Benedicte Herb: Applications, Treatments, Health Benefits

Benedicte herb belongs to the daisy family. As the most important ingredients are found in particular bitter substances, flavonoids, triterpne, essential oils and very many minerals such as potassium and magnesium. In medicine, the contained plant active substances are used as cholagogue and amarum.

Occurrence and cultivation of the Benedicte herb.

The relatively odorless and very bitter Benedicte herb is an annual plant that can reach a maximum height of 70 centimeters. The relatively odorless and very bitter Benedicte herb is an annual plant that can reach a maximum height of 70 centimeters. The leaves can grow 30 centimeters long and eight centimeters wide. The plant resembles thistles, because it bears hairy and lobed leaves, the edges of which end in small thorns. Underneath they are light green and have an elongated shape. Benedicte herb forms small flower heads, surrounded by spiny bracts and consisting of yellow tubular flowers. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region. It is said that Benedict of Nursia recommended this herb to his Benedictines, who subsequently cultivated it in the monastery gardens. This is how the plant is said to have come by its name. The drug material, which is used medicinally, comes mainly from Eastern Europe, Italy and Spain. Nowadays, the herb is also native to South America and parts of Africa. It grows on sunny, dry farmland and wasteland. It does not thrive on heavy and rich soils. Benedicte herb is found, for example, on field margins, sunny slopes, stony and dry areas, or in gardens. It blooms in the months of May to August. It is usually obtained by wild collection, although adulteration is very rare, as the plant is certainly recognizable externally.

Effect and application

The main components of the natural remedy include bitter and tannins, essential oils, flavonoids, terpenes, mineral salts and vitamin B1. Benedicte herb is believed to have antiseptic, secretory, diuretic, antipyretic and tonic properties. Medicinally, except for the root, the entire herb is used. Benedicte herb is a medicinal plant that can be handled easily and safely. However, those who are allergic to composite plants should avoid it. Cross allergies are also possible with cornflowers or mugwort. Already in the mouth, the bitter substances of the Benedicte herb stimulate the digestive process. They trigger a reflex that causes saliva to flow, which has several functions. It contains mucilage, which makes the ingested food more supple, and enzymes, which break down various sugars into individual components for better digestibility. Increased salivation also stimulates appetite. In addition, gastrin (digestive hormone) is released in the stomach, stimulating gastrointestinal activity. Thanks to the essential oils contained in Benedicte herb, the liver produces more bile, which is necessary for fat digestion. Extracts from Benedicte herb can relieve symptoms such as bloating, flatulence and loss of appetite. For this purpose, one teaspoon of Benedicte herb is poured over 300 ml of cold water and brought to a boil. It is then left to infuse for two minutes and drained. Due to the higher bitter content, the effectiveness is better with cold preparations. Bitter drugs should never be boiled for a long time because of their sensitivity to heat, but should always be over-brewed so that the bitter substances remain unchanged. The lukewarm tea is drunk 30 to 60 minutes before meals to increase appetite and immediately after meals to relieve indigestion. Even though Benedicte herb tastes very bitter, the tea should not be sweetened so that the effect of the medicinal plant is completely preserved. A cup of Benedicte tea can be drunk in small sips up to three times a day. Benedicte herb also promotes wound healing. For this purpose, the tea is put on a compress and this is placed on the wound, which should be repeated several times a day fresh. The tea infusion can also bring relief to hemorrhoids as a sitz bath.

Importance for health, treatment and prevention.

Benedicte herb is salivary and gastric juices in a loss of appetite. Accordingly, it promotes the production of digestive juices, which on the one hand increase hunger and also facilitate digestion.It is provided for better tolerance of food. Since the salivation is stimulated, it also helps against dry mouth. The stomach also produces more acidic gastric juice. This can also increase appetite. Besides the function of storing food and then forming a food pulp, this is the most important task that the stomach has to perform. In terms of gastrointestinal problems, it has an anti-flatulent and digestive effect by increasing the absorption of gases produced during digestion. This can significantly reduce flatulence. Involved in this are the bitter substances that stimulate the formation of salivary and gastric juices, as well as the essential oils. These act on the bile, and the bile juice in turn is important for fat digestion. Benedicte herb can increase bile juice production triggered by a reflex. Therefore, the whole digestive process is enormously facilitated. In the end, Benedicte herb is primarily used as a bitter remedy for indigestion, loss of appetite, general dsypeptic complaints and biliousness. Thanks to its high potassium content, it is also used as a diuretic. Homeopathically, the fresh and above-ground parts of the herb are used to treat chronic liver diseases. Benedicte herb should not be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The same applies in the presence of gastric and intestinal ulcers or excessive digestive juice production. In too high a dosage, the herb can induce vomiting.