The Restharrow, also Thorny Restharrow, grows on a shrub and is assigned to the family of butterflies and legumes. The root of the plant is used to cleanse the blood in spring and slimming cures, but is used for many other ailments.
Occurrence and cultivation of the Restharrow
It is known Restharrow also as Echinacea, Urinary herb or Women’s war. The thorny restraint is a half-shrub about 50 to 100 centimeters low, which consists of several upright, branched stems. The root is strong and up to 50 centimeters long, which makes digging difficult. The leaves can be glabrous or finely hairy and there are pointed thorns in the leaf axes.
The white-pink colored flowers look beautiful, but give off an unpleasant, yet sweet smell. The origin of the Restharrow can be found in Central Europe and North Africa, but also in West Asia. It thrives best in a nutrient-poor, sunny, dry and slightly calcareous location, such as on roadsides, embankments and forest clearings. The flowering period is between July and October.
Effect & application
However, the root of the restoration is mainly used. The Greeks and Romans used them as medicines. The plant is used as a tincture, gargle solution, but human intake is mostly in the form of a tea. The roots contain, among other things, essential oils, saponins and tannins.
Saponins are formed by higher plants and can be found in roots, leaves or flowers. These contain substances in which an alcoholic compound is linked to a sugar compound (glycosides). If saponins are dissolved in water, a foam is created with simultaneous shaking, which has an emulsifying effect on oil.
Many saponins have antibacterial and antifungal (against fungi) properties. In small doses they have a positive effect in medicine. The taste when ingested is bitter. The tannins contained in the Restharrow have a diuretic effect. The root of the Restharrow can be found in various kidney and bladder teas and in coated tablets.
The root for the preparation of the tea is collected in spring or late autumn. The root is cleaned and cut into small pieces. To let them dry, they are usually tied on cords and hung in a dry, ventilated room. It is also possible to dry the roots in the stove at around 40 degrees. Glasses or well-sealable cans are used for storage.
When preparing the tea, care should be taken to ensure that boiling water is no longer poured over the roots, as this will result in the loss of the saponins it contains. Thus it loses its effect. After the infusion, the tea draws in a covered container for between 20 and 30 minutes.
The] Restharrow is mainly used for urinary tract infections (cystitis), bladder and kidney stones, kidney pelvic inflammation, kidney gravel, rheumatism, eczema, toothache and bad breath. In folk medicine, the root infusion is also used to cleanse the blood. But it is also used to prevent these diseases. Because the growth of bacteria, fungi and viruses is inhibited by ingestion.
Importance for health, treatment & prevention
An intended treatment by and with the restoration should be discussed with a pharmacist or in special cases with a doctor. The diuretic effect has been proven through research, but there is some ambiguity associated with the plant. The isoflavones contained (hormone-active substances from plants, yellowish plant pigments) have an estrogenic activity.
In many dietary supplements, the root is an ingredient that is said to reduce symptoms during menopause, for example. The hormone-like effect has not been proven. The increased amount of urine is supposed to flush out toxins, pathogens, kidney stones and kidney gravel through the urinary tract.
A slight antibiotic effect is also attributed to this plant. Experts still doubt the effect. They attribute the result to the increased hydration recommended with the use of Restockers. No drinks containing caffeine or alcohol should be consumed during the treatment. In diseases such as gout and rheumatism, no apparent results could be observed after ingestion of restorers.
Even if it is a medicinal herb, there is a risk to consuming it. If the patient suffers from edema (water retention in the body) due to restricted cardiac activity or restricted kidney activity, no flushing therapy with a pickaxe should be carried out. The increased amount of drinking increases the blood volume. This would overwhelm a weakened heart or a sick kidney.
If the dose is too high, hemolysis (dissolution of the red blood cells) can occur. It is not recommended to consume hayfish during pregnancy or breastfeeding. No other side effects are known when used as intended. Women in particular resort to the medicinal herb, as it has been proven that women are more likely to develop cystitis than men. The reason for this is the shortened urinary tract.
The root of the Restharrow is relatively rare in trade. Selected herbalists or specific online shops offer this medicinal herb. Because of the small amount that is offered for sale, it is also difficult for the consumer to judge whether the root keeps the quality that is promised. It is important to use a reputable seller.
