Bedstraw
Bedstraw (Galium): In our area you can find the common bedstraw, the meadow bedstraw and the goosegrass bedstraw.
Burdock ragwort is covered with tiny, bristly hooks that stick and stick everywhere. Its stem is square and rough. The leaves grow in tiers around the stem. They have an elliptical shape with a spiny leaf tip and spiny hairs on the edge. The inconspicuous flowers are in clusters. The spherical fruits are covered with hooked bristles.
Meadow and true bedstraw: The leaves have a lancet-like shape and are pointed forward. The small white or yellow flowers are in panicles. The stem of the meadow ragwort is bare and smooth.
Burdock cabbage
Image source: S. Geiberger
Family and collection time
Meadow ragwort
Image source: S. Geiberger
The bedstraw belongs to the red family.
Parts of the plant used: Flowers and leaves
Collection time in detail:
- Burdock ragwort:: May to October
- Meadow and true bedstraw: May to September
Healing effect and application
Healing effect:
Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antispasmodic, expectorant, blood purifying, metabolism stimulating, glandular stimulating, nerve calming, anti-cancerous
Application in naturopathy:
For liver, gall bladder problems, intestinal, stomach inflammation, skin problems, poorly healing wounds, psoriasis, eczema.
Tea for poultices on poorly healing wounds and sunburn
Bath additive:
Boil 100 g of bedstraw with 3 l of water for 5 minutes. Strain and add to the full bath
Ingredients: (selection)
- Silica
- Tannins
- Glycosides
- Flavonoids
Recipe for the kitchen:
For flavoring drinks
References:
Beiser, Rudi: Our edible wild plants. Kosmos Nature Guide 2018
Bühring, Ursel: Praxis-Lehrbuch der modernen Heilpflanzenkunde; Grundlagen – Anwendung – Therapie. Sonntag Publishing House Stuttgart 2005
Pahlow, M. Pharmacist: Medicinal Plants. Bechtermünz Publishing House Augsburg 2001
Schneider, Christine: Finding wild herbs. Ulmer Publishing House Stuttgart 2017
Recipe by Dr. Markus Strauß www.dr-strauss.net
