- Ingredients of southernwood
- Use of Southernwood in the kitchen
- Use southernwood as a medicinal herb
- Harvest southernwood
- Southernwood as a pest repellant
Southernwood has been cultivated for centuries as a flavoring and medicinal plant, initially in monastery gardens and later also in home gardens. The herb contains some valuable ingredients that provide relief from various ailments. Southernwood is also becoming increasingly popular as a condiment in the kitchen.
Only the shoot tips are used for cooking
Ingredients of southernwood
- Essential Oils
- routine
- abrotin
- coumarin
- tannic acid
- bitter substances
Use of Southernwood in the kitchen
Southernwood is a close relative of the herbs mugwort, wormwood and tarragon. It goes well with all dishes that are seasoned with these herbs.
Gourmets take advantage of the digestive effect of southernwood by adding the herb to very greasy dishes.
Only the shoot tips are used. The whole leaves contain too many tannins and bitter substances, which give the food an unpleasant aftertaste.
Use southernwood as a medicinal herb
Southernwood has many uses as a medicinal plant. When drunk as a tea, it has an antibacterial effect and is used to treat colds, digestive problems and to strengthen the immune system.
Southernwood should not be used during pregnancy. Likewise, too much consumption is not advisable if those affected suffer from kidney problems.
Harvest southernwood
Harvest of southernwood begins in summer. The tips of the leaves are collected continuously, even during flowering, and processed as soon as possible.
Autumn is the main harvesting time for southernwood. The leaves now picked are dried immediately after cutting to be consumed as a spice or tea in winter.
The leaves give off such an aromatic smell that they are very suitable as a natural room fragrance. To do this, the whole leaves are cut, bundled and hung upside down. With every breath of air, the scent spreads throughout the room. However, this option is not suitable for allergy sufferers.
Southernwood as a pest repellant
Because of its aromatic smell of lemon or cola, southernwood is not attacked by pests. Placed between other plants in the garden, it also protects them from pest infestation.
tips
Southernwood is also called cola plant. Some varieties exude the typical smell of the popular drink. A cold drink that tastes similar to Coca-Cola can be made from the leaves.