Fence bindweed, Latin name Calystegia sepium, belongs to the bindweed family (Convolvulaceae). It is also known by the popular names field bindweed, devil’s gut and bank fence bindweed. Already in the Middle Ages, people appreciated the laxative effect of the medicinal plant.
Occurrence and cultivation of fence bindweed
Already in the Middle Ages, people appreciated the laxative effect of the medicinal plant. The name characterizes the growth habit of fence bindweed. It reaches a growth height of about three meters, relying on climbing aids such as fences and hedges. It is a typical climbing plant and is often found in places in gardens and on the fences surrounding the properties. Outside of herbalism, this perennial with stumpy stems is frowned upon due to its vigorous growth that quickly becomes a threat to other plant species. Most amateur gardeners are downright afraid of the wildly proliferating plant because it literally strangles other perennials, shrubs and plants. The bank fence willow also likes to climb up trees in a spiral. It always climbs counterclockwise, with the shoot tips making circular searching movements to find a suitable starting position. In bad weather and rain, the leaves close, opening in the morning and fading by noon. On moonlit nights, fence bindweed may bloom. The roots of the perennial climber are vital and grow deep into the ground. New plants can form even from the smallest shoots. The climbing plant with its large, funnel-shaped flowers is characterized by the scientific name Calystegia sepium, which comes from the Greek language. “Calyx” means “calyx,” “stegein” means “cover,” and “sepium” means “fence.” However, this perennial plant is not to be confused with field bindweed, which is clearly distinguished in appearance by its smaller, pink-striped flowers and smaller height growth. For this reason, the fence bindweed is also often given the popular name of field bindweed, but this is not entirely correct. With the exception of the northern hemisphere, the fence vine can be found throughout Europe at altitudes of 1,400 meters. The devil’s fence vine feels equally at home in floodplain landscapes, in bogs, in wet meadows, on embankments, in shrubberies, on forest edges, in woods, in disturbed sites, in weedy areas, fields and clearings, as well as on embankments and roadsides with nutrient-rich soil.
Effect and application
Naturopathic medicine uses the flowers and root, which are collected from June to September. The plant parts are cut into small pieces and dried. However, the use of fence bindweed is now limited only to herbalists who know how to properly dose the slightly toxic plant components. The ingredients are resin with cardiovascular glycosides, tannins, mucilages, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, tannins and mineral salts. The medicinal plant stimulates the flow of bile and has a laxative effect. Other effects are antipyretic, diaphoretic and diuretic. The bank fence vine also regulates menstrual cramps and has an anti-angiogenic effect. Accordingly, the extracts of the creeper can prevent tumor vessels from forming and reduce tumor growth. A weakly heaped spoon of the dried plant extracts prepared as a tea helps against the previously mentioned complaints. The brewing time is ten minutes, and the dosage is tried beforehand according to the need. A poultice with tincture from the flower juice relieves inflammation of the feet. Fence bindweed is also effective against open legs and ulcers. The sap of the plant has a positive effect on gastrointestinal complaints. Discomfort from spider bites and poorly healing wounds are alleviated. A proven application of the heart-effective glycodsides for heart complaints is not yet known. At this point, however, it should be noted that the plant components are slightly toxic and should at least be refrained from internal use. However, there are also reports of experience, according to which the flowers are edible and the plant has not shown any toxic or laxative effect. However, it is advisable to refrain from experimenting and rather rely on such well-known plants as watercress, nettles or lovage when it comes to edible herbs.Since fence bindweed plays no role in either naturopathy or homeopathy, it is not available as a herbal mixture, ointment, tincture, tablets or globules in pharmacies.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Although the Calystegia species is listed as a medicinal plant, it should not be used on its own without proper herbal knowledge, as all plant components are toxic. The seeds are said to have a hallucinogenic effect. Followers of folk medicine can also turn to less dangerous and thus more useful medicinal plants. The climbing plant is also listed under the category of intoxicating plants, as it contains calystegins. These polyhydroxylated nortropane alkaloids derive their biosynthesis from tropane alkaloid biosynthesis. Calystegin A3 and B2 are constituents of all plant organs. For this reason, field bindweed contains psychoactive alkaloids such as tropinone, tropine, hygrine, cuscohygrine and ergot alkaloids. An overdose of the plant’s constituents can result in a state similar to intoxication. In homeopathy, fence diaper is not used because there is a sufficient supply of other medicines with a broader spectrum of action. These include homeopathic globules or tablets in the form of Atropa belladonna (belladonna) and Datura stramonium (datura). There is no definite knowledge about the psychotic effects of fence bindweed, as it is one of the rather unknown psychotic plant species. Together with its relative, field bindweed, the alkaloid plant is one of the rare exceptions in the field of entheo- and ethnobotanicals. They possess the tropane alkaloids otherwise found in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which includes belladonna and datura.
