The common liverwort, Hepatica nobilis, is a buttercup. The flower, which has become rare, is a protected species and still has its importance in natural medicine. Used are flowers and leaves, but only in dried form, because the plant has a slightly toxic effect.
Occurrence and cultivation of the common liverwort.
The perennial plant grows about 20 centimeters high, while the roots grow about twice as deep into the ground. The name indicates: Liverwort finds its main use in liver and gallbladder diseases, partly because its leaf shape resembles a human liver. There are two different views about the genus affiliation. Carl von Linné published the liverwort as Anemone hepatica in 1753, thus classifying it with the anemones (wood anemones). Johann Christian von Schreber gave it the name Hepatica nobilis in 1771 and assigned it to the genus Hepatica. Europe, East Asia and the eastern part of North America are the home of the liverwort. In Central Europe, the plant is one of the native early bloomers and can be found in the company of wood anemones, early violets and lesser celandine. The perennial plant grows about 20 centimeters high, while the roots grow about twice as deep into the soil. Therefore, it is counted among the deep-rooted plants. It blooms in March/April, in warm winters even as early as February, and appreciates a continental climate. It prefers to grow on calcareous, preferably stony soils, which should not be too moist. The blue to purple flower is mainly found in deciduous forests, especially in oak and beech forests. Its distribution area is not uniform. On the one hand, it can still be found in the Alps up to 1500 meters above sea level. While east of the Elbe it is rarely seen. The liverwort is therefore a protected species and may not be dug up or picked.
Effect and application
The signature doctrine made the common liverwort a valued medicinal plant in the Middle Ages and it served many a superstition. Milk cans, for example, were cleaned with the herbs because farmers hoped to get more milk from their cows. Sick rooms were fumigated with leaves and blossoms of the liverwort to prevent pathogens from spreading. More concrete was the treatment of liver and gall bladder. A decoction was drunk from the leaves and wine to strengthen the liver and cleanse the kidneys and bladders. Liverwort was also used against jaundice. To treat mouth sores and tonsillitis, patients gargled with the decoction. And externally, the fresh leaves were used to heal wounds. Even against tuberculosis and gonorrhea, the plant was considered curative. Chewing liverwort leaves was supposed to help with lung diseases. Modern herbal medicine still appreciates the effect of the flower, even though evidence-based medicine does not attribute any effect to it. Hepatica nobilis is considered slightly poisonous. This applies to all parts of the flower because, like all buttercups, it contains protoanemonin, which is released when the plant is injured. Skin or mucous membrane contact may cause itching, redness or blistering, known as buttercup dermatitis. Used internally, liverwort affects the nervous system, possibly causing paralysis, convulsions, dizziness, diarrhea and vomiting. When dried, the toxic protoanemonin becomes the non-toxic secondary plant compound anemonin, which is said to have analgesic, antispasmodic and antibiotic effects. Other constituents are glycosides, enzymes and saponins. Unlike in the Middle Ages, the plant is therefore used today mainly dried, with leaves and flowers being used. Only for homeopathic preparation fresh plant leaves are taken.
Significance for health, treatment and prevention.
Like many medicinal plants of the Middle Ages, which grew mainly in monastery gardens, liverwort lost its importance over the years. Despite all this, the plant still has its place in alternative medicine. The areas of application in modern herbal medicine have remained largely the same and are mainly aimed at the liver and gall bladder. Coughs, bronchitis, digestive problems and wounds continue to be treated with the liverwort. The fact that the plant is now rarely used also has to do with the fact that it is a protected plant.However, with a little luck, it can be cultivated in the home garden, in the shade of a cottage garden, and used for medicinal purposes. Care should be taken when touching the fresh plant, as it can cause allergic reactions. Tinctures were and are popularly used for gall and liver ailments. They can be prepared in different ways. Once from dried herb with grain. Allow to infuse at room temperature for three weeks, then strain. Ten drops of it on a piece of sugar support bile and liver. Just like the medieval healers, herbalists today still appreciate the decoction of white wine, of which three teaspoons are taken daily for indigestion, which is also recommended for cystitis. For detoxification of the liver, this tincture should be taken for several weeks. To increase the effect on the liver, it is recommended to combine it with celandine, milk thistle and dandelion. For cleansing the bladder and kidneys is suitable tea, which must infuse for six to ten hours. Drink two cups of it daily. However, be sure to prepare the tea with cold water, otherwise it will taste very bitter. The decoction can also be used for gargling in case of gingivitis or a chronically irritated throat. Pregnant women should not take liverwort because of the risk of premature labor.
