Cărbuna woman collects medicinal plants: “I keep them in the attic for health”
The history of herbal teas is quite ancient. Instead of relying on pills, our grandparents and great-grandparents used various plants from their medicinal kits to treat or prevent numerous ailments. In the village of Cărbuna, located in the Ialoveni district, Ana Ciocoi has been collecting and drying herbs for as long as she can remember.
Herbal infusions have been an integral part of every historical era, with their healing properties passed down through generations.
Ana Ciocoi, who has extensively studied plant science, fills her home's attic with various plants.
"I have rose hips, wild strawberries, acacia flowers, lemon balm, mint, wormwood, chamomile, yarrow, and walnut leaves. We also use parsley to add flavor to borscht, and we make tea from these herbs. Melissa is great for calming down, as it acts as a natural painkiller. Chamomile and yarrow are specifically useful for stomach aches," Ana said in the show "Zi de Zi" on Radio Moldova.
Currently, Ana is collecting lemon balm and mint and plans to harvest everlasting flower, saying, "It's beneficial for the liver. Those with liver issues should drink everlasting flower tea in the morning."
Ana also explained how she stores the herbs. She keeps them in her attic, emphasizing the importance of placing them in a warm, dry, and dark environment.
"We dry the herbs and store them in paper bags to keep dust out. They must be kept dry to prevent yellowing and spoiling from contact with one another. We rinse them before drying, and any residual water could cause them to turn yellow if the drying isn’t hot enough. High temperatures ensure proper preservation and drying. Thinner herbs dry faster, while those with twigs take longer to dry. Mint, lemon balm, and lime blossoms dry the quickest," Ana concluded.
