Blue-red stonecrop, Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum, thrives in moist downy oak woodlands and is a rare plant that was named Flower of the Year in 2000. Although blue-red stone seed is a medicinal plant, it is not known to be used for medicinal purposes in Central European folk medicine.
Occurrence and cultivation of the blue-red stone seed.
An application of the blue-red stone seed as a medicinal plant has been handed down from ancient times. However, the knowledge of its medicinal effects was completely lost over the centuries. The use of the blue-red stone seed as a medicinal plant has been handed down from antiquity. However, the knowledge of its medicinal effects was completely lost over the centuries. Botanists attribute this mainly to the fact that, on the one hand, blue-red rockrose is a rare plant and, on the other hand, there are comparable, more common medicinal plants with quite similar effects. Botanically, Blue-red Rockseed is directly related to Lungwort and Comfrey. It belongs to the Boraginaceae family of plants and is also known by the English name Gromwell. In the vernacular, the names red-blue and purple-blue rockrose are also common. Blue-red rockrose is particularly rich in mucilage, saponins, tannins and skin-friendly allantoin. Because of its rarity, no specific collection time can be named. In the garden, the blue-red stone seed is a beautiful ornament for any semi-shade bed, the seeds are so-called cold germinators, which makes it particularly difficult to grow on your own. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase already grown seedlings in nurseries.
Effect and application
The herb and root of the blue-red stone seed can be used pharmacologically and medicinally. From ancient times, applications are known both as a tea preparation and as external poultices or washes. However, its use as a medicinal plant is hardly common nowadays. Only those who cultivate the plant in their own garden for more than just ornamental purposes could benefit from using it as a medicinal plant. The mode of action and areas of application of the blue-red stone seed are similar to those of its botanical relatives lungwort and comfrey. The main indications are inflammations of the skin and the digestive tract, as well as lung diseases associated with restricted ventilation. In these diseases, which are usually chronic, medicinal preparations from the blue-red stone seed can be helpful as a support after consultation with the attending physician. Blue stone seed has also been traditionally used against semolina and for stone diseases such as urinary stones or kidney stones of the draining urinary tract. This type of application is also no longer in common use today, as there is too little empirical data on the actual mode of action. However, a therapy attempt is considered unproblematic due to the complete non-toxicity of the medicinal plant. The explanation of its effectiveness against stone diseases is based on the traditional doctrine of signatures, which considers the seeds to be an effective remedy because they are hard as stones. However, this empirical view cannot be maintained today from a scientific-botanical point of view. Despite its non-toxicity, blue-red stone seed contains so-called hormone-like, phytoactive substances that can have a contraceptive effect. Women who take tea preparation from blue-red stone seed and are of childbearing age should pay attention to this advice.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
Although known as a medicinal plant in ancient times, blue-red stone seed has largely lost its importance for health, prevention and treatment nowadays. Due to the rarity of its natural occurrence and the existence of adequate similar medicinal plants, this fact is unlikely to change. The plant has also become so rare because the so-called coppice culture, which includes downy oak forests, has almost disappeared. Tea preparations from the blue stone seed and compresses have anti-inflammatory, tissue softening, diuretic and expectorant effects. In addition to the whole of Europe, Blue Stone Seed is also native to parts of Asia. However, even in this cultural area, its use for medicinal purposes is hardly known today. Blue-red rockrose is a perennial plant that can reach a height growth of more than 60 centimeters.Typical are the lancet-like, narrow leaves, which grow directly on the stem and have a pronounced tip. The leaves are hairy and rough, just like the lungwort or comfrey. If the often difficult cultivation in the garden succeeds, then the blue-red flowers appear in the months of April, May and June. The coloration of the leaves changes over time, the still young leaves are initially reddish, then a steady transition to the shades of purple to blue takes place. This color change can be seen quite similarly in the botanically related lungwort. In addition, the blue-red rockrose also owes its name to this color-changing ability of the leaves. The flowers have five petals each and can grow up to one centimeter in size. The plate-flat flowers of the Blue-red Stone Seed are arranged in clusters and the seeds then develop from the flowers in the fall. They are about half a centimeter in size and have the appearance of small stones. Even if the cultivation is successful, the blue-red stone seed remains demanding for its further growth. Even in summer, the soil must always be kept sufficiently moist, but if the soil is too wet, the plant will quickly die. Blue-red stone seed does not like full sun but also does not like deep shade. These circumstances and the requirement for a well-fertilized humus soil make it so difficult to grow. In the garden, blue-red stone seed feels most comfortable under sparse deciduous trees. If these deciduous trees are not present in your own garden, then every now and then you should surround the plant with collected foliage.
