Loosestrife: properties, how to take it for diarrhea and other remedies

From the end of spring and during the summer, the grasslands and the banks of rivers, canals and ditches of almost the entire Iberian Peninsula are adorned with showy flowers with pink spikes: it is the explosion of loosestrife (Lythrum loosestrife L.), a beautiful plant associated with water courses that in many parts of the country is also known as stream.

Loosestrife was already well known in the time of Dioscorides for its medicinal properties, which he recommended for dysentery. It is also said that the European armies of the 17th and 18th centuries used to provide themselves with reserves to combat this same disease, which wreaked havoc on troops and sailors.

Flowering tops are harvested for medicinal purposes. It can be found in herbalists as well as a dry plant, tincture, liquid extract and powder.

Properties of loosestrife

The high tannin content of loosestrife draws attention, which explains its important properties as astringent, antidiarrheal and antihemorrhagic plant.

It also contains flavonoids, mucilages, anthocyanosides and iron mineral salts, all of which reinforce its properties and use in phytotherapy.

What is salicaria used for?

Herbalists dispense it primarily as an excellent natural remedy to relieve nervous, seasonal or viral diarrhea and those caused by water changes, colitis, mild food poisoning or irritable bowel syndrome.

The simple infusion of loosestrife also gives good results to stop the nose and mouth bleeds.

It also alleviates other dermatological conditions, such as eczema, boils and hives.

Topical use of loosestrife with other related plants helps to clean wounds, tears, cuts and scratches, and promotes healing.

The fresh leaves of salicaria in poultice They also help heal wounds and burns.

how to take loosestrife for diarrhea

A very good way to use loosestrife for diarrhea is to prepare it in herbal tea. Here are two recipes for loosestrife infusion for diarrhea depending on the cause of this disorder:

Tisane for diarrhea due to nervousness

In this case, specialists recommend combining the plant with previously pitted wild rose fruits or rose hips -because they are also good astringents-, passionflower and a flavor corrector, such as star anise.

Mix a level tablespoon of wild rose, passionflower and star anise in equal parts per glass of water. Boil for a couple of minutes, let stand for another 10 and strain. You can drink two or three glasses a day, depending on the intensity of the diarrheal episode, while the diarrhea lasts.

Salicaria infusion for longer diarrhea

In this case, loosestrife should be combined with demulcent plants such as mallow or plantain.
In this way, the risk of irritating the gastric mucosa is reduced.

other infusions and remedies with loosestrife

you can prepare a Remineralizing and energetic infusion with loosestrife. By providing a good dose of iron, the simple infusion of loosestrife, or combined with watercress or alfalfa, is indicated as support to treat states of anemia, weakness and lack of energy.

For abundant and painful periods, you can use loosestrife mixed with shepherd’s purse and/or yarrow. This combination is a good solution to relieve and correct heavy and painful periods. It is enough to take it as an infusion the nine days before the period, on an empty stomach.

To stop nose and mouth bleeds, the simple infusion of loosestrife also gives good results to stop this type of bleeding.

In the event of a nosebleed, it is applied by soaking a piece of cotton and holding it firmly over the nostrils. In case of bleeding in the mouth, a complete rinse is performed with the infusion of loosestrife.

Finally, you can prepare a salicaria salicaria for wounds and cuts. Topical use of loosestrife with yarrow, thyme and oak bark helps to clean wounds, tears, cuts and scratches, and promotes healing. Prepare it like this:

Two tablespoons of the mixture of the four plants are added per half liter of water. Boil it for about 5 minutes, let it rest for another 10 and strain carefully. or three times a day.

Jordi Cebrian. Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”