at home, saving you the daily watering of the flowers.

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Control Small Black Midges in Potted Plants

If small black flies buzz around when you water your potted plants, then you are probably dealing with an infestation of so-called fungus gnats. Fungus gnats look very similar to fruit flies and are often confused with them. In any case, normal mosquitoes are much larger.

Fungus gnats have small black bodies, however, and are mostly found around potted plants. They multiply in the plant soil. The fungus gnat lays its eggs in the bottom of the potted plant. There the larvae hatch and feed on dead roots and leaves. Sometimes they nibble on young roots and can damage a plant.

How do you know if your plants are infested with fungus gnats?

Fungus gnats usually crawl on the surface of potted plant soil. If you move or water the plant, they buzz. The larvae can be found about 1 cm deep in the ground. They are about 5 mm long, white with a blackhead.

What to do against fungus gnat infestation?

  • Repot affected plants. This reduces larvae infestation.
  • Cover the surface of the potting soil with a 1-2 cm thick layer of quartz sand. The insects do not lay their eggs in the sand.
  • Fungus gnats love wet soil. So keep your plants as dry as possible. Always water from below.
  • Keep your plants free of fallen leaves. The insects feed on dead plant parts.
  • Lay yellow sticky paper around the infested plants. There are also yellow boards or yellow stickers available in stores. The insects are attracted to the bright color and stick to the panels.
  • For biological pest control, there are SF nematodes (Steinernema feltiae nematodes) and BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis). Nematodes are tiny roundworms that feed on the sciarid larva. BTI is a bacterium that produces so-called stomach poison and kills the larvae. Both beneficial insects are harmless to humans and pets and are freely available in stores.

  • Check any newly potted plants for infestation before bringing them indoors.

Fungus gnats are annoying little pests that can spoil the fun of your potted plants. But don’t despair. With the tips and tricks above, you can get rid of the little black flies in no time at all and be able to enjoy your plant splendor again.

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The Right Winter Protection for Plants

Overwinter instructions on how to plant correctly and protect them from snow and frost in winter. When the gardening year is slowly coming to an end, you should ensure your plants have adequate winter protection in good time. This is especially true when exotic plants are overwintered, but outdoor plants also need protection from the cold weather.

Winter protection for various plants

Since different plants have different needs, you should also keep this in mind when wintering. As a result, some potted plants overwinter better than others. Here you have to pay attention to the foliage. Because plants with harder leaves and faster woody shoots are easier to overwinter than those with soft leaves and rather fast-growing, herbaceous shoots. Accordingly, the following plants have hard foliage:

  • oleander
  • laurel
  • strawberry tree

These plants do not grow as fast and are therefore not as sensitive to overwintering. The hard-leaved, slow-growing varieties tolerate darker cellar rooms in winter but must be watered regularly during the winter months, as they must not dry out. It is therefore advisable to supply these plants with water every fourteen days in the winter quarters. You can immediately check the plants for pest infestation. The following plants, for example, have soft foliage:

  • daisies
  • fuchsias
  • geraniums

Cassia and gentian trees

These varieties grow much faster and are demanding when overwintering. The plants not only need dry, lighter rooms to overwinter, but they also need the right temperature. Tropical plants like it moist and warm and are in good hands in the heated conservatory. On the other hand, the daisy trees feel most comfortable at temperatures of two to eight degrees Celsius.

1) Tips for overwintering potted plants

After gardening in the fall, it’s straight on to winterizing the garden. Whether the foliage is soft or hard, there are some care tips that are important for trouble-free winter protection for plants. If you heed these, then it will also work with the wintering of your plants:

  • Water potted plants regularly, but little.
  • Do not overwinter cold-sensitive plants on drafty or cold window sills.
  • Ventilate the winter quarters when the temperatures are mild.
  • Water and fertilize more again from February.

2) Packing or piling up roses

Proper care of roses is especially important in winter. Because with the rose trunk, the crown and the grafting point are particularly at risk. That’s why they are packed and airy. Straw, styrofoam, or wood wool are suitable as insulation. Fleece or spruce branches can be used for packing. Native roses, i.e. all hybrid tea roses, can be kept healthy through the winter with loose soil. They are accumulated in the fall. Compost is a good choice, as it improves the soil and supplies it with nutrients. This is the perfect winter protection for plants.

