Wild carrot
Wild carrot (Daucus carota): Several pinnate, narrowly lanceolate leaves grow on a furrowed hairy stem.
The umbel flower with small, white single flowers is spread flat. In the middle of them usually sits a blackish dark red flower. After flowering, it contracts like a nest and forms the fruits.
If you rub the leaves between your fingers, you get a carrot-like smell. It reaches a height of 30 to 100 cm.
Attention: Danger of confusion:
Extreme caution should be taken when locating and collecting wild carrot, as it can easily be confused with spotted hemlock or dog parsley. Both plants are poisonous.
Wild carrot
Image source: S. Geiberger
Family and collection time
The wild carrot belongs to the umbelliferae family.
The wild carrot is the archetype of the orange-red carrot.
Parts of peanuts used: Leaves, root
Collection period: June – September
Healing effect and application
Healing effect:
Calming, stimulates blood circulation, vasodilator.
Application in naturopathy:
heartburn, stomach ulcers, rheumatism, diabetes, diarrhea, constipation, protects and strengthens the liver, kidney and bladder, concentration disorders, lack of drive, depression.
Ingredients: (selection)
- Provitamin A
- Vitamins B1, B2 and C,
- Flavonoids
- Essential oil
- Carotatoxin
In the kitchen:
The young leaves, which have a carrot-like fragrance when crushed, are suitable as a parsley-like seasoning for salads, soups and various vegetable dishes. The tough taproot can be used well as a vegetable or soup ingredient. However, it should be eaten with a little oil or fat, as this is the only way the fat-soluble vitamins can be absorbed by the body.
The fresh carrot greens can be used, for example, together with fresh goutweed leaves, garlic, salt and a little lemon juice to make a delicious pesto.
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
