Bitter Milkwort is a perennial, flowering plant belonging to polygalaceae family, that grows about 5-15cm in height in grassland and damp mountain pastures, especially on chalk and Limestone. Its stems are branched at the base, decumbent or ascending.
Plant Description
• It basal leaves form a rosette, while the cauline leaves are alternate, oblong-cuneate or obovate-lanceolate. The leaf blades are smooth edged and undivided.
• It has blue or occasionally white or pink flowers and of the 5 sepals, the 2 lateral ones are large, petal-like, patent and 3-veined.
• It Fruit is an obcorDate capsule, compressed at die sides and enclosed in the sepals. The Fruit consists of two (2) Black Seeds.
• Its flowers and roots can be used as medicine. People take Bitter Milkwort for breathing problems, Cough, and Bronchitis.
History
Types & Varieties
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
Key Actions
• Bitter
• Diaphoretic
• Diuretic
• Emollient
• Mildly Expectorant
• Galactogogue.
Usable Parts
Root (Seneca Snakeroot), aerial parts and root (Bitter Milkwort)
Directions of Preparation
• For infusions, add 1 teaspoon of dried plant (root and/or aerial parts) in a cup of hot boiled water. Drink 1 cup a day.
• For Decoction, add 4 teaspoons of dry leaves in 3/4 cup of water and Boil for at least 15 minutes. Take 1 teaspoon every 3 hrs.
Recommended Dosage
For Cough, Boil 4 tablespoon of its leaves in 1 cup of water for 2-3 hrs, then cool and take 1 tablespoon every 3 hrs or Boil 100g its root in 1/2 liter of wine for 10 minutes, allow it to cool for 2 hrs and Strain. Drink 1 tablespoon 4 times a day.
For Bronchitis, put 1 teaspoon of shredded, dried Bitter Milkwort in boiling water, steep it for 20 minutes, then strain and drink it 4-5 times a day.
For Asthma, add 3 teaspoon of dried powder in the boiling water, steep it for 15 minutes, then strain and drink it 4-5 times a day.
As an Expectorant, mix 1 tablespoon of dry powder in 100 ml of boiling water, allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes, then strain and drink it in 5-6 innings a day.
For Whooping Cough, add 3 teaspoon of its powder in a cup of water (200ml) and Boil for 4 minutes, then leave it covered for 20 minutes. strain and drink 1 tsp at a time when needed.
For croup, prepare a decoction of 2g Bitter Milkwort in 300 ml of water and Boil for 5 minutes, then leave it covered for 10 minutes and Strain. Drink 3 cups in a day.
Its Active Constituents:
• Bitter Milkwort contain:
• A volatile oil,
• Gaultherin
• Mucilage
• Seneca Snakeroot contain:
• Triterpenoid Saponins (including sengins),
• Methyl salicylate,
• Polygalitol,
• Plant sterols.
Note:
* Don’t confuse Bitter Milkwort (polygala amara) with (as all the three (3) plants are sometimes called snakeroot):
• Asarabacca (asarum europaeum) or Senega (polygala senega).
Health Benefits of Bitter Milkwort
Detoxification
• Its used for stomach, kidney and bladder disorders, Amenorrhea and rheumatism.
• Its Saponin Glycosides also stimulate the Sweat glands to increase perspiration and when taken in large amounts, they increase the urinary output and act as purgatives to cause Vomiting and Diarrhea.
Foods & Detoxification
Digestive System
• Bitter Milkwort extended use in small doses has the opposite effect of relieving chronic Diarrhea.
• Its flowers infusion can be used to treat upset stomach, bladder and kidney conditions.
Foods & Digestive System
Infections
• Its roots are chewed and applied on the snake bitten area. It is also used for insect bites and Stings.
Foods & Infections
Respiratory System
• Bitter Milkwort is an excellent remedy for Respiratory ailments (such as Asthma, breathing problems, Bronchitis and Cough).
• Its has an Anti-Spasmodic effect, effective at stimulating the clearing phlegm and reducing wheezing in the chest and can be used to treat pneumonia.
• Its commonly used for Cough, Chronic Bronchitis and other chronic lung problems arouse a sluggish appetite.
Note:
* Simple infusion of 2 teaspoons in 1 cup of boiling water for 15 minutes is an exceptional remedy for inferior and medium Respiratory tract diseases and chronic lung problems. The infusion is consumed hot twice (2) a day.
Foods & Respiratory System
