Herbs and wild herbs at Marienkron

A walk through our resort park reveals the great variety of wild herbs.

Between the monastery church and the raised beds you will often come across yarrow and wild thyme (quendel). Quendel, a relative of common thyme, is widespread in our region and easy to recognize due to its close resemblance. Walking further towards the birch avenue, you will find ivy, celandine, and of course daisies and dandelions.

Along the birch avenue towards the pond, wild parsnip and wild carrot appear. Passing by nettles and ground elder, you reach the orchard. The young leaves of ground elder can be prepared as “ground elder spinach.” Around the fruit trees you will often find ground ivy and dead-nettle. They can be distinguished mainly by the size of their leaves and the color of their flowers: ground ivy has small leaves and violet blossoms, while dead-nettle blooms in pink. Fresh ground ivy has a strong flavor, making it a fine substitute for parsley or a tasty ingredient for herb quark.

The abundance of wild herbs is not only beautiful to behold, but also provides an important habitat for insects and animals.

When collecting herbs for personal use in nature, caution is advised. Please keep the following in mind:

1. Only pick herbs you can clearly identify. Field guides or apps can help with identification. Dandelion or nettle are easy to recognize and a good choice for less experienced foragers.
2. Avoid collecting herbs along roadsides, on dog-walking paths, private property, or chemically treated fields. The latter can often be recognized if an unusually large amount of dandelions is growing in one spot.
3. Bring the right equipment. Good footwear, gloves, and a basket are essential for wild herb foraging. Never store your herbs in a plastic bag – they will spoil quickly.

How herbs and wild herbs are used at Marienkron

Phytotherapy is an important part of our therapeutic concept, which is why high-quality herbal teas are regularly used. Our circulation-regulating fasting tea, calming evening tea, or a draining nettle tea are just a few of our herbal treasures. We place great importance on quality and source our teas from the renowned herbal house Dr. Kottas.

In the therapy area, herbs are also used in the form of essential oils, bath additives, massage oils, and body creams.

Our lovingly prepared dishes always include herbs – fresh or dried. They not only taste delicious but are also soothing for the digestive tract. Every guest should try our wild herb salad at least once. And not to forget – our famous Marienkron herb pesto… 🙂