Cuscuta europaea

Cuscuta europaea, Convolvulaceae, Cuscutine (resinous glycoside), flavonoids
Cuscuta europaea, Convolvulaceae, Cuscutine (resinous glycoside), flavonoidsCuscuta europaea, Convolvulaceae, Cuscutine (resinous glycoside), flavonoidsCuscuta europaea, Convolvulaceae, Cuscutine (resinous glycoside), flavonoidsCuscuta europaea, Convolvulaceae, Cuscutine (resinous glycoside), flavonoidsCuscuta europaea, Convolvulaceae, Cuscutine (resinous glycoside), flavonoidsCuscuta europaea, Convolvulaceae, Cuscutine (resinous glycoside), flavonoids
Botanical Nomenclature Cuscuta europaea
Common Name European Dodder, Greater Dodder
Taxonomy- Family Convolvulaceae
Distinguishing Features of the Plant Cuscuta europaea is an annual, chlorophyll lacking, parasitic plant which obtain all or part of its nutrition from another plant (the host). The stems are thin, elongate, nematode, yellow, orange or brown, that penetrate the hosts, which are most of the times chlorophyll angiosperm plants. The flowers are small, globular, white in inflorescences. The flowering and the harvesting take place from June to August.
Region Found Northern Epirus
Part of the Plant with Active Substances The whole plant, mainly the root
Active Substances Cuscutine (resinous glycoside), flavonoids
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications The herbal tea is recommended mainly in folk medicine as laxative, aphrodisiac, kidney and liver stimulant. Also it is administered for the treatment of wrist pain, polyurea, tinnitus and blurred vision.
Method of Administration It is administered in folk medicine as laxative and diuretic in the form of herbal tea (a spoon of dried herb in a cup of boiled water, 1-2 times a day). In homeopathy it is recommended in the form of tincture (made from fresh plant, external use).
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 No side effects have been reported.
References 1) http://www.raysahelian.com/cuscuta.html 2) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cuscuta+europaea 3) https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/d/dodder16.html 4) http://herbs-treatandtaste.blogspot.gr/2011/06/what-is-amar-bael-dodder-medicinal.html 5) http://www-personal.umich.edu/~rburnham/SpeciesAccountspdfs/CuscepitCONVFINAL.pdf