Wild plants from the beach

Eyebright – Euphrasia officinalis – Augentrost – Euphraise - Its stems, leaves, and flowers are used in traditional herbal medicine, including as a tea and dietary supplements. The name eyebright comes from the herb’s traditional use in eye ailments. The herb may help relieve irritated, inflamed eyes and can help with hayfever. Eyebright contains flavonoids, including luteolin and quercetin, which have antihistamine properties. The herb also provides a compound called aucubin, which may protect against oxidative damage and support heart health. It can help weak memory by increasing blood circulation of the brain.

 Mother of thyme or wild thyme – Thymus praecox – Frühblühender Feldthymian – thym couché- is cultivated as an ornamental, but can be also gathered as a wild herb for cooking (used fresh or cooked), and drunk as a calming herbal tea. This thyme brings colour and taste to your food alongside health benefits as well! Great for culinary applications along with medicinal uses, creeping Mother of Thyme can be used to aid breathing issues, improving blood circulation, and more.

Common centaury – Centaurium erythraea – gewöhnliches Tausendgüldenkraut – petite centaurée – is a binennial herb and flowers from June until September. It’s a widespread plant in Europe where it grows in fields and roadsides. The  plant is used as a flavouring in bitter herbal liqueurs and is an ingredient of vermouth. It is used as a medicinal herb in numerous Mediterranean countries to treat digestive disorders, febrile conditions, hepatitis, and diabetes.

Selfheal - Prunella vulgaris – Brunelle – La brunelle commune -This perennial blooms from May to August. The young shoots and leaves are often collected in June before flowering. The whole plant (leaves and flowers) has been used as a wild edible, either raw or cooked, added to salads, soups or stews. The younger plants are most tender. The flavour is similar to romaine lettuce. The leaves  freshly chopped, dried or powdered – can be soaked in cold water to make a refreshing beverage. Selfheal contains vitamins A, B, C, K, flavonoids, and rutin and high in antioxidants. In early medicine, selfheal had a reputation as a wound herb. The leaves and stems are said to be antibacterial, astringent, diuretic, hypotensive (reduces blood pressure), haematuria (blood in urine) antitumour and a powerful antioxidant. New research suggests that the plant does indeed possess hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) properties. 

Caution: Seek medical advice before using during pregnancy, when breastfeeding or if you are an allergic individual.