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Herb Power: natural allies in autumn and winter
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Reliable online sources about medicinal plants
At 't Lof der Kruiden we love to share as much knowledge about herbs as possible. If you want to deepen your herbal knowledge on your own, you'll fortunately find a number of reliable sources online. Due to strict regulations on health claims, we unfortunately cannot provide detailed information on our website about the effects of plants or herbs. Yet we'd like to help you get started with a few free and accessible online sources. [...]
Essential oils for beginners: what you need to know
Have you never used essential oils before? In this post, we'll guide you in a concise, practical way into this fascinating world. Essential oils, also called essential oils, are fragrant, volatile substances obtained from flowers, herbs, leaves or resin through steam distillation. Since the time of the Egyptians, these powerful extracts have been used to support body and mind and as an air freshener. […]
The Healing Power of Hydrolates
During steam distillation of flowers, leaves, roots, seeds or resins, something special occurs: While essential oil separates as a shiny layer on top, a milky water forms at the bottom: the hydrolate. Less intense than essential oil, but precisely for that reason surprisingly versatile and gentle in use. The watery end product (hydrolate) of the distillation contains all water-soluble distillable substances and also the water-soluble fragrant components of the plant. The scent is less intense to subtle because usually only a limited amount of fragrant substances are water-soluble. Hydrolates carry the life force of the herb within them and work invitingly on body and mind. Thanks to their mild nature, they are suitable for everyone: young and old, also during pregnancy, illness or in periods of sensitivity. No risk of addiction, rarely side effects, only pure plant power in liquid form. […]
Bitter: the forgotten taste
Bitter. Not immediately the taste most people spontaneously reach for. And yet… it is precisely that bitterness your body often needs. In our modern diet, bitter has almost disappeared. Sweet, salty and fatty take center stage, while bitter substances are getting less and less of a place at the table. In this blog you discover why […]
Red Coneflower: natural support for resistance
As the winter months are in full swing, our immune system can sometimes use some extra support. One of the most well-known and effective herbs for this is Red Coneflower, also known as Echinacea purpurea. This powerful herb has been used for centuries to strengthen immunity and promote recovery from colds and flu. But how does […]
The origin of our herbs
I sometimes get asked: "Where do the organic herbs from 't Lof der Kruiden actually come from?" An interesting question, because the origin of our herbs tells a story about (centuries-old) traditions, climate and choices we make to offer fair and high-quality organic products. Today I'll take you on a […]
Preparing a cold macerate with water
A cold macerate with water is a subtle and effective way to harness the power of herbs, without the use of heat. This method is ideal for herbs that release their valuable components better in cold water. The process is simple, but requires patience and attention. How do you make a cold macerate? Select […]
How to make a decoct (herbal decoction)?
Decoct, a peculiar word! But don't worry, it's simpler than it sounds. A decoct, or herbal decoction, is simply another way to prepare herbs. It's a powerful method to extract active compounds from hard, woody plant parts. Although an infusion – where you let the softer parts of a plant steep in hot water – is a popular method, it's not always suitable for all herbs. Especially when herbs are used for their medicinal properties, it's important to know which preparation method works best. This is where the decoction comes in.
How do you make an herbal infusion?
What is an herbal infusion? An infusion or herbal infusion is a hot aqueous extract of herbs or plant parts. In common parlance, this is sometimes called herbal tea, but this is actually not correct. The term 'tea' may officially only be used for aqueous extracts of the Camellia Sinensis plant (green tea, white tea, oolong […]
Which water to use for a delicious cup of herbal tea?
Since herbal tea consists of 99% water, it is advisable not to be careless when choosing your water. In general, we can say that tap water in most cases is not a good option for an optimal tea experience. Especially not in Belgium and the Netherlands because the mineral content (especially calcium and […]