The flower of the year 2015 was recently chosen by the Foundation for Nature Conservation Hamburg: the common devil’s-bit is awarded this honor this year. Perhaps one of the reasons was that many endangered butterfly species love its nectar very much, respectively their caterpillars use it as a food source. As a bud resembling the structure of a blackberry, the inflorescence then shines lush and voluminous in all its beauty.
Occurrence and cultivation of the common devil’s-bit.
The common devil’s-bit is a so-called herbaceous plant, up to 80 flowers are in a spherical inflorescence, which has in itself many other small heads. The common devil’s-bit with the Latin names Succisa pratensis is also simply called devil’s-wort or devil’s-bit or quite simply abbiss. It belongs to the honeysuckle family and within it is still assigned to the subfamily of the card family. The flower owes its name to the unique rootstock, which is rotten at the very bottom and then looks like it has been bitten off. The roots often protrude into the soil up to a length of 50 cm. The common devil’s-bit is a so-called herbaceous plant, up to 80 flowers are in a spherical inflorescence, which in itself has many other small heads. The flowers are reminiscent of cornflowers in their coloration and shine in purple and blue. The outer calyxes are located under the individual flowers, they run out into pointed tips. The flower in the inflorescence looks like “exploded”. The common devil’s-bit belongs to the wind and animal scatterers. At fruit maturity, which is reached from August, wind movements and animals can spread the fruit. Ants also have their share in this form of dispersal. The plant is a gynodioecious flower, which means that it shows partly purely female and partly hermaphrodite flowers. This is to encourage cross-pollination, which is done by bees, moths and some other bipeds. The common devil’s-bit is a true cosmopolitan: it can be found almost everywhere in the world. It prefers moorland and meagre meadows with alternating moisture and humusy soils. It is on the red list in some federal states and is thus one of the endangered species
Effect and application
For moderate bronchitis, hoarseness, cough and even lung disease, a tea with the common devil’s-bit is said to be the remedy of choice. For this purpose, the brewed tea with a high-quality honey is drunk slowly in individual sips several times throughout the day. For the preparation you need the cleaned and dried herb and simply pour hot water over it. Then let it steep for at least ten minutes and carefully strain. The tea can be consumed immediately. For an infusion or tincture, a little more patience is required. What is needed is a sealable jar in which to place the cleaned herbs. After pouring high-proof liquor over it, the medicinal plant should be well covered. Place the sealed jar in a warm sunny place and leave to infuse for at least ten days. It is also possible to infuse with fruit vinegar: This has additional soothing effect on the stomach and intestines and can provide very effective services in cases of diarrhea and constipation. Both infusions are suitable for internal and external use.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
The common devil’s sabbite, as its name suggests, has an occult, superficial side. Thus, the devil is said to have bitten off the rhizome in anger (hence its shape) when the Virgin Mary had taken away his power. This superstition dates back to the 14th century and to this day ensures that people wear the root around their necks to protect themselves from evil. Even cattle sheds in southern climes are sometimes still protected from “evil influences” with the root. A century later, the first serious records of the effectiveness of the common devil’s sabbite, such as protection against the plague and chills, were found. However, no effective remedy could ever be found against the plague, so almost all medicinal plants were used and tried for this disease. The common devil’s-bit was used especially for blood washing, i.e. for kidney ailments and kidney weaknesses of any kind. In the past it was also called stone disease.Especially the tannins and bitter substances, glycosides and saponins of the plant are said to help purify and stabilize the blood circulation. It has also already proven itself in bronchitis and other diseases of the respiratory tract. Since all these indications have never been proven, it is not even used in phytotherapy. In homeopathy, the common devil’s sabbite is mainly used for external application to wounds and ulcers, and is used in chronic skin conditions, it also occurs in some medicines. There is a beautiful fairy tale about the common devil’s saber. It is called “How the Devil’s Bite Lost Its Healing Power” and is about a girl who makes a pact with the devil to save her father from an illness. She promises her soul to the devil and after he tells her the healing herb for the father and he gets well, she gives her knowledge to many other needy people. The devil is furious about this and takes away her eyesight. So from then on no one could be cured with the Common Devil’s Bite.
