Herbal and forest teacher Kathrin Feektiven gives tips against cold symptoms –
3 hours ago
Horseradish is the medicinal plant of the year 2021: the root is known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties.
17.12.2020
© Photo: Katrin Müller
Horseradish is the medicinal plant of the year 2021: the root is known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties.
17.12.2020
Photo: Photo: Katrin Müller
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Coughs, sniffing noses, little sun and cold, damp weather: winter is also cold season. Especially in times of the coronavirus, it is important to strengthen the immune system and thus become less susceptible to viruses and bacteria. In our series “Fit through the winter” we want to accompany you through the next few weeks – hopefully always in the best of health.
How the medicinal plant of the year 2021, horseradish, can relieve cold symptoms, that the color green contributes to our well-being, a walk in the forest can work wonders and how to quickly make a soothing balm, you will learn in the third part of the series. Kathrin Feindest from Burgbernheim is a herb and forest pedagogue and gives tips from nature that help her particularly well.
The eyes water, the pungent smell rises into the nose. Take a deep breath, the airways are clear. Kathrin Feindest scrapes a stick of horseradish over a kitchen grater. “I would like to roll out the red carpet for His Majesty, the horseradish,” says the 48-year-old, who thinks that the root has been given the title of medicinal plant of the coming year “rightly”.
Purified beeswax from local beekeepers.
17.12.2020
© Photo: Katrin Müller
Purified beeswax from local beekeepers.
17.12.2020
Photo: Photo: Katrin Müller
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Its antibacterial and antiviral effectiveness are scientifically proven. However, it is important to use fresh roots, preferably from the region, as they do not have long transport routes behind them. “We have our good Franconian horseradish there.”
Kathrin Feindert puts the fine abrasion in a small mason jar. She opens a jar of honey and pours the golden-yellow, viscous liquid over it. With honey, too, it is important to her to pay attention to quality and regionality. “Honey from flowering plants in the environment in which we live is more valuable to our body in many ways than honey from anywhere.” It contains many important ingredients that have to be handled carefully so that they are not lost. The beekeeper knows that honey has to be stored in a cool and dark place, “that is not the case in the supermarket”.
In Corona times: Back to the inner center
Mix, put the lid on and the first home remedy is ready. When taken preventively, one tablespoon a day, it strengthens the immune system; in acute cases, the 48-year-old recommends two to three tablespoons a day. The honey and horseradish mixture can be used for coughs, runny nose and sinus infections. Everyone can try out the mixing ratio for themselves. Those who do not like heat so well should use less horseradish and sieve it off after 24 hours. The mixture can be kept in the refrigerator for about a week, says Feindert.
Honey is also the main component of Oxymel (sour honey), which, according to Feindert, has been a “true elixir for strengthening” and has been used as a medicine since ancient times. It has an immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect. “There are around 200 ingredients in honey that are good for us,” says Feindert. For every three parts of honey there is one part of apple cider vinegar – done. “Apple cider vinegar is alkaline metabolizing, although it is actually an acid,” explains the herbalist.
Oxymel is excellent to use as an extractant for herbs that also develop their healing power. If you have a cold, you can add half a part of thyme, ribwort or sage; if you have a flu, Feindest recommends linden blossom, meadowsweet or elderflower, and rosehip, ginger or garlic to strengthen the immune system.
Pharmacist: This plant could protect against coronavirus
The additives can be freshly crushed, but also dried and stirred into the liquid. It should be left to soak for about three weeks and stored in a screw-top jar, shaken again and again, then sieved off after the pull-out time. As a prophylactic measure to strengthen the immune system, Feindest recommends taking one to two spoons a day, or up to four tablespoons for colds. The best thing to do is to dissolve the Oxymel in water and drink it.
Kathrin Feindert puts beeswax into hot olive oil – the basis for soothing balm.
17.12.2020
© Photo: Katrin Müller
Kathrin Feindert puts beeswax into hot olive oil – the basis for soothing balm.
17.12.2020
Photo: Photo: Katrin Müller
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The essential oils of herbs, for example thyme, spruce needle, lavender or juniper are also easy to process in a balm that is rubbed on the chest and back for coughs, rhinitis or inflammation of the sinuses. They then work through the airways, but are also absorbed through the skin. The active ingredients penetrate the cell membrane and can be detected in the blood after a short time, explains Feindert.
The trained nurse heats 40 grams of olive oil in a small saucepan on the stove, scrapes five grams of beeswax from a block and adds it. When it has almost dissolved, she takes the pot off the plate and stirs the mixture until it is homogeneous and has cooled down to hand warmth. Then she drips in from a vial of thyme oil.
Add between 15 and 40 drops, depending on the intensity of the oil. In general, according to Feendet, you should only use pure essential oils for this, “no artificial fragrances, they are bad for the endocrine system,” says the 48-year-old. The mass should be quickly poured into jars and, when it is solid, closed so that the oils do not evaporate. To clear your nose, you can also add mint oil or eucalyptus. “It’s very intense and just not everyone likes that,” warns Feendet to be careful with the dosage.
“Local superfood” is also a matter close to the heart of Feeuert, not just in winter. So-called anthocyanins can be found in purple, dark red, blue or black fruits and vegetables. These have an antioxidant effect against free radicals and are anti-inflammatory, explains Feendet. Cherries, blackberries, blueberries, red cabbage and currants are examples from Feindest. As a juice, this is a good option, especially in winter.
Honey has over 200 healthy ingredients.
17.12.2020
© Photo: Katrin Müller
Honey has over 200 healthy ingredients.
17.12.2020
Photo: Photo: Katrin Müller
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At the moment you can also pick blackthorn from hedges while taking a walk in nature and use it to make compote, for example. “You need a lot less of wild fruit than of cultivated types of fruit, the ingredients in them are much more concentrated,” says Feindert.
“Get out into nature”, with this tip the forest educator from Kathrin Feektiven speaks primarily: “The battery will be full again. Just go out and take a deep breath.” Feindest describes himself as an absolute fan of the forest. There is no comparison to the rest in a coniferous forest.
In addition, the color green, which can be found there not only on the trees but also on the mossy ground, in combination with the essential oils in the air, influences the mood. This has been proven, according to Feeuert. “Being in the forest has a harmonizing effect on our vegetative nervous system.” Blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate calm down, explains Feindert.
A positive influence on the immune system has also been scientifically proven. “The killer cells in the blood increase.” Feindert’s recommendation for at home: Put a few fresh fir branches and a few droplets of essential oils from a conifer in a fragrance lamp and you can quickly bring a piece of forest into your living room.
