The beautiful edelweiss has been a symbol of the Alps since the 19th century - and also a sign of courage and love, because picking the little plant that only blooms in very high and difficult-to-access locations used to serve young boys as proof of courage and as a special gift for the beloved. In addition, the plant is said to have a number of healing effects.
The edelweiss is used in naturopathy as well as in cosmetics
Edelweiss in folk medicine
For centuries, not only the people living in the Alps, but also those living in the Himalayas - there are about 40 different types of edelweiss - have known about the little flower in folk medicine. In the Alps, edelweiss is known as the "stomach ache flower" and was once used for gastrointestinal complaints. In Asia, on the other hand, it is said to help primarily against diseases of the respiratory tract, which is why pillows in Mongolia are filled with dried edelweiss. The plant also has a firm place in traditional Chinese medicine.
Edelweiss in naturopathy
Edelweiss is also used in modern naturopathy, especially for respiratory diseases and diarrhea. Some of the ingredients of edelweiss (e.g. dyes) are said to have an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect, which is why the flowers and leaves of the plant are used against cramps, acute and chronic inflammation and to protect blood vessels.
Edelweiss in cosmetics
The edelweiss also has the nickname "eternal flower" - extremely appropriate for a plant that has found its way into cosmetics primarily for anti-aging purposes. Since the plant grows at high, very exposed altitudes, it must explicitly protect itself against UV rays. The edelweiss acid ("Leoligin") binds free radicals and has a cell-protecting effect. The industry uses the antioxidants obtained from edelweiss to protect the skin and strengthen the connective tissue.
Do Edelweiß cosmetics keep their promises?
However, the said creams and lotions should only have a minor effect - if at all - because from a legal point of view, skin care products may only have a superficial effect, but never go deep. For this reason, Edelweiß cosmetics contain very few active ingredients - otherwise they would have to be treated as medicinal products and undergo the appropriate research.
tips and tricks
If you enjoy hiking in the mountains, don't pick edelweiss - if you can find any at all. The plant is threatened with extinction and has therefore been under strict nature protection since 1886. In general, the edelweiss was the first plant that was ever placed under nature protection.