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Information About The Herb Bistort
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Botanical Name: Polygonum bistorta
Common Name: Adderwort, Dragonwort, Easter Giant, Easter Mangiant, English Serpentary, Osterick, Passions, Patience Dock, Red Legs, Snakeweed, Sweet Dock
Plant Family: Polygonaceae
Origin: Native to parts of Northern Europe, Northern England, Southern Scotland, Siberia, Japan and Western Asia to the Himalayas.
History: The name Bistort is from the Latin bis meaning 'twice' and torta, 'twisted' because of its twisted, creeping nature.
Contains:
- gallic acid
- gum
- starch
- tannic acid
The word 'Mangiant' is a corruption of mangeant, meaning 'a plant to be eaten at easter', which was an old custom in the north of England.
Medicinal Parts Used: Rootstock and leaves
Bistort is commonly used for:
Bacterial Conditions
- cholera
- measles
Blood Conditions
- all bleedings internal and external
- hemorrhoids
- lung hemorrhages
- nose bleeds
- stomach hemorrhages
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- bowel complains
- diarrhea, especially with blood in the stools
- dysentery
Genitourinary Tract Conditions
- incontinence
Immune System Conditions
- infectious diseases
Liver Conditions
- jaundice
Externally:
- bruises
- loose teeth
- nasal polyps
- stops bleeding in cuts and wounds
Leaves:
- worms in children (powdered leaves)
Leaves and Root: As a gargle for:
- all gum problems
- hardening spongy gums
- looseness of teeth
- sore mouth
- sore throat
- stomatitis
Externally: As a wash for:
- bites from venomous creatures
- discharging ulcers
- hemorrhages
- running sores
Other
- diabetes (combined with other tonics)
- intermittent fever
- mucous discharges, especially from ears, nose, vagina, urethra
Other Uses:
- in leather tanning
Action:
- alterative [an agent capable of favorably altering or changing unhealthy conditions of the body and tending to restore normal bodily function, usually by improving nutrition]
- astringent [a binding agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges of mucous and fluid from the body]
- diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
- styptic [an agent that contracts tissues; astringent; specifically, a hemostatic agent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels]
Drug Interactions:
Do not use Bistiort without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if your taking any of the following medications:
- None known
Global Herbal Supplies has Bistort available in the following forms:
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
