Many people call it a weed because of its extreme vitality and ability to suppress neighboring plants. But in folk medicine, this crop holds an important place. Knotweed herb – the medicinal properties and contraindications of this creeping bramble have been known for a long time. Knotweed is absolutely undemanding, growing everywhere and quickly spreading across the site. A dense carpet of sprawling, prostrate stems displaces any grass that has the misfortune to grow nearby.
Knotweed is generally a universal plant. It is not only medicinal but also edible. Geese and humans alike enjoy the young stems with pleasure, and wild birds love the seeds. Knotweed is also a natural dye.
Knotweed Herb – Medicinal Properties and Contraindications
The leaves and small flowers of the plant contain many beneficial substances. Saponins and coumarins, flavonoids and essential oils, organic acids and much more. These give the herb healing properties and the ability to positively affect the human body.
Medicinal decoctions, infusions, and tinctures, even juices based on knotweed, are effective for:
- cleansing the blood and increasing its coagulability;
- strengthening capillaries;
- lowering blood pressure;
- preventing the formation of stones in the kidneys and bladder, as well as crushing stones and expelling sand;
- stopping bleeding and inflammation;
- promoting healing of various skin lesions, as well as ulcers;
- stimulating the ovaries and helping with infertility;
- relieving swelling;
- acting as antipyretic, expectorant, and antimicrobial agents.
When Knotweed Should Not Be Used for Treatment
Due to the wide range of beneficial properties of this plant, knotweed should be taken with caution in the presence of certain other conditions. Thus, it is absolutely unacceptable to take any form of medication based on it if there is:
- varicose veins;
- thrombophlebitis;
- heart disease;
- gastritis with high acidity;
- bladder and kidney diseases in the acute inflammation stage;
- increased blood clotting.
In addition, knotweed is contraindicated for pregnant women and young children. Individual intolerance to the plant is also possible.