SMARTWEED

                                                                                                             Polygonum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smartweed is effective as an extract against coughs & colds & crushing the fresh herb & using it as a plaster for congestion is common practice. 
The seed is carminative, diuretic & stimulant.
Plant have contraceptive effects.
Smartweed extracts have hemostatic properties & they lower the blood pressure.

The whole plant, either on its own or mixed with other herbs, can be decocted & used in the treatment of diarrhea, dyspepsia, itching skin.
Smartweed tea can be taken to stop bleeding from hemorrhoids, as well as menstrual bleeding & other uterine bleeding.
Leaf tea used for heart ailments, stomachaches, inflammation, sore throat & as a diuretic.
Also used against kidney stones.
Leaf tea also used as a foot soak for pain in legs & feet.Leaves are used in the treatment of piles, menstrual pains & other menstrual complaints.
Sufferers from rheumatism will benefit by using an infusion in their bath water, as well as drinking 2 cups of tea a day.
Decoction of leaves & flowers taken for stomach pain.
An infusion has been used as a treatment for gravel.
A decoction of the plant, mixed with flour, has been used as a poultice to help relieve pain.

Put smartweed directly on the skin to wash bloody wounds.
Smartweed leaves contain rutin, which helps strengthen fragile capillaries &  helps prevent bleeding.
A poultice of the plant is used in treating swollen & inflamed areas. Whole plant poultice used for general pain, poison ivy rash & insect repellent.

The juice of the plant, mixed with a bit of water, is effective on sores that have developed pus.
For toothache, try a few bruised leaves placed between cheek & gum.
For thrush, mouth ulcers & sore throat, gargle using a cold infusion.
Externally its applied as a poultice or infusion for bruises, inflammation, ulcers, hard to heal wounds, gangrene & tumors.
Crushing some fresh leaves & dabbing in the ear on a cotton bud may relieve earache.

PRECAUTIONS:

When the fresh plant is handled it can cause skin irritation & swelling.
Smartweed can irritate the tissues that line the stomach & intestines, making ulcers & GI problems worse. Avoid using smartweed if you have ulcers or another GI disorder.
People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition.

RECIPES:

Leaves & young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked.
Take seed raw or cooked. It is rather small & fiddly.

Cold Infusion:

Heating or drying the plant can destroy the properties, therefore, an infusion is preferable with
2 tsp of finely chopped or crushed fresh leaves added to
1 cup of cold water
stir vigorously & leave to steep 5-10 minutes.
Take 1-3 cups a day.
Honey may be added to sweeten.

MAGIC:

A folk use for smartweed was to put a handful of the herb under the saddle of your horse if you wanted it to travel long distances. It is said the herb would spur the horse on & also allay thirst.