Historically, bistort has been used to treat diarrhea, cholera, gastritis, cystitis and heavy menstrual bleeding. Bistort has also been used to relieve inflammation of skin, gums, and throat.
Bistort is high in tannins giving it its astringent properties which can also give it an anti-bacterial effect.
Latin Name
Persicaria bistorta
Other names for Bistort
– Snakeweed
– Common bistort
– Meadow bistort
– Gentle dock
Parts of plant used
– Roots
(used in a popular food known as dock pudding which is found in Northern England, especially Weste Yorkshire)
Phytochemicals in Bistort
Tannins (estimates range from 15 to 35% of the phytochemicals)
Medicinal uses
Stops bleeding
Bistort is known to have astringent properties that has been used to help reduce the extent of bleeding. Examples of this include nosebleeds, lung hemorrhages, bloody diarrhea, bleeding hemorrhoids, heavy menses.
Protects against toxins
Bistort has been suggested to help remove toxins from the body. Historically, it has been used to relieve jaundice, cirrhosis and toxic liver conditions.
Warnings
– Generally considered to be safe
Herbal Pharmacy
Fomentation – A cottonball or absorbent material can be saturated with bistort applied to the bleeding area.
Decoction – 1 or 2 teaspoons per cup. Simmer for 10 minutes
Bath – 6 tablespoons per quart, steep 1 hour
Tincture – 1 dropperful as needed.
Harvesting
– Grows 12-24 inches in height
– Multiple flowers appear in early summer to midsummer.
References
Chemical composition of edible aerial parts of meadow bistort (Persicaria bistorta (L.) Samp.). Food Chem. 2017 Sep 1;230:281-290.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
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