The botanical name of the immen leaf is Melittis melissophyllum. It is a plant species of the labiates family (Lamiaceae), which includes Melissa. Immen leaf was used for medicinal purposes in ancient times and is still used in natural medicine for various ailments.
Occurrence and cultivation of the immen leaf.
Immenblatt counts as a proven home remedy and as an insider’s tip for various ailments. The name Melittis melissophyllum comes from Latin and Greek. The Greek term “Mélitta” means “bee”, while the Latin “mel” is translated as “honey“. The translation of the form of the Greek word “phyllon” adopted into Latin is “leaf”. The name comes from the interest of bees and butterflies in the plant, which are also responsible for pollination. Immenleaf is also called a bee plant because they use its nectar, among other things. The term melissophyllon was already used by Pliny the Elder and Virgil in their writings for the immen leaf. The crushed leaves of the plant also give off the smell of honey. Even in ancient times, this expression was used for the plant. The immen leaf is a 20 to 50 centimeter high plant. It is perennial and stands erect. The stems have a square, blunt shape and are covered with soft and closely spaced limb hairs. The same fine hairs are also found on the leaves of the plant. They are hairy on both sides and are ovate. Their edge is notched. The flowers of the immense leaf are multi-lipped and curl slightly inward from the edge. While the upper lips of the flowers are white, the lower lip usually has a purplish purple or pink coloration. However, depending on the occurrence, you can also find entirely white flowers or those that are spotted pink. Their flowering period ranges from May to June. The immen leaf grows especially on calcareous loam and clay soils. It is found mainly at montane altitudes in warm deciduous forests. It is rather rarely found in coniferous forests. Its occurrence is distributed in the oceanic Europe. This includes France, the British Isles, Germany, the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Italy and Poland. However, the immen leaf can also be found in central and western Russia and on the Balkan Peninsula. German states where it appears are Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Baden-Württemberg, as well as Bavaria and Thuringia. In more northern states, however, the immen leaf is considered rare and threatened with extinction.
Effect and application
Used the plant especially in folk medicine and pharmacy. Here it is used especially internally. To tea are processed mainly the shoot tips or leaves. As a rule, mixture can be found in the trade, which are suitable for infusion. Immenblatt was already used in ancient times as a medicinal plant. Its applications were mainly the fight against and recovery from gout and bladder sores. Its main constituents are coumarin compounds. Coumarin is used as a derivative in various medical fields. For example, one area of use is the prevention of strokes in high-risk patients. In addition, immen leaf contains many bitter compounds, making it a popular natural medicine. The types of use are very similar to those of lemon balm, as immen leaf contains similar active ingredients. It is often equated with lemon balm, however, they are different plant genera within the labiates family. Thus, the smell of the leaves of the immen leaf is perceived rather unpleasant, while lemon balm leaves exude a lemony, aromatic fragrance. The plants harvested at the beginning of the flowering period are the main ones used by the immen leaf. However, the roots are left out.
Significance for health, treatment and prevention.
In the field of medicine, various applications of the immen leaf can be found. It counts as a proven home remedy and as an insider tip for various ailments. For example, it is used for various types of inflammation. These include eye inflammation such as conjunctivitis, but also digestive complaints. Various inflammations in the gastrointestinal tract can be treated with immen leaf tea. In general, immen leaf has a germicidal, antiseptic effect. In addition, it is diuretic.Several cups of infusion tea a day flush the kidneys and bladder, and can thus help detoxify the body. Apart from this, in moderation, it has a blood purifying effect. The plant can help regulate menstrual discomfort. This is especially true when menstrual bleeding is absent or very light. It also has an antispasmodic effect. Dizziness and circulatory problems can be combated just as effectively as psychologically induced restlessness. Anxiety, depression and panic attacks can be treated with Immenblatt. It has a calming, sedative effect and can help to calm down after a stressful day. At the same time, tea with immen leaf is also suitable as an aid to falling asleep. Nevertheless, the plant should be taken only under supervision and with caution. In larger quantities, immen leaf can possibly have a negative effect on the body. Various side effects are discussed. These include vomiting and dizziness on the one hand, but also insomnia and severe headaches. When consumed excessively, Immenblatt can also cause paralysis and kidney damage. Liver damage and respiratory failure can also result. According to various experiments, Immenblatt is sometimes shown to be carcinogenic in animals. The studies concerning side effects in humans, however, are extremely contradictory. To what extent and to what degree side effects occur in humans has not been adequately studied.
