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Plants: health and cuisine
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 YARROW (Achillea millefolium), Family Compositeae.
Description. Stems rigid, erect from the creeping underground root. Leaves thick, , toothed, furrowed. Flowers white or slightly rose-coloured. Along the road margins, in sunny places. Achillea moscata grows above 3,000 metres of altitude and is used to scent liquors.
Usage. Since the remotest times used to plug wounds, especially on battlefields - the name recalls Achilles, Homer’s hero - or to heal bleeding noses. Infusion calms the symptoms of cold, lowers the fever and calms cramps. The juice of leaves is antiseptic, stimulates gastric secretions and the intestine gland secretion.
Preparation. Gather the whole plant or flowers, during the flowering season (June to September), dropping the largest stems. Dry in the shade, under 40° C.
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 MALVA (Malva sylvestris), Family Malvaceae.
Description. Leaves are lobate and covered by a thick hairs protecting them by very hot weather. Flowers lily-coloured, open from spring to autumn. Easily observed along the roads or in waste fields.
Usage. Contains organic acids, mucilage and other substances. It has emollient properties, expectorant and gently laxative properties. Flowers and leaves are used to prepare infusions for inflammation, cough and intestine pains. Flowers are used to prepare a sedative tea; roots were used to prepare ointments for chapped hands and children pustules. Compresses are used to calm fits.
Preparation. Gather flowers and fruits during the flowering season. Dry in the shadow.
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 STINGING NETTLE (Urtica dioica), Family Urticaceae.
Description. Stem erect. Leaves opposed covered by nettling hairs. Flowers greenish, gathered in clusters at the base of the leaf. At every altitude, especially in wet places.
Usage. The ancient used it to heal rheumatoid arthritis, using bunches of stinging nettle to flog the body. Depurative, hemostaic, vaseconstrictor. The plant is very rich in mineral salts, vitamin C and chlorophyll. Used to stop haemorrhages inside and on the body, to reduce constipation, to heal the secondary anaemia, and to prevent hair from falling and dandruff. The most tender shoots are used to stuff the famous ‘tortelli’ or to scent the risotto.
Preparation. Use roots, leaves, stems and seeds. Use gloves to gather flowers and tender shoots. Used fresh or dried in shady places.
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Nature
Issues
Places
Itineraries
Plants
For ages...
Natural pharmacopoeia
Scents and Flavours
Herbs in vegetable garden
FOXGLOVE
COMMON TORMENTIL
LUNG-WORT
DOG ROSE
COLTSFOOT
USNEA BARBATA
VALERIAN
WILD CHAMOMILE
YARROW
MALVA
STINGING NETTLE
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