Ideal for strengthening the stomach and digestion, common whorlwort is not only popular with humans. Bees and butterflies are also attracted to its pink flowers. The whirlwort has few requirements for its location and is ideal for planting a natural garden. The use of whirlwort has a long tradition in folk medicine.
Occurrence and cultivation of the common whirlwort.
Common whirlwort is weakly aromatic and when not in bloom is easily confused with the oregano plant. Common whorlwort has the scientific name Clinopodium vulgare and belongs to the genus of whorlwort species (Clinopodium). This is part of the Lamiaceae family. Common whorlwort is a very perennial, perennial flowering plant. It reaches growth heights between 60 and 80 centimeters. The rootstock is woody and the stem that emerges from it branches out into several branches. These are protruding hairy. The leaves are arranged opposite and are ovate to oval in shape. They are short stalked and slightly notched to entire margins. They reach a length of up to five centimeters. Between July and September, the vertebrate forms pink to dark pink lip flowers. They stand close together in ten to 20 false whorls. Of these, only a few flowers bloom at a time. The whirlwort is weakly aromatic and when not in bloom, easily confused with the oregano plant. The plant is native to Europe, North Africa, the temperate climate zones of Asia and North America. The plant prefers sunny locations, roadsides, forest clearings and edges of bushes. The plant owes this wide distribution to its low site requirements and high dispersal potential.
Effect and application
The verbena has always been used in folk medicine as a medicinal plant. In the period from April to July, the leaves can be collected and then dried or eaten fresh. Due to its weak aromatic property, the dried leaves are also preferred as a spice. The fresh leaves taste like thyme and can be consumed in salads. The flowers are also edible raw and a visual eye-catcher on any dish. In addition, consumption of a tea infusion is the preferred use. This involves pouring 250 milliliters of boiling water over one teaspoon of dried verbena leaves. Both applications are said to have a positive effect on the digestive tract. The decoction is then covered and left to steep for ten minutes. The herb itself can also be used to make tea powder. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain yellow and brown dye from the verbena plant. Among the effective ingredients are the essential oils, betulin, caryophyllenes and germacrene. In the long folkloric use, the vertebral dost was used for flatulence, general indigestion of the digestive tract, as well as for heart complaints. The components of the vertebrate have a diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic, appetizing, stomachic effect and have a positive effect on the health of the heart. In Bulgarian folk medicine, verbena was also used for wound treatment. The substance betulin acts here with its antibacterial, antiviral and hepatoprotective properties. This mode of action has already been verified by researchers. Similarly, an extract of common whorlwort has been used to investigate whether the growth of tumor cells can be inhibited. The substance betulin contained in the extract is thought to be responsible for this antitumor effect. This substance is contained mainly in the young shoots of the plant. Its diuretic property can be used to treat flatulence. Due to its appetite-stimulating and stomach-strengthening properties, verbena can also be helpful for other disorders of the stomach and intestinal tract. The diaphoretic and expectorant effects would likewise be able to accompany a treatment well with infections of the upper airways.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Common whorlwort provides an excellent nectar source not only for bees and butterflies. Humans can also take advantage of its diverse modes of action for better recovery from pre-existing conditions, but also take preventive extracts of this grateful useful plant. In folk medicine, the use of verbena has a long tradition.However, as with many other medicinal plants, the knowledge of its beneficial properties is now forgotten. The most important ingredient is the so-called betulin. In several studies, the positive properties on the human organism have already been proven. This substance is also found in birch and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, liver-protective and cholesterol-lowering effects. Thus, it can be used in cases of elevated cholesterol levels and liver diseases. But also in the case of taking permanent medication, which stresses the liver, the verbena can offer a prophylaxis. For people with existing cardiac insufficiency, the whirlwort can be used in a strengthening way. Thus, especially elderly people can increase their vitality by taking whirlwort. Furthermore, whirlwort has a spasmolytic effect. In combination with the abortive property of vertebral dost, this offers quick help for stomach problems. The stomach decramps and troublesome substances are quickly expelled from the digestive tract. Patients who have an irritated gastric mucosa due to constant tablet intake can also benefit from this. But also in cases of diarrhea, the simultaneously constipating property of this plant can be used. Pregnant women should refrain from taking any verbena products, as the effects of the various ingredients have not yet been extensively researched. Already known are labor-promoting and blood-stimulating mechanisms of action, which contradict an intake during pregnancy. The growth-inhibiting effect on tumor cells also gives rise to hopes of possible applications in cancer therapy.