3) Jute bags as winter protection for plants

Always secure jute or fleece bags that are placed over the plants with a ribbon. Otherwise, strong winds can blow away the winter protection for plants. Winter protection is available in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and shapes. Just in time for Christmas, the plants are packed in fleece or jute bags with reindeer or Santa Claus motifs and this gives the garden, balcony, or terrace a few pretty color accents that drive away the gray of winter. Also, note tips for growing plants with a breeding mat.

4) Overwinter exotic aquatic plants

While Stratiotes submerge and water lilies overwinter in the frost-free pond bottom, water hyacinths, water ferns and other aquatic plants that are at risk of frost must be fished off and kept in a water basin indoors. If you don’t winterize perennials, grasses, and ferns, the damage will become apparent once the snowpack melts. While a closed blanket of snow offers the best frost protection for herbaceous plants, cold frost often has dire consequences. Spruce branches or straw mats help against this. This can also be used to prevent early bloomers and bulbous plants from sprouting early. Therefore, it makes sense to have the right equipment ready for gardening.

5) Tips on winter protection for exotic plants

Extraordinary flowers that do not grow in the home garden are often referred to as exotic plants. Exotic plants that come from the tropics and subtropics can often only be grown in our greenhouse. In summer, caring for these plants is not a problem. But winter is more of a challenge. Because they need a certain environment for a successful hibernation. But very few garden owners have a greenhouse or an orangery. In the following, we will show you how exotic friends can still hibernate successfully.

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5 Tips for Watering Flowers and Plants

In order for houseplants to live a long time, it needs proper care and avoidance of common mistakes. Consequently, we have the most important tips for watering flowers and plants. This is how the different plants grow and thrive and ensure a more comfortable atmosphere in the apartment.

Observe important information on watering plants

Essentially, you should differentiate between garden plants, potted plants, and indoor plants, because the different plants do not always need the same care. Many garden plants are more robust than some houseplants and not every place is suitable for every plant. Incorrect watering can lead to the decay of the plants.

1) Water flowers as needed

If you water too little, the plant will dry up. On the other hand, you must not water the flowers too much, otherwise, the roots will rot. But when the plants need water is difficult to estimate, since all flowers have different water requirements. You also have to consider the location. Accordingly, you can observe the following points for watering plants. Or find out about the requirements, the best location, and the water requirement when you buy the flowers. Because the care of orchids is different than that of the popular ivy.

  • the appearance of the plant. When the leaves droop and the plant looks thirsty, it’s high time to water.
  • location crucial. Depending on whether your plant is outdoors or indoors, other influences, such as weather conditions, need to be considered.
  • Observe weather conditions. If it’s very hot, the plant may need more water than usual.
  • Use pot size as a guide. The smaller the vessel, the more often you have to water. But also here the weather conditions have to be considered.
  • Watering at intervals can be helpful. Try watering your plants once a week and see how they do.

2) When watering avoid waterlogging

Avoid waterlogging of all plants. It doesn’t matter whether it’s bedding, pot, or house plant. Consequently, use loose potting soil or substrate, if necessary you can loosen the soil with sand. Also, only use tubs or pots with holes so excess water can drain away. You should also empty the pots and saucers regularly. The soil in the flower bed must also be loosened more often, otherwise, the soil will become encrusted and the flower will not get enough oxygen. Therefore, apply a mulch layer, because this way the water does not evaporate as quickly and the soil does not heat up too much.

3) Sparing watering is beneficial

The substrate is usually used in flower pots and it must not be soaked under any circumstances. However, the moisture content is easy to measure with small wooden sticks, if soil sticks to it, the soil is still moist enough and does not need water. However, if the soil is dry, then it needs to be watered. But here, too, small amounts are helpful, as water can always be added. Under no circumstances should you water so much that the water runs out of the drain holes. Also, note tips for planting and watering roses.

4) More water in the growth phase

When the plants are in the growth phase and are in bloom, they have an increased water requirement. They also need more water if the planter is heavily rooted. Of course, the temperature also plays a role, in the hot summer months flowers simply need water. The temperature of the irrigation water should be right, so just let the sun warm the water up a bit. Thus, the flowers do not suffer a cold shock. In contrast, learn how to dry and press flowers.

5) The best time to water plants

There is no fixed time for watering the flowers. However, you should water plants in the morning or evening. Accordingly, do not water the leaves during the hours of sunshine, because every drop of water acts as a magnifying glass and would damage the foliage. Of course, you have to water the plants copiously during the growth phase, while the plant can cope with very little water during the winter. If you water too much or too little, the flower will quickly droop its leaves and the bloom will also shrivel up. Therefore, check the moisture content of the soil beforehand. This is the best way to determine if the plant needs water.

