Toadflax – effect and application
The common toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) is an old medicinal plant, which today is almost completely forgotten. In the Celtic it was to Believe, both as a magical plant, as well as a medicinal plant very popular. Especially wounds, inflammation, and digestive disorders were treated in ancient times, often with toadflax. Here you can learn more about the healing effect and application of the tradition to plant with the peculiar-shaped yellow flowers.
Table of contents
Plug-in letter to Common toadflax
Scientific Name: Linaria vulgaris
Plant Family: Plantain Family (Plantaginaceae)
Folk Names: Druut, Mrs Flax, Flat Herb, The Urinary Herb, Marie Flax, Baby Snapdragon, Take Herb
Plant Parts Used: Leaves
Origin: Europe
Main Active Ingredients: Flavonoids, Carboxylic Acids
Areas of application:
- Skin and mucosa inflammation,
- Digestive disorders,
- The treatment of wounds.
Herbs portrait: A Celtic protection herb
The Central Europe common toadflax counts as all Leinkräuter to the family of the plantain or figwort family (Plantaginaceae). Originally, it grew preferentially in the coastal forests with gravelly subsoil. As the man began around 7,000 years ago with the systematic clearing of forests in order to gain arable land was also distributed to the toadflax apparently out of his natural habitat. However, the Plant was unruly and sought to arable land, Gravel and stony roadsides a new home. Here it was the people mainly due to its peculiar-shaped, bright yellow lips, flowers. You remind a little of the throat of a lion, thus the nickname “small lion’s mouth”.
A special importance had the common toadflax in the case of the Celts. For example, toadflax was seen, according to the Celtic tree horoscope as a protective herb for people who were born under the sign of the poplar, or cedar. The birth date is either February, may or August, February, apply, especially as a cold month, may to August, as feared in the case of pollen Allergy sufferers. Similarly, it was faith in Celtic but as incense for protection against evil curses and imprecations. Those who wanted to preserve his home against defamation, hung, moreover, a bundle of toadflax on the house entrance. As a medicinal plant, the green parts of plants of Linaria were vulgaris of the Celts, in particular, for the treatment of
- allergic Inflammation,
- Inflammation of the eyes,
- Respiratory infections,
- Cystitis,
- Inflammation of the gallbladder,
- Ulcers,
- Skin reactions including shock,
- Inflammation Of The Liver (Hepatitis),
- Gastro-Intestinal Inflammation,
- Inflammation of the kidney,
- Water Retention (Edema)
- and wounds used.
It is striking that the applications, especially on sore or inflamed skin, mucous membranes and organ tissue concentrated.
Ingredients and effect
The inflammation and wound-healing properties of Linaria vulgaris effect of flavonoids and carbon-based inhibitory mostly on the Combination of acids. They should actually protect the Plant against Predation and disease. Since the plants active compounds, the toadflax is particularly robust in the face of inhospitable locations, as well as pests and germs, it has survived all the extinction measures of the people, in Spite of the millennia. Fortunately, because the protective ingredients of the Leinkrauts can do for human health a lot of Good.
Flavonoids as an all-round talent
Flavonoids are secondary plant substances are, due to their
- anti-allergenic,
- anti-oxidant,
- anti-microbial,
- anti-viral,
- blood-pressure-lowering,
- anti-inflammatory,
- vascular protective
- and antispasmodic
Effects are a very important component of many medicines. Especially medicines for
- allergic reactions
for example, in the case of skin irritation or eye irritation, - Vascular and circulatory disorders
for example, in the case of high blood pressure, heart disease or Edema, - Gastro-Intestinal Complaints
for example, in the case of abdominal cramps, or intestinal inflammation, - other inflammatory diseases of the organs of
for example, cystitis or inflammation of the liver
not come without a certain amount of flavonoid content often.
Since flavonoids are dosed in the Common toadflax is especially high, can help the herb also in the case of the above-mentioned health complaints. The most important flavonoid substances in Linaria vulgaris are Linarin and Pectolinarin. It is special flavonoids, which occur only in the Ordinary course of toadflax.
Trivia: In vivo flavonoids are also anti-carcinogenic effect to be demonstrated. This will be discussed, therefore, as a possible natural substances in cancer therapy.
