Red campion, also known as red wood carnation, is often found as an ornamental plant in parks. At the same time, its effect is also recognized in medicinal medicine.
Occurrence and cultivation of the red campion.
Today, the campion is mainly used as an ornamental plant in private gardens and parks. The red campion joins the plant species of the glue herbs. Judging by its appearance, it belongs to the carnation family. The perennial plant is native to Europe and Western Asia. In Germany it is widespread and sporadically it is also found in Morocco. Especially in moist environments, such as meadows and forests with loose soil, the campion thrives particularly well. The plant can be found in sunny or semi-shaded locations that are low in lime. The red campion reaches a height of 50 centimeters to one meter. Its flowers, which are pink to dark red, bloom only during the day. Admired can be the flower within the flowering period between May and November. The flowers have no smell of their own and small seeds develop from the flower. The seeds form from fall to early winter and are embedded in a capsule fruit (ovary with several carpels). The seeds are dark brown to black and poppy-like. Wind causes the seeds to be shaken out of the capsules, which makes the wood carnation reproduce especially quickly. The red campion, which grows mainly in a group, likes to cross with its relative campion. Therefore, there are often hybrids (hybrids).
Effect and application
What is the use of red campion in our society and is it still used at all? In folklore, red campion was used as a medicine for snakebites. The seeds of the plant were pounded with a mortar and then, to treat the snakebite, the pulp made from the seeds was applied to the affected area. In this case, the detoxifying effect contributes to the healing of wounds. The red campion also contains valuable hemolytic saponins. Saponins are substances that form foam in an aqueous solution after shaking. Red campion is said to have not only a detoxifying effect, but also an immunomodulating effect. Immunomodulation affects the immune system and can increase the natural immune response. Thus, such plants are used to treat infectious diseases. The root of the forest carnation can be used for skin cleansing. Boiling water is poured over the root and then the decoction can be applied to the skin as a cleanser. The skin is washed off with lukewarm water after application. A tincture can be prepared from the decoction. For this purpose, the strained brew is infused with alcohol and infused in a dark container for about two weeks. The tincture can be applied sparingly to a skin irritation, for example. The flowers of the campion are also processed. Here the production is similar to that of the Bach flowers. The essence that is produced is intended to strengthen the power of determination. For this purpose, the blooming flowers are harvested immediately. They are boiled and filtered several times before being bottled in a dark bottle. The flower water is filled up to half with brandy. This makes the essence durable and thus it lasts indefinitely. Another method is to soak the blossoms in pure spring water. After a steeping time of three hours in the sun, the bleached blossoms are fished out. The water is bottled and brandy is poured over it. In the past, the root of the red campion was used as soap. Today, the medicinal plant no longer plays a major role in medical treatment. Only in cosmetic products, such as perfumes or creams, the red campion is a common ingredient.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Extreme caution should be exercised when using red campion. Due to the saponins, which are contained, an overdose can have serious side effects. If too many saponins are ingested, they can damage the cell membrane. If they are administered intravenously, they have a strong hemolytic effect. This means that the membrane of the red blood cells dissolves. This gives rise to the belief that red campion has a toxic effect if the dose is too high. However, this has not been clearly proven. Sufficient information about the plant is absolutely necessary when taking it. Discuss the intake with a doctor or a pharmacist.If a therapy with a red campion is undertaken, a break should be taken after at least six weeks. This applies in principle to herbal therapy methods. The importance of the red campion has decreased from year to year. Today, the campion is mainly used as an ornamental plant in private gardens and parks. Due to the seeds, which are harvested between September and December, the plant is easy to grow yourself. By sowing in the spring in a sunny to semi-shaded location, the plant will thrive within a few weeks. By sowing, the plant quickly reproduces itself when the seeds are carried on by the wind in the fall. If the flowers are harvested, they are also suitable as an addition to a wildflower salad. However, the flowers should only be used if you are absolutely sure that they are the flowers of the red campion.
