Bulbous buttercup is a poisonous plant mainly found in Central Europe. In the past, it was recognized as a medicinal plant. Today, however, because of its toxicity, tuberous buttercup is used only in highly diluted form as a remedy primarily in homeopathy.
Occurrence and cultivation of the tuberous buttercup.
Already in ancient times, the plant found use as a laxative and Hippocrates also used it as an abortifacient. The tuberous buttercup, also known as Ranunculus bulbosus, belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and the buttercup genus (Ranunculus). Better known as buttercup, buttercups can be different species of buttercup. The bulbous buttercup is a perennial plant that is perennial and herbaceous, growing between 15 and 50 centimeters tall. The hairy stem is bulbous in the lower part, just below the soil surface, from which the first part of the plant’s name is derived. This tuber serves the buttercup to store nutrients and as a survival organ. This allows the buttercup to survive periods of drought, heat, and nutrient deficiency. The tuberous buttercup bears yellow flowers that consist of five petals and have a diameter of two to three centimeters. It blooms in the period between May and July. After the seeds mature, the stem and leaves of the bulbous buttercup wither quickly, allowing the plant to avoid dry summer and autumn months. The German name Hahnenfuß refers to the three-toothed, bird’s-foot-like divided foliage leaves. The bulbous buttercup is found in large parts of Europe. It is especially native to Central Europe, but is also found as far south as Scandinavia, as far north as Ukraine and the Near East, and in the North African Mediterranean region. The plant prefers calcareous, rather nutrient-poor soils and grows on meadows, fallow land, rocks and slag heaps. The plant is pollinated by insects.
Effect and application
All parts of the plant of the bulbous buttercup are poisonous. When the fresh plant is injured, it forms a sap containing the non-toxic substance ranunculin. Ranunculin is a glucoside, which in turn is converted to the toxic alkaloid protoanemonin. Protoanemonin is a toxin found in all buttercups. It is highly irritating to the skin and mucous membranes, causing redness of the skin, itching and the formation of vesicles on external contact. This is known as buttercup dermatitis. These irritations can occur, for example, when walking barefoot across freshly mowed meadows where the plant occurs. When used internally, protoanemonin affects the nervous system and causes a burning sensation in the mouth to the point of vomiting and colicky stomach pain. Irritation of the stomach, intestines, and kidneys, some severe, may occur. In addition, dizzy spells and, in severe cases, convulsions and even paralysis may occur. In dried plant parts, however, the toxins are lost. The poisonous but unstable protoanemonin is converted into the non-toxic anemonin when the plant is dried. Anemonin has antispasmodic and analgesic effects and can kill bacteria. Due to the toxic effects of high concentrations of the active ingredient protoanemonin, the plant is nowadays mainly used in homeopathy. All plant parts of the fresh, flowering buttercup are used in the preparation of medicines. In low dosages, the tuberous buttercup can also be added to tea mixtures and, in addition to internal homeopathic use as globules, drops or injections, it can also be applied externally, as an overlay or poultice. Globules, drops and injection solutions are available in different potencies, that is, in different dilution levels. Globules are taken one to three times daily, depending on the potency.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Bulbous buttercup has long been a recognized medicinal plant. Already in ancient times, the plant found use as a laxative and Hippocrates also used it as an abortifacient. In the 16th century, the tuberous buttercup found use against warts, chilblains, as well as a hair restorer and also in later centuries, various forms of treatment can be found in folk medicine.Nowadays, the tuberous buttercup is used in homeopathy as a complex remedy, i.e. together with other coordinated homeopathic remedies and as a leading remedy, the effect of which is supported by other homeopathic remedies. Based on the Hahnemannian principle of homeopathy to cure similar with similar, buttercup is used for various skin diseases but also for pain conditions. Pain of various origins and itching are relieved and inflammation heals. Especially skin diseases caused by a virus, such as herpes zoster, chickenpox or herpes simplex, can be treated homeopathically with the bulbous buttercup. Homeopathic treatment for rheumatism, gout, burst pain due to cold and cough or headache due to temperature changes is also possible due to pain relief. In addition, homeopathic treatment with this plant can help with various other diseases and is used, for example, in hay fever, meningitis (meningitis), pleurisy (pleurisy) and neuralgia (nerve pain). In the case of neuralgia, special mention should be made of its use in intercostal neuralgia (nerve pain in the intercostal area of the chest wall). Other possible uses include general dullness and shakiness as well as febrile seizures. In addition to its use as a medicinal, tuberous buttercup is less commonly used for flower beds and lawns as an ornamental.
