Erigeron canadensis
Botanical Nomenclature | Erigeron canadensis |
Common Name | Butterweed, Canadian Fleabane, Canadian Horseweed, Coltstail, Horseweed, Marestail |
Taxonomy- Family | Compositae or Asteraceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Erigeron canadensis is an annual plant growing up to 1,5m, with narrow, lanceolate, pointed, numerous leaves and yellow, hermaphrodite flowers. The flowering and the harvesting take place from July to September. |
Region Found | Ioannina (Smolikas, Peristeri, Pindos, Gramos), Arta (Tzoumerka) |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Leaves, seeds, root |
Active Substances | Essential oil (which contains limonene, dipentene, terpineol), flavones, tannins, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin (vitamin), proteins, fats, carbohydrates |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant is administered in the form of herbal tea as diuretic, hemostatic and antidiarrheal. Also, it is recommended for the treatment of gout, the excessive bleeding during menstruation, hemorrhoids, metrorrhagia, haematuria, haemoptysis, haematemesis, dysentery, diarrhea, bronchitis, cough and fever. Finally the herbal infusion is applied externally against backache, rheumatic pain, eczema and lichen. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered as diuretic and hemostatic in the form of herbal tea (2 spoons of dried herb in a cup of boiled water, 3 times a day) and in the form of fresh juice (15 to 30 drops in a cup of water, 2-3 times a day). It is applied externally as astringent and soothing in the form infusion (2 spoons of dried herb in a cup of boiling water, 2-3 times a day). In homeopathy it is recommended in the form of essential oil for the treatment of hemorrhoids (4-6 drops in a cup of water, each 5 to 10 minutes, as long as needed) Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | Plant's pollen may cause contact dermatitis. |
References | 1)Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 292-293 2)http://filotis.itia.ntua.gr/species/?species_category=4 3)http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_horseweed.htm 4)http://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/kings/erigeron.html 5)https://kentromeletisarxaiasthourias.wordpress.com/2013/09/25/%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BD%CF%85%CE%B6%CE%B1-%CE%B7-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AE-conyza-canadensis/ |