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Mountain spring

Cowslip family / Primulaceae

April-July / April-July

Primula comes from the Latin primus (the first) because it is one of the first flowering plants in spring. Hildegard von Bingen called it the "key to heaven" and praised it as a remedy for melancholy and despondency. Sebastian Kneipp recommended its tea for rheumatism. Digging up the roots of the protected plant is strictly forbidden. It only grows in unfertilized meadows, riparian forests and sparse deciduous forests, which are rarely found today. There are 25 species in the Alps. The plant contains saponins and is used for bronchial catarrh and as a "blood purifier".

Primula comes from the Latin primus (first) since it refers to one of the first flowering plants in the spring. Hildegard von Bingen called them "keys to heaven" and praised them as a remedy for melancholy and despair. Sebastian Kneipp always recommended his primrose tea for rheumatism. It is strictly prohibited to dig out the roots of this protected plant since it only grows in hard-to-find unfertilized fields, alluvial forests and in sparse deciduous woods. There are 25 different types located in the Alps. The plant contains saponins and is used for bronchial catarrh and as a blood purifier.

Primroses / Primulaceae

May-July / May-July


The botanical name Soldanella was already in use in the 16th century. It is said to be due to the fact that the roundish kidney-shaped rosette leaves were reminiscent of the Italian coins known as soldi. All native species are protected. When the snow stays longer in some places in the mountains, the alpine bell is the first to sprout again in the areas where the snow is in the process of melting. This is why it is also known as the ice bell. The genus is represented in the Alps by 6 species.  

The use of the botanical name soldanella can be traced back to the 16th century. Supposedly, it is attributed to the fact that the round, kidney-shaped rose petals looked a lot like the Italian coins known as soldi. All native plants are protected. When snow remains on the ground for a longer time in certain areas of the mountain, the Alpine soldanella will be the first flower to appear under the snow that is melting in other areas. This is why it is also called "Eisglöckchen" (literal German for "ice bell"). There are 6 different types of this species in the Alps.

Gentian plants / Gentian family

May-July / May-July

When we hear the word "gentian", we often think of the blue flower stars. However, there are also yellow, white, violet and purple gentians. Since ancient times, the yellow gentian, for example, has been a much-praised stomach remedy. Gentian root is taken in small doses. The bitter substances stimulate the taste buds, increasing the secretion of saliva and gastric juices. The family is represented in the Alps with around 50 species.

The word ''gentian'' reminds one of the blue flower stars. However, there are also yellow, white, violet, and crimson gentians. Since ancient times, for example, the yellow gentian has been acclaimed in the treatment of stomach ailments. The gentian root can be consumed in small doses. Its bitter substances stimulate the taste buds, thus increasing the secretion of saliva and gastric juices. 50 different types of this plant family can be found in the Alps.

Orchids / Orchids

April-May / April-May

Like all native orchid species, it is a protected species. It has always been a symbol of fertility, but above all of the power of love. Until well into modern times, men ate the fresh bulb and believed that it improved their potency. In the Orient, the powder of the root is still used to regain lost fertility. The above-ground parts are somewhat poisonous, but the root tubers are not; they contain a valuable mucilage drug.

Like all domestic orchid types, this one is protected as well. It has always been a symbol of fertility, however, specifically for the power of love. Until recent times, men would eat the fresh bulbs, thinking that it would help improve their potency. In the eastern world, the powder of the root is still used to regain fertility. The aboveground parts are a little toxic, but the root bulbs are not. They actually contain a valuable mucilaginous drug.

Ranunculaceae / Ranunculaceae

May-August/ May-August

As a flower essence according to Dr. Bach, buttercup is said to help build self-confidence. Hunters hoped that eating the fresh leaves would give them a head for heights. In homeopathy and in the past as a household remedy, they helped with chest pains, rheumatism and skin rashes. Some of these applications are no longer in use today. There are around 50 species in the Alps that are difficult to distinguish. Many species are poisonous to varying degrees. The plants cause skin irritation when rubbed into the skin. They lose their toxicity when dried.

Dr. Bach claims that his mountain buttercup flower essence can help build confidence. Back in the day, hunters hoped to avoid dizziness by consuming the fresh petals. It was used in homeopathy and as a household remedy to help with sharp pain in the chest, with rheumatism and skin rashes. Some of these uses are no longer common today. There are roughly 50 different types located in the Alps, and they are difficult to distinguish. Many of these types can be toxic in various amounts. When applying to the skin, this plant can cause skin irritations. When dried however, they lose their toxins.