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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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Legumes: Family of Plants That Improve The Soil

Legumes is one of the most species-rich plant families, also known as legumes. Through a symbiosis with bacteria, they bind nitrogen from the air and thus improve the soil.

Legumes are a plant family of lepidoptera that includes around 17,000 species. They are also called legumes.

Legumes form a connection with so-called nodule bacteria. These bind valuable nitrogen for the plants and enrich the soil with it.

In this article you will read which plants are legumes and why they are so valuable for humans.

representatives of legumes

The legumes are divided into two broad categories. The so-called grain legumes form the first category. They form nutritious grains and seeds for humans. These include legumes, such as:
Chickpeas
Beans (bush beans, pole beans, soybeans)
Peas
lupine
lenses
peanuts
The second category mainly includes forage crops for livestock farming. These include, for example:
clover
alfalfa
Legumes also include trees and ornamental plants:
acacias
wisteria

Legumes and their symbiosis

Legumes form root nodules in which they enter into a symbiosis with so-called nodule bacteria. This is referred to as biological nitrogen fixation.

The nodule bacteria bind the volatile nitrogen from the air and make it organically available in liquid form for the plants. They convert the nitrogen in the air (N2) into liquid ammonia (NH3).

This makes the plants independent of nitrate levels in the soil. Legumes also thrive on very nutrient-poor soils and also enrich the soil for the following plants. As a result, less fertilizer can be used. This protects the soil and groundwater.

If you want to grow legumes yourself, make sure you don’t plant them in back-to-back years. Since the plants have already enriched the soil, the soil may already contain too much nitrogen for the legumes. Plant medium and heavy feeders in the improved soil the following year.

Nutritious legumes

Legumes play an important role not only in agriculture, but also in our diet. The University of Giessen has dealt extensively with the nutrients and antinutrients it contains:

Due to the nitrogen fixation, the plants have sufficient nitrogen available for protein synthesis. Therefore, the fruits of the legumes are very rich in protein.

In addition to proteins, legumes contain fiber and long-chain carbohydrates. Since the human body needs a lot of time to process these substances, they keep you full in the long term. Legumes are also rich in vitamins and minerals such as calcium and magnesium.

In addition to nutrients that are valuable for the body, legumes also contain so-called antinutrients. These inhibit the absorption of nutrients and are sometimes toxic to the body. Legumes contain phytic acid and tannins. The substances inhibit the absorption of minerals. They also contain lectin, which is toxic to the human body.

It is therefore advisable to soak legumes such as chickpeas or lentils and cook them for a long time.

benefits of legumes

Legumes play an important role in our agriculture.
They enrich the soil with nitrogen and keep the soil fertile. Farmers can take advantage of this effect by cultivating the soil with legumes in the last year of crop rotation and thus enriching the soil with nitrogen for future plants.
The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture has decided on the so-called protein planting strategy to promote the cultivation of legumes. This could save on chemical fertilizer in the long term, which enables sustainable and ecological agriculture.
Healthier soil also reduces plant diseases and pests. This also means fewer pesticides and herbicides are needed.
The various types of clovers grow quickly and are well suited as cattle feed, while at the same time they can serve as green manure.
Most legumes develop taproots. These also loosen the deeper layers of soil and thus counteract soil compaction.
Due to their nitrogen-fixing properties, legumes are ideal as pioneer plants. This means that they can be grown in areas that were previously not covered with greenery. As a result, they also play an important role in the renaturation of areas destroyed by humans.

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The 11 Best Medicinal Plants From Your Garden

Herbs in your garden are a pure delight. Its flowers attract bees, bumblebees and butterflies, they exude a heavenly fragrance and inspire new taste experiences in the kitchen. Some herbs can be the salt in the soup – or even replace it. Herb beds are usually easy to care for, hard-wearing and productive. And that’s not all – if you want to heal minor illnesses in a low-threshold way, you’re well advised to grow a few essential herbs in the garden. Some medicinal herbs also find their place on the balcony and windowsill. We have put together our top eleven medicinal herbs that should not be missing from your medicine chest.

