Content
- Is alant a medicinal plant?
- What kind of healing does Alant have?
- How do you use Alant?
- Can you grow Alant yourself?
- Tips
Alant is a decorative medicinal plant for the garden
Is alant a medicinal plant?
Originating in Central Asia, native to Central and Southern Europe, Alant is one of the most well-known medicinal plants. The hardy perennial shrub has beautiful yellow flowers from July to September.
What kind of healing does Alant have?
Alant contains essential oils, bitter substances and inulin. These substances act against loss of appetite as well as for dissolving mucus in bronchial catarrhs. Allergies should be very careful, because allergies to Alant occur quite frequently and the bitter substances of this plant are often used in herbal liqueurs. They are supposed to stimulate digestion.
Alant has antibacterial and antimycotic (against fungi), digestive and metabolism stimulating, urinary and cholinergic, anti-coughing and cramps. So this plant was formerly used for many ailments: loss of appetite, bronchitis, intestinal inflammation, gall bladder and irritable cough, but also in eczema and poorly healing wounds and even against worms.
How do you use Alant?
Due to the bitter taste and the allergenic effect Alant is now rarely used for healing purposes. However, it is part of the melissa spirit and many herbal bitters or liqueurs. You can also make a tea from the root and the leaves. It helps, for example, with mild indigestion. The trade offers some finished preparations with Alant.
Can you grow Alant yourself?
Alant is not only curative but also decorative. The flowers are reminiscent of sunflowers. With a stature height of up to two meters, this perennial is an ornament for cottage gardens and natural gardens. The scent of violets fragrance is ideal for potpourris. The leaves can be harvested if necessary, the several kilos weighing roots only from the autumn of the second year.
Alant likes a moist humus soil with more or less sun. But it does not have to be a location in the midday sun. Give plenty of organic fertilizer in the planting hole, so the lushly vigorous roots have enough nutrients for the start. Pour your alant regularly and not too tight. Alant can be increased by sowing or division.
Tips
During pregnancy you should only use Alant after consultation with your doctor. Even herbal supplements have side effects.