Élise and the Masterwort Plant - Nature as Medicine

This is one of the valleys which, in the space of a single generation, has evolved from a traditional farming society, almost isolated from the world, to a society focused on tourism and economic development. This transformation was an undeniable victory over poverty, but it also weakened a deep ancestral bond with nature and knowledge passed down through generations.
 
In the old days, there was no doctor in the village. People relied almost exclusively on plants to treat themselves. At Élise's house, you'll find all sorts of herbs hanging around the house. Her mother loved making herbal teas to soothe coughs, ease menstrual pains and treat other ailments.
 
Élise's grandfather passed on his knowledge of the mountains to her. He was a kind man who would teach children about flowers, fruit and even how to catch a viper with a split stick. Christian culture has been blended with ancestral knowledge: we know when to plant vegetables by following the calendar of the saints. On Saint Didier's day, carrots were planted; Saint Urbain's day marked the end of the frost in the village of Saint-Jean... And then there were nature's signs: a pipe-shaped cloud appearing to the left of the Rothorn, a nearby mountain, meant rain two days later.
 
When I was a child, I was told that Élise had saved her brother by using masterwort root. I listened to this story as if it were an old legend. But today I know that you can find magical plants in the mountains, and every September I go to pick their roots.
 
Masterwort is used to treat bronchitis, digestive disorders, and to strengthen the immune system. It also has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. Used externally, its leaves in poultices help relieve back pain, knee osteoarthritis, and sprains. Research at the University of Geneva has shown that the coumarins in masterwort inhibit acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme involved in Alzheimer’s disease.
 
Ancient knowledge, though seemingly simple, is far from outdated. It is a treasure of wisdom we often underestimate. These traditions, passed down from generation to generation, have stood as time goes by. They are based on observation, experience and respect for all life forms. These ancient practices remind us that nature is a discreet but powerful ally, and that it would be a shame to lose these profound links and reciprocity between humans and the living world.