Thyme – Small herb with well-documented medicinal properties

Thyme is indisputably a must-have among Mediterranean herbs. The herb with the small wiry leaves conjures up Mediterranean flair in your vegetable and potato dishes. In the garden, for example in the herb spiral and on the balcony, thyme makes itself popular because of its willingness to bloom and its trouble-free thriving. But the herb is not just a delicious spice in the kitchen.

Thyme has been used as a remedy for all kinds of ailments since ancient times. Its essential oils, such as thymol and carvacrol, have an antibacterial, antibiotic, expectorant, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect. These effects of thyme have now been well documented in studies.

Relieves airways, relieves spasms and relaxes the intestines

A thyme tea has an antibacterial and antiviral effect against infections of the upper respiratory tract. The antispasmodic effect also relieves the bronchial tubes. Thyme tea can also be good for the stomach. In the case of flatulence and menstrual cramps, it calms things down again. Drink a well-strained tea made from 2 teaspoons per cup of thyme in three cups throughout the day to allow the healing effects to unfold.

A thyme steam bath lets skin impurities disappear quickly and gently, because it has an antibacterial effect without destroying the pH value of the skin. You can also make a strong decoction of 100g thyme in half a liter of water, let it cool down and dab blemishes with it.

Real chamomile – Yellow tea against bad pain

The clear yellow tea from the white-feathered flowers is considered the health tea par excellence. It lives up to this reputation because the plant, which has been used for thousands of years, can alleviate a wide range of ailments. It has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. Chamomile grows on barren, poor garden soil or in herbal soil in window boxes and tubs.

Inflammation of the gums or a sore throat can be alleviated with chamomile with a gargle solution. A tea can also be of good service if it has been steeped for a long time and is drunk in small sips throughout the day.

Chamomile blossom tea also develops an antispasmodic and antibacterial effect in the gastrointestinal tract. A decoction of chamomile flowers added to the water of a sitz bath can relieve minor genital infections and hemorrhoids.

Rosemary – The power of the coast for your muscles

Rosemary, the “rose of the sea” is relatively undemanding and grows in the dry zone of herb beds or in tubs and pots on balconies and terraces. Rosemary can grow relatively tall outdoors, up to two meters. Short-snouted insects like bumblebees and bees love the bluish flowers. We humans appreciate the bitter-spicy taste as a basic seasoning for soups and stews. The essential oils of the needles have a circulation-enhancing and warming effect. Rosemary loosens muscle tension, helps with rheumatism, muscle and joint pain and gives the circulation a boost.

Green Sud is also good on the head

Make a rosemary brew to harness its effects. To do this, strip the needles from the branches and put them in a pot with water. 100g of needles are enough for one liter of water. Let it simmer for twenty minutes and then pass it through a sieve. You can add the brew to your bath water.

20 g rosemary boiled with 250 ml water and poured with 250 ml cold apple cider vinegar results in a strengthening hair tonic that soothes your scalp and smells extraordinarily well.

Taken internally, rosemary aids in digestion. Add it to particularly fatty foods to aid in digestion.

Lavender – Violet happiness and calm for your nerves

The silvery stems and leaves of lavender and its purple flowers are the epitome of Provençal summer. Its distinctive sweet-fresh scent has been used in perfumery for centuries. You can plant it in the garden to border beds or to give a border of perennials a rustic look. It attracts bumblebees, bees and butterflies and keeps aphids away from other plants. But lavender also has its place in the herb bed. Lavender is an herb that has a beneficial effect on the nerves and psyche. According to studies, the essential oils contained in lavender, coumarins, tannins, flavonoids affect the nerve receptors in the body. The release of the stress hormone norepinephrine is inhibited and the body releases more of the happiness hormone serotonin. The mere scent has a delightful effect.

Sleepless nights? Only for the moths!

A lavender bag under the pillow ensures a peaceful and deep sleep. You can also make lavender tea from two teaspoons of dried flowers or add it to other tea blends. Lavender tea calms the nerves, clears thoughts and alleviates fears and depressive moods.

Indoors, the dried flowers will repel moths from closets.

Meadowsweet – Sweet pain reliever from the meadow

You may know Meadowsweet from walks along streams or wet meadows. The perennial grows up to two meters tall, has pinnate leaves and flowers in white racemes. Meadow hay with meadowsweet spreads a characteristic, cinnamon-like sweet fragrance. You can collect meadowsweet in the wild, but it is definitely worth cultivating the plant in your herb bed as well. Due to its height, however, the herb is not so well suited for containers or window boxes. The real meadowsweet has many healing effects that have long been known in folk medicine. It contains substances that have an astringent effect on the mucous membranes. This helps against colds. However, the high content of salicylaldehyde and salicylic acid methyl ester is particularly noteworthy. Together, these two substances have a pain-relieving and fever-reducing effect similar to that of aspirin.

