Buckthorn

Latin name: Frangula alnus
Genus: Buckthorn family
Common names: Goutwood, dogberry, cobblestone, powder wood

Its berries are poisonous!

Plant description buckthorn

Plant description: Inconspicuous, greenish flowering shrub, dark, light gray spotted bark. Its name is based on the putrid smell of fresh bark. The twigs are thornless (in contrast to buckthorn). The berries are blue-black when ripe and are almost the size of blueberries slightly poisonous.
Flowering time: May to July
Occurrence: Undergrowth of humid forests across Europe

Plant parts used medicinally

The bark, which is processed after one year of storage. Fresh drug dissolves Nausea out. Peeled in spring and then dried.

ingredients

Frangulin and glucofrangulin as the main active ingredients, tannins.

Medicinal effect and application

Applied to Indolence and constipation. Contained tannins dampen the laxative effect and so buckthorn bark acts as mild laxative. Herbal laxatives shouldn't be used for more than a few weeks either. It makes sense through a high fiber diet, adequate hydration and physical movement To achieve a normalization of bowel activity in the long term.

Preparation of the buckthorn

Buckthorn bark tea: Pour ¼ l of cold water over 1 teaspoon of cut bark, leave to stand for 12 hours, stirring frequently. Strain this extract and drink it lukewarm before going to bed.
Instead of a cold pull-out, the bark can also be doused with hot water. It is allowed to steep for 10 minutes and the procedure is as mentioned above. This tea has a gentle, mild and symptom-free laxative effect. The effect often only sets in after a few hours.

Combination with other medicinal plants

You can add something to the above tea fennel add and improve the taste.

Laxative tea: Buckthorn bark 20.0 g / caraway fruits 10.0 g / fennel fruits 10.0 / Centaury 5.0 g mixed.

Mix 2 teaspoons of this mixture with ¼ l of cold water and let stand for 12 hours. Stir occasionally. Finally, strain and drink a cup lukewarm in the evening before going to bed.

side effect

None to be expected at the stated dosage. Buckthorn is a very mild laxative, but should not be used continuously. Continuous use can too Mineral losses to lead. Do not use the drug during the pregnancy and Lactation and if there is any suspicion Intestinal obstruction.