The botanical name of cymbalaria is Cymbalaria muralis and it belongs to the plantain family (Plantaginaceae). Already in early modern times it was described as a medicinal plant, but as such it no longer plays a major role today. Meanwhile, it is used mainly in the kitchen for seasoning or as an ornamental plant in gardens and on walls.
Occurrence and cultivation of the cinnamon herb
Nowadays, cinnamon weed is mainly used in the kitchen for seasoning or as an ornamental plant in gardens and along walls. Other trival names of the plant are wall cimbelkraut or eustett – as it is called in Switzerland. Depending on the locality, the spelling also varies. Thus, the name is also spelled Zymbelkraut or Zymbalkraut. Other synonyms are Ivy-leaved Cymbalweed, Wall Cymbalweed or Angular Snapdragon. The original name comes from the shape of the leaves. They have the shape of small percussion instruments (cymbals). The herbaceous plant is perennial and has filamentous, hanging climbing stems that can grow up to 60 cm long. The stem leaves are heart-shaped and are usually reddish on the underside. The stems may also be reddish in color. The flowers of the cinnamon weed have a light purple color and are spurred. They are called homogamous mask flowers. On the outside on the lower lip, they have yellow flower marks that act as anthers. In addition, the flowers turn toward the light. They are phototropic. Their pollination is carried out by hoverflies and bees, although both pollen and nectar quantity of cinnamon weed is rather small. The last seed remains intact and attached to the fruit when released. The fruit stalk grows away from sunlight in the opposite direction of the plant and disappears into cracks such as wall crevices. There the seeds can germinate through fine soil deposited by the wind. Cinnamon weed can also be planted in flower pots. It is a garden escape and germinates in the dark. Originally, the plant comes from the Mediterranean region. It occurs naturally and was used as an ornamental plant only later. It was found mainly in the rocky areas of the northern Adriatic and in mountains of northern Italy. In the 16th century it was spread all over Europe. There it served as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Nowadays it can be found all over the world on rocks and wall cracks (neophyte). Its preferred climate is warm and somewhat humid. It prefers to grow on semi-shady to sunny walls, in ruins, quarries or gardens. Previously, the genus Cymbalaria was included in the brownroot family (Scrophulariaceae). Only after molecular genetic studies the new assignment to the plantain family was made. The flowering time of the cinnamon weed is between June and September, its fruit ripening between August and September. It blooms for several months and is low-maintenance, which is why it can quickly form a carpet on walls. This is especially the case when the location meets the needs of the plant and it can develop and spread unhindered. It is evergreen and hardy. Thus, it already grows in early spring above any snow masses on the walls.
Effect and application
In the past, in addition to its use as a medicinal plant, cinnamon herb was also used as a dye. The flowers were processed into yellow food coloring. Due to its richness in vitamin C, it served as a salad in cures and was used as a wound-healing poultice. Because of its high vitamin C content, cinnamon weed has been used to treat scurvy, among other ailments. This is a vitamin deficiency disease, which is associated in particular with a lack of vitamin C. Cinnamon herb is still used in cooking today. The leaves have a slight pungency and are therefore used as a seasoning. The taste is reminiscent of cress, which is why the leaves have a similar application. They can be served as a garnish in salads or soups. As a medicinal plant, it is hardly used today and no longer has any particular significance. Nevertheless, it is still used from time to time in poultices. For a classic cinnamon herb tea, 2 teaspoons are poured over 100 ml of hot water. After 10 minutes of infusion and straining, cinnamon herb can be used for ablutions and compresses. For this purpose, a cloth is soaked with the boiled tea and placed on or wrapped around the affected areas. Another variant is the preparation of cinnamon herb porridge. In this case, the fresh herb is pounded with a mortar and the porridge is placed on the spots twice a day for a quarter of an hour.Its main use is as a garden ornamental plant. As such, cinnamon weed is found mainly along walls and in rock gardens.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
As a medicine, cimbalaria bears the name Herba cymbalariae. It contains bitter substances, iridoid, muralioside and tannins. In folk medicine, cinnamon herb is primarily used against wounds and skin inflammation of any kind. It has an antibacterial effect and thus can not only prevent inflammation, but also have a healing effect. Therefore, it is also used for cuts or open wounds. In the case of minor burns, cinnamon herb can relieve pain. Another possibility is the use of the herb for hemorrhoids. Cinnamon herb is especially characterized by its wound healing, anti-inflammatory and astringent effects. Above recipes apply mainly to the use of the herb against wounds, burns and hemorrhoids. The dosage indications are pure recommendations. So far, neither side effects nor interactions with other remedies are known, which is why cinnamon herb can be used safely. However, if the discomfort does not subside or worsens, a medical professional should be consulted.
