Foamwort
Meadow foamwort (Cardamine pratensis) and garden foamwort (Cardamine hirsuta):
A hollow, glabrous stem grows from a ground-hugging basal rosette. The long-stalked basal leaves are pinnate and consist of roundish or ovate leaflets and a larger terminal leaflet. The stem leaves are smaller and narrowly pinnate.
The flowers standing in clusters have four delicate petals.
In the meadowfoam (Cardamine pratensis) these are light violet and in the gardenfoam (Cardamine hirsuta) white.
Meadowfoam
Image source: 347383066 – stock.adobe.com
Family and collection time
The foamwort belongs to the cruciferous family.
Parts of the plant used: Leaves and flower
- Leaves and flowers: April to June. Collected first the leaves of the basal rosette, later the stem leaves and flowers
Healing effect and application
Healing properties:
Beneficial irritant effect on liver, gall bladder, kidney. Has an antibacterial effect, helps with spring fatigue and strengthens the immune system
Ingredients: (selection)
- Rich in vitamin C
- Mustard oil glycosides
In the kitchen:
Aromatic seasoning for cottage cheese, herb butter, pesto, soups, sauces and salads.
Recipe for the kitchen: Fresh power drink according to Rudi Beiser:
“Collect 150 g of meadow foamwort or garden foamwort. If you do not find a sufficient amount, you can add dandelion or goutweed. Add 2 bananas, 1 apple, 300 ml of orange juice and some lemon juice and puree everything with a blender for a few minutes. If the power drink is too thick, dilute it with apple juice”.
Recipe from: Unsere eßbaren Wildpflanzen, page 203, Rudi Beiser, Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co.KG, Stuttgart
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
