Hay Flower – Uses & Health Benefits

Heublume

The hay flower is mainly made up of various grasses that belong to the sweet grass family, for example meadow grasses such as couch grass, timothy grass, common venison grass, brome and foxtail grass. The hay flower can also contain various types of clover, which belong to the legume family, and other flowers that grow in meadows.

General overview

The hay flower is not an independent plant, but rather a by-product of hay production, so that the composition is also different. Proportionally, however, it should consist mainly of grass blossoms. Certain poor meadows have a very special variety of grass species, flowers and medicinal herbs and are therefore used specifically for harvesting the hay flower.

occurrence and cultivation

The hay flower falls down when storing hay, which is where the name comes from. These are primarily small parts of plants and flowers, seeds and whatever else is found in the hay and falls to the ground while the hay is being stored. For example, hay flowers are found in old-style barns that have loose, high-quality hay. In Switzerland and Austria in particular, they can be found increasingly, and in Germany they are found occasionally among old farmers who have few animals, who still hay themselves and who do not use bales. If you like hiking, you will also find the hay flowers in natural meadows. When the grasses are dried, the fermentation process produces the smell of hay flowers, which many people find pleasant.

application and effect

The hay flower contains many natural active ingredients, such as flavonoids , tannins , essential oils , coumarin and furanocoumarins. The ingredients vary depending on the composition of the flowers. For example, hay flowers, in which certain types of clover are abundant, contain a lot of coumarin. The flavonoids have an antioxidant effect as well as against various viruses and microorganisms. The tannins it contains inhibit inflammation and the growth of fungi and bacteria .They also have a bleeding and drying effect. Coumarin inhibits blood clotting and has a positive effect on vitamin K metabolism. A hay flower sack can be used for effective therapy. A few handfuls of hay flowers are placed in a small linen bag. This gets hot over a pot for around 20 minutes due to the rising steam. The bag must never lie in the water or come into contact with it. After the hay flower sack has cooled down a little, it is placed on the painful area and a dry cloth is placed over it. This works for an hour. This treatment can be repeated for four days.

In the case of open injuries, however, external application of the hay flower should be avoided. The same applies to acute inflammation or acute rheumatic flare-ups. For a hay flower bath, a few handfuls of hay flowers are added to a large pot of cold water. This boils and then steeps for half an hour before being added to the hot bath water. You can bathe in it for 20 minutes and then rest well covered in bed. When inhaling, the vapors of the hay flower broth are inhaled for ten minutes. Steam sitz baths prepared with the hay flower are useful for pregnant women when contractions are about to start. These make the pelvic floor softer and more flexible. Therefore, a perineal tear in thebirth can be prevented.

What does the hay flower help against?

  • Cramped muscles

importance to health

The healing power of the hay flower is used externally and internally and is used for various ailments. Especially in external use, it can be used in the form of wraps, envelopes or baths. It has a relaxing effect on tense muscles, increases blood circulation, relieves pain and is calming. The hay flower strengthens the immune system and can be used to treat a cold, cough and fever.

It is also highly valued as a local heat therapy for rheumatic complaints, arthrosis (joint wear and tear) and muscle pain. The hay flower is also popular for menstrual and menopausal symptoms as well as problems with the skin , kidneys and bladder . In these cases, it relieves the pain, calms the nerves and relieves spasms. In addition, the hay flower promotes blood circulation and reduces inflammation.

In the case of stomach and intestinal cramps, lumbago or sciatica symptoms, a warm hay flower compress can be applied, which has a beneficial and antispasmodic effect. The hay flower is also good for stress , exhaustion and tiredness. If you have trouble falling asleep, you should use a pillow filled with hay flowers. A hay flower foot bath helps against tired feet. People who are allergic to pollen should be careful when using the hay blossom or at least check the tolerance first. 

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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