Labiates / Labiate family

June-July / June-July

"Whoever has Gunsel and Sanikel, offers defiance to the wound doctor with a leaf." This indicates the extent to which people trusted goutweed as a wound herb. It is said to have an analgesic effect. As an ointment, the old medicinal plant helps with bruises or contusions. Dried, it belongs in the classic home tea and the fresh shoots in the herb kitchen. Essential oils are widespread in the family. It comprises around 120 species, including numerous aromatic plants.

There is a common saying in German ("Wer Gunsel und Sanikel hat, bietet Trotz dem Wundarzt mit ein'm Blatt."), which proves how much people trusted this plant to treat wounds. It is said to have an analgesic effect. Its paste can be used to treat bruises or contusions. The dried plant can be used in classic teas, and the fresh sprouts can be used as herbs in the kitchen. This plant family has also found its use in essential oils. There are roughly 120 types, including numerous spice plants.

Plantain / Plantaginaceae

July-August / July-August

The name "Veronica" preserves the memory of St. Veronica, who gave Jesus the handkerchief. In the Middle Ages, Johann Franke called the medicinal herb a universal remedy for "all kinds of ailments". The genus includes over 35 species in the Alps.

The name "Veronica" honors the memory of Saint Veronica, who gave Jesus the cloth to wipe off his face. In the middle ages, Johann Franke called this medicinal herb a universal medicine for all kinds of ailments. There are 35 different types of this species in the Alps.

Compositae / Daisy family

May-June / May-June

The plant makes a soft impression and also has a gentle effect on the body. The flower essence according to Dr. Bach helps people who have taken on too great a burden. Cat's paw makes the difficult process tenderly possible. In the past, no bile or liver tea was complete without cat's paw and it was also used as a remedy for diarrhea or persistent coughs.

The plant seems soft and also has that soft effect inside the body. Dr. Bach's flower essence helps those who have taken on too much. Little Cat's Paw helps soothe in difficult situations. This plant used to be used virtually in all teas for gall bladder and liver health and was also known as a remedy for diarrhea or persistent cough.

Rosaceae / Rosaceous plants

May-August / May-August

Because the plant draws its leaves protectively over the flowers when it rains, it is a symbol of the protective Mother Mary. In the Middle Ages, there was talk of many elves and spirits meeting on the leaves of cinquefoil for a cheerful chat. In traditional Chinese medicine, the herb raises the Qi and strengthens the spleen.

Because this plant protects its blossoms by covering them with its petals when it rains, it has become a symbol of the guarding mother Mary. In the Middle Ages, the story was that there were many elves and little ghosts who would meet for a chat on the petals. In traditional Chinese medicine, this plant lifts the Qi and strengthens the spleen.  

Leguminous plants / Legumes

June-July / June-July

Kidney vetch is one of the forgotten plants in folk medicine. The hydrogen cyanide compounds it contains are not harmless, so caution is advised. It is considered a nerve tonic and mild remedy for anxiety or mental exhaustion associated with sleep disorders. The taproot of the genus can reach up to 1 meter deep. The name comes from the flower, which looks like a small horn and forces flower visitors to squeeze out the pollen. The plant is related to the common horn clover at lower altitudes and is connected by morphological transitions.

Lotus alpinus (Alpine "horn clover") is one of the forgotten plants in folk medicine. Its cyan hydrogen compound can be dangerous, so it is important to use caution. It is said to strengthen nerves and to offer slight remedy against anxiety or mental exhaustion that comes along with sleep problems. The taproot of this type can reach as deep as 1 meter. The name comes from the blossom that looks like a small horn and which results in visiting species having to squeeze out the pollen. This plant is related to the common Hornwort in deeper valleys and is connected through morphological transitions.

Clove family / Caryophyllaceae

May-August / May-August

The plant, which is also known as cress, has a sweet taste and can enhance a summer salad. The root is particularly rich in saponins. Large quantities can be boiled to make a mild washing solution for delicate materials. There are around 180 species in the Alps, many of which are rich in saponins.

Also known as campion, this well-known plant has a sweet taste and can be used to enhance summer salads. The root contains a considerable amount of saponins. A decoction of larger amounts of this plant will result in a mild detergent for sensitive materials. Roughly 180 types can be found in the Alps, and many of them are rich in saponins.