Gentle drainage

Meadowsweet tea is also said to have a diuretic effect. The whole plant, i.e. stems, leaves and flowers, is used for medicinal purposes. You can make a meadowsweet tea by steeping a tablespoon of the chopped plant parts in a cup of boiling water. Then let the infusion steep for 10 to 20 minutes. Then pour everything through a fine sieve. Meadowsweet tea should be drunk as hot as possible to increase the sweat-inducing effect.

Sage – Bitter leaves against viruses, bacteria and fatty foods

Real sage is another typical Mediterranean herb, which thrives well in our latitudes and overwinters without any problems. It grows bushy and branched as a pretty purple flowering semi-shrub in our herb garden. The slightly felty silvery leaves taste bitter and aromatic.

Sage is a culinary herb that goes particularly well with hearty and greasy dishes. Its bitter substances stimulate bile production and help with fat digestion. The antimicrobial properties are used in the kitchen to preserve oily and fatty foods.

Not only is sage valuable for your medicine chest, but also because it contains thujone and camphor. Both substances are antibacterial and partially antiviral and are effective against inflammation in the mouth and throat with a sore throat. Prepare a tea from fresh or dried sage leaves. Ten leaves are enough for a cup of water. You can drink the tea or make a stronger infusion to use as a gargle solution. Anyone who likes to produce natural cosmetics can add sage to homemade deodorants, because it inhibits excessive perspiration.

Calendula – Rich orange is not only delicious, but also healing

The marigold blooms bright orange and lush as an insect magnet in your garden. The flowers not only enrich your beds for decoration, but also your diet with their edible, slightly salty-bitter petals and your herbal pharmacy with their healing powers. Their content of plant pigments, flavonoids and carotenes has an antibacterial, expectorant and wound-healing effect. Calendula officinalis, as it is called in Latin, is a traditional cottage garden plant that was used as a weather prophet in earlier times. It is believed that the weather will be nice when the flowers open in the early morning.

Since the 12th century, marigold has been used in herbal medicine to alleviate and heal skin complaints, gynecological disorders and as an antispasmodic. The flavonoids, glycosides, saponins and mucilage it contains are said to have a disinfecting, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant and analgesic effect.

Refine tea and dishes with marigolds

You can use the pretty colored leaves of the marigold as an ornamental herb in tea mixtures and potpourris. They can be used as a substitute for saffron in many dishes. Whole flowers adorn salads and also taste great. You can pickle the marigold buds in vinegar and then eat them like capers.

In medicine, among other things, marigold ointment or wraps are used especially for dry skin and in wound healing. You can easily make a marigold soap yourself. The yellow-orange color of the flowers can also be used to dye rice or Easter eggs, for example.

Flowers for smooth skin and light legs

Marigold helps heal skin injuries and wounds by promoting cell renewal and protecting the wound from inflammation and bacterial attack. In addition, marigold promotes blood circulation and thus works against muscle and joint problems as well as heavy legs. The marigold also has a firm place in natural cosmetics. Marigold moisturizes dry, cracked or irritated skin and promotes the renewal of skin cells.

The marigold blossoms are used medicinally because they contain the important active ingredients for the skin, muscles and joints. Harvest and dry the marigold flowers as soon as they first bloom. Early picking also stimulates flowering.

Congestion in the veins, which leads to fluid accumulation and swelling, can be relieved with calendula ointment. The “heavy legs” disappear because the marigold has a stimulating effect on blood circulation and the lymphatic system. Fluid transport is improved and swelling can subside more easily.

Parsley – Healing outside the box

Yes, you read that right! Parsley, the evergreen and evergreen among kitchen herbs, can also be used as a medicinal plant. The main use of parsley is its dehydrating effect, which you can use internally and externally. Fresh parsley provides you with a high dose of vitamin C for your immune system. Fasting cures are supported by parsley tea because the tea has a strong draining effect. Add three handfuls of chopped parsley to half a liter of boiling water and let it simmer and steep for a few minutes.

