The use of swamp brier has a long folk tradition. Even today, the plant is consumed in tea form by the indigenous people of North America. In the Western world, people use the effects of this now rare plant exclusively in homeopathically prepared form.
Occurrence and cultivation of swamp brier
The use of marsh brier has a long folk tradition. Even today, the plant is consumed in tea form by Native Americans. Swamp brier has the scientific name Ledum palustre and is part of the genus Rhododendron. These in turn belong to the heather family (Ericaceae). The plant grows shrubby, reaching heights of between 50 and 150 centimeters. It grows evergreen and can reach an age of up to 30 years. The formed branches bear a rusty brown color and have a felt-like pubescence. The leaves are leathery in texture and form a lancet shape. The swamp brier produces an essential oil. Both twigs and the wood of the plant smell pleasantly of camphor. The leaves have a strong aromatic scent and develop a very intense flavor, comparable to rosemary. Between May and July, the marsh spurge blooms. The flowers are located in a terminal umbel, are hermaphroditic and a total of five in number. The flowers are surrounded by five petals. These appear in white to pink color and reach a length between 5 and 25 millimeters. The stamens are ten in total. From the flower develop rather inconspicuous capsule fruits. These are egg-shaped and grow pendulously to a size of 3.5 to 4 millimeters. As soon as they are ripe – usually between July and August – the capsules open at the upper end and release elongated seeds. Today, swamp brier is found mainly in Scandinavia and the northern regions of America, as well as in the Baltic States. Some species also grow in Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland and other regions of the Czech Republic. In some countries the plant is listed as protected. This results from its preferred habitats: it likes raised bogs and moist, calcareous peat soils.
Effect and use
The use of swamp brier has a long tradition in medicine as well as in folk history. Shamans and prophets put themselves in a state of trance with the help of this plant. This was mainly done by inhaling the smoke or chewing the root. Native Americans use a tea made from swamp brier to treat severe menstrual cramps. Historical sources from Scandinavian countries tell about the use of the swamp brier plant in beer production. Contrary to the widespread use of hops, numerous bitter herbs were used for ancient Germanic beer. The swamp brier increased the shelf life of the beverage, gave it an aromatic taste and also had the reputation of enhancing its effect. There is also evidence of its use as a remedy against scabies and lice, and as an effective moth remedy. For this purpose, the affected people rubbed themselves with the fresh leaves. However, even skin contact with the essential oils can cause poisoning. Medieval healers also used the plant for dental problems. The strong effect of swamp bristle results from the essential oils it contains. About 2.5 percent of the essential oil is found in the leaves. However, the use of other parts of the plant also carries the risk of mild to severe poisoning. The main components of the oil are ledol and palustrol (both belong to the sesquiterpenes). Furthermore, oils such as quercetin, myrcene and ericolin; tannins, bitter substances and small amounts of alkaloids are contained. Poisoning is manifested by symptoms such as vomiting, inflammation of the gastric and intestinal mucosa with subsequent diarrhea. As a result, there is damage to the urinary tract and kidneys. The affected person is severely exhausted and longs for sleep. He gets sweating and muscle pain. In addition, consumers of swamp bristle easily enter a state of trance with dizziness and aggressive outbursts.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
The ingredients of swamp bristle have been poorly researched to date. Because of this, as well as the strong side effects, there is no use in conventional medicine today. Only homeopathically prepared Ledum Palustre is a versatile remedy to use. The main indication is for stab wounds.Humans and animals can benefit from the cooling and decongestant effect in case of insect bites and/or tick bites as well as bite injuries. As already reported in historical sources, swamp brier is also used in homeopathy for skin lesions and diseases of any kind. These include itching, hematomas, wound infections, cuts and acne. The globules can also be used as prevention of inflammatory skin changes after surgical procedures or administration of injections. Likewise, diseases of mucous membranes such as cold sores can be treated supportively. Due to its effect on the muscular system of the body, Ledum Palustre is also used for gout, rheumatism and arthritis as well as other inflammations of the joints, sprains and dislocations. The area of the eyes with possible bruises and inflammations is often treated with the help of a homeopathically prepared substance of the marsh bristle. Here a decongestant effect is particularly useful. The strong muscular strain on the chest that occurs with whooping cough can be alleviated by marsh spurge. Due to the numerous, strong and spasmodic coughing fits, the muscles are overstimulated. Swamp brier has a loosening and irritation-relieving effect here. The Inuit as well as Indian tribes still prepare the so-called Labrador Tea. It is said to have a variety of healing effects.