Interesting facts/general information:
Anise is a very old, cultivated plant and has been found in China and India for thousands of years. It belongs to the umbellifer family and grows up to 50 cm high. The flowering period of this annual plant is July and August. Anise is highly valued in natural medicine as well as in scientifically substantiated phytotherapy. Anise probably originates from the eastern Mediterranean or the Near East, but nothing is known with certainty. Wild anise is rare here and is more likely to be found in a herb garden.

The ripe fruit is used medicinally.

Effects:

• promotes the production of thin mucus (secretolytic)
• expectorant
• stimulates the production of saliva and gastric juices
• antispasmodic
• antibacterial – mentally activating

Used for:

• coughs
• dry bronchitis
• bronchial asthma
• mucus formation in the respiratory tract
• stomach and intestinal flatulence
• poor digestion
• loss of appetite
• painful cramps
• lactation insufficiency

Forms of administration and preparation:
Essential oil, tea, tincture, inhalations, embrocation

Interesting facts/general information:
History: The pimpinella is a perennial, belonging to the umbellifer family and is found throughout Europe and Western Asia. The genus Pimpinella comprises approximately 90 species that are mainly found in the Mediterranean region, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean. Some species can also be found in Asia and South America. In the late Middle Ages, pimpinella was used to treat the plague as well as cholera. With the decline of the great devastating epidemics, its significance also declined. The root of the plant is used medicinally.

Effect:

• expectorant
• antitussive
• anti-inflammatory – astringent

Used for:

• bronchitis – asthma
• hoarseness
• sore throat

Administration form and preparation:
Tea, tinctures

Interesting fact/general information:
Fennel, like anise and caraway, belongs to the umbellifer family. Nowadays it is mainly found in southern Germany, but originally it comes from the Mediterranean region. All ancient cultures, such as the Sumerians and the Egyptians were familiar with fennel. North of the Alps, fennel was introduced into folk medicine via the monasteries. It was part of the monastery gardens and was used as a remedy for drunkenness in the Middle Ages. Medicinally used parts of the plant: the ripe fruit.

Effect:

• stimulates digestion
• stimulates the production of digestive juices
• increases intestinal activity
• stimulates the appetite
• soothes stomach and intestines
• antispasmodic
• relieves flatulence
• antibacterial
• expectorant – relieves cough and cold symptoms

Used for:

• hoarseness
• lactation insufficiency – inflammation of the eyes (as a rinse)

Forms of administration and preparation:
essential oil, tea, tincture, syrup

Interesting facts/general information:
Caraway belongs to the umbellifer family and is one of the most common wild herbs in Germany. Caraway is easily confused with other umbelliferous plants, especially the wild carrot. Caraway is one of the oldest herbs in the world. There are finds dating back to the Neolithic Age. Caraway was not known to the Mediterranean peoples in ancient times. In Central Europe caraway played an important role in customs. It allegedly could be used to drive away evil spirits.

Effect:

• relieves flatulence (carminative)
• antibacterial
• stimulates milk production

Used for:

• flatulence
• stomach and intestinal cramps
• lactation insufficiency – menstrual pain
• tension headaches/migraine

Administration form and preparation:
essential oil, tea, tincture, powder, cordial

Interesting facts/general information:
Yarrow is a composite plant and grows on dry meadows throughout Europe, Asia and North America. The plant has been held in high esteem since ancient times and has been used in folk medicine since ancient times. The former name ‘soldier’s woundwort’ refers to the use of yarrow to stop bleeding wounds, especially wounds inflicted by iron weapons. Also in the Middle Ages, yarrow was used in women’s diseases as ‘supercilium veneris’ (eyebrow of Venus). The first green leaves of yarrow were an important ingredient of White Thursday’s soup in spring, which was intended to increase resistance to disease throughout the year.

Effect:

• stimulates secretion
• stimulates appetite
• decongestant
• reduces flatulence
• anti-inflammatory
• prevents / eliminates accumulation of fluid in the tissue (oedema)
• stimulates kidney activity
• lowers blood pressure

Used for:

• lack of appetite
• digestive problems
• stomach cramps
• inflammations of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines
• bile complaints
• gynaecological complaints

Administration form and preparation:
tea, tincture/extract, juice/pressed yarrow juice, wine, external preparation

Interesting facts/general information:
Wormwood belongs to the composite family and occurs naturally in dry areas of Europe and Asia. Related herbs are for example mugwort and tarragon. Wormwood is traditionally considered a medicinal plant and was already used in ancient Egypt as a deworming agent. In the Middle Ages Wormwood was prescribed for stomach and intestinal complaints, and it was also put in children’s cradles to drive away evil spirits. Wormwood is considered as a means of maintaining mental strength. Components of the essential oil ingredient affect the central nervous system.

Effect:

• stimulates appetite
• stimulates digestion
• reduces flatulence
• anti-inflammatory
• antispasmodic
• astringent

Used for:

• digestive problems
• bile disorder

Forms of administration and preparation
tea, tincture/extract, wine (vinum absinthii)

Interesting facts/general information:
Juniper belongs to the cypress family and grows wild in sandy and heathery landscapes. It is found throughout the northern hemisphere. In Germany, juniper has been protected since the mid-1930s due to dwindling populations. Due to its beautiful structure and colour, and because of its long-lasting smell, the wood is very popular for making art with craft materials. For example, walking sticks, spoons, forks and the like are made from it. Furthermore, juniper wood is traditionally used as smoking wood, for example for smoking bacon.

Effect:

• diuretic
• decongestant
• stimulates appetite
• stimulates digestion
• stimulates bile flow
• expectorant
• antibiotic

Use to treat:

• bacterial diseases and inflammations of the urinary tract
• digestive complaints
• heartburn
• bloated feeling
• arthrosis
• gout

Administration and preparation:
essential oil, tea, tincture/extract, syrup, gin, bath