Herbs

Diseases
Ulcer
Body cleansing
Cough
Cholesterol
Circulation problems
Nausea
Flatulence
Burns
Cold
Digestion problems
Diarrhea
Wounds
Prostate problems
Rheumatic problems
Stress
Earache
Inflammations
High blood pressure
Hemorrhoids
Gout
Acne
Memory
Insomnia
Dandruff

Herbs useful for body cleansing: Birch, celery, common heather.

Herb name: Birch, Betula pendula

Family: Betulaceae

Useful plant parts: leaves

Description: Birch is a common medicinal plant that is easily recognizable thanks to its white crust, which can be peeled from the trunk in form of circles. Birch can grow over 20 meters in height, and it is known to grow better in dry habitats. It has hanging branches, and it is also important to mention that on younger branches, resin glands can be found.

Collecting period and locations: For medicinal purposes, young leaves should be picked, starting from May. The leaves are dried in a shady and airy place. Concerning locations where it can be found, birch is a relatively widespread and easily recognizable tree that can be located in deciduous forests. Since it doesn't like excessively wet habitat, it is easier to found this tree at somewhat higher altitudes.

Medicinal properties and applications: Tea made from dried leaves of birch is a very good diuretic (a substance that raises and benefits the excretion of urine). There are also claims that it helps in removing bladder and kidney stones, although for now there is still not enough solid evidence. Due to its diuretic properties, birch is often used in tea blends used for the cleansing of the body.

Active compounds: Flavonoids, essential oils, tannins, saponins, vitamin C, various organic acids, betulin, phytosterol.

Recipe: Tea can be prepared by taking two teaspoons full of dried birch leaves and adding them to 1/4 liters of boiling water. The tea is left like that for 10-15 minutes, and after that, it can be used. One should drink this tea several times a day.

Herb name: Celery, Apium graveolens

Family: Apiaceae

Useful plant parts: overground parts, together with the root, and seeds

Description: Celery is a medicinal plant that can grow up to one meter in height. It has a strong and thick root and a relatively branched overground stem. Large dark green leaves have a form that is mostly divided into several parts. Celery has small white flowers from which seeds are developed.

Collecting period and locations: Celery can be gathered at any time of the year as long as there are overground parts present, as they are most commonly used. The same goes for the root, while the seeds can be collected after the flowering of this plant, usually in autumn. Concerning locations where this plant can be found, the type of celery that we are mentioning here is a cultivated species, although there are also types of celery that grow in nature, but they have an unpleasant taste and are regarded as poisonous plants.

Medicinal properties and applications: Celery is a very good diuretic (a substance that raises and benefits the excretion of urine). Celery has this property thanks to the essential oil that it contains. The mentioned property of celery makes it useful in treating various diseases of the urinary system and in cases of such conditions, it is often recommended.

Active compounds: Essential oil containing p-cymene, α-santalol and β-pinene. Besides the mentioned compounds, celery also contains various vitamins and mineral salts.

Recipe: Tea of celery can be prepared by taking two full teaspoons of dried celery (overground parts) and adding them to a quarter liter of boiling water that is than left for 5 to 10 minutes and then drained. After that, the tea can be taken. Usually one should take two to three cups per day.

Herb name: Common heather, Calluna vulgaris

Family: Ericaceae

Useful plant parts: Upper parts of stems together with the flowers

Description: Common heather is a medicinal plant that can grow to a height of about one meter. It can live a relatively long time, even for several decades. The fairly branched stems of this plant are wooden at their bottoms and are spread close to the ground. The upper parts of vertical stems develop light purple flowers.

Collecting period and locations: Common heather is mostly picked during the time of blooming (August and September). Usually the flowers are picked, which are removed from the stems, or the stems can be picked together with the flowers. The flowers, together with the stems, are dried in a dark and airy place. Concerning places where common heather can be found, it is usually located in larger areas where a large number of these plants can be found. It likes acidic soil and can be found in relatively dry woods that get plenty of light. Sometimes this species can be found growing on meadows too.

Medicinal properties and applications: Common heather has been used since ancient times in herbal medicine for a large number of diseases. It is often used for blood and overall body cleansing, for increasing excretion of urine, and for treating kidney and urinary stones. However, the most common application of this medicinal herb is the treatment of rheumatism and gout.

Common heather can also be added as a spice to many different meals, such as cooked green beans, fresh cheese, cheese with salami, cheese with scallions, cheese cones, but also many other.

Active compounds: Arbutin, hydroquinone, glycosids, tannins, saponins and mineral compounds.

Recipe: Usually tea is prepared from this plant by adding about two teaspoons of dried flowers to a quarter liter of boiling water. The thea is then left for about 15 minutes. After that, the tea is strained, and can be drinked. Usually two to three cups of this tea are taken throughout the day.