BISTORT
Polygonum bistorta, Persicaria bistorta
Common name: Bistort
Latin name: Polygonum bistorta/Persicaria bistorta
Other names: Adderwort, Dragonwort, Easter Giant, Easter Ledger, Easter Ledges, Easter Magiant, Easter Man-giant, Gentle Dock, Great Bistort, Passion Dock, Patience Dock, Pink Pokers, Pudding Grass, Pudding Dock, Red Legs, Snake Root, Snakeweed, Water Ledges.
Family: Polygonaceae
Habitat: Bistort is native to Europe, Asia and North America. It prefers damp soil, including wet meadows and banks of streams.
Description: Bistort is a perennial plant. It has tall, slender stems, topped by a cylindrical cluster of small pink-rose to white colored flowers. Bistort is in bloom from May to August. Leaves are produced near the lower end of the flowering stems. They are lanceolate, oblong-ovate or triangular-ovate in shape. They are bluish green, longer near the base, and becoming smaller higher up the stem.
Parts used: Root, rhizome, leaves
Useful components: Polyphenols, tannins, phlobaphene, flavonoids
Medicinal use: Bistort is considered to be alterative, astringent and diuretic. Traditionally, the plant was extremely beneficial in treatments of diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, leucorrhea, smallpox, measles, pimples, jaundice, ruptures, insect stings and snake bites. Combined with Plantain, it had been used for gonorrhea and as a douche to regulate excessive menstrual flow. It is maybe one of the most powerful astringent plants. Applied directly to the wound, it can easily stop bleeding. Bistort is very helpful in case of both internal and external bleeding. It is also very efficient in case of a nose bleed.
Safety: Some herbs could react with certain medication. Therefore it is advisable to contact your doctor/herbalist before consumption of any herb.