The Bachbunge is a plant that only grows wild and reveals its preferred habitat with its name: It is found mainly near streams. In the Middle Ages it was a respected medicinal plant and even today it is appreciated by naturopaths.
Occurrence and cultivation of the brook lung
In the Middle Ages, the Bachbunge was highly valued by Hildegard von Bingen. She used the plant for hemorrhoids, digestive disorders or gouty complaints. The botanical name of the brook-plant is Veronica beccabunga. It is further popularly known as spring speedwell, horse cress or brook speedwell. The preferred habitats of this evergreen plant are ditches, streams, marshes and riparian areas. There it occasionally stands semi-submerged in the waters. Since it needs fresh water to absorb nutrients, it is an indicator of clean water. It is perennial and found throughout Europe and now in parts of Asia, North America and North Africa. With its decumbent and ascending shoots, brookstem can grow more than a foot tall. Its leaves are oval in shape, fleshy and rounded. When it blooms from May to September, sky-blue flowers appear followed by millimeter-sized fruit capsules. From these, according to the assumption of many botanists, comes its name part bunge, since this word means tuber in Middle High German. It belongs to the plant family of the plantain plants and is classified in the genus of the speedwells. With its hardiness, it is sometimes found in winter on frost-free waters.
Effect and application
In the Middle Ages, the Bachbunge was highly valued by Hildegard von Bingen. She used the plant for hemorrhoids, digestive disorders or gouty complaints. Nowadays it is used in natural medicine. Because of this minor use, it is only found as a wild plant and no cultivation has taken place. If you want to use it as a medicinal plant, you have to collect it yourself or plant it in your own garden. There are very few products in which components of the plant are contained. These come from the field of naturopathy or homeopathy in the form of drops or globules. According to the ideas of naturopathy, the Bachbunge is digestive. Tinctures from the leaves or home-made juices are said to have a laxative and diuretic effect. Besides tannins, bitter substances, essential oils and glycosides, vitamin C is one of the plant’s ingredients. It is therefore very healthy and has a spicy flavor that can give a special touch to many dishes. The leaves and the flowers can be used. The leaves get a more intense, bitter taste in the flowering period, reminiscent of cress. Raw, the leaves go well with salad, in pesto, in herb curd or in a vinaigrette. When boiled or cooked, they are suitable for soups, stews, sauces, omelets or as a vegetable garnish. In the Middle Ages, Bachbunge was an important ingredient in the Maundy Thursday soup, still known today, to strengthen and purify the body after winter. Since the leaves are very fleshy, they are suitable for making home-pressed vegetable juices. However, due to the wild growth, it is important to inspect the harvested leaves for any larvae. Additionally, it is recommended to collect them only in unfertilized locations and rinse them carefully. The flowers retain their blue color after drying and can serve as edible decoration in teas or salads. Another use of the brooksweet is as a pond plant. Established by the garden pond, it hides foil edges and supports a naturalistic garden. It can also be used in freshwater aquariums or as a floating houseplant.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Despite the fact that the Bachbunge was known as a medicinal plant in Germany in the Middle Ages, there is little scientific evidence of its effectiveness. The aucubin it contains, a plant substance used to repel insects, was shown in studies to have nerve-protective and circulation-enhancing effects. The plant is not used in traditional medicine. However, folk medicine and naturopathy attribute many health-promoting effects to it: it is said to be blood-cleansing, diaphoretic and diuretic. Due to its expectorant effect, it is suitable for coughs, lung problems or asthma.Both in the raw state and in the form of tinctures or cooked side dishes, the Bachbunge is digestive and suitable for loss of appetite and constipation. At the same time, taking products from fresh leaves is much more effective than taking tinctures. It is considered a home remedy for beautiful teeth. In combination with other wild herbs, its nutrients make it a recommendation against spring fatigue. A sitz bath with the decoction of the leaves is said to help against hemorrhoids. According to the writings of Hildegard of Bingen, the plant is suitable for alleviating hyperacidity and supporting the intestines. In addition, the extract of the Bachbunge is an ingredient in some cosmetic products and can nourish the skin. Applied externally, the leaves can have anti-inflammatory, anti-itching and wound-healing effects. The tannins they contain are the reason why the leaves or a decoction made from them were used in the Middle Ages to treat skin diseases. A soaked cloth placed on the affected areas is said to help with skin spots, skin blotches and age spots. This application was also used for rashes and ulcers. Side effects are not known due to the limited research. Nevertheless, people with serious medical conditions should check with their doctor before taking Bachbunge as a remedy. For pregnant women and people with a weak stomach, naturopathic medicine recommends that they avoid Bachbunge.
