Swiss gardens: A pharmacy in one’s backyard

For generations the Swiss have been growing medicinal plants in their home gardens and passing down their knowledge of how to use them. Although modern medicine has taken the forefront, the tradition continues throughout the country.

“The Swiss are famously self-sufficient, so the culture of growing and making their own medical treatments plays right into that mindset,” says Greg Abbott, a former botanist at Geneva’s Jardin Botanique. Healthiest countries

More than 250 species of plants, herbs, flowers, bark, and leaves are used in homeopathic medicines to boost immunity, alleviate pain, and improve gastrointestinal, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, urological, and dermatological issues. One of the most well-known books on herbal medicine was written by the Swiss priest and naturopath, Johann Künzle. The book, Das Grosse Kraüterheilbuch, provides a history of herbal medicine and a guide on how to use everything from thistles and onions to heal ailments from diabetes to flu. Bringing together all of the knowledge he learned growing up in Switzerland was Künzle’s life’s work and the book was published mere months after he passed in 1945.

“A true Swiss medicinal garden includes plants not just for treating colds, inflammation, headaches and disinfecting wounds…but even plants that are fatal, should the gardener need to put down a sick animal or choose to end his life,” Abbott said.

Swiss medicinal plants can be found in local sweets, teas, tonics, tinctures, plant pastes, essential oils, ointments, cosmetics, and phytopharmaceuticals throughout the country.  Natural Swiss health

The natural choice

At least 40 pharmaceutical companies are headquartered in Switzerland and nearly half of all Swiss exports are pharmaceuticals, yet the Swiss remain loyal to their natural medicines.

Nearly 70% of Swiss voters in 2009 approved a measure to cover five complementary and alternative medicines – homeopathy, holistic medicine, herbal medicine, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine – under the country’s basic medical insurance. Many Swiss say they choose homeopathic medicines over pharmaceuticals so as not to ingest chemicals.

0