At first glance, true speedwell might be mistaken for a weed by the wayside. Only a second glance reveals that it is a very versatile medicinal plant with a long history.
Occurrence and cultivation of the true speedwell
The forest speedwell shows, prefers according to its name forests, where it grows in small carpets, but it can also be found on meadows, roadsides and heaths. The true speedwell (Veronica officinalis), also called forest speedwell, belongs to the plantain family. The vernacular also calls it medicinal speedwell, wound healing herb or all-round healing herb. In addition to the true forest speedwell, there are other speedwell species such as the Gamander speedwell and the Persian speedwell. According to its name, the forest speedwell prefers forests where it grows in small carpets, but it can also be found in meadows, along roadsides and in heaths. It is a perennial plant and each spring it sprouts hairy stems up to 30 cm tall, with oval leaves that have fine hairs and serrated leaf edges. In the flowering period from July to September, small bright blue lanceolate flowers with a white spot in the center grow arranged in clusters. Because of its appearance, true speedwell can easily be confused with forget-me-not, but speedwell has four petals, while forget-me-not has five.
Effect and application
The name speedwell and the other names already show what great importance was attached to the plant in earlier times. In the Middle Ages, it was considered the miracle cure par excellence and, in addition to the expectorant, diuretic and blood-purifying effect, it was also attributed a great healing power in plague and leprosy. Areas of application were diseases of the respiratory tract, skin, problems with the stomach and metabolic diseases. The herb was dried and usually prepared as a tea. For use as a medicinal herb, above-ground parts are used. They are collected in the flowering period in May-June, then dried and processed in various ways into different products:
For a tea, speedwell is usually not used alone, but is processed together with other medicinal herbs to make a tea mixture, because a tea made only from speedwell tastes too bitter. For a tea that promotes expectoration in respiratory diseases, according to ancient tradition, speedwell is mixed with coltsfoot, ribwort and lungwort. For urinary tract infections, rheumatism and gout, a mixture of speedwell and oak bark is made into a tea. Kneipp suggested a mixture of speedwell, field horsetail, common waywort or centaury. For stomach/intestinal or digestive problems, a tea mixture of strawberry leaves, field horsetail and wormwood or of speedwell, mint, centaury and juniper is used. Instead of tea, it can also be made into fresh juice. For this, the fresh speedwell herb is pressed and drunk. A water for gargling made of speedwell and alum is used for inflammation and ulceration of the mouth and throat. To make a wound balm, 250 ml of speedwell juice and 250 ml of grain brandy are mixed. The mixture is then left to infuse for a few days, after which Venetian soap, 250 ml of alcohol and 100 ml of rose water are added, warmed and mixed well to distribute all the ingredients evenly. This balm is an effective remedy for skin diseases and minor burns. Speedwell can be bought in pharmacies and herbal shops, but it can also be collected by yourself in dry forests, meadows and roadsides.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
As a medicinal plant, true speedwell was first mentioned in the 16th century and at that time was used internally for plague fever, complaints of the lungs, stomach, intestines, kidneys, bladder, liver, spleen, uterus and consumption, and externally for inflamed wounds and skin problems. The botanist Johannes Francus him at the end of the 17th century even 300 pages in a treatise and came thereby correctly into the raving about the various effects. Terms such as “all-round healing” reflect the comprehensive importance that the speedwell had at that time. In the course of time, its importance was increasingly relativized, and today it plays a much smaller role than in earlier times. Many of the effects it was said to have could not be proven, so its use is not advised.But in folk medicine and homeopathy, speedwell has been able to maintain its place. Speedwell has a wide range of effects on the body:
Due to its blood purifying effect, it helps with chronic skin diseases, especially if they are also associated with itching, such as neurodermatitis and psoriasis. Speedwell also helps against the unpleasant itch of old age. It stimulates the metabolism and has a beneficial effect in reducing excess weight. Liver and bile complaints are also positively influenced by the use of speedwell. In general, speedwell harmonizes the body and can regulate a sensitive stomach and intestines, also balances symptoms of exhaustion and stress, especially in combination with mental overwork. It has antispasmodic and relaxing effects, including headaches, migraines and rush of blood to the head. In colds, speedwell promotes expectoration, it cures cystitis. The priest Kneipp also advocates it as an expectorant for gout and consumption. In homeopathy, speedwell is mainly used for chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis and swelling of the lymph glands. For strengthening it is used in kidney diseases and kidney gravel. Tea mixtures with speedwell can be used for healing, but also as a cure for prevention.
