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Sambucus nigra NL: Vlier / F: Sureau Noir Elder is a great pioneer shrub or small tree that can come to help when replanting woodlands or in a forest garden project. It grows very quick, it is resistant and helps to shelter and support larger, slow-growing trees, protecting them from harsh weather. It is a great garden-guardian, protecting the neighboring plants against undesirable insects.  Elder leaves can be prepared in a decoction to be used as  insect repellent  spray as well as to treat plants from fungal infection, leaf rot and powdery mildew. It improves fermentation of compost piles when growing near it. In fact, the plant can activate composting processes when added to compost heaps. The only edible parts of the plant are the flowers and the very ripe berries, like in when they are really dark purple-black. Even then, the berries are safer to be consumed when cooked, as the possible traces of cyanogenic substances are then destroyed by cooking. Red-brownish berr...

Primula veris (or P. officinalis) NL: Echte sleutelbloem / F: Primevère officinale This precious herb was once an abundant perennial, widely harvested at springtime for food and for its highly praised medicinal properties. This was before current farming practices took over most lands.  Young leaves and flowers are nutritious additions to salads and smoothies. The leaves can also be added to enrich soups and stews.  Its leaves, before flower Flowers, leaves and root have been used since ancient time as sedative, nervine, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant and antispasmodic. That means that it may help to treat spasms, cramps, asthma and other respiratory conditions, insomnia, fever, bruises and to ease painful conditions. Simply another amazing plant!!   Here is a nice super short video to help you to recognize Cowslip: Cowslip / Primula veris More on Cowslip: Primula veris - Cowslip - PFAF

a.k.a. Cleavers or Bedstraw Galium aparine NL: Kleefkruid / F: Gaillet gratteron Goosegrass is known in the herbalist’s world as a blood purifier, an essential ingredient of any good herbal detox mix, or spring cleanser formula. Due to its detoxifying as well as diuretic properties, it is employed to treat a series of ailments such as wounds, skin inflammations, ulcers, eczema and even psoriasis.  The detoxifying work of goosegrass seems to be partly linked to its ability to the cleanse lymphatic system. In popular medicine it is said to help to heal various glandular disorders, including tonsillitis, hepatitis and even some thyroid disorders. Its aerial parts are also astringent, tonic, depurative, vulnerary. It is also antiphlogistic and febrifuge, making it a helpful herb to include in conditions that involve fevers. Some herbalists claim that goosegrass is more effective when its fresh juice is used. In principle the plant is edible, preferably its young shoot tops, coll...