Unassuming, wild, and full of healing power 🌿
Between shady hedges, in cracks in old walls, or right in your own garden, there grows a herb that's easy to overlook – Ruprechtskraut. Many see it as a “weed,” but for others, it's a true healing companion. Folk medicine has valued it for centuries – and now, people are slowly rediscovering its benefits.
What is Ruprechtskraut?
Ruprechtskraut (Geranium robertianum) belongs to the geranium family. With its finely divided leaves, small pink flowers, and a slightly spicy, almost sharp scent (which is why it's also called “stinking geranium”), it's easy to recognize – once you know what to look for.
This plant grows wild, is native to all of Europe, and thrives especially well in partially shaded spots with moist soil.
Healing properties: What can Ruprechtskraut do?
Traditionally, this herb is used for the following complaints:
- Skin inflammations (for example, as a compress for wounds or eczema)
- Stomach and digestive complaints
- Mild diarrhea
- Blood purification
- Cold symptoms (in combination with other herbs)
Its ingredients – including tannins, essential oils, and flavonoids – have an astringent, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying effect.
In natural medicine, it’s often said: Ruprechtskraut helps “restore balance to the flow of bodily fluids.”
Is Ruprechtskraut edible or poisonous?
Ruprechtskraut is not poisonous, but its strong, distinctive taste doesn’t make it a favorite in the kitchen. In small amounts, though, you can enjoy it as a wild herb, eaten raw or steamed—for example, finely chopped in herb quark or salad.
Tip: The young leaves in spring are milder and better suited than the older, strongly scented parts of the plant.
Ruprechtskraut tea: Preparation and use
Ingredients:
- 1–2 tsp dried or fresh Ruprechtskraut
- 250 ml hot water
Preparation:
Pour hot water over the herb, let it steep for 10 minutes, strain, and sip slowly.
How to use:
- for digestive complaints
- to support internal cleansing
- as a gargle for inflammation in the mouth
The taste is rather bitter—if you like, you can refine the tea with honey or fennel.
Buy or gather Ruprechtskraut yourself?
You can buy dried Ruprechtskraut at well-stocked pharmacies or online herb shops. If you’d like to gather it yourself, make sure you identify the herb correctly, as it can be confused with other types of cranesbill.
The best time to harvest is before or during the flowering period (May to August), ideally on a dry morning.
Conclusion:
Herb Robert is a true wild herb with character—its scent is strong, its effects are powerful, and its benefits are often underestimated. If you open yourself to its strength, you'll rediscover an ancient healing plant—right in your own garden 🌺
