Medicinal plants from the monastery garden
Medicinal plants from the monastery garden
in the shade of old monastery walls, where history and nature mix in a fascinating way, plants thrive that have been valued as a remedy for centuries. These medicinal plants from the monastery garden are not only botanical treasures, but also carriers of traditions and knowledge, which has been passed on from generation to generation. But what is really surprising behind these green? In this article we dive into the historical meaning and the rich legacy of these plants, the healing forces of which are scientifically sound. We not only want to revive the historical flair, but also give practical tips on how to use these treasures in everyday life. Regardless of whether you are looking for natural healing methods or just curious about the secrets of the monastery gardens - we have the answers for you. Be ready to rediscover the world of medicinal plants!
historical importance and tradition of medicinal plants in the monastery garden
The use of medicinal plants in monastery gardens has a long tradition that goes back to the Middle Ages. At that time, monasteries were not only religious centers, but also significant sites for medical practice. Monks and nuns were often the only medical specialists in rural areas and took advantage of the knowledge of the healing properties of plants to treat diseases and promote the health of the parishioners.
herbs such as sage, thyme and chamomile were not only valued for their medical properties, but also for their role in the kitchen. The monks thus combined the knowledge of medicinal plants with culinary traditions, which led to the development of a unique plant culture in the monastery gardens. These gardens were often based on a strict geometric pattern, which took into account both aesthetic and practical aspects to facilitate access to the different plants.
Some monastery gardens followed the tradition of "physiognomic garden art", in which plants were classified according to their healing effects. This approach was based on the observation that certain plants similarities have human symptoms or body forms. Historical texts, such as the "Herbarius Lampadis", document the cultivation practices and applications of these plants in detail and testify to the extensive knowledge that monks had on their medicinal plant repertoire.
During this time, monastery gardens also became places of exchange and knowledge of knowledge. Monks often traveled between monasteries and brought new knowledge and plants, which led to the diversification and improvement of domestic medicinal plants. These networks played a crucial role in the spread of medical knowledge and the development of recipes based on different plants.Another important aspect is the list of plants that are traditionally grown in monastery gardens. This list includes:
- Arnika (Arnica Montana)
- St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
- Wermung (Artemisia Absinthium)
- mint (mentha spp.)
- lavender (lavandula angustifolia)
The monastery gardens that are still operated today, such as the monastery garden in the Wettingen-Mehrerau Abbey in Austria, continue this tradition by accessing both historical knowledge and integrating modern scientific knowledge into their cultivation practices. The monastery garden thus becomes a lively testimony of an ongoing connection between nature, science and spirituality.
Scientific foundations of the healing effects of specified monastery garden plants
The healing properties of monastery garden plants are important in both traditional and modern medicine. Scientific studies have shown that many of these plants contain a variety of biologically active connections that can cause therapeutic effects. The most important classes of bioactive substances include flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes and essential oils. These connections are responsible for the anti -inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of many monastery plants.
Some of the most common monastery garden plants and their proven effects are:
- chamomile (matricaria chamomilla) - have an anti -inflammatory, calming and antispasmodic effect. Studies show the effectiveness of chamomile tea in relieving gastrointestinal complaints.
- sage (Salvia officinalis) - antiseptic and anti -inflammatory. Sage extracts can be helpful for sore throats and mouth infections.
- thyme (thymus vulgaris) - antibacterial and cough -dissolving properties. In a review, the effectiveness of respiratory diseases was emphasized.
- St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) - antidepressant and anxiolytic, with numerous clinical tests that occupy the effectiveness for the treatment of more easily to moderate depression.
The effect of the plants is not always clear and can depend on various factors such as dosage, application form and individual health. For many of these medicinal plants, there are already extensive results from randomized controlled studies that support their effectiveness. Current research also focuses on understanding the exact mechanisms through which these plants have their effect.
An example of scientifically proven data is a study on the effectiveness of thyme extract in the treatment of respiratory diseases that documented a reduction in symptoms after two weeks of application.
| chamomile | flavonoids, chamzuen | anti -inflammatory, soothing |
| sage | thujon, rosemary acid | antiseptic, anti -inflammatory |
| thyme | thymol, carvacrol | antibacterial, cough -solving |
| St. John's wort | hypericin, hyperforin | antidepressant, anxiolytic |
The amanzone plants that grow in the monastery garden not only have a long tradition in naturopathy, but are also the subject of intensive scientific studies. The knowledge gained helps to legitimize and standardize the use of these plants in modern medical practice.
practical applications and recommendations for the use of monastery garden healing plants
monastery garden healing plants offer a wide range of applications that can be used for both health care and the treatment of specific complaints. Many of these plants are still rooted in traditional medicine, where they are often used to produce teas, tinctures and ointments. A targeted application can support various health aspects, from mental to body health.
- chamomile : used as a sedative and to relieve indigestion. Kamillentees are known for their relaxing effects and are a popular home remedy to calm the gastrointestinal tract.
- lavender : The use of lavender can improve the quality of sleep and reduce stress. Essential oils made of lavender help with relaxation and are often used in aromatherapy.
- St. John's wort : known for its mood -lifting properties, St. John's wort is often used in mild to moderate depression. The plant can be consumed in the form of capsules or as tea.
- sage : used for throat infections and to promote oral hygiene. Sage tea has anti -inflammatory properties and can be used gurgling.
An important recommendation is the type of preparation and dosage. The effectiveness of the medicinal plants can depend significantly on the preparation form. Here are some proven preparations:
| chamomile | tea | 1-3 cups daily |
| lavender | aromatic oils | 3-5 drops in the diffuser or as massage oil |
| St. John's wort | capsules/tea | 300-900 mg extract daily |
| sage | Gurgel water | 2-3 times a day |
However, the use of monastery garden healing plants requires caution. Unwanted interactions can occur, especially when combined with prescription drugs. It is therefore advisable to consult a specialist before the application to ensure that the health benefits are maximized and risks are minimized.
In addition to traditional applications, modern scientific studies are also becoming more important in order to prove the healing effects of these plants. Some studies have shown that certain vegetable extracts can effectively alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Therefore, close cooperation between traditional and modern medicine is advantageous in order to develop well -founded recommendations for the use of these valuable medicinal plants.
In summary, it can be seen that the medicinal plants from the monastery garden play an important role in the history of naturopathy and continue their tradition until today. The scientific knowledge about the active ingredients and their effects underpin the long experience of the monks and nuns that these plants cultivated and researched in the service of health. In practical use, these plants not only offer access to valuable natural remedies, but also a way to keep old traditions alive and integrate into modern health concepts. The promotion of sustainable use of these resources could help to preserve the knowledge of monastery garden plants for future generations and to open up new therapeutic potential.sources and further literature
Bibliography
- Vogt, J. (2011). "Medicinal plants in the monastery garden: historical and contemporary practice." Publisher for Health and Medicine.
- Müller, W.E. (2015). "The medicinal plants of the monks: tradition and application." Scientific publisher.
- Fritz, B. (2018). "herbs and their effects: a lexicon of the monastery garden plants." Botanica Verlag.
Scientific studies
- Geyer, A., & Schneider, H. (2017).
- Schmitt, T., & Meyer, K. (2019). "Effectiveness of monastery garden plants in the treatment of inflammatory diseases: a systematic overview." Journal for naturopathy, 45 (4), 305-317.
further literature
- Stadtler, M. (2020). "medicinal plants and their use in the Middle Ages." Verlag for old healing art.
- Hammerschmidt, R. (2013). "Herbal science in the monastery: practical applications and recipes." Klosterbuch Verlag.
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