Strong voice through green Sud

Drink the tea in sips during the day and stop the dose in the early evening so that you are not woken up at night by the urge to urinate. Parsley is said to help break down and flush out toxins from the body. The draining effect is also said to counteract high blood pressure. Externally, you can use parsley to minimize cellulite. Wraps made from the chopped parsley are said to do this.

Incidentally, a course of parsley tea is also suitable for intercepting a budding urinary tract infection. If you have to talk a lot or even sing, you can drink a low-dose tea that is lightly sweetened with honey to strengthen your vocal cords.

Peppermint – Coolness and relaxation for body and mind

With its sweet freshness, mint is the ultimate summer herb. Cultivating real peppermint in the garden is easy and always worth it. The herb spreads luxuriantly on damp locations that are not too sunny (install a root barrier if necessary!) and is more versatile than almost any other. Whether you use it to refine sweet dishes or teas, make syrup from it, season salads and dressings with it or add it to delicious cocktails – mint refreshes and creates a pleasant coolness.

Tasty and healing on top of that – mint calms the intestines

In addition, it also has some healing properties. The areas of application of the medicinal plant are primarily the gastrointestinal tract. Its essential oils strongly stimulate bile production, which initially gives a boost to fat digestion. Starting from the bile, the entire digestion is then facilitated. Mint oils can lessen or reduce bloating. Yoghurt dips with mint go perfectly with meat dishes and all dishes with legumes. Anyone suffering from irritable bowel problems can get relief with two cups of fresh peppermint tea a day. Mint oil has a cooling effect and can relieve tension headaches. A strong brew made from peppermint leaves also has the same effect if you place it on cotton balls and dab your forehead and temples with it. Symptoms of colds and runny noses are alleviated when you treat yourself to a mint steam bath. Peppermint is also used for muscle and nerve pain.

Lemon Balm – Magical aroma brightens the mood

Lemon balm is a grateful herb that branches out like a bush and thrives luxuriantly in almost any soil. Lemon balm takes center stage in the herbal spiral. It can also be planted in balcony boxes and tubs, but then it has to be kept small by cutting and dividing. The jagged, heart-shaped leaves of lemon balm give off a scent of fresh, tart lemon peel and can often serve as a substitute for the more expensive exotic lemongrass. You can process lemon balm into cold soft drinks and soothing tea. The flowers are small, white and inconspicuous, but very popular with bees.

Various substances in the essential oil, such as citral, geranial, neral and citronellal, are responsible for the scent of lemon balm. These oils are also responsible for the healing properties of lemon balm. You can use lemon balm leaves to calm down and improve mood against a number of psychological complaints. Lemon balm can also relieve indigestion. Lemon balm is even antiviral to a small extent. A tea made from its leaves can stop or alleviate the onset of a cold.

Arnica – Full flower heads have a gentle decongestant effect

Used as a medicinal plant for centuries, arnica was in some cases completely eradicated in nature due to excessive collection. Today, the wild collection of arnica, which occurs on acidic, poor meadows, is forbidden. In order to still benefit from the effect of the plant, you can plant it in your garden.

The healing effect of arnica against swelling, bruises and bruises is well documented for external use. In homeopathy, arnica is also used internally, but you should not take any plant parts from the arnica itself, because then it has a toxic effect.

Worth the wait

It is not very uncomplicated to plant arnica in the garden. Above all, well-drained, acidic and lean soil without waterlogging is important. Cultivation indoors towards the end of winter in February is also required. You can then plant the seedlings in May after the last frosts. You then need a little more patience, because arnica grows slowly and can only be used three years after rearing. When the time comes, you can make a tincture from the flowers, which can be further processed as needed. Add 100 ml spiritus dilutus from the pharmacy to 10 g arnica flowers. Shake the mixture daily for a week. Then pour the liquid through a fine sieve and into a small apothecary bottle. To make poultices with it, you need to dilute the solution at a ratio of 3:10. You can also use the tincture to make mouthwashes that have an antiseptic effect. The dilution is then 1:10. It is important that you do not swallow the solution! Children and those who are allergic to daisy family should refrain from using arnica altogether.

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Food

4 Edible Wild Plants to Collect in The Fall

Many wild plants bear fruit in autumn and thus provide us with nutrient-rich food for free. We introduce you to four interesting wild plants and show you how you can use them in the kitchen.

If you go for a walk regularly in autumn, you can also keep an eye out for edible wild plants and thus obtain food directly from nature. You can easily recognize many plants by their colorful fruits.

