Meadowfoam is a versatile medicinal plant, which can be found in Germany and throughout Europe in grassy meadows, on banks and along roadsides. However, large populations are rather rare today, as the once common plant is on the decline. In 2006, meadowfoam was named Flower of the Year by the German Foundation for Nature Conservation.
Occurrence and cultivation
Meadowfoam is a versatile medicinal plant, which can be found in Germany and throughout Europe in grassy meadows, on banks and along roadsides. The name meadow foamwort describes the fact that foam forms on the stems. However, this foam is not produced by the plant itself, but by the larva of the foam circadian, which actively bores into the stem of the meadowfoam to protect itself from predators. All plant components are edible, but meadowfoam as a food has fallen into oblivion. Today, however, the pungent and cress-tasting herb is still used as a garnish for salads or as a medicinal plant. A few decades ago, meadowfoam was also used by farmers as a weather and harvest indicator. Botanically, meadowfoam belongs to the cruciferous family, and individual plants can reach a height of up to 60 centimeters. The closest botanical relatives of meadowfoam include the radish, horseradish, mustard plant and cress. The anthers in the flower are yellow, and the pods of meadowfoam are up to 45 millimeters long. At maturity, elongated brown seeds emerge from the pods, some of which are over two meters wide. A basal rosette grows from the root rhizome, which sometimes remains green in winter. The lower stem leaves have no stems. Meadowfoam is considered undemanding, but requires a constantly moist substrate. The petals can be of different colors, purple, pink or white. The root system is thin and creeping, reproduction occurs both sexually through the seeds and asexually through basal leaves touching the soil.
Effect and application
In common parlance, meadowfoam is also known as wild cress, strawflower or bedstraw. For medicinal purposes, only the herb of the medicinal plant is used, and the flowering period is from about March to June. The whole herb can be collected by cutting it with scissors and using it as fresh as possible. A whole range of medicinally active substances are present in meadowfoam, including glucosinolates, potassium, glycosides, iron, bitter substances, magnesium, vitamin C, sulfur, as well as essential oils. The main indications for supportive treatment with meadowfoam are spring fatigue, liver weakness, rheumatic diseases, diabetes, skin diseases and scurvy due to its high vitamin C content. Scurvy is practically non-existent in western industrialized nations today. In naturopathy, meadowfoam is also used for so-called blood purification cures with the effects of general purification and detoxification. Especially the metabolic organs, i.e. kidneys, liver and skin, are sustainably stimulated by the ingredients of meadowfoam. In the case of rheumatic complaints, meadowfoam can also be used externally in the form of a sheet. The sheet is previously soaked with the tea preparation of meadowfoam. The pressed juice from the fresh plant is particularly effective, three tablespoons of it should be taken per day. The tea from the dried leaves of meadowfoam is effective for cramps or nervous overload. To prepare tea, two teaspoons of the dried meadowfoam are poured over 250 milliliters of hot, not boiling, water. The infusion time is about ten minutes, several cups of it can be drunk throughout the day. Meadowfoam is also popular as a spread, for which some fresh herb is mixed with onions, cottage cheese, cream and pepper. A special form of preparation is the alcoholic flower essence from meadowfoam, it shows ancient forgotten knowledge. This essence is also said to be helpful against one’s own alienation.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
In naturopathy, meadowfoam has until today a high importance for health and vitality. Especially appreciated is the invigorating and blood purifying effect of this potent medicinal plant.The blood purifying effect is due in particular to the mustard oil glycosides contained in meadowfoam. Kidneys and liver are stimulated, meadowfoam is helpful against anemia, abdominal pain or rheumatism. In case of an increased tendency to infections due to a weakened immune system, a course of treatment with meadowfoam can strengthen the immune system again. Spring fatigue is common and often associated with a lack of minerals. Meadowfoam contains significant amounts of magnesium, iron and potassium in a naturally bound form and can thus help overcome the symptoms of spring fatigue. In addition, meadowfoam is considered a remedy for the entire gastrointestinal tract. This is because it not only has a general metabolism-stimulating and purifying effect, but also aids digestion by increasing the flow of gas. Because of its flushing, diuretic and at the same time slightly disinfecting effect, meadowfoam in the form of pressed juice or tea is also suitable for the prevention of infections of the bladder or kidneys. It is known from the writings of St. Hildegard of Bingen that plant extracts from meadowfoam were also used to treat and cure worm diseases in humans and animals. As a worming remedy, however, the medicinal plant has fallen into oblivion again today. However, its antihelminthic effect is comparable to that of wormwood. For chronic skin diseases such as psoriasis or acne, meadowfoam can be successfully used internally and externally.
