Sundew is one of the lesser known medicinal plants. Among other things, it can be used to relieve cramping cough.
Occurrence and cultivation of sundew
A typical feature of the plant are the clear droplets that shine on it. Behind these droplets, however, is a sticky liquid. Round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) is a carnivorous plant. It belongs to the sundew family (Droseraceae) and has adhesive glands on its leaves. A typical feature of the plant are the clear droplets that shine on it. Behind these droplets, however, is a sticky liquid. It is mistaken for nectar by insects, so they land on the sundew. If an insect sticks there, it becomes prey for the carnivorous plant and is digested by it. The growth height of the round-leaved sundew is a maximum of 30 centimeters. Its round leaves arrange themselves in a basal rosette. A raceme-like inflorescence is formed by the white flowers. The flowering period of the medicinal plant lasts from June to August. The round-leaved sundew is native to North America, East Asia and Europe. It is also found in Germany. Since the species is considered endangered, it is protected in this country. For this reason, the plant may not be collected in nature itself.
Effect and application
Since the 12th century, round-leaved sundew has been used by people as a medicinal plant. For this purpose, all parts of the plant except the root are used. In the sundew herb there are substances such as plumbagin. These are derived from 1,4-naphtoquinone. The naphtoquinones are said to contribute to the healing efficacy of the plant. Thus, naphtoquinone has a cough-relieving and antispasmodic effect. Other ingredients are flavonoids, tannins, mucilage, bitter substances, malic acid, formic acid, citric acid, anthocyanin and essential oils. There are different ways to use sundew. The plant can be used in the form of ready-made preparations, as a tea or as a tincture. Nowadays, it is mainly ready-made products that are used. The traditional way of application is drinking sundew tea. For this purpose, a cup of hot boiled water is poured over a teaspoon of sundew herb. The subsequent infusion time is 10 minutes. After straining the tea, it can be taken in small sips. The common dose is one to two cups per day. Due to the strong effect of sundew, experts do not recommend more than two cups of tea a day. In case of overdose, there is a risk of shortness of breath and coughing fits. In addition, after a period of application of six weeks, a break should be taken to avoid negative long-term effects. Moreover, in this way the effectiveness of the medicinal plant is maintained, as no habituation occurs. At the end of the break, the sundew tea may be used again for six weeks. Another treatment option is the tincture. This can also be prepared by the patient. For this purpose, dried or fresh sundew is poured into a screw-top jar. The contents of the jar are then poured over with ethyl alcohol or double grain schnapps. The mixture must be left to infuse for a period of two to six weeks in order to develop its healing properties. After straining, the user fills the contents of the glass into a dark bottle. One to three times a day, 10 to 20 drops of the tincture can be taken. It can also be easily diluted with water. Ready-made preparations of sundew such as drops, syrup or pastilles are also available in pharmacies. Thus, there are tinctures as well as homeopathic extracts such as globules or drops. Homeopathy often combines sundew with other remedies, which is called a complex remedy.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
As a medicinal plant, round-leaved sundew has been used since the late Middle Ages. Even at that time, it was used to treat cough complaints. At the beginning of the 14th century, the physician Arnoldus de Villanova researched the medicinal effects of the plant and used it to produce his well-known “golden water,” which he praised as a panacea. However, the research results of the physician fell victim to the Inquisition. Later, the sundew found use against tuberculosis, epilepsy, warts, infertility and psychosis.In modern times, the medicinal plant is used primarily to treat respiratory diseases such as cough, spasmodic cough, whooping cough, bronchitis and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). For internal use, ready-made preparations, teas or tinctures are used to combat cough symptoms. For example, sundew has an expectorant and antispasmodic effect. In this way, the patient can cough up the cough mucus easily and in a relaxed manner. Furthermore, sundew has an anti-inflammatory effect. This counteracts inflammatory processes within the respiratory tract. Sundew also has an antibiotic effect. Thus, it fights bacteria responsible for diseases such as bronchitis, whooping cough, tuberculosis or pneumonia. However, sundew should only be used in support of a therapy with antibiotics. Less known is the effectiveness of sundew for digestive problems. It can also be used against high blood pressure. When sundew is used internally, the urine takes on a green-brown color. This is due to increased protein breakdown within the organism. Sundew can also be used externally in the form of an ointment or tincture. In the case of skin diseases, baths are taken, compresses are applied or the affected areas are rubbed. As a homeopathic remedy, sundew is used under the name Drosera. In low or medium potencies, the remedy is used to treat cough and other respiratory diseases.
