Aztec Sweetweed is an ornamental plant that is also considered an alternative to the Stevia plant because of its sweetness. In addition, Aztec Sweetweed is also a very ancient medicinal plant that has been used as a universal remedy by the Aztec people.
Occurrence and cultivation of the Aztec sweet herb.
Aztec sweetweed is an ornamental plant that is also considered an alternative to the stevia plant because of its sweetness. Aztec sweetweed, Lippia dulcis, is not native to Europe, but to South and Central America. The perennial semi-shrub, which can grow up to 30 centimeters high, grows preferably along field edges, ponds or ditches. However, in the course of its perennial growth, the Aztec sweetweed forms creeping tendrils, which can then have a length of several meters. The dark green leaves of Aztec sweetweed are oval in shape and about 3 to 4 centimeters long. The typical small white flowers of the plant appear on the leaf axils between the months of June and September. Because of its tendril formation, Aztec sweetweed is often used for planting hanging baskets. The fragrance of Aztec sweetweed is described as very aromatic with minty and honey-melony components. Aztec sweetweed grows best in a soil of clay and sand, the plant loves a sunny location, but grows correspondingly slower even in the shade. As a houseplant, Aztec sweetweed is just as suitable as a growing plant in the winter garden. As a cultivated plant, Aztec sweetweed is considered rather undemanding and easy to care for.
Effect and application
From the woody parts of the plant’s tendrils, it is easy to grow by the offshoots on permeable soils. However, Aztec sweetweed does not tolerate frost, this should also be taken into account when growing in pots or hanging baskets. If the plant is not moved to a bright and cool place above freezing in winter, it will die. However, the plant does not mind if the meter-long tendrils are shortened from time to time to avoid uncontrolled growth. Harvest time for Aztec sweet herb is all year round. After harvesting, the leaves can either be used fresh or gently dried and stored in a cool, dry place for a longer period of time. It is said that Aztec sweet herb was used by the Aztecs as a universal remedy and was therefore successfully used against a variety of diseases and ailments. The traditional Aztec name Tzopelic Xihuitl is no longer in common use today. The Spanish physician Hernández specifically mentioned the Aztec sweet herb in a scientific essay in the 16th century, praising its great healing powers. Nowadays, its use as a medicinal plant has more and more faded into the background. Today, Aztec sweetweed is known to its users more as an ornamental plant or as a natural sweetener. Similar to the Stevia plant, Aztec Sweetweed has a sweetening power that exceeds that of household sugar by a factor of about 1000. The chopped leaves can either be used directly for the preparation of desserts or pressed beforehand for this purpose. A tea infusion can also be prepared from the whole leaves, which then no longer needs to be additionally sweetened. To ensure that all the valuable ingredients are transferred to the tea brew, a brewing time of at least 10 minutes is recommended. However, boiling the leaves should be avoided, as otherwise some of the ingredients would be destroyed, but the sweetness would remain unaffected by a boiling process. An alcoholic tincture can also be prepared from the leaves, which has a healing effect on gastrointestinal problems. The fresh root of the Aztec sweet herb is also known as Tzopelica Cococ and can be chewed directly. However, the root can also be gargled as a cold extract with lukewarm water. Both types of preparation help against troublesome irritating cough due to their mucous membrane soothing effect.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
The importance of Aztec sweet herb for health and treatment among the Aztec people has been safely passed down. Today, the verbena plant is used as an ornamental plant and as a natural sweetener. Although the plant is not poisonous, Aztec sweetweed should not be used in large quantities or for long periods of time.The main areas of application as a medicinal herb are disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and cough of various causes. The healing effect is soothing, relaxing and expectorant. Also circulatory and tonic properties are attributed to the Aztec sweet herb. In gynecology, a menstruation-promoting effect has been noted. In cases of asthma, respiratory distress, bronchitis, colds, coughs, colic, indigestion and constipation, it is worth trying the therapy as a naturopathic support to conventional medical treatment. Contraindications or side effects are not expected when used as directed. However, accidental overdose can lead to severe, albeit reversible, side effects. In addition to transient amnesia, epileptic seizures and states of drowsiness and confusion have been described in this context. However, allergies or hypersensitivity reactions to the ingredients of Aztec sweet herb are not known. However, interactions with other medicines cannot be ruled out due to the large number of ingredients of the medicinal plant. It is therefore advisable to consult a doctor before each use. The medicinal herb can also be used in children. Aztec sweet herb contains a variety of essential oils, in addition to hernandulcin, camphor, quercetin and sesquiterpene. These pharmacologically active substances are contained in the whole plant, i.e. flowers, leaves and roots, and in their entirety are responsible for the healing effects. In pregnancy and lactation, as well as in manifest kidney disease, Aztec sweet herb should not be used.