Wild plants in autumn: the mountain ash

You can recognize the mountain ash, also known as the rowan berry, by its small, spherical and red-colored fruits. These usually grow in small bundles on the branch. You can harvest them between August and October. However, only the fruits of the sweet rowan varieties are edible. Other varieties contain too many bitter substances, which makes the small berries inedible.

You can recognize the Moravian (or edible) mountain ash, for example, by the multi-pinnate leaves, which are darker and larger than the leaves of other varieties. The rowan berries of this rowan species are also significantly larger with a diameter of about 13 millimeters.

Thorny, but with sweet fruits: the hawthorn

Another wild plant that bears fruit in the fall is the hawthorn. It belongs to the rose family and grows as a small tree or large shrub. It reaches a height of about 500 to 700 centimeters. Its long sharp thorns are particularly characteristic. In spring you can also recognize it by the magnificent white flowers, which look beautiful but smell unpleasant.

The fruits are ripe in August and September. They have a diameter of about one centimeter, are uniform and dark red in color. You should only harvest the fruits after the first frost, when they are really sweet and tasty.

Well-known wild plant in autumn: the rosehip

One of the best-known types of fruit that grows on wild plants in autumn is the rosehip. Rose hips are the fruit of different types of roses. They come from the blossoms of the rose. Particularly common types of roses that form the aromatic fruits are, for example, the dog, mountain or wine rose.

You can harvest the rosehips themselves in October and November. They are rarely available from September. In addition to the characteristic and mostly pleasantly scented rose blossoms, you can recognize the rose hips themselves by their spherical or oval shape. The fruits are usually red, orange or yellow in colour. However, some varieties also have a greenish to brownish tinge.

It hurts, but it’s healthy: the stinging nettle

You can use all parts of the nettle plant as a spice or medicinal herb. Leaves and roots are available all year round and contain, among other things, significant amounts of vitamins A, C and K as well as calcium, iron, magnesium and high-quality vegetable protein.

In autumn, the wild plant provides us with its seeds in particular. You can recognize stinging nettles by their oval-shaped leaves, which end in a point at the front and are deeply notched at the edges. The burning pain that emanates from the leaves is also particularly characteristic. You should therefore be careful when harvesting.

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Cooking Tips

The Coffee Plants of Our Time

Coffee is currently still goods that are produced in mass production. But a lot can change due to climate change.

The popular Arabica bean has dominated the world market. But the plant is threatened with extinction. We explain the background.

Since the discovery of the coffee plant and its fruits many centuries ago, the circle of coffee lovers has grown steadily. Now he extends to an appropriate number of coffee drinkers. Over this time, the coffee market has proven itself and the coffee drink is now one of the largest trading goods worldwide. Accordingly, a wide variety of varieties can also be found on the shelves – 70 % of which are due to the coffee type Coffea Arabica.

Arabica, Robusta, Luwak, Liberica – there are many other coffee plants in addition to them. The number is up to 124 different known species. But mainly the Coffea Arabica and the Coffea Robusta have proven themselves as a kind in the world of coffee and pushed the other species into the background. Therefore, in this section we embark on an exciting journey through a small selection of coffee plants that get stuck in the head, especially in the head. This includes the two species mentioned, as well as the Coffea Liberica or the Luwak, which – even if very weak – are represented on the market and rather represent a marginal group. At the same time, there are many prejudices regarding the Art Robusta compared to the Coffea Arabica and represent them poorly: the Arabica should be better than the robusta. But this statement is not true and definitely has to be questioned.

Robusta, Arabica and other coffee plants

Coffea Robusta and Arabica are the most represented in the world of coffee. However, they differentiate themselves very much. Accordingly, a first distinction between the two coffee plants is very helpful and could already question the stubborn prejudices, since they differ significantly from one another in some characteristics and are accordingly geared towards other tastes.

The Coffea Arabica grows on height landscapes from 1000 meters and requires a stable climate between 15 and 24 degrees. The cherries of this coffee plant have a long time to develop their taste and taste rather sweet and light. The beans can be recognized on the basis of the curved scar on its flat side. The robusta, on the other hand, grows on the lower levels and needs a warmer climate. It is smaller than the Arabica and with a straight scar. The scientific name for this coffee plant is Coffea Canhora. Due to the rather low altitude, their taste is described more earthy and full. Other essential differences between the two coffee plants relate to their ingredients and any intolerances. The caffeine content of the robusta can be up to two or three times higher than that of the Arabica. This value depends on the location of the coffee bushes and therefore fluctuates a little. Furthermore, the coffee beans of the Coffea Robusta contain about 30 % more chlorogenic acid, which can lead to heartburn as well as stomach pain and a higher content of alkaloids.

