On the way in the monastery
Herbs at Kloster Holzen
Herbal knowledge from the monastery
Edible herbs are highly valued for their wide range of flavours, their valuable ingredients in the form of minerals, vitamins and trace elements as well as their decorative variety of leaves and flowers. Whether in salads, soups, smoothies or desserts - it's worth experimenting with culinary herbs such as wild garlic, sorrel, lemon hyssop and winter hedge onion. Discover the spicy, aromatic and sometimes pungent facets of culinary herbs.
GREEK OREGANO: Lat. Oreganum vulgare sp.hirtum – perennial
- Also known as false perennial marjoram, Greek dost or pizza oregano
- Belongs to the labiate family
- The flowering herb is used - collected before and during the flowering period
- Contains essential oil, tannins, resin and bitter substances
- An old saying goes: "If you didn't have dorant (tarragon) and dosten (marjoram) - it would cost you your life"
- Was used in times of plague to protect against infection
- Has an antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-bloating, metabolism-stimulating, appetite-stimulating, expectorant effect
- Can be used in the kitchen like garden marjoram, i.e. for pasta, sauces, dips, herb butter, pizza, to refine oil, vinegar, salt, etc.
- Used in folk medicine for flatulence, cramps, diarrhea, colic, coughs, insomnia, sprains, nervous weakness, for inhalations, baths and much more.
- Interesting fact: The leaves of the herb used to be smoked as a substitute for tobacco
Spice Sage: Salvia officinalis – perennial
- Belongs to the labiate family
- The herb is used - leaves
- Contains essential oil, bitter substances, tannins, resin and much more.
- Has an anti-inflammatory, expectorant, germicidal, antispasmodic, stomachic, anti-bloating, bile-stimulating, wound-healing, diarrhea-inhibiting effect ...
- Used in folk medicine for sore throats, bleeding gums, kidney and liver problems and much more.
- Used for tea, tincture, wine, spice, for baths ...
- "He who looks at sage, hardly looks at death" - an old saying intended to show how valuable sage is
- Caution: large quantities can lead to abortion in pregnant women - sage also helps with weaning
STAGHORN PLANTAIN: Lat. Plantago coronopos – perennial
- Also known as stag's horn plantain, slit-leaf plantain or crow's-foot plantain
- Belongs to the plantain family
- Is robust and very frost-hardy
- Can be harvested (leaves) all year round - either individual leaves or rosettes of leaves
- Leaves are very crunchy and have a slightly salty, nutty flavour
- Leaves can be used fresh in salads, smoothies, herb butter, soups, etc. if necessary
- Slightly older leaves can also be blanched and added to vegetables
- Stimulates the metabolism, purifies the blood, has a cooling effect ...
- A great alternative to rocket and other garden salads
Sorrel: Lat. Rumex sanguineus – annual
- Belongs to the knotweed family
- Is related to sorrel - but sorrel must be cultivated
- Has striking red leaf veins - very decorative
- The leaves of sorrel are milder than those of sorrel - they are usually better tolerated
- Has a blood-purifying, diuretic, appetite-stimulating and liver-strengthening effect
- Young leaves and shoots are used
- In the kitchen, mainly used in salads, smoothies, herb butter and soups
- Also very decorative as a soup garnish, on bread etc.
- Contains bitter substances, tannins, oxalic acid, vitamin C
- Recommended in folk medicine for detoxification in spring and as a mouthwash for inflammation in the mouth
- Camphor is often found in flower bouquets due to its decorative character
Mountain savoury: Lat. Satureja hortensis (annual) s.montana (perennial)
- Also called pepper herb or Kölle
- Belongs to the labiate family
- The whole flowering herb is used
- Used as a spice, syrup, in oil, vinegar, salt, as a tonic, tea, inhalation, for smoking ...
- Ideal as an accompaniment to pulses
- Contains tannins, mucilage, essential oil, etc.
- Anti-inflammatory, heart-strengthening, digestive, mood-enhancing, stomach-strengthening...
- Savory used to be put in the pillow to keep the fleas away
- Interesting fact: Squeezed savory juice dripped into the ear is very good for earaches
- Special cooking tip: NEVER use together with marjoram or oregano!
