The majority of garden and plant lovers only know ground elder as an annoying weed that needs to be fought. But old herbal books also call Giersch 'Zipperleinkraut'. This refers to its healing powers.

Ground elder has numerous positive effects on our digestive system

How ground worm affects the body

Giersch contains numerous ingredients that can be positively evaluated. The content of vitamin C, iron and potassium stands out in particular. Goutweed acts with these nutrients, but also with other minerals, trace elements and secondary plant substances:

  • digestive
  • antispasmodic
  • antibacterial
  • pain relieving
  • deacidifying
  • detoxifying
  • anti-inflammatory

For example, if you prefer naturopathy to conventional medicine, you can use ground elder in diseases that are caused by inflammation. Among other things, the herb helps against rheumatism, gout and arthritis. Constipation and urinary tract infections can also be relieved with ground elder.

Consume the active ingredients while eating

It is convenient to collect the goutweed and eat it to absorb its active ingredients. This wild herb is edible and even tasty. Goutweed tastes spicy and aromatic both raw and cooked. Usually its leaves are eaten in preference to the flowers and fruits.

Whether you prepare a salad with ground elder, eat it steamed as spinach with potatoes, add it to smoothies or use it in other ways - it's up to your taste! However, keep in mind that the vitamin C content decreases rapidly when heated above 40 °C.

Ground tea - this is how you make it!

  • it is best to use the young leaves
  • dried or fresh
  • 2 teaspoons of the dried herb or a handful of the fresh herb to a cup
  • Leave for 10 minutes
  • Drink 2 to 3 cups a day to feel the effects

Other possible uses: envelopes, pads, ointments

If you want to relieve wounds, insect bites, tension, gout and rheumatism with Giersch, you should apply the plant externally, for example as a poultice or ointment. For insect bites, it has proven useful to crush the fresh herb and rub it on the sting.

tips

If you're not careful when collecting, you might mistake groundweed for another plant. Caution: There are several poisonous plants that look similar to goutweed.

Category:

Herbs