My grandmother who was German believed that the word “weeds” does not exist. She said that they are “Heilpflanzen” or healing plants that can help us. When I was little I would watch my grandmother find plants in her garden or in the forest to use for day-to-day home remedies, which I found fascinating.

My grandmother was from a generation growing up in east Germany where skincare etc. was not always accessible. They used and found ingredients in their kitchen or garden to make skincare or remedies.

In this blog I want to show you some of my favourite home remedies, inspired by my grandmother. You will discover that you have most of the ingredients at home already.

Stinging nettle tea

My grandmother made this tea in the mornings and drank this throughout the day.

If you could only collect one plant may it be Nettle!

Nettle increases the metabolism and has diuretic properties. Drunk as a tea, it helps flush excess watery tension. It can help with relieving urinary tract infection. It can prevent kidney stones from developing. It is blood purifying, which improves acne. Nettle also strengthens the immune system and reduces inflammation in the body.

How to make the tea:

Use a handful of nettles or 3-4 teaspoons of dried nettles with 200ml boiling water. Brew for 10min-15min, then pour the mixture through a strainer. You can sweeten it with honey or add lemon juice.

Drink 2- 3 times a day.

Warning:

Be sure to talk to your doctor before you try any new herb or supplement. Even all-natural foods and drinks like tea can cause allergic reactions or interact with certain medications. Some herbs and supplements can be harmful to people with certain health conditions.

Linden Blossom Tea

As a preventative measure for colds she used to drink Linden Blossom tea. The Linden Tree is a very nurturing tree and has been used for his medicinal properties for many generations.

Now in later life, this is the tea I will always have at home. I drink Linden Blossom tea when I want to feel relaxed or struggle to sleep. It helps me with menstrual cramps and migraines. I still keep the family tradition to drink it during the autumn and winter months to boost my immune system.

How to make the tea:

1 teaspoon of dried linden blossoms with 240ml boiling water. Brew for 10min. Pour the mixture through a strainer.

Warning:

People taking certain medications, especially those with heart problems, and pregnant or nursing women should avoid it. It’s best to drink this tea in moderation and not every day.

“Baerlauch” Wild Garlic

Wild garlic in German (or “Baerlauch”) is very popular in Germany, and with my family. We make a pesto, which is delicious and the wild garlic has such amazing health benefits:

It’s high in vitamin C and iron, and it has a detoxifying and cleansing effect. Wild garlic fends off unwanted intestinal bacteria without harming the useful ones. It also balances the gut flora if it has been compromised by medication and antibiotics. The intestinal flora is also strengthened against parasites when taking wild garlic.

It is harvested in the spring, and many people use this plant to boost their energy levels in the springtime. Even bears eat this plant in the spring after hibernation to get their strength back; that’s why some people call this herb “Bears herb”!

How to make the pesto:

You will need 200g wild garlic, 30g of walnuts or pine nuts, 30g parmesan cheese, pinch of salt and 250ml olive oil.

Wash the wild garlic, spin dry and cut into strips. Put the pine nuts and finely grated parmesan in the food processor and chop finely. Add the remaining ingredients and mix to a creamy mass. If the pesto is too thick, add more oil. Season to taste.

I add the pesto to pasta or spread it on a warm piece of sourdough toast.

Lemon Buttermilk Cleanser

This is an all-around cleanser made of 100ml of buttermilk, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix well in a glass bottle, soak cotton pads with this mixture and use the cotton pads to cleanse the face, neck and decollete. After a few minutes wash your face with warm water. Store this cleanser in the fridge.

Honey Toner

This toner can be used by all skin types. Warm 100ml of distilled water through, dissolve 1 tablespoon of honey in the warm water. Cool the water and honey mixture down and add 15ml of fresh lemon juice, give it a good mix. Store the mixture in a glass bottle in your fridge. Apply after cleansing with a cotton pad on the face, neck and decollete.

Cream Honey Mask

Mix 2 tablespoons of sour cream and 1 tablespoon of honey. Add oats to the mixture until it forms a thick porridge consistency. Apply the mixture on face, neck and decollete and leave on the skin for 20min. Take off with a warm muslin cloth.

Hopefully the few tips of natural remedies will inspire you to look at plants or “weeds” in a different way. Turning back to the medicinal plants that started it all: herbal remedies that have the ability to heal and boost physical and mental well-being.