This interview with Marlies Resch from Quendelgrün is part of an interview series with women who feel as connected to nature as I do. I speak with different women about their connection to nature and life.

Wild herbs are multi-talented | simple, genuine and straightforward

Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about you and your career path?

Hi, I'm Marlies. I'm passionate about wild herbs and incredibly happy to have made this my profession.

As a wild herb expert, I share my knowledge about wild herbs in workshops held in the biodiverse meadows and deep forests of the Mühlviertel region, taking interested participants on a short retreat into the rich plant world. I also share my knowledge of wild herbs and other green topics in online courses.

Where are you from?

I am fortunate to call both the beautiful Mühlviertel, specifically St. Leonhard near Freistadt, and Linz my home.

What is your learned profession?

I have learned or studied two very beautiful professions – namely florist and landscape planner and architect.

Have you always been interested in nature and herbs?

My interest in nature was sparked in my childhood by my grandfather during rambles through the forests and meadows of the Mühlviertel. Having attended a horticultural college and studied at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, I have now spent half my life dealing with various aspects of plants and nature. Currently, my focus is on wild-growing herbs.

You work with herbs and wild herbs - why do you do that?

It's simple: because they fascinate me. Wild herbs are able to grow under the most adverse conditions, producing beautiful flowers and intricate leaves, and are (mostly) also useful to us humans. They are just there – growing and blooming without our intervention. They are genuine, simple and straightforward – that's what I like about wild herbs.

How did you come to share your knowledge?

Through a tutoring job at university, I discovered that I enjoy helping others learn.

After my first wild herb workshops, it was clear – this is my calling. Now I passionately share my knowledge and am happy when participants go home with added value and integrate wild herbs into their daily lives in a more sustainable and greener way.

What do you enjoy about giving workshops on the topic of nature?

I particularly enjoy the "wow" moments when participants realize how diverse, spectacular, and yet simple plants and nature are. For example, participants are often amazed that wood sorrel can fold its leaves together within minutes to protect itself from rain. At the same time, wood sorrel can be found almost throughout the entire growing season and is also one of the most delicious wild herbs in our region.

What does a "normal" day look like for you?

I like my day to start at 5 AM. With a glass of water, preferably on the balcony, I plan my day, and then it's off to work at the PC – answering emails and general office organization. At 10 AM, I have a coffee break, preferably with dandelion coffee. Then it's usually on to course preparations, packing orders, etc. I prefer to spend my lunch break outdoors with a meal consisting mainly of vegetables, sprouts, and wild herbs – plant power for the afternoon's to-dos. In the afternoon, it usually gets creative: content for social media & newsletters, course concepts, shooting plant photos, developing recipes, etc. I prefer to end the workday with a yoga class or in my vegetable garden – that helps clear my head.

Do you enjoy being in nature?

Yes, I absolutely love being in nature, and I do it as often as possible. Preferably in every season, at different times of day, and (mostly) in all weather conditions.

At different times, different impressions of nature can be experienced in the same places – I really like that.

Do you have a special favorite place or power spot – where do you like to be most of all?

When my batteries need recharging or my head needs to clear, I like to go into the forest and walk to places I've never been before. Simply to discover new things, gather new impressions, and leave my familiar surroundings. There, I like to sit on a stone and observe the new environment. So, I don't have a fixed favorite or power spot; instead, I constantly discover new ones for myself.

Do you have a recipe for us that even "unskilled" people can easily replicate and that supports our natural health?

My favorite wild herb smoothie is super simple and quick to make:

🌿 a handful of wild herbs of your choice, e.g., yarrow, chickweed, nettle, and daisies

🌿 200 ml apple juice

🌿 two slices of organic lemon

🌿 one banana

Roughly chop the wild herbs, lemon slices, and banana. Then put all ingredients into a blender and mix well. Finally, pour the smoothie into glasses and garnish with a yarrow leaf or a daisy.

Nature, herbs, but also sustainability and organic products are very "trendy" now – why do you think that is?

I think many people are surrounded by so much technology and immense amounts of complex tasks that the exact opposite is currently highly valued. Just being in nature and not knowing who might have called, and not rushing from one appointment to the next.

Furthermore, nature, organic foods, and wild herbs are simple, quite easy to grasp, and genuine. To marvel at a wild herb blossom, not much is needed – you just have to sit and observe and leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind. I also convey this in my workshops, which take place in our meadow in the middle of nowhere – there isn't much there (by the way, no cell phone reception either ;)) and yet we can spend ages engaging with the plants present there.

Furthermore, I believe that people are focusing on organic foods and sustainability because their extremely important value for ourselves and our environment is now being recognized again. For example, the intention of many participants in my natural cosmetics and soap workshops is to provide their own families and themselves with sustainable, organic, and (micro-)plastic-free care products.

In general, from my perspective, it can be stated: there is a great deal of knowledge and awareness among many people about these topics, and it is now being integrated into daily life step by step.

Why is there also a longing in us to be more connected to nature and to live simply?

I think it's the calming effect of nature that triggers our longing. For a long time, our ancestors lived in and with nature, and from our current perspective, they led simple lives. Our daily lives are characterized by many appointments, artificial environments, and complex tasks, which is why, in my opinion, people long for the peace and simplicity they can find in nature.

On Marlies' website, www.quendelgruen.at and on Instagram at @quendelgruen, you can find more information about our wild herbs.

Further interviews about amazing women and their connection to nature can be found here:

Karin from Naturspirit
Stephanie from Atempause
Susanne from Naturzauberwerke
Tina from die Kräutermacherei
Melanie from Mint
Anja from Gänseblümchen & Sonnenschein
Andrea from Fermentista
Andrea from Yoga Cuisine
Marlies from Quendelgrün
Christine from Textpoterie
Doris from Mit Liebe gemacht
Alex from Die Kräutermadame
Bianca from Naturespiritauraspray
Gerda from Grüne Kraft
Judith from Seelenzauber