Naturopathy

Bedstraw

Latin name

Galium verum

Common names

Bed straw, broken hearts, Lauritzen

Plant description

The bedstraw is a perennial plant, 20 to 80 cm high. The bedstraw can be recognized by its angular, little branched stalk, narrow and linear leaves, densely hairy.
Numerous, golden yellow colored flowers.

Heyday: June to September.

Occurrence: Widespread on the edges of forests, on dry meadows, slopes and embankments.

Plant parts used medicinally

The leaves of the bedstraw, collected at the time of flowering and gently dried, are used to create remedies.

Ingredients

Silica
little essential oil
Tannins
Glycosides

Medicinal effect and application

The real bedstraw works dehydrating. It is only rarely used and is sometimes part of so-called "Blood purification teas". Bedstraw can for swollen ankles after standing for a long time and with pain as a result Chills in the bladder and kidneys are used.

preparation

Bedstraw tea: 2 to 3 heaping teaspoons dried herb are poured over ¼ l of water and heated to the boil. Cook for 2 minutes, strain. 2 to 3 cups a day is the correct dosage.

This tea is also used in folk medicine with poorly healing wounds and as an envelope for sunburn. The bedstraw can also be used as a bath additive, to do this, boil 100 g bedstraw with 3 liters of water for 5 minutes, strain and add to the full bath.