One of the edge groups with a small proportion in the coffee industry includes the coffee plants Coffea Liberica and the Luwak. The fruits of the Liberica are harder and contain only a little juice and sugar. It looks very different with the high caffeine content. Luwak, on the other hand, is the most expensive type of coffee in the world. It is not a type of coffee, but, as it finds the special, chocolate and earthy aroma, it has a very special way of manufacturing: they are given sneaking cats as food and thus run through their intestinal tract, where the cherries of the coffee plant Coffea Luwak develop. However, the sneaking cats are often locked up in large quantities in small cages, suffer mental illnesses there and have a lack of nutrients.

The lack of taste in the Luwak and the bad conditions of the sneaking cats, which only serve to produce a special taste, could be reasons for neither the Liberica nor the Kopi Luwak with the two leaders. On the other hand, the species Robusta and Arabica cover two different flavors, whereby the Coffea Arabica is apparently preferred by the flavor. This would at least explain the large market share of this type of coffee.

Threat of coffee plants

If the Coffea Arabica is currently still clearly at the top of the coffee market, this can change drastically over the years. Scientists from the botanical gardens in Kew, a district of London, researched this. The whole thing was published in the specialist journal “Plos One”. They created a simulation of the climate over the next few years and came to the conclusion that a temperature increase of 6.4 degrees Celsius would lead to the decimation of certain types of coffee. This will affect the African coffee plant Coffea Arabica, because 99.7% of all cultivation areas of these coffee plants would be eliminated by 2080. With a second simulation with moderate global warming – this is at a temperature increase of 3.8 degrees – it is still 65% loss that the Arabica should enter into. The deforestation of the forests was not considered – another factor that can greatly decimate the growing regions of coffee plants and thus the coffee harvest. If these two factors are added together, the extinction of the Coffea Arabica is much more likely to be extended. Furthermore, the research team came to the conclusion that at least here in 2020 there will be no wild Arabica coffee.

The coffee plant Coffea Arabica finds its origin in the plateaus of Ethiopia. In order to be able to grow and thrive properly, it needs a stable, humidly warm climate. It also requires optimal air and light conditions – such as enough shadows with the help of so -called shadow trees. After about 3-4 years, the first yield can be expected. Due to climate change, i.e. warmth and drought, the natural environment of the Arabica coffee plant is gradually changed and it can no longer survive. Important parameters would have to be met for this. This ultimately leads to the extinction of the coffee plant. If the wild Coffea Arabica dies, it can no longer be taken to help to maintain and breed new varieties. This is important in this respect, since these types of coffee are attacked faster by diseases and pests. The extinction of the coffee plant will also carry further, serious consequences.

Consequences and consequences

It is one thing if there is no longer any Arabica coffee to drink in the near or distant future. However, this will not be the only episode. If something changes in a living space, this can trigger one or even a number of chain reactions. For example, if the cats no longer have mice that they can catch and eat, or dies out the natural habitat for an animal, they have to adapt quickly and search for something new, suitable so as not to die out. The extinction of the coffee plant Coffea Arabica can mean extinction for some other living things.

Another consequence can relate to the cost of the coffee. The fewer Arabica coffee is available in retail with the same demand, the higher the price will increase. If the relationship between demand and the supply can no longer be covered, the price will shoot up and eventually become a difficult and precious luxury goods. If you consider that coffee with around 730,000 tons of production volume in 2013 is currently still in second place in the largest commercial goods, this is guaranteed to be a shock for all coffee lovers of the Arabica bean how quickly the production figures could reduce in the future.

Coffee as in short supply

Coffee seems to be indispensable for many. In the meantime, the daily cup of coffee in the morning, at work or with friends is part of everyday life. However, climate change and the strong demand for coffee art Coffea Arabica triggers a problem that can make this coffee plant appear in short supply in the near future. Around 70 % of all types of coffee on the market are currently dominated by this coffee plant. However, this may change quickly. In contrast, the coffee type Robusta will be preserved for a while because it feels more comfortable in warmer areas. Perhaps this could be a good reason to reach for a variety of the robusta and get involved with the slightly different taste.

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