According to phytotherapy, all vulnerary plants can heal and cicatrize wounds. The term vulnerary comes from the Latin word vulnum (wound). The kidney vetch has been regarded as the vulnerary plant par excellence from the Renaissance onwards due to its remarkable healing properties.
Kidney Vetch Scientific Facts
- Scientific Name: Anthyllis vulneraria.
- Other Names: Woundwort, Lady’s fingers.
- French: Vulnéraire.
- Spanish: Vulneraria.
- Environment: Widely spread all over Europe on prairies and calcareous soils.
- Description: Vivacious plants of the Leguminosae family, growing up to 30 cm high. Its leaves and the calyx of its flower heads are covered by a layer of fine hairs. The flowers are yellow and gather in flower heads which grow at the tip of an upright stem.
- Parts of the plant used medicinally: The whole plant.
Kidney Vetch Healing Properties
The entire plant contains saponins, tannins, and flavonoids. It is used as an infusion to wash wounds, either clean or infected, and difficult healing sores and ulcerations, excoriations, and bruised areas. It promotes the formation of a scar and a quick epithelization (skin covering) of the injured areas.
In Switzerland and other central European countries, it is taken in the form of infusions as blood depurative and is part of the so-called “spring herbal teas.”
How to use Kidney Vetch
- Infusion with 10 to 20 grams of plant per liter of water. Drink two or three cups daily.
- Cleansing the wounds with a decoction of 20 to 30 grams of plant per liter of water, boiling for at least three minutes. Apply three or four washings daily.
REFERENCES
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. 661. Print.