This time of year you can see Ramsons growing all over the place. Their latin name is Allium ursinium, also known as Wild Garlic. The beautiful white flowers give off a wonderful garlicky scent. Their stem is trangular and their leaves are like those of lily of the valley. (They are also part of the Lily family as are kitchen garlic, and onions)
The leaves are edible, really delicious in salads, and can be made into pesto.
Natural Anti-bacterial, Anti-microbial, Cholesterol-lowering Herb
In traditional medicine the root of Ramsons are great for infections since they are antibacterial and anti-microbial. There are also anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and great for lowering cholesterol. They also have a wider ranging beneficial effect on the immune system and can settle gastrointestinal upsets, especially if there has been infection. All of these actions are echoed by their cousin, the common garlic bulb, which we use in our practice in capsule form, or fresh if the patient is willing.
Do enjoy some Ramsons if you see them – if you want to see them come and see the ones in the car park – this is where we took this picture! (The Ramsons are the white ones) In fact as I sit here writing this I can smell them wafting in the window – great for me as I love the smell!
The Key is Correct Identification!
Care must be taken when foraging as they do resemble Lily of the Valley and Autumn Crocus, all of which are restricted herbs, only available to qualified herbalists since the dose of these plants must be very precise when used as medicines. So make sure you know what you’re looking at! Ramsons are the only flowers that give off the characteristic garlic smell when crushed or rubbed between the fingers.
Found this link in the Times Online to a lovely article about Ramsons. There’s a recipe for wild garlic pesto – mmmmmm!
Hayley Jones.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
If that’s them in the pic, you also have nettles, dandelions and possibly cleavers … and your Allium ursinum has very thin leaves. You’re sure you haven’t planted Chinese chives?
Hi Henriette! Yes, we do have all of those too – and noone planted any of it, they just spring up themselves. Maybe our Ramson leaves have been on a diet!