Dioscorea communis

Common Schmerwurz ( Dioscorea communis)

The common bryony ( Dioscorea communis, Syn: Tamus communis L.) is a climbing plant from the plant family of Yamswurzelgewächse ( Dioscorea ). The name is derived from OHG smerte = sharply. Other names are Real Schmerwurz, Bryony, stick root, root fire.

Description and distribution

There are dioecious getrenntgeschlechtige ( dioecious ) monocot plants. The common bryony is the only occurring in Central Europe nature of this family, such as in southern Germany ( Upper Rhine, High Rhine, Lake Constance ). Further distribution areas are the Atlantic and Mediterranean countries.

The bryony grows at the edges of deciduous forests, in hedges and thickets, where it reaches a height of up to three meters. The right- twining plant bears from May to June yellowish green, either male or female flowers. The leaves are heart-shaped. The blooms are triple. The Schmerwurz bears round to maturity towards red fruits 10-12 mm diameter, which can contain up to 6 seeds.

Ingredients

Because contained in the plant parts saponins and calcium oxalate the Schmerwurz is toxic. When rubbing the juice of the berries or roots on the skin can cause skin irritation are generated, which is caused by tiny oxalate crystals and histamine in the juice. The root contains further phenanthrene derivatives and the glycosides Dioscin and gracillin and their descendants. In a laboratory study, there was evidence of anti-inflammatory effect of the root juice. In folk medicine, the plant was formerly used among other things for rheumatism and bruises, hence the French name " herbe aux femmes battues " ( " herb of battered women "). Today, it still plays a role in homeopathy.