Uncover the Secrets of Hedge Garlic

The hedge garlic plant has a smell similar to garlic and shares many of its virtues. Experts recommend using the fresh plant since it loses some properties when dried. Some people add young buds of hedge garlic in spring to their salad dishes, which gives those meals a refreshing flavor.

Hedge Garlic Scientific Facts

1. Scientific synonyms: Alliaria petiolate (Bieb.) Cav.
2. Other names: Jack-by-the-hedge.
3. French: Alliaire officinale.
4. Spanish: Alliaria.
5. Environment: Common in mountainous and cold regions of Europe,; it also grows in the Americas.
6. Description: A herbaceous plant of the Cruciferae family, it grows from 30 to 90 cm high and has white flowers in a terminal cluster. Its appearance is similar to that of mustard.
7. Parts of the plant used medicinally: The whole fresh plant, except the root.

Healing Properties and Uses

The entire plant contains sulfur glycosides similar to garlic, sinigrin (a glycoside also present in mustard), and essential oils. It has diuretic, stimulating, and antiseptic properties and is helpful in the following cases:

1. Spring asthenia and exhaustion. This plant is helpful to make a spring treatment. It is recommended for people suffering from gout, obesity, arthritis, and high blood pressure.
2. Torpid wounds and skin ulcers. After washing them with fresh hedge garlic juice, these afflictions heal quickly due to the plant’s revitalizing and disinfectant properties. To enhance the healing properties, apply a compress soaked in the same liquid (water with fresh hedge garlic juice).

How to use Hedge Garlic

1. Fresh juice. Fresh juice is the best way to maximize the virtues of hedge garlic. Mash the plant in a mortar, strain with cotton gauze, or use an electric blender. Take two spoonfuls of juice after every meal.
2. Cleansing. Skin wounds and ulcers are washed with distilled water, and a few fresh hedge garlic spoonfuls are added to each glass.
3. Compresses. After washing wounds, place a cotton cloth soaked in the above water/juice mixture.

REFERENCES

1. George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. vols. 2 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 560. Print.
2. British Local Food: https://www.wildfooduk.com/edible-wild-plants/hedge-garlic/
3. National Cancer Institute: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/cruciferous-vegetables-fact-sheet