Perennial borage: Lat. Borago pygmaea – perennial
- Perennial borage is much smaller than garden borage
- Belongs to the broadleaf family
- Herb and flowers are used
- Also called eye star, cucumber herb, heart friend or little love eye
- Use in the kitchen like normal borage
- Contains mucilage, starch, tannins, saponins, silicic acid and vitaminÂ
- Has an invigorating, nerve-strengthening, heart-strengthening, expectorant, cooling effect ...
- It is said that sprigs of borage in children's schoolbags improve their school results
- Borage is used in the kitchen for cucumber salads, oils, vinegars, dips, herb butter and much more.
- The flowers can be candied and used to decorate desserts, ice cream, etc.
- In folk medicine, borage is used to stimulate the nervous system, for coughs and hoarseness, against fever and to tighten the skin
- Caution: Do not eat in large quantities - borage contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be harmful to the liver if ingested in large quantities.
Lime-Hyssop: Lat. Agastache mexicana – perennial
- Belongs to the labiate family
- Also known as scented nettle
- Smells intensely of aniseed and lemon
- Wonderful tea plant - but also for desserts such as quark dishes, sorbet etc.
- The plant is not hardy - winterise if necessary
- Flowers for a very long time from June to October
- Flowers can be used to decorate salads and desserts, as well as for drinks, syrups, jellies, etc.
- Tea from the herb, fresh or dried, is a refreshing and delicious drink
Spice Thyme: Lat. Thymus vulgaris compactus – perennial
- Belongs to the labiate family
- Ideal for small gardens or balconies due to its compact, small growth habit
- Has a very fine and spicy flavour
- Has an expectorant, antiseptic, anthelmintic, nervine, tonic, expectorant and diuretic effect
- The flowering herb is used
- Used in folk medicine for dry cough, whooping cough, bronchitis ... - see also garden thyme
- Can be used as tea, tincture, syrup, wine, spice, sauces, dips, herb butter, salt, inhalation, ointments, liniments, compresses ...
- Caution with small children - can increase coughing!
Oyster Plant: Lat. Mertensia meritima – perennial
- Perennial, succulent coastal plant
- Belongs to the rough-leaved family
- Also known as blue lily
- Noble relative of borage
- Delicate flavour of oysters and mushrooms
- Goes very well in salads, on bread or with raw vegetables or fish dishes
- The leaves can be harvested continuously
- Interesting fact: To mimic the salt content of the coast, it is advisable to sprinkle a little salt around the plant from time to time
Lime Balm: Lat. Melissa officinalis „limoni" – perennial
- Belongs to the labiate family
- Slightly more bitter in flavour than lemon balm
- Wonderfully refreshing as a tea or in water, as a syrup, in smoothies or desserts, but also in herb butter, salads and much more.
- Has an invigorating, refreshing, antispasmodic, calming, nerve-strengthening, sleep-promoting, liver- and bile-stimulating, invigorating effect
- Used in folk medicine like lemon balm
CUT CELERY: Apium graveolens var. Secalinum – perennial
- Belongs to the umbelliferae family
- Very similar in flavour to celery stalks
- The leaves are used
- Has a draining, metabolism-stimulating, blood-purifying, diuretic and nerve-soothing effect
- Can be used as a spice - like parsley or celery leaves
- For soups, sauces, smoothies, meat, poultry, fish, herb seasoning oil, salt
- Interesting fact: Celery has an aphrodisiac effect - this was already known in the Middle Ages
- Tip: Celery paste made from celery greens, salt and oil - this can be used as a base for pesto, sauces etc.
Pineapple mint: Mentha suaveolens Variegata – perennial
- Belongs to the labiate family
- Not only does it look very pretty with its white-green leaves - it has a very fine flavour and can be used as a medicinal and aromatic herb
- The whole herb is used - ideally just before flowering
- Very uncomplicated plant for the garden as well as for containers and pots
- Decorative on salads, desserts, in drinks and much more
- Strengthens the nerves, has a relaxing effect, stimulates the gall bladder, has a cooling effect, etc.
- Can be used in drinks, liqueurs, tea, quark and cheese dishes, sugar, etc.
- Also for Hugo or as a chocolate-flavoured addition to ice cream, cakes, desserts, etc.
Winter Hedge onion: Lat. allium fistulosum – perennial
- Belongs to the onion family
- Hardy perennial bulbous plant that can also be harvested into the winter
- The pods are used, but also the inflorescences and seeds
- One of the first plants that can be harvested early in February/March
- The winter hedge onion can remain in the same location for years and forms dense clumps over time due to side bulbs
- The bulbs can also be propagated vegetatively by dividing older canes. Division and planting is best done in autumn
- The bulbs can be used as fresh cut greens in the kitchen almost all year round. They taste good on bread, in dips, salads and vegetables.
