Annual occupational herb (“Erigeron annuus”) is a wildflower with an ornamental past that can relieve colds, help with inflammatory conditions of the joints, and activate the metabolism. The effect of the dried flowers is gentle and supportive – the potential as a medicinal plant is unfortunately almost forgotten due to this mild effect.
Occurrence and cultivation of the annual occupational herb.
he occupational herb is neither chamomile nor daisy, it is immediately recognizable by the fact that it can reach a growth height of up to one meter. At first glance, the annual professional weed resembles chamomile or daisies with particularly filigree petals. Not without reason, the professional herb is also known as fine ray in botany. From the cultivated gardens, which the professional weed decorated with its white-yellow flowers, it has found its way into the wild. The former ornamental plant, which was originally native to northern America and belongs to the family “composite plants”, is nowadays mainly found in the wild environment as a “weed”. The fact that the professional weed is neither chamomile nor daisy is immediately recognizable by the fact that it can reach a height of up to one meter. In the English-speaking world, the annual professional herb is known as Eastern Daisy Fleabane. In China, the flowering herb is called yinianpeng. The plant is undemanding and thrives well, which has contributed to its wide distribution. It prefers moist meadows and sparse forests as its habitat. The roots are long – about 1 meter is not exceptional. Consequently, the annual professional weed can well survive periods of high drought. The plant reproduces asexually.
Effect and application
When annual occupational weed grows, a rosette formed of elongated leaves appears on the ground in spring. The erect stems develop branches in the upper quarter, on which the (basket) flowers are located from June. The petals, which are arranged as an umbrella panicle, still shimmer pale purple after the bud has opened. At the peak of its development, the flower is white. The best time to harvest and collect the annual professional herb is during its flowering period from June to September. To do this, cut the entire plant and gather them into loose bunches. It is best to hang the bunches upside down in a dry place. Laying the flowers out on a thin cloth or grid is also conceivable to advance the drying process. Once the flowers no longer have moisture in them and are rustling, they can be stored in tightly sealed tins and jars in a dark, cool, dry place. For those interested in planting the annual professional herb in their own gardens, it is best to collect the seeds from wild stands in the wild, as they cannot be obtained from seed companies due to lack of demand. The best season for this is autumn. Although annual occupational herb receives less attention as a wildflower than established ornamental and medicinal plants, it is not without importance in (medicinal) herbalism. The flowering herb contains bitter and tannic substances that have an astringent and expectorant effect. Drunk as a tea, it has a diuretic and diaphoretic effect. In addition, the boiled decoction can also be used externally. For skin problems, poultices, baths and washes are conceivable. Last but not least, the herb is also used in wild cooking. As an addition in a “wild” salad, the annual professional herb is known for its mild taste.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Its potential as a medicinal herb has long been known in traditional Chinese medicine. Native North Americans also relied on the effects of the annual occupational herb in their naturopathic therapies. For coughs, fevers and colds, a tea made from the herb is just as effective as for sore throats and inflammation of the oral mucosa. The infusion is expectorant and makes the body sweat. An effect that supports the action of the fever. Colds can heal faster. Once the cold and flu are over, the annual occupational herb can also be beneficial during convalescence. The helpful effect in inflammatory diseases of the joints such as gout and rheumatism should also not be underestimated. A tea made from annual profession herb has a diuretic effect and strengthens the kidneys in their excretory activity.Toxins can leave the body more quickly this way. The organism purifies. In case of diarrhea, the herb helps to quickly remove harmful substances from the intestines. The intestinal tract is cleansed by the astringent properties of the annual professional herb. For skin inflammations and eczema, baths with the herbal infusion have proven effective. In folklore, it was also believed that occupational herbs are a good antidote for curses (callings), enchantment and ills caused by black magic. In earlier times, those who found themselves affected by evil forces resorted to the magical effects of the occupational herb. Baths in the herbal decoction were supposed to protect infants from the evil eye, and “crazy” people were advised to put the professional herb on their forehead or under their headgear. By appropriate spells, diseases could be transferred to the plant and the patient was cured. And the magic effect of the herb was supposed to go even further: The English name Fleabane (” flea-banner “) was certainly not chosen without reason. That is, in the expulsion of vermin also resorted to the genus professional herb.
