Pure nature: homemade wild herb juices

Whether nettles, dandelions, goutweed or chickweed - wild herbs are becoming increasingly popular in the kitchen. They contain valuable nutrients with healing properties and are much more than just weeds. Wild herbs are often used in salads or smoothies. What many people don't realise: Local herbs are also ideal for freshly squeezed juices and are freely available in nature.

A juice made from various wild herbs provides numerous health benefits: It can help detoxify the body, strengthen the immune system and aid digestion. The reason: many wild herbs have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and are full of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Here are a few examples:

Stinging nettle

Stinging nettle is characterised by a particularly high vitamin C content. There are around 300 milligrams of vitamin C in 100 grams. That is six times as much as in a lemon, which only contains 50 grams of vitamin C per 100 grams of fruit. Among other things, vitamin C is involved in many metabolic processes, supports the utilisation of iron from plant foods and has an antioxidant effect. This means that it protects the cells from free radicals. In terms of minerals, stinging nettles are particularly rich in calcium and potassium. While calcium is important for bone density, potassium regulates the body's water balance and contributes to the healthy functioning of muscles and nerves.

Dandelion

Dandelions also contain large amounts of vitamin C, followed by vitamin E and vitamin A. Vitamin E protects the cells from harmful metabolic products, while vitamin A is important for the functioning of our eyes and cell growth. Here too, potassium and calcium make up the highest proportion of minerals.

Goutweed

Goutweed has proven itself in medicine and can help with gout and rheumatism. The plant is also said to have an analgesic effect. It contains a lot of vitamin C and vitamin A as well as four times as much iron as spinach. The trace element iron is involved in metabolic functions and the transport of oxygen in the body, for example, and is essential for energy production.

Chickweed

Chickweed mainly contains vitamin C and B vitamins. The latter play a particularly important role in metabolism and haematopoiesis. In terms of minerals, the iron and potassium content is particularly important. With its ingredients, chickweed strengthens the entire organism and stimulates digestion and metabolism.

Wild herbs - free superfood from nature

In addition to their health-promoting effects, wild herbs have the advantage that - as the name suggests - they grow in the wild and therefore do not have to be bought. They grow practically everywhere: in the forest, in meadows or along roadsides. Harvested in the right places, they are also free from pesticides and other harmful substances.

It is better not to collect wild herbs in these places:

• Roadside: There is a high level of pollution here.

• Field margins: Pesticides from agriculture may be present here.

• Dog meadows: Not just for dogs to run around, but also as a dog toilet.

• Nature conservation areas: Collecting plants is generally not permitted in these areas.

If you have your own garden or enough space on your balcony, you can of course plant the wild herbs yourself. In this case, there are costs for buying the seeds or plants and the necessary accessories - these are usually manageable.

Tip: If you are not yet familiar with herbalism, a guided herb tour could be just the thing for you. You will learn everything you need to know about the various wild herbs and, above all, how to recognise them. Some species are difficult to distinguish from poisonous plants. Therefore, only collect what you really know.

Preparing wild herb juices gently

The best way to make wild herb juices is in a slow juicer. The juicer processes the pressed material particularly gently with slow, screw-like rotational movements. The low speed preserves more of the herbs' nutrients, vitamins and enzymes than when using a conventional juicer, and the juice yield is also more efficient. A slow juicer is the best choice for fibre-rich herbs such as nettles or dandelions.

Delicious recipes for vitamin-rich wild herb juices

Fresh herbs are combined with fruit or vegetables to create a flavourful and nutrient-rich juice. Adding fruit gives them a pleasant sweetness and an even higher vitamin content.

Tip: Wrapped in a damp kitchen towel or tea towel, the wild herbs can be stored in the fridge for a few days and will stay fresh. If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze them - but be aware that they may lose their flavour.

Wild herb juicewith goutweed and mint

Ingredients

• 2 handfuls of goutweed

• 2 stalks of mint

• 1 apple (unpeeled)

• 150 g cucumber (unpeeled)

• 50 g lemon (unpeeled)

Wash all the ingredients well and place in the juicer.

Wild herb juicewith dandelion

Ingredients

• 2 handfuls of dandelion with flowers

• 2 oranges (peeled)

• 4 stalks of celery

Wash the ingredients well, peel the oranges and put everything in the juicer.

Wild herb juicewith nettles and pineapple

Ingredients

• 2 handfuls of nettles

• 200 g pineapple

• 200 g courgette (unpeeled)

• 1/2 lime (unpeeled)

Wash the ingredients well, peel the pineapple and place everything in the juicer.

Ideally, drink the juice immediately after juicing to preserve the valuable nutrients and enzymes. This not only keeps it fresh, but also particularly healthy!

With these tips, you can make your own wild herb juices easily and deliciously and benefit from the many health benefits of herbs.