Veronica officinalis

The Real Speedwell ( Veronica officinalis) or forest Speedwell is a plant in the family of the plantain family ( Plantaginaceae ). Folk names include drug - speedwell, primary healing herb, wound healing herb, Allerweltsheil and Mrs. list.

Description

The real prize is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches the plant height 10-20 centimeters. The prostrate to ascending stems is gray-green, soft hairy, glandular above and sometimes rooted. It forms vegetative often small carpets. The broad lanceolate to ovate leaves are short-stalked ( 2-6 mm) and at the edge finely serrated.

The flowering period extends from July to September. They form dichtblütige stalked racemose inflorescences. The light blue, pale purple or whitish flowers have a diameter of 6 to 7 mm. The flower stalks are shorter than the triangular, flattened capsule fruit.

Important phytonutrients

Iridoid glycosides (0.5-1 %) as aucubin, Catalpol and Catapolester; Furthermore, the flavonoids, especially flavones ( apigenin, luteolin ), triterpene saponins, small amounts of tannins, mannitol, β -sitosterol, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid.

Medical Terms

As a medicinal drug used, the dried, collected at flowering time aboveground plant parts Herba Veronicae (syn. Veronicae herba, Herba Betonicae ).

Active ingredients: iridoid glycosides as Catalpol, Veronicosid, Verprosid, Mussaenosid; Flavonoids, triterpene saponins, phenolic acids ( chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid ), tannins.

The speedwell herb is now used practically only in folk medicine for a variety of ailments, primarily in diseases and disorders of the respiratory tract, in gout, rheumatism and digestive complaints. Today it is only sporadically recommended in Erkältungsteemischungen where it should have a slight cough expectorant effect. Outwardly, it is mentioned as a gargle in inflammation of the mouth and throat. Since the effectiveness has not yet been occupied, rather discouraged by an application.

However, use as an active ingredient is the real prize in homeopathic medicines.

History

According to Pliny, there is evidence of a plant called Betonica in connection with a Celtic tribe, but it is uncertain whether the prize was the Greeks or Romans also known as a medicinal plant. However, in medieval times, the prize had a very high significance: It is thought the derivation of the name " Veronica " by "Vera Unica " ( medicina ) (= only truth ( remedies ) ) as a symbol with a direct connection to St. Veronica, the support wound healing has been called. Also, the prize is in Leonhart Fuchs ' " Kreutterbuch " honorable mention.

Others

The Association of German perennial plant ( IMs ) chose the Speedwell ( Veronica and Veronicastrum ) for " Perennial Plant of the Year 2007".

The young herb can be made into salad or vegetables like watercress in the kitchen.

Swell

• Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants and Drugs, 2006. Publishing area, in collaboration with Oxford University Press, 1999, Heidelberg, ISBN 978-3-89996-682-4
• Dietrich Frohne, Birgit Classen: Medicinal plant encyclopedia. 8th edition. Wiss. Publishing Ges. , Stuttgart 2006, ISBN 978-3-8047-2316-0
• R. Duell / H. Kutzelnigg: Pocket Dictionary of Plants in Germany and neighboring countries, 7th Edition, Quelle & Meyer Verlag, 2011, ISBN 978-3-494-01424-1
• Ingrid and Peter Schoenfelder: The new book of medicinal plants Franckh - Kosmos Verlag (2011), ISBN 978-3-440-12932-6