Wild garlic (Ramsons): health benefits and how to use it

Wild garlic, also known as ramsons or bear’s garlic, is a wild perennial herb traditionally consumed in the western regions of Ukraine. Today, it is widely recognized as a powerful superfood with numerous health benefits.

This aromatic plant is commonly added to salads, soups, borscht, and broths, and is also used as a garnish for side dishes, as well as meat and fish delicacies.

Athletes, vegans, and healthy lifestyle enthusiasts often include fresh wild garlic in green smoothies and prepare vitamin-rich spreads from it. Overall, the nutritional value of this plant is hard to overestimate.

Health benefits of wild garlic

One of the most unique and beneficial properties of wild garlic is the presence of allicin — a biologically active compound known for its powerful effects on health.

Allicin helps to reduce bad cholesterol levels, to lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and support the central nervous system (CNS) by improving nerve receptor sensitivity.

Wild garlic also contains up to 15 times more vitamin C than lemons and oranges. Regular consumption helps to strengthen the immune system and improve the body’s response to external stress factors.

Additionally, ramsons are rich in B vitamins – essential for brain function and the nervous system, Dietary fiber – supports digestion and gut health, minerals such as iodine, boron, and iron – crucial for metabolism, blood clotting, and muscle tone.

How to use young wild garlic

Wild garlic has a strong garlic-onion aroma and a slightly spicy, mustard-like flavor. You can use it in several ways like eat fresh in salads and snacks, pickle or ferment the young shoots, add to soups and main dishes, dry and grind into a natural seasoning for meat, poultry and fish.

Beyond cooking, wild garlic is widely used in herbal medicine (phytotherapy). Fresh juice has antiseptic and healing properties. A mixture of wild garlic juice with olive oil and apple cider vinegar (1:1:1) is a popular natural remedy for eczema and contact dermatitis. A diluted alcohol tincture (1:20) helps to relieve sore throat, improve phlegm expectoration and support recovery from tonsillitis and throat inflammation.

Wild garlic has strong diuretic properties. Excessive consumption may lead to thirst, headaches and mild confusion.  As with any superfood, moderation is key.

People with individual intolerance or acute gastrointestinal conditions (such as gastritis or ulcers) may consider an alternative like mustard microgreens, which have a similar spicy flavor but are easier to digest.

Mustard microgreens are rich in flavor and nutrients and are well tolerated even by people with gastritis, gastroduodenitis or stomach ulcers. They are easy to grow at home using raw mustard seeds (black, white, or yellow varieties).

CraftOil mustard seeds – the perfect base for microgreens

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CraftOil mustard seeds are ideal for growing microgreens at home. culinary use, making homemade mustard plasters and warming ointments and producing cold-pressed mustard oil

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