Health Benefits of Roadweed plant

Roadweed

Roadweed is considered by elders to be like a queen among medicinal plants. In German it is named "wegerich". The last sylable is associated with the latin word "rex" meaning king. Therefore, roadweed is the king of plants and is used from ancient as a natural cure.

Descriptionc

Roadweed is a perennial herbaceous plant, which grows either spontaneous or is cultivated, and it can be found on arid fields, pastures, near roads, from level ground to mountainous areas. The plant's stem is erect, having heights of about 5-50 cm. The leaves are lanceolates, slightly tapered, with 3-7 nerves. It is harvested during its blossom period, on dry weather. It is dried in the shade, in thin layers.

Properties

Roadweed contains pectines, acids, vanilla, caffeine, vitamins A, C and K, small quantities of starch, mucilage, mineral salts with potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, manganese, zinc, boron, copper, molybdenum and aluminum elements. The active elements in the plant offer it the properties of being emollient, haemostatic, and antiseptic, having a cicatrizing and antibacterial role.

Treatments

   Roadweed is used for treating digestive diseases and gastric pains. The plant is a remedy used for treating respiratory wounds and diseases (hoarsening, flues, virosis, asthma, and bronchitis). Consumed in the form of infusion, it helps the weakened body to regenerate and restore its energy. It is recommended for liver diseases and urinary infections.

   The roadweed syrup helps clean the blood, through the elimination of toxins. It can be used for healing insect stings, irritations, inflammations and varicose ulcerations. Roadweed can also be used for ointments used in treating herpes, eczemas or arthritis.

   Gargle with infusion of leaves is recommended against laryngitis and diseases of the mouth cavity. The plant decreases arterial pressure and reduces cholesterol.

   Roadweed leaves are recommended in cases of furunculous, and are applied as cataplasms.

   People who walk long distances can place fresh leaves in their shoes, to avoid blistering or can bathe their feet in roadweed infusion mixed with hollyhock and field horsetail.

Mixtures

Roadweed infusion is prepared from one teaspoon of dried leaves added to 200 ml of boiling water. It is infused for 15 minutes, filtered, sweetened and one tablespoon of it is then administered every 2 hours for treating gastric and duodenal ulcer. For those suffering of phlebitis and those who spit blood, an infusion of 50 g of roadweed leaves and 5 g of anise fruit to 1 liter of hot wine is prepared. It is left to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes, filtered and consumed in proportion of 3 to 4 cups per day through rare gulps.

Decoct is obtained from one tablespoon of dried leaves added to 250 ml of water or milk. It is boiled for 5 minutes, infused for 10 minutes, filtered and one teaspoon of it taken at intervals of hours for a period of 6 weeks.

Roadweed syrup is prepared like this: 100 g of fresh leaves, well washed, are crushed into small pieces and boiled in 1 liter and a quarter of water, to which 300 g of sugar is added and 250 g of honey. They are mixed on a weak fire until a thick consistency is obtained which is poured in well corked small bottles or jars and kept in the refrigerator. A teaspoon is taken before meals for a period of 3 weeks.

Roadweed juice is the result of the mixture of fresh leaves with honey. It is boiled for 20 minutes and 2 tablespoons are taken each day.

Powder is prepared from 1 g of dried leaves crushed into a fine powder. It is administered 2 to 3 times per day after the important meals.

Roadweed tincture is obtained from 100 g of dried leaves to 1 liter of 70 degrees alcohol, it is left to macerate for 24 hours, filtered, the gauze is sapped and 2 to 3 compresses are applied on the affected areas.

Roadweed oil is prepared from 400 g of fresh leaves, crushed into small pieces and 300 ml of 70 degree alcohol and 500 ml of sunflower oil. It is left to macerate for 3-4 days, boiled in a bath of water for 3 to 4 hours, filtered and then bandages are placed on the affected areas.

Local baths are made with infusion out of 100 g of leaves to 3 liters of boiled water. The bowl is left covered for 20 to 30 minutes and filtered in bath water at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. The bath should not last more than 15-20 minutes.

Roadweed cataplasms are prepared with fresh leaves, washed and crushed, applied with a cotton swab on the affected areas of the skin.