Because of the effect their disappearance has on essential plant pollination, the scientific world is concerned about the ever increasing numbers of bee colonies dying out and not surviving winters, so German born Albert Einstein’s claim that “if the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, man would have only four years to live”, is once more in the spotlight. However there is another of his statements that is probably even more exact: “We still do not know one thousandth of one percent of what nature has revealed to us”.
Albert Einstein lived from 1879 until 1955, and in 21st century Germany there are between 600 to 700 herb and plant based medicines available.
Herbal medicines are prescribed by more than 70% of general practitioners, are supported by the public health insurance systems and sold through ‘apotheken’, German pharmacies, as well as Bio Laden, natural food stores and a limited selection can be found even in supermarkets.Both economically and technologically Germany has an advanced herbal and natural medicine industry with continuous high level scientific research concentrated into herbs and phyto-medicines while the study of herbal medicine, phyto-pharmaceuticals, is a compulsory element of the curriculum for all medical and pharmaceutical students.
Herbal medicine has a long tradition of using plant seeds, flowers, leaves, bark and roots and its dominance in medicine cabinets throughout Germany, in addition to the advances in clinical research in proving its value in the treatment and prevention of disease, began some time ago to attract the attention of major European pharmaceutical companies.
The use of ‘herbs’ in this case also covers what are commonly known as weeds to those who have gardens in which they would rather that they did not grow.
Regular courses taking the form of walking through meadows and woods or up hills and mountain sides, and before noon because this is the optimum herb harvesting time, are run for those who want to learn more about nature’s plants and herbs, tips on what can or can not be used, and the lotions and potions which can aid or perhaps cure a problem.
In keeping with a country that believes as far as possible in a ‘green’ way of life there are also many experts who dispense eagerly followed wisdom and advice on the age old medicinal recipes for every month and each season’s herbs and plants.
Including a famous Bavarian Kraeuterfee, Herb Fairy, now an active mid eighty year old and an inspiring and youthful advertisement for her way of thinking, whose recipes covering everything from various nettle mixtures including a juice to combat stress, anemia and tiredness, or red onion juice with honey and schnapps for building up immunity, apple vinegar poultices for tired, swollen legs, to the nettle, dandelion and wild garlic paste that, added to salad sauce or cream cheese, chases away all traces of spring tiredness or anemia, are followed faithfully.
While there is always the centuries old cure for almost everything, homemade chicken soup made with herbs and vegetables, or the instant and permanent relief that comes when fruit schnapps, or vodka, is dabbed onto a burn that has been cooled in cold water. While instead of reaching for the pill box headaches respond to a few drops of peppermint oil gently rubbed into the forehead, temples and back of jaw, excess allowed to seep into skin so there is an immediate cooling feeling, to be followed after about 30 minutes by relief from the headache.
Of course although in former years garlic traditionally offered protection from vampires, now amongst other things it is a popular remedy to give relief from bronchitis and clear sinuses, by way of a tea made from three crushed garlic cloves simmered in water for 20 minutes together with chopped parsley leaves, which can then be sipped without fear of leaving a tale tale odour.
Despite its increasing popularity, natural medicine and the use of herbs will not be replacing conventional medicine in Germany but will continue to run in combination, as modern science has made it possible to prove that, for many ailments, herbs and methods handed down from generation to generation and quoted for centuries in German ‘folklore’, including horse chestnut for varicose vein treatment, chili pepper for pain relief, valerian for insomnia and the healing power of water, make viable and effective treatments while causing less side effects, and are more relevant today than ever.
Chart of Healing plants from 1937:1 Arnika Arnica, 2 Salbei Salvia Sage, 3 Mohn Papave Poppy, 4 Bilsenkraut Henbane, 5 Stechapfel Thornapple, 6 Tollkirsche Belladonna Deadly Nightshade 7 Fingerhut Foxglove Digitalis 8 Herbstzeitlose Autumn Crocus 9 Goldregen Laburnum - From Der Neue Brockhaus via de.Wikipedia
Have you an interest in herbal medicine and its benefits? Then you would enjoy and learn from these easily understood but comprehensive and authoritive books. They cover everything from the basics of the science for the beginner, to the different types of medicine, how to grow different herbs and make herbals at home. You could soon have your very own herbal medicine cabinet. |
