When the Hoada blooms - Spring in the Murtal

The Erica, also called "Hoada" or Broom heather, is not only a natural beauty that enchants hikers time and again. It has great health-protecting properties.

The Erica is hardly used in cooking. A tea made from 2 teaspoons of Erica blossoms to a quart of water can bring relief from rheumatism and gout as well as cystitis and prostate diseases. It can also be used externally to treat skin rashes and irritations. Furthermore, the tea with honey is sleep-inducing and calming. You can enjoy two to three cups of it daily, but not more, as otherwise it can cause stomach problems.

The erica flower belongs to the heather family and branches up to one metre along the ground. The leaves are evergreen and sit in four rows on the branch. The flowers are pink to light purple and stand in long inflorescences on the twigs. The low shrub occurs in the lowlands to the mountains. In the Murtal, several areas are characterised by the wonderful heaths at the end of March and beginning of April and fascinate many hikers every year, for example in Hinterlobming, in St. Marein or on the Tremmelberg.

The Hoada is a natural jewel that must be protected. The heath areas should not be walked on and trampled. They are a precious source of food for bees and other insects. Photos can also be taken from the wayside. Tree stumps or areas where the flowers are not in full bloom are suitable for a leisurely hiking snack. Rubbish is not very popular as a decoration in the natural landscape, you should take it with you again. This way, the beautiful purple areas will be preserved for future hikers and generations.

We wish you wonderful experiences in the untouched nature of the Murtal.