Many of the knowledge our ancestors gained through centuries of observation is confirmed by today's science.
Besides the cleansing fast, which usually had its motivation in religion, a trio of herbs was used for spring body cleansing: Bear's garlic, nettle, and dandelion.
Bear's garlic can be smelled in the forest before we see it. Its scent reliably distinguishes it from the visually similar but poisonous lily of the valley. Bear's garlic can be found in the forest from April, and it is best before May flowering and has powerful cleansing effects on our body. Its name is derived from the fact that bears supposedly eat it after a long winter sleep to cleanse their stomach, intestines, and blood. Bear's garlic has similar effects to commonly used garlic but is much more medicinal. Compared to a garlic clove, its leaves not only contain chlorophyll but also taste excellent. Whether in spring salads or just finely chopped on "buttery" bread. We also add it to soups, but only just before eating to avoid overcooking.
The health effects of Bear's garlic are manifold: it cleans the stomach and intestines, helps against diarrhea and constipation, expels intestinal worms, roundworms, and other intestinal parasites. It treats types of heart problems originating from a diseased stomach. It helps treat mucus-filled lungs and breathing difficulties, and also cleans the kidneys and bladder. By cleansing the whole body, its regular use improves memory and skin condition. People suffering from lichen and skin rashes praise the effects of this precious plant. Fresh leaves contain vitamin C, bitters, phytoncides, essential oils with sulfur compounds, and ammonia. And one more interesting fact: the well-known active substance of garlic – allicin – is in fresh leaves in the form of alliin. Only after plant cells are broken during chewing is this substance enzymatically split into antibacterial allicin, which helps with flu, colds, angina, and destroys staphylococci and streptococci. Since dried leaves lose most of their health effects, we consume it seasonally fresh or prepare an alcohol tincture, which we prefer to consume drop by drop…
Nettle was already used medicinally in ancient times. It is so medicinal that if it did not sting, insects and animals would have literally eaten it off the earth's surface. Its diuretic effects are most commonly used. But nettle is not only diuretic but also blood-purifying and blood-forming medicinal plant. The best are young shoots in spring or anytime after mowing when young shoots grow again. We prepare tea from them, which we drink in sips and, of course, without sugar.
Those who do not like the taste of nettle tea can add a little peppermint or chamomile. We drink nettle tea in sips during spring days to cleanse our body.
The health effects of Bear's garlic are manifold: it cleans the stomach and intestines, helps against diarrhea and constipation, expels intestinal worms, roundworms, and other intestinal parasites. It treats types of heart problems originating from a diseased stomach. It helps treat mucus-filled lungs and breathing difficulties, and also cleans the kidneys and bladder. By cleansing the whole body, its regular use improves memory and skin condition. People suffering from lichen and skin rashes praise the effects of this precious plant. Fresh leaves contain vitamin C, bitters, phytoncides, essential oils with sulfur compounds, and ammonia. And one more interesting fact: the well-known active substance of garlic – allicin – is in fresh leaves in the form of alliin. Only after plant cells are broken during chewing is this substance enzymatically split into antibacterial allicin, which helps with flu, colds, angina, and destroys staphylococci and streptococci. Since dried leaves lose most of their health effects, we consume it seasonally fresh or prepare an alcohol tincture, which we prefer to consume drop by drop…
Nettle was already used medicinally in ancient times. It is so medicinal that if it did not sting, insects and animals would have literally eaten it off the earth's surface. Its diuretic effects are most commonly used. But nettle is not only diuretic but also blood-purifying and blood-forming medicinal plant. The best are young shoots in spring or anytime after mowing when young shoots grow again. We prepare tea from them, which we drink in sips and, of course, without sugar.
Those who do not like the taste of nettle tea can add a little peppermint or chamomile. We drink nettle tea in sips during spring days to cleanse our body.
Several-week nettle drinking cures are recommended for liver and gallbladder diseases, spleen, stomach cramps and ulcers, and lung diseases. From fresh young nettle, our ancestors made salad or stew, similar to spinach. This ensured the supply of iron and chlorophyll especially in spring months. The cleansing and healing effects of nettle on the human body also positively affect such ailments as headaches, skin spots, itching, sciatica, nerve inflammations, and in some cases, nettle helped with stomach cancer. For some diseases, it is effective even if not consumed. For rheumatism, it is enough to whip regularly with it, and if we want to have more beautiful and stronger hair, we rinse them with nettle broth after washing.
Dandelion is not only beautiful but is the most widespread among medicinal herbs and the most medicinal among weeds. It is completely medicinal. From its young leaves, our ancestors made spring salad, which they consumed daily with every meal. It provided vitamins and chlorophyll along with iron, as well as vitamins A, B, C, D, and minerals potassium, calcium, iron, and sodium to the exhausted body after a long winter in spring months. The list of positive effects on human health is really large.
It helps with liver and gallbladder diseases, especially the stems and their "milk," which help dissolve some types of gallstones. It also helps with pancreas problems, cleansing intestines, kidneys, and the whole body, flushing toxins from the blood. The root, stem, and leaves help digestion, clean the stomach, and increase appetite. By its vitamin content, it helps with fatigue and general weakness. Currently, several clinical studies are underway to examine its anti-cancer properties. Research so far shows it is effective even against such stubborn types of cancer as pancreatic cancer, which has up to 95 percent mortality. Even at high doses of effective anti-cancer substances extracted from dandelion, this medicine does not damage healthy cells.
People have used dandelion for centuries worldwide, from ancient Greece, through China to American Indians. It is time to rediscover this almost miraculous plant. We consume it whole: root, leaves, stems, flowers. From the flowers, we can make dandelion honey; roots and leaves can be dried to have it available throughout the year. It goes without saying that we collect it away from roads and polluted environments. When drying, be careful as it easily molds, and especially the root is attacked by insects.
Dandelion is not only beautiful but is the most widespread among medicinal herbs and the most medicinal among weeds. It is completely medicinal. From its young leaves, our ancestors made spring salad, which they consumed daily with every meal. It provided vitamins and chlorophyll along with iron, as well as vitamins A, B, C, D, and minerals potassium, calcium, iron, and sodium to the exhausted body after a long winter in spring months. The list of positive effects on human health is really large.
It helps with liver and gallbladder diseases, especially the stems and their "milk," which help dissolve some types of gallstones. It also helps with pancreas problems, cleansing intestines, kidneys, and the whole body, flushing toxins from the blood. The root, stem, and leaves help digestion, clean the stomach, and increase appetite. By its vitamin content, it helps with fatigue and general weakness. Currently, several clinical studies are underway to examine its anti-cancer properties. Research so far shows it is effective even against such stubborn types of cancer as pancreatic cancer, which has up to 95 percent mortality. Even at high doses of effective anti-cancer substances extracted from dandelion, this medicine does not damage healthy cells.
People have used dandelion for centuries worldwide, from ancient Greece, through China to American Indians. It is time to rediscover this almost miraculous plant. We consume it whole: root, leaves, stems, flowers. From the flowers, we can make dandelion honey; roots and leaves can be dried to have it available throughout the year. It goes without saying that we collect it away from roads and polluted environments. When drying, be careful as it easily molds, and especially the root is attacked by insects.
M.BER
