Anyone who is a fan of natural remedies should plant a buckthorn tree. We'll tell you how to do it and what special medical effects it has.
As its name suggests, the alder buckthorn, which is native to Europe (partly also to Asia), has an intense scent in the bark area, which people only notice when they are in the immediate vicinity of the bush.
In contrast to this is the healing effect of the alder buckthorn, which also emanates from its bark. The active ingredient it contains is often used as a laxative and for a wide variety of gum diseases.
Did you know?
By the way, the alder buckthorn has been mentioned again and again in numerous herbal and medicinal books and in traditions since the 14th century. Furthermore, people at that time also recognized that gunpowder could be produced from the wood of the bush, which produces hardly any ash.
Plant Buckthorn
The perennial, deciduous buckthorn shrub grows up to an average height of 4 meters in local gardens. It prefers a permanently moist loamy soil, whereby the choice of location may fall on a semi-shady spot. You should plant the robust and extremely easy-care shrub from late spring to summer as cuttings, or by sowing seeds in autumn.
Warning:
The berries of the alder buckthorn are poisonous, so they should never get into the hands of children!
Proper care of buckthorn
Every year between May and June, the alder buckthorn begins to bloom, forming small white-greenish flowers. What is special about the alder buckthorn, however, are the berries that develop from the flowers and slowly change color from an initially green fruit to red and even deep black berries. A great play of colors arises on the bush again and again during the red-black phase. The alder buckthorn therefore resembles the firethorn a little, but has no thorns on its branches.
» Topiary:
During the year the alder buckthorn does not actually need any extra care, only in thein early spring it should be cut back into shape if necessary.
» Fertilize:
If the shrub loses its leaves in autumn, you can mostly pile them up directly on the trunk. Then, once they rot in place, they release sufficient nutrients into the root zone.
Harvesting and use of the bark
The bark is always harvested immediately before flowering at the end of April/May. Only the young bark of the alder buckthorn (from branches around 2 to 3 years old) has the healing active ingredients and can be peeled off relatively easily with a sharp knife. Then you have to dry the bark well in a sunny, warm place (drying time about 1 year before it can be used again)
Possible uses here are e.g. the production of tea (which is also suitable for mouthwash or for the production of compresses), the preparation of a tincture (with clear schnapps) or the combination with apple wine. You can also pulverize the dried bark and then use it for smoking.
You might also be interested in:
» Planting and caring for ginkgo - Here's how it's done
»4 medicinal plants in the home garden
»Tips for dealing with medicinal plants and their active ingredients