Eryngium Campestre Revealed: Dive into Its Health Benefits

Eryngium campestre is a plant of the Umbelliferae family that looks like a thistle. It is sometimes called the “Watling Street” thistle because when the wind blows in the fall, its dry stems and leaves are carried away to populate other soils. However, its stem and root remain firmly fixed to the land, and the delicious eryngo mushrooms grow near them.

The Greek botanist Dioscorides already mentioned the medicinal properties of the Eryngium campestre in the 1^st century A.D. Like other plants, the Eryngium campestre was supposed to have more medicinal properties than it has. Once its chemical composition is known, we can ascertain its actual indications.

Scientific Facts

1. Other names: Eryngo, Watling Street Thistle, Field Eryngo.
2. French: Chardon roulant.
3. Spanish: Cardo corridor, eringio.
4. Environment: It is common in dry meadows, sunny slopes, and fields left fallow all over Europe and America.
5. Description: This plant of the Umbelliferae family grows from 40 to 60 cm high with slim stems and prickly leaves. Many small, white, greenish flowers form its flower chapters. The whole plant smells like carrots, except its root, which is a bit sour.
6. The root (gathered in spring or fall), young buds, and leaves (gathered in summer) are parts of the plant used medicinally.

Healing Properties and Uses

Eryngium campestre root contains saponins, tannins, sugar, and essential oil. Saponins decrease the surface tension of liquids and produce foam like soap does (their name comes from the Latin saponem, soap). These substances give this plant unique diuretic properties. Therefore, its use is recommended in the following cases:

1. Edema (liquids retention), especially on legs and ankles.
2. Excess of uric acid (arthritis) and sand in urine when cleansing kidneys is recommended.

The diuretic properties of the Eryngium campestre saponins are intense but not constant. They decrease day after day, practically disappearing in one week. Thus, using it for over two or three days is not recommended. After resting for some days, it once again becomes effective.

The plant’s root also has appetizer properties, and it is one of the so-called “five appetizer roots,” along with those of madder, caper, and restharrow.

How to use

1. Salad. Its bud and young leaves are highly appreciated by people fond of wild vegetables.
2. Infusion with a handful of ground root (30-40 grams) per liter of water. Steep until cold, and drink two or three cups daily. Please do not keep this infusion for more than twenty-four hours since it loses its properties.

Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum L.)

Sea holly is similar to Eryngium campestre, though it has broader leaves. It grows in sandy soils near the coastline all over the Iberian Peninsula. It has the same properties but is believed to act with higher intensity.

DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.

REFERENCES

1. George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. vols. 2 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 573, 574. Print.
2. Botanical.com – https://botanical.com/
3. Herbal Academy – https://theherbalacademy.com/