Carboxylic acids are not only active against inflammation
Carboxylic acids are organic substances which have similar flavonoids are a very multi-layered effect. In the toadflax, especially the following carboxylic acids are included:
Formic acid
- fungicidal (antifungal),
- anti-inflammatory
- and disinfecting.
Malic acid
- anti-microbial,
- blood sugar lowering,
- detoxifying,
- purifying,
- analgesic,
- metabolism
- and carminative.
Citric acid
- anti-bacterial,
- detoxifying,
- dewatering,
- diuretic
- and urinary stone as a preventive measure.
Due to the high content of hair brightening formic acid toadflax by the Celts and was used even for Bleaching of the hair. With a view to the healing effect of toadflax help the plant’s own carboxylic acids, in particular, in the case of the
- The treatment of wounds,
- The inhibition of inflammation,
- Resolution of digestive problems
- and urinary tract disorders.
Just the diuretic and urinary tract tonic effect of citric acid is by another, the carboxylic acids anverwandtes plant extract supported by the so-called Iridoiden. These are made of multiple sugar existing Compounds for their antimicrobial and diuretic effect is known, what is especially in the case of bladder infections, is a valuable aid.
Caution Danger Of Confusion!
The lip flowers of the Leinkrauts are the reason for this is that it is like a plantain plant, namely, the real lions tooth (Anthirrhinum) confused! This is not toxic, in contrast to the “small lion’s mouth” but no healing effect.
Due to its healing effect on the urinary tract is toadflax too happy with the also strong diuretic bedstraw confused. The medicinal plant that blooms yellow and has a similar show high Flavonoid and Iridoidmengen. In addition, bedstraw, as well as toadflax as the “urinary herb”, which makes for more misinterpretation.
Application and dosage
It is harvested is the common toadflax during the flowering period, between may and October. It is important that only the aboveground plant parts as herbal, where the Plant should be dried soon after harvest. The ingredients of the Linaria vulgaris generate a very intense, sharp, bitter smell that you only get by sufficient drying.
Tea made from toadflax is very versatile
No matter whether it is diseases of the bladder or other organ, on the inside of the Linaria seems vulgaris as a tea. Self-purification in the course of a diet toadflax is applied to tea. Also Edema, and other vascular diseases respond positively to toadflax tea. An envelope with a tea soaked compress can also help with skin irritations or eye infections.
Who would like to try it with a natural bleaching, can try it with a decoction of the Leinkrauts, wherein the herbs are already in high doses. Otherwise, the following Dosage are recommended for toadflax tea:
Two teaspoons of dried toadflax in a Cup with 250 milliliters of boiling water and broth for about ten minutes. After the tea is filtered and can (if necessary with a little honey two refined to be enjoyed) – up to three times a day.
Side effects and contra-indications
- An Overdose of toadflax tea can lead to the strong dehydrating effect of watery diarrhea.
- Just people who think that toadflax is particularly fast slimming, you should be careful in that regard.
- Unsuitable Linaria vulgaris for pregnant women, because to date no study results demonstrating that toadflax for children is harmless.
Studies on the effect of toadflax
Since toadflax to an almost forgotten Celtic healing herb, there are currently many studies that show its healing effect. A couple of interesting results to be found yet.
So the sanitizer has not been proven effect of Linaria vulgaris, although scientifically, the antioxidant effect of the Leinkrauts however, in a study already demonstrated. He was associated in the investigation with the plant Flavonoid Linarin.
A previously unknown, originated in Africa and, in the end, toadflax, called Linaria tingitana was also recently in terms of anti-inflammatory effect. It was in a study in vivo on its wound healing effects, which have been tested in inflammatory Edema formation in cell samples. With success, wherein the inflammation is due to the inhibitory properties on the iridoids of the Leinkrauts.
Toadflax buy
Toadflax tea is still relatively unknown, which is why you have to search a little to find him in the pharmacy or online. It is important, as is the case with all herbal supplements, to pay attention to trusted sources.
Conclusion
The toadflax is an extremely persistent medicinal herb, the bristles alone, by his strong will to Survive in the forbidding terrain as hard to get as a traditional herb in oblivion. For good reason, because toadflax acts has been proven to support with inflammation.
You can prepare the herb quite easily as a tea, either internally or externally to apply. Only the strong drainage effect of the Leinkrauts be warned at this point, because they can cause Overdose diarrhea. (ma)