Effect:
pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
Areas of use:
Gastrointestinal diseases, diarrhea, bleeding, wounds, flu fever, pneumonia, pain, swelling of the limbs
Parts of the plant used:
Leaves, flowers
Collection time:
May to August
Can be found:
In meadows, tall herbaceous meadows and roadsides.
Ingredients:
Tanning agents, bitter substances, flavonoids, essential oil
Other:
The meadow cranesbill is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches heights of 20 to 80 centimeters. It is a summer green hemicryptophyte. There are downward-pointing hairs on the stem and leaf stalks, and the upper part and flower stalks in particular are covered in glandular hairs. The opposite leaves are stalked. The leaf blades are deeply palmately divided, their seven sections are pinnately lobed and deeply serrated. Stipules are present. The flowers are arranged in pairs. The flower stalks are bent downwards after they have faded, and often finally become erect again. The hermaphrodite flower is radially symmetrical and has five petals. The five green sepals are (0.7 to) usually 1 to 1.2 cm long. The five light blue-violet petals are around 15 to 22 millimetres long. There are two circles, each with five stamens. The stamens are abruptly triangular at the base, usually widening to 1.5 to 2 mm. Five carpels are fused to form a superior ovary. The styles are 5 to 8 mm long. The fruit is 3 to 3.7 cm long. The fruit valves are densely covered with glandular hairs. The flowering period is from June to August. (Wikipedia)
In the kitchen, the large flowers can be used as edible decoration in a variety of dishes. They are also suitable as a splash of color in quark dishes or herb butter. The young leaves can be added raw or cooked to salads and various vegetable dishes.