Regeneration with wild herbs
These recipes strengthen the body after exercise
Alert hikers can discover many medicinal herbs along the way.
© Bogdan Sonyakhnyj/Shutterstock.com
Wild herbs are a natural alternative for regeneration after exercise. Here are three recipes for natural miracle cures.
After a strenuous workout, our body needs support to regenerate. Many people then like to use industrially manufactured aids. Nature offers a much healthier alternative: wild herbs. Fir needles, yarrow and Co. are rich in vitamins, minerals and oxidants. In addition, collecting can be combined with a sporty excursion in the fresh air.
Herb educator Sophie Winkler passes on her knowledge about wild nature in her book “Sporty on the go with wild herbs” (publication date: April 21, Servus book). In it she also shares her tips for collecting wild herbs and her best recipes for preparation, on the go and for regeneration. There are three of them here.
Conifer bath salts for muscle relaxation
What could be nicer than relaxing in a warm, soothing bath after a long hike? In fact, a bath not only relaxes, but also promotes blood circulation in the skin and muscles. It also strengthens the immune system and relieves body aches.
Ingredients: 2 tbsp fir or spruce needles (fresh or dried), 250 g coarse natural salt (e.g. sea salt), 10-15 drops of essential oils (e.g. silver fir, rosemary or eucalyptus), 2 tbsp oil (e.g e.g. olive oil)
Preparation: Add the crushed needles to the salt, mix the essential oils well with the olive oil. Then pour the oil mixture over the salt and mix everything together. Ideally, leave to stand for two to three days, then stir again, pour into a container or jar and seal tightly. Use within a few months.
Application: Add about 5 tablespoons of bath salt to the hot water. A bathing temperature of 32 to 38 degrees Celsius is recommended, depending on personal preference. It is not advisable to take a bath that is too hot, as it can also put a strain on the organism. In addition, it is gentler if the entire body is not covered by water and z. B. the knees, arms and shoulders sticking out of the water. Stay in the water for about 15 to a maximum of 30 minutes, then keep your body warm and rest extensively. The fir needle oil extract has a slightly moisturizing effect, so that it is not necessary to apply cream afterwards. Alternatively, the bath salt can also be used as a scrub in the shower.
Rubbing alcohol for sprains and tension
Rubbing alcohol is a classic for muscle and joint pain. The contained tree needles and their essential oils relieve pain, juniper berries promote blood circulation and peppercorns have a warming, relaxing effect.
Ingredients: 350 ml alcohol (ideally with approx. 70%), 3 tablespoons needles from the forest (e.g. pine, larch, pine), 1 handful of peppermint leaves, a small handful of yarrow blossoms, 1 tablespoon of juniper berries, optionally a few peppercorns , 1 teaspoon larch or spruce resin, 150 ml spring water, essential oils (20 drops mountain pine, 20 drops rosemary)
Preparation: Pluck the needles from the twigs, cut them into small pieces together with the yarrow blossoms and layer them in a sealable jar. Crush the juniper berries and peppercorns in a mortar and add them as well. Pour the alcohol over it, add the resin and let it steep for about two to three weeks so that the essential oils and active ingredients are absorbed by the alcohol. Then strain and mix with the water and essential oils. Fill into bottles.
Application: In case of tension, either rub directly with the rubbing alcohol or soak a cloth with it and wrap it around the painful areas. Optionally, you can also fill the rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle for easier application.
Sport spray for wound healing in bruises
Whether mountain biking or hiking: Anyone who does sports in nature quickly gets bruises. Immortelle, a herb native to the Mediterranean region, has a pain-relieving effect and provides relief from bruises. Steam distillation produces essential oil and hydrosol from the herb.
Ingredients: 50 ml immortelle hydrolate, 50 ml almond oil or alternatively an oil extract of your choice, essential oils (4 drops immortelle, 3 drops juniper berries, 3 drops peppermint or field mint)
Preparation: Put all the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake vigorously before each use so that the ingredients combine well.
Use: Spray onto bruises or strained muscles and massage in well.