Knotweed

At the Knotweed it is a weed that is known almost everywhere in the world. Maybe that's why it has innumerable names. For example it will too Chrot grub or Hansl on the way called. There are also names like Swienegras, Barn grass, Unrepresented or Plantain and many others. As different as the names are the main focuses in the medicinal application.

Occurrence and cultivation of the bird knotweed

The name Knotweed is derived from both Greek and Latin. While poly means "the knot" and probably refers to the shape of the stem with its many knots, "Aviculare" is derived from the Latin "aviculus", the bird (diminutive). The plant got this name because it is very popular with many species of birds and serves as a main source of food. Farmers are said to have fed the plant to their sick pigs in the past, which is why they also used it Suction grass was called.

The bird knotweed belongs to the knotweed family (Polygonaceae) and is a true cosmopolitan. Only in tropical areas as well as in India, Polynesia and South Africa does it not yet occur. Its home is all of Central Europe from the plains to mountainous areas. It is quite adaptable in terms of nutritional requirements and likes to grow on the edges of fields, fields and near settlements. The knotweed is a so-called annual plant.

At first it grows about 40-50 cm in height, then the branched stems lie on the ground and form a green, planar vegetation. The flowers are country-specific, pink, green-white or reddish - mixed colors and nuances in between are also possible. The fruits themselves are nut-shaped and have a black-purple color. The flowering period is from May to November.

Where this herb has settled, it is difficult to contain again, because the roots protrude up to 80 cm into the ground. In addition, this plant is very resistant and is propagated in different ways, such as the hoof kick.

Effect & application

The plant contains silica, tannins, phenol carboxylic acids as well as flavonoids and sapoin. A special feature: the concentration of the ingredients should vary depending on the nature of the soil. The tannins in particular are responsible for the well-known anti-inflammatory properties of tinctures and teas. When used, the bird knotweed is said to help against febrile infections and to have an antiseptic effect on inflammation and diseases of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa.

The plant is also said to have a positive effect in supporting therapeutic treatment in the case of diarrhea, bladder and kidney diseases and rheumatic problems. In the past, good results have been obtained in treating patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. In the meantime, however, one refrains from treating this disease with knotweed: better remedies have already been developed.

Other external applications are advisable in the event of vomiting and problems with the gastric mucosa. The remedy should even help with purulent inflammation of the ear and breast ulcers. The Cossacks use the plant as an aphrodisiac to this day. This effect should be achieved by adding it to the tea. Knotweed is used as a drug in infusions, tinctures or teas. External compresses are also possible for local treatment.

The herb is even suitable for smoking and is often recommended as a mixture with finial or cedar wood. The best-known application, however, is probably the knotweed spirit. In order to create a knotweed spirit, fresh knotweed herbs are collected. Roots are used for the spirit, which are cut into small pieces in a glass and poured over with 60 percent Swedish bitter. The jar is placed well closed in the sun.

This works best on a windowsill. Now everything is allowed to rest for a few weeks. Then simply carefully pour off the herbs through a sieve and transfer the knotweed spirit into a dark bottle. Now the liquid can be used as a tincture for external applications or drop by drop several times a day for internal therapies.

Importance for health, treatment & prevention

Antibiotics from nature - a contradiction? In the case of bacterial diseases, conventional medicine often provides antibiotics, which are increasingly criticized for their side effects. A so-called “bacteriostatic effect” can also be achieved through the use of medicinal plants. Because classic antibiotics are basically synthetic replicas of metabolic products. Namely from mushrooms. Since mushrooms are now plants, antibiotics in their original form are actually herbal natural products.

Antibiotics are supposed to help the immune system to help itself - this is exactly what homeopathy is about. The knotweed is also one of the plants with a strong antibacterial effect and is classified by healers in the group of naturally acting antibiotics. That is why gargle solutions are often used for throat infections, which hinder the reproduction of bacteria. A preventive measure can be the irregular use of these solutions, which should also work in the case of inflammation of the gums.

Since the plant is also used for various other viral infections, the use of teas can also avert or alleviate the common cold in the cold season. The regular use of knotweed is now advised against. It is still used as an additive in medicines or is used in homeopathy.