- Do not cook them with hot dishes, but sprinkle them over the food just before serving or fold them in lightly.
- Tip: Ideal as a border or small hedge!
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Parsley: Lat. petroselinium crispum – biennial
- Belongs to the umbellifer family
- Also called parsley, little parsley or sausage parsley
- The herb, flowers, seeds and roots are used
- When parsley is sown, it first has to travel to Rome to get permission from St Peter to sprout, it is said - because it takes so long for the seed to sprout
- Has an appetising, antispasmodic, diuretic and abortifacient effect
- Used as a spice, in salads, soups, dips, sauces, oil, etc.
- Well suited for a drainage course in spring
- Used in folk medicine for bladder diseases, kidney problems and flatulence, hyperthyroidism, metabolic disorders, rheumatism, gout ...
- Parsley is also used for colouring - produces a yellow-green colour
- Caution for breastfeeding mothers - can stop milk production
Cut Garlic: Lat. Allium tuberosum – perennial
Also called knolau or Chinese chivesÂ
- Belongs to the amaryllis family
- The green, flower, root and seeds are used
- Flavour is more similar to garlic than chives
- Can be used in many dishes such as soups, sauces, dips, herb butter or for decoration - the greens and flowers are used here
- A valuable oil is made from the seed
- Root can be eaten cooked or raw
- Above all, the plant has a strong antibacterial effect
Spoonwort: Lat. Cochlearia officinalis – biennial
- Also known as spoon cress, frog spoon, tooth spoon, scurvy herb or lung cress
- Belongs to the cruciferous family (like radishes)
- Leaves and flowers are used
- Contains tannins, bitter substances, minerals, vitamin C etc.
- Has a blood-purifying, liver-stimulating, immune-boosting and metabolism-stimulating effect
- Good as a salad ingredient in spring for detoxification and as a source of vitamins
- Can be used for smoothies, herb butter and quark, soups, sauces etc.
- Spoonwort is used in folk medicine to treat periodontal disease and spring fatigue
- Interesting fact: If you burn dried spoonwort, sulphate-containing ash remains, which can be used as a cleaner
Estragon: Lat. Artemisia dracunculus – perennial
- Also called dragon or dragon herb
- Belongs to the composite family
- The upper third of the plant is used - without the stem
- Tarragon was considered an anti-demonic remedy - similar to many other strong-smelling plants
- Can be used in vinegar, tincture, oil, meat dishes, mustard, etc.
- Contains tannins, bitter substances, estragole, potassium and much more.
- Has a digestive, diuretic and appetising effect
- Used in folk medicine for muscle cramps, rheumatism, kidney sluggishness, stomach weakness, flatulence, to aid digestion and stimulate the gall bladder
- Interesting fact: With tarragon, you can choose between French tarragon, which has a delicate flavour but needs protection in winter, and Russian tarragon, which has a slightly more bitter flavour but is very suitable for use in winter
Pimpinelle: Lat. Sanguisorba officinalis – perennial
- Also known as meadow knob, blood herb, Hergottsbart, red head, blood stream or stone parsley
- Belongs to the rose family
- Blooms from May to June
- Leaves and root are used
- The root is said to be the best remedy for nosebleeds if you dig up the root between 15 August and 8 September and hold it firmly in your hand
- Leaves add a fresh, aromatic flavour to salads, especially potato salad
- Folk medicine recommends a pressed juice for internal cleansing; the plant is generally highly recommended for all bleeding and inflammations
- Use of the leaves as tea, wine, in salads, soups etc.
- Use of the root as a tea to support the large intestine, liver and stomach
Chives: Lat. Allium schoenoprasum – perennial
- Belongs to the amaryllis family
- Also known as grass leek, rush leek or wild leek
- Tubes and flowers are to be used
- Contains essential oils, minerals and vitamins
- Has a stimulating, metabolism-promoting, antibiotic, haematopoietic effect ...
- If chives are to grow well and flourish, they must be begged or stolen, otherwise they will not become anything good - as an old book says
- Chives are a relative of onions and garlic
- With its sulphurous essential oils, chives revitalise the digestive juices
- Tip: drape deep-fried chive rolls on a dish or drink