Benefits and contraindications of the pimpernel Do you know the plant called pimpernel? Here we will explain about the benefits and contraindications of the pimpernel, but first we will analyze its botanical aspect.
The pimpernel is a widespread plant in Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia.
It is cultivated in the north and northeast of China for commercial use. It has naturalized in some parts of North America.
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plant description
It grows on sunny hills and overgrown vacant lots; It is a perennial plant from 20 to 60 cm tall.
The stem, which arises from a thick, fleshy rhizome, is erect (sometimes ascending), cylindrical, branched, and violet in color. The leaves are imparipinnate, with short petioles and small stipules that are welded to the petioles. The broad oval leaflets are toothed, hairless, and have short petioles.
The globular heads are made up of small flowers: those at the base are staminiferous, those in the center are hermaphrodite, and those at the top are pistiliferous. The calyx is reddish brown and there is no corolla. The stamens have red filaments and yellow anthers.
This species grows in the south, west and center of Europe.
In central Europe, the species S. muricata, from eastern Europe, has become acclimatized; the membranous calyx is traversed by a clearly visible network.
Two similar species grow in the Iberian Peninsula: S. hybrida, a sticky plant with glandular hairs, and S. ancistroides, which, devoid of glandular hairs, forms small flower heads (these heads are no more than approximately 1 cm in diameter). .
Plant Parts Used: The fresh or dried rhizomes, roots, and aerial parts of herbs have been used in herbal medicine.
The aerial parts are collected when the plant is in flower.
The root and rhizomes are usually harvested in the fall and cut, washed, and dried for later use. It is better to use roots of plants that are a few years old. The taste of the root is bitter and sour.
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pimpernel health benefits
The main substances found in the pimpernel are flavonoids, saponins, ursolic acid, arabinose, essential oil, vitamin C and tannins.
The scientific name Sanguisorba refers to the medicinal properties of the herbs where “anguis” means blood and “sorb” means “to absorb”.
For centuries, the plant has been used primarily as a hemostatic agent in both Chinese and Western herbal medicine.
Pimpernel rhizomes contain a large amount of tannins (up to 17%) that are responsible for astringent properties, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory from the herb.Pimpernel benefits and contraindications
In both Chinese and Western herbal medicine, a decoction of the root has been used internally for heavy menstrual bleeding, blood in the stool and urine, bleeding hemorrhoids, and uterine bleeding.
Due to the astringent and anti-inflammatory action of the plant, it has been used in the treatment of a variety of digestive disorders, such as diarrhea, dysentery, enteritis, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.
Pimpernel has shown in vitro an inhibitory effect on many pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
You can make a mouthwash with the herb and use it as an herbal treatment for swollen gums and swollen tonsils.
Pimpernel has been used externally as a folk remedy for nose bleeds, wounds, burns, eczema, rash, boils and hemorrhoids.Pimpernel benefits and contraindications
The leaves and young shoots have a pleasant flavor and can be eaten raw or in salads. For this use, the plant must be harvested before it flowers.
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Dosage and administration
To treat burns, the powdered root can be mixed with sesame oil and then applied to the affected areas.
In Chinese herbal medicine, the normal daily dose for internal uses is 10-15 g. For external use, the recommendation is “as much as necessary”.
For more information on an appropriate dosage for a specific condition, a trained herbalist or health care provider should be consulted. Let’s see, next, the contraindications of the pimpernel.
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Contraindications of the pimpernel
Avoid excessive consumption or in high concentrations, as it can cause polyuria (excessive urination volume), tremors and seizures.
The plant contains saponins which are known to cause an external allergic reaction such as skin irritations and rashes in some people.
Due to the lack of research or studies on the subject, it should not be used by women who are breastfeeding or during pregnancy.
As it is high in tannins, this herb should not be used continuously for a long time as it can cause constipation.
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