The rosebay willowherb is a beautiful plant of the European mountains; besides making us joyful with its beautiful colors, it sweetens all herbal teas in which it is present. In Northern Europe, it is highly appreciated, and its young buds are often consumed in salad dishes.
Rosebay Willowherb Scientific Facts
- Scientific Name – Epilobium Angustifolium L.
- Other Names – Rosebay, willowherb.
- French – Épilobe.
- Spanish – Epilobio.
- Environment – Widespread all over Europe and northern Asia. It grows in cold mountain forests.
- Description – Vivacious plant of the Enoteraceae family, growing from 70 to 100 cm high, with bright pink or purple flowers, with four petals and four sepals.
- Parts of the plant used medicinally – Dried flowers, leaves, and roots.
Healing Properties
The entire plant contains tannins, pectin, and mucilage. It has astringent properties due to its content in tannin and emollient properties (reduces the inflammation of the skin and the mucosa) due to its content in mucilage and pectin. Its most common applications are the following:
- Diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and, as a rule, all inflammations of the digestive mucosa. Besides its astringent properties, rosebay willowherb also has anti-inflammatory properties. It stops diarrhea and eliminates abdominal discomfort.
- Stomatitis (inflammation of the oral mucosa), gingivitis, and pharyngitis: when applied in mouth rinses and gargles, it has anti-inflammatory properties and produces a pleasantly cool sensation in the mouth.
Other Rosebay Willowherb Species
In the genus Epilobium, there are other species whose common names are frequently exchanged, such as Epilobium hirsutum L. or Epilobium alsinfolium L. There are some 20 species of rosebay willowherb, all of them with very similar medicinal properties.
How to use Rosebay Willowherb
- Infusion with 50 grams of the dry root, flowers, and leaves. Fresh flowers should be avoided. Drink four to five cups daily.
- Mouth rinsings and gargles. With the infusion mentioned above.
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. 501. Print.
