The majority of garden and plant lovers only know groundweed as an annoying weed that needs to be controlled. But old herbal books also call Giersch 'Zipperleinkraut'. This refers to its healing power.
What he alth benefits does Giersch provide?
Giersch is he althy because it has a digestive, antispasmodic, antibacterial, pain-relieving, deacidifying, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory effect. It is rich in vitamin C, iron and potassium. Greedweed can be used as a tea, in food or topically.
How greedweed affects the body
Giersch contains numerous positive ingredients. What stands out are the content of vitamin C, iron and potassium. Giersch works with these nutrients, but also with other minerals, trace elements and secondary plant substances:
- digestive
- antispasmodic
- antibacterial
- pain relieving
- deacidifying
- detoxifying
- anti-inflammatory
If you prefer to rely on natural medicine rather than conventional medicine, you can use groundweed, for example, for diseases that are caused by inflammation. Among other things, the herb helps against rheumatism, gout and arthritis. Constipation and urinary tract inflammation can also be relieved with groundweed.
Incorporate the active ingredients while eating
It is convenient if you collect the gooseberry and eat it to absorb its active ingredients. This wild herb is edible and even tasty. Giersch tastes spicy and aromatic both raw and cooked. Usually its leaves are preferred to flowers and fruits for eating.
Whether you prepare a salad with the gourd, eat it steamed as spinach with potatoes, add it to smoothies or use it in another way - it's up to your taste! However, keep in mind that the vitamin C content decreases rapidly when heated above 40 °C.
Garde tea – this is how you make it
- It's best to use the young leaves
- dried or fresh
- 2 teaspoons of the dried herb or a handful of the fresh herb in a cup
- Let it steep for 10 minutes
- Drink 2 to 3 cups per day to feel the effects
Other possible uses: poultices, pads, ointments
If you want to use goutweed to relieve wounds, insect bites, tension, gout and rheumatism, you should apply the plant externally, for example as a poultice or ointment. For insect bites, it has proven to be helpful to crush the fresh herb and rub it onto the bite.
Tip
If you don't pay attention when collecting, it can happen that you confuse the goutweed with another plant. Attention: There are several poisonous plants that look similar to groundweed.
