Common daffodil occurs as a wild and garden plant in Central Europe. It is a medicinal plant used since ancient times. Today, due to its toxic effects, it has no medicinal significance except in homeopathy.
Occurrence and cultivation of the common osterluzei.
Common Eastern lucerne grows mainly in vineyards, riparian forests, on embankments and field margins. Common Easterlily or Aristolochia clematitis is a member of the Easterlily family (Aristolochiaceae) and the pipeflower genus (Aristolochia). It is a perennial plant that grows 30 to 100 centimeters tall. It has a widely branched rhizome and an erect, unbranched stem. The plant blooms in May and June. The yellow, funnel-shaped flowers are three to five centimeters long. They stand together in the axils of the upper leaves in groups of two to eight flowers. Characteristic is the unpleasant smell of the plant, which attracts flies for pollination. These flies slip to the bottom of the flower and can only get out of it after pollination, when the flowers wither, due to a hairiness inside the flower tube. The light green leaves are long-stalked, heart-shaped and six to ten centimeters long and four to seven centimeters wide. Originally, the common Easter lucerne comes from the Mediterranean region. However, it is now found throughout Central Europe. The plant likes it warm and sunny. It prefers calcareous, water-permeable and nutrient-rich loam or loess soils. Common Eastern lucerne grows mainly in vineyards, riparian forests, on embankments and field margins.
Effect and application
The rhizome and seeds of common daffodil contain aristolochic acids, which are also found in smaller amounts in the leaves of the plant. Aristolochic acids are secondary plant compounds that are highly toxic. The nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds cause mutations in the genetic material, are carcinogenic and lead to kidney damage. One study, for example, showed the triggering of urinary tract tumors in many people in Taiwan who had taken products containing the common osterluzei. In the so-called Balkan nephropathy, aristolochic acids from the seeds of the common daffodil, which grew next to grain fields, found their way into the flour used to bake bread. As a result, they caused kidney diseases in many inhabitants of the Balkans. Aristolochic acids can cause hyperemia, that is, blood accumulation in organs or tissues. They can also cause menorrhagia (long and heavy menstrual bleeding), i.e. prolonged and increased menstrual bleeding, and can lead to abortion in pregnancy. Nevertheless, aristolochic acids are said to have wound-healing effects and stimulate the immune system. They are said to have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and diaphoretic effects. Insects that feed on plants of the Easter lucerne family are immune to the effects of aristolochic acids and use them to ward off predators. The common osterlucia also contains essential oils and tannins. Due to the poisonous effect of aristolochic acids, medicines containing components of the common osterluze have been banned in Germany. Only homeopathic remedies from potency level D11 are still allowed. The homeopathic remedies are available as globules, tablets and as a solution. Depending on the symptoms, five drops or five globules can be taken three times a day for internal use or the tincture can be applied externally. The fresh, above-ground parts of the plant are used for the production. In folk medicine, the common Easter lucia is used for external application. For this purpose, the roots, harvested in spring or autumn and then dried, are boiled and the diluted tincture is applied to eczema, ulcers or itching. However, due to the high toxicity, ready-made preparations from homeopathy should be preferred. Especially warn against herbal mixtures from the Internet, which contain common osterluzei.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Since ancient times, common Easterluvia, also known as wolfweed or beaverweed, has been known as a medicinal plant. The genus name Aristolochia is derived from the Greek “aristos” for “very good” as well as from “lockeius” for “belonging to childbearing”. The species name “clematis” comes from the Greek “klema”, which means “tendril” and refers to the growth habit.In ancient times, common paschal lucerne was used during childbirth, as the active substances were supposed to facilitate and accelerate the birth. Since the plant substances can lead to the onset of labor, Easter lucae was also used as an abortifacient. In addition, common paschal lucenia was used against snakebites. The ancient Egyptian name translates into German as “snake-averse”. Later, the plant was used as a medicinal plant, especially in traditional Chinese medicine. It is still used today in homeopathy for various gynecological complaints, such as menstrual cramps and tightness and cycle-dependent breast pain, as well as in obstetrics. In addition, homeopathic preparations with the common Easter Lucia are used for internal and external wound healing, for pressure sores or blisters, for chronic ulcers and for rheumatism. Before the prohibition of Aristolochia-containing medicines, common Easter luceria was also used in dietary cures. If the dosage of the medicinal plant is too high, poisoning symptoms occur. These may manifest themselves in vomiting, gastrointestinal inflammation, cramps or increased pulse. Blood pressure drops and death may occur due to respiratory paralysis. Due to its high toxicity, the common osterluzei does not play a major role as a medicinal plant in medicine nowadays. Only in homeopathy and as an ornamental plant in the garden the plant is still used. Researchers also use aristolochic acids to investigate possible triggers for tumor diseases. The mutations triggered by the plant substance can possibly provide clues to the development of tumors.
