RAMSONS

Allium ursinum

Wild garlic contains high levels of folic acid, an essential B vitamin & has positive benefits on the digestive system.

Wild garlic acts as a prebiotic, encouraging the growth of friendly bacteria. This is vital if you suffer from diabetes, have been on a course of antibiotics or have a weakened immune system. 

The plant is considered to be a very efficient spring tonic, giving a boost to our immune system.
Promotes the general health of the body, having positive effects on the liver, gallbladder, stomach & intestines.

Leaves, used fresh, cleanse kidneys & bladder & increase the flow of urine.
Badly healing wounds, brushed with the fresh juice, heal quickly.
Even disorders of the coronary blood vessels can be relieved.

Wild garlic cleanses the whole body, rids it of stubborn waste matters, produces healthy blood & destroys & removes poisonous substances. 

Continually sickly people, as those with herpes & eczema, pale looks, scrofula & rheumatism, should use ramsons.

Wild garlic also has mild antibacterial properties.

The leaves can be boiled & used as a disinfectant.

Can be chewed to aid breathing & to treat digestion & intestinal gas. 

It is recognized as having a good effect on fermentative dyspepsia. 

Ramsons ease stomach pain & are tonic to the digestion, so they can be used in the treatment of diarrhea, colic, wind, indigestion & loss of appetite. 

Ramsons is most suitable for acute & chronic diarrhea even when this is associated with flatulence & colic, as well as for constipation when this is caused by inactivity or sluggishness of the intestines.

Those complaints which occur in elderly or over-indulgent people, through sluggish or over-filled intestines, vanish with the improved intestinal activity. 

Heart complaint & sleeplessness arising from stomach trouble & complaints, caused by arteriosclerosis or high blood pressure, as well as dizziness, pressure in the head & anxiety, diminish.

It is particularly effective in reducing high blood pressure & cholesterol levels. 

The whole herb can be used in an infusion against thread worms, either ingested or given as an enema. Even maw-worms are expelled some time after eating Ramsons. 

The herb is also beneficial in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis & emphysema. 

It is especially effective for whooping cough or other night coughs: make a  poultice of chopped garlic & put on the bottoms of the feet,wrapped with a cloth. An old sock helps to hold it in place. 

The juice is used as an aid to weight loss & can also be applied externally to rheumatic & arthritic joints where its mild irritant action & stimulation to the local circulation can be of benefit.

Boils or ear infections will also respond to garlic treatment. 

Ulcers  & sores & even cancerous tumors seem to respond immediately to garlic.

PRECAUTIONS:

In some people, consuming wild garlic may produce a bloated feeling, nausea & diarrhea. 

Because it can thin the blood, consuming wild garlic may not be suitable after surgery.
There have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption in very large quantities.

RECIPES:

The whole plant is edible. The flowers make a wonderful addition to salads & as a garnish on savory dishes. They have a mild, garlicky flavor. The leaves can be snipped into salads & savory dishes as you would use chives. Traditionally, wild garlic would be made into a highly nutritious soup. The bulbs can be sautéed up like shallots.

Wild Garlic Pesto:

Take 1 l of loosely packed wild garlic leaves
1 cup of pine nuts, ground almonds or cashew nuts
sea salt to taste

1-2 tsp of vinegar or lemon juice

olive oil to make the desired consistency

Place in a pestle & mortar or food processor & pulverize until a smooth paste is achieved. 

Spoon into jars & cover with a little oil. 

Wild Garlic Honey:

Chop wild garlic finely, place into a sterilised jar & cover with honey. 

Keep in the fridge & use as needed or add to food.

Garlic honey is a traditional treatment for colds & flu. 

Ramsons Spirit: 

Fill a bottle to the neck with finely chopped leaves or bulbs,cover with whisky or vodka & place in the sun for 14 days. 

Take 10-15 drops in water 4 times daily. 

Ramsons Wine: 

Bring a handful of finely chopped leaves in 250 ml of white wine to boil, add honey or syrup & drink slowly.

Ramsons wine is a wonderful remedy for all old people with persisting phlegm in the chest & the connected shortness of breath.

Wild Garlic Salad:

Mix boiled eggs,
cottage cheese,
yogurt or sour cream
with wild garlic leaves, flowers

BEAUTY:

Wild garlic will remove spots or blemishes of the skin & if rubbed on pimples they will disappear without leaving a scar.

MAGIC:

Nail cloves of wild garlic to the lintel post to ward off the dark one & his coven of witches.