Veronica officinalis
Botanical Nomenclature | Veronica officinalis |
Common Name | Gypsyweed, Paul's Betony |
Taxonomy- Family | Scrophulariaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Veronica officinalis is a biennial herbaceous, growing from 10 up to 80cm, with oval, hairy, green leaves and violet flowers. It blossoms in summer and the harvesting takes place, just before the flowering. |
Region Found | Ioannina (Pindos, Gramos, Vikos-Aoos) |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | The whole plant |
Active Substances | Tannins, arboutine (glycoside), essential oil, saponins, organic acids (acetic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid), mannitol, iron salts |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant has antitussive, expectorant, healing, diuretic and tonic properties. It is taken orally for the treatment of bronchitis, common cold, dyspepsia, renal infections and diarrhea. It is also administered in the form of compresses, ointment or lotion on wounds, as well against various skin diseases and pruritus (itching). |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered as antitussive, diuretic and tonic in the form of herbal tea (1 or 2 spoons of dried herb in a cup of boiled water) and herbal defusion (mainly of fresh flowers). It is also administered externally in the form of ointment or lotion as a healing agent. 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 are reported. |
References | 1) Bιβλίο: Τα φαρμακευτικά βότανα και οι θεραπευτικές τους ιδιότητες, Λάμπρου Π. Σπύρου, Αγροτικός εκδοτικός οίκος, Αθήνα 1981, A' τόμος, σελίδες: 150 2) Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 234, 3) http://health-from-nature.net/Speedwell,_Gypsyweed.html 4)http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-135-veronica.aspx?activeingredientid=135&activeingredientname=veronica 5)https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/specom75.html 6)http://herbs-treatandtaste.blogspot.gr/2011/05/speedwell-veronica-officinalis.html |