Summer solstice - a time of flowering and harvesting of medicinal plants. How to cook them properly

Ilze Priedniece, a clinical pharmacist of “BENU Aptiekas”, talks about the current medicinal plants, their collection and caution in use.

Medicinal plants to be harvested in June

In June, yarrow and dandelion stalks, raspberry leaves, linden flowers, red clover flowers and stalks, cornflower flowers, plantain leaves, coltsfoot leaves, fir flower stalks, cockscomb flowers and leaves, yarrow can be harvested from medicinal plants. In the garden, you can collect chamomile, calendula and nettle flowers, as well as mint, sage and lemon balm leaves, including blackcurrant leaves.

Yarrow leaves help against inflammation, reduce fever and temperature, stop bleeding and promote wound healing. Also useful against gastritis, bloating and stimulates appetite.
Wheelchair sheets are good for a woman’s health.
Lime flowers has a sweating effect, reduces fever and temperature, and soothes. Used to treat colds, angina, inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis and cough. Also helps against headaches.
Clover flowers and stems are used for colds, atherosclerosis prevention and menopause.
Raspberry drugs use not only raspberry leaves but also fruit. They have antiperspirant, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Used in case of colds and respiratory diseases.
Cornflowers have anti-inflammatory effects, they are used externally in case of skin diseases.
Travelers leaves promote expectoration, have a beneficial effect on smooth muscle tone and help reduce inflammation. They are used to treat coughs and also to heal wounds.
Colors leaves are useful in the treatment of cough to promote expectoration.
For a firefly has a relaxing and body-strengthening effect.
Meadowsweet used in colds because they have anti-inflammatory and antiperspirant effects, also as a sedative in anxiety and sleep disorders.
Wormwood used to stimulate appetite, improve digestion, have antiparasitic action.
Camomile used for both colds and gastrointestinal health, also as a sedative and sleep aid. Used externally for rinsing the mouth and neck.
Marigolds has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antibacterial and wound healing properties. Used for external use in compresses, also for rinsing – in case of inflammation of the throat and oral mucosa.
Nine viral force flowers are used in case of cough to promote expectoration. They have anti-inflammatory action, are useful for colds and flu.
Mint leaves have a calming and antispasmodic effect, are useful for the health of the gastrointestinal tract, are also used for headaches, lower blood pressure.
Melissas leaves have a calming and antispasmodic effect, help against bloating and improve digestion, as well as lower blood pressure.
Sage leaves are a good way to rinse a sore throat. Also used for mouthwashes, as sage has anti-inflammatory and astringent effects. However, sage tea should not be used by breastfeeding mothers, as the drug reduces milk production.
Blackcurrant leaves can be used in case of a cold. They have antiperspirant and anti-inflammatory effects.

How to collect?

Medicinal plants should be collected in dry and sunny weather when the dew is dry. The summer solstice time is suitable for collecting many medicinal plants, says the pharmacist. Certain parts of medicinal plants are used – stems, fruits, leaves, seeds, flowers, buds, bark or roots. Each type of drug has its own specific time when the drug is collected.

It is important to note that only known medicinal plants are collected for drugs! Therefore, it is necessary to know the poisonous and protected plants. Plants are harvested in clean areas, not on roadsides, in the city or in other contaminated areas. It must be remembered that nature must be protected and the destruction of plant stands must not be allowed. For example, if the leaves or flowers of a medicinal plant are to be harvested, the plants must not be uprooted.

Storage of medicinal plants

The shelf life of different herbal drugs will vary, for example, for roots it will be longer than for flowers and leaves. The shelf life is also determined by the composition of the active substances of medicinal plants. It is best to collect drugs so that there is enough for consumption until next summer, when new drugs will be collected again. Dried herbal drugs at home are stored in a dry and dark place, protected from moisture. Paper or cloth bags are used for storage, glass or metal boxes or jars can also be used.

Proper preparation

It is also important to observe the conditions for making medicinal teas, emphasizes Priedniece. On the other hand, if you choose herbal tea to quench your thirst, then it is not made too strong.

It is recommended to use a fresh decoction or infusion for medicinal purposes. The sustained effect will no longer be as strong.

Infusions should be made of flowers, leaves, stems, but decoctions – of roots and bark.

If infusions are being prepared, the drug is sprinkled with boiling water and left to infuse for 15-30 minutes. Drain and use as directed. While preparing the decoction, the drug is sprinkled with boiling water, slowly boil in a water bath for 15-30 minutes, then allow to infuse for 15-30 minutes, drain. Use as directed.

Chamomile, mint, lemon balm, firefly tea, as well as drugs rich in vitamin C – rose and blackcurrant fruits – will be useful for everyday use. In case of excessive Midsummer feast, drugs to help digestion, such as mint leaves, oregano, yarrow leaves, cumin and dandelion roots, will help.

Use responsibly!

The effect of medicinal plants is determined by the type of biologically active substances they contain. Decoctions, infusions, tea, alcohol and oil extracts can be made from medicinal herbs at home. The drugs can be used alone or in mixtures that are useful for strengthening immunity, cough, cold and urinary tract diseases, as well as insomnia and anxiety.

However, when choosing herbs, it is important to take into account some important nuances in order for tea to provide the desired effect.

Drugs that lower blood pressure, such as mint and lemon balm leaves, will not be suitable for those who already have it low, the clinical pharmacist emphasizes.

Also, diuretics should not be used overnight. If there is a high risk of thrombosis, plants that promote wound healing and blood clotting should be avoided. This is the case, for example, with nettles and mountain ash.

Pregnant women should be especially careful when choosing herbal tea and be sure to consult a specialist before using it. Certain herbs, such as yarrow, wormwood, calendula, sage, clover, oregano and other plants, should not be used during pregnancy. If medicines are used, it is better to consult a doctor or pharmacist about the use of herbs, as some herbs increase or decrease the effects of certain medicines.

Medicinal plants are also mentioned in folklore related to Midsummer – both in folk songs and beliefs. For example, in folk songs about collecting St. John’s wort and weaving wreaths, or in beliefs such as: “On Midsummer’s Eve, you should read the flowers of the St. John’s wort, tie in a handkerchief and wade through water or race at night – then the flowers turn into gold or silver.”