Nutmeg, native to Indonesia, was considered so valuable by European traders in the 16th century that even the location of its growing areas was kept a closely guarded secret for some time. After its discovery, it was considered as valuable as gold, and the Netherlands even traded its colony in the New World, New Amsterdam, for the nutmeg trade....
Herbal tea is not only worth drinking if you want to avoid an illness or alleviate symptoms. It is worth replacing store-bought sweetened iced tea with additive-free homemade chilled teas, which the whole family can drink.
Even Neanderthals used herbs when they had a toothache, as evidenced by the fossilized pieces of yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and chamomile (Matericaria Chamomilla) found among their dental remains. These and many other herbs can still be used today for toothaches and gingivitis by gargling with their decoction.
Ancient Greek and Roman warriors used garlic (Allium sativum) to enhance their performance, and Egyptian pyramid builders also regularly consumed it to maintain their health. Its triumphant history leads from China to the Middle East, where it also plays a significant role in the world's oldest recipe, Babylonian lamb stew. However, many people are...
With the beginning of summer and the holiday season, it's not too late to prepare a simple two-ingredient medicinal oil. When applied 2-3 times a day, this effectively reduces the unpleasant symptoms of mild sunburn and soothes the skin. (Warning! It does not prevent further sunburn.)
Did you know that cloves are actually the dried flower buds of a tree native to Indonesia? You should always keep a few cloves at home because a quick solution to a sudden toothache is to chew a whole clove with the teeth closest to the aching tooth. You will immediately feel the essential oils released, which have a very...
The first rays of the summer that suddenly greet us, often hit our skin unprepared. Even 20 minutes of direct sunlight can cause sunburn. More serious cases, of course, require immediate medical attention. But if redness and unpleasant itching occur, we can use the remedies in our home medicine cabinet and kitchen garden plants.
Walking along the edge of the forest, in the sunnier parts, we can already come across the dark yellow star-flowered St. John's wort that is about to bloom. We will see it in its full glory around the summer solstice, but let's note down now where we will go to collect it later. A little magic also plays a role...
My favorite month is May, when the fields are already in full bloom: chamomile (Matricharia chamomilla), poppies (Papaver rhoeas), Viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare), and my favorite is yarrow (Alchillea millefolium) in large groups. This is the first year I've collected this herb, so I have fresh experiences, such as:
Hildegard was not only a nun, but also a doctor, naturopath, composer and thinker. Her nutritional principles are still relevant today:
