Water Wort is one of the most popular medicinal plants. It primarily strengthens the immune system and is therefore a helpful companion for all colds. In addition, it supports all detoxification processes in the body due to its excretory effect.
Occurrence and cultivation of water astragalus
The appearance of the leaves is reminiscent of hemp leaves, hence the popular name “water hemp”. Belonging to the daisy family, the water astragalus plant is also known as Kunigundenkraut or water hemp. There are about 45 species of this genus worldwide. It belongs to the composite family (Asteraceae). Only three species are suitable for use as a medicinal herb. These include the common waterweed (Eupatorium cannabinum), the marsh waterweed (Eupatorium perfoliatum) and the purple waterweed (Eupatorium purpureum). Common waterweed is native to Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. Other species also grow in North America and East Asia. Its preferred habitat is moist, along stream banks and ditches, and along forest edges. Water Wort is a perennial plant and grows herbaceous or shrubby. The plant reaches a height of growth between 150 and 300 centimeters. Its leaves are long-stalked, pointed, rough-surfaced, and slant upward. They resemble hemp leaves in appearance, hence the popular name “water hemp”. The flowering period of the waterhemp begins in July. The flowers grow in the so-called umbel form and take on a pink coloration. The flowering period is also the best collecting period.
Effect and application
Naturopathy uses the whole herb, because especially in it there are valuable essential oils. Furthermore, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, triterpenes, flavonoids, polysaccharides, tannins and the benzofuran derivative euparin are components of the herb of the water astragalus. Even in ancient times, Greek physicians were aware of the healing properties of the water astragalus plant. At that time, seeds and leaves were mixed with wine to make a tincture, which was advised for liver complaints and diarrhea. But also in case of fever and after a poisonous snakebite, water odor was traditionally prescribed. Its stimulating and draining function stimulates the bladder and kidneys and was therefore recommended to people with edema. Thus, the excess stored water should be excreted. The leaves of the common water astragal have already been shown to have a bile-stimulating and liver-protecting effect. Other uses were found in external skin diseases such as ulcers, eczema and bruises. An ointment made from the leaves of waterbush was supposed to promote the healing process here. This information can already be found in textbooks from the Middle Ages. Likewise, the recommendation to use water thistle in cases of loss of virility was handed down, since the plant triggers drug-like mechanisms of action. In folk medicine, constituents of water astragalus were also used as a weak laxative. From North America – among the Native American cultures – it has been handed down that water dost is used for cold symptoms such as sore throat, cough, cold and fever. This indication is still valid today. For all non-specific complaints, the herb is recommended as an effective immunostimulant. This use is similar to that of the red coneflower (Echinaceae purpurea). However, the water astragal is more productive, since the entire herb can be used. Moreover, it is possible to collect it wild. Water odor can be used as a tea, liquid extract or tincture. Products made from this herb are available only in pharmacies. To prepare a tea, one teaspoon of the dried herb is poured over 250 ml of boiling water. After a 10-minute infusion time, the infusion is ready for consumption. The recommendation is to drink one cup three times a day. To support bile and liver after excessive alcohol consumption, two cups of this tea should be drunk after a time interval of two hours. Liquid extracts and tinctures contain extracts of the plant dissolved in alcohol. However, they also contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These have a liver-toxic and carcinogenic effect. Furthermore, they alter DNA. Therefore, an exclusively external application, only over short periods of time is recommended. Children and pregnant and breastfeeding women should generally refrain from using the product.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Nowadays, water astragalus is primarily used to increase the body’s immune defenses. Especially at the onset of flu-like infections, this herb supports the body. As is common in naturopathy, the best effect is achieved when you start using it at the first signs of illness. Experiments on animals have proven that the content of sesquiterpene lactones and polysaccharides have an immune-stimulating effect. Thus, success has been achieved in flu-like infections, bronchitis and congested airways. Likewise, its use is recommended for fever and rheumatic diseases. Water dost is also prepared in homeopathy. The remedy is called Eupatorium perfoliatum and is offered in the potency D6. It is also used for flu-like and febrile infections. Especially in infections with accompanying symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, dry and painful cough, and inflamed sinuses, which occurred as a result of damp and cold weather. But also in the following, so-called convalescence phase, a stabilization of the immune system is necessary, in order to avoid an early re-infection. The diuretic and generally excretory effect of water dost allows a wide range of applications, from bile and liver detoxification, to the treatment of bladder and urethral infections, as well as diseases of the kidneys. Since the excretion is not only through the urinary tract, but in the holistic view also through the skin, the water dost can be used equally supportive for skin diseases.
