Bistort - Treatment and Medical Benefits of Bistort

Latin description: Polygonum bistorta syn Persicaria bistorta

Common Name: Dragonwort, Easter Giant, English serpentary, Fleece Flower, Knotweed, Oderwort

Parts Used: Root

Medcinal Uses and Benefits of Bistort

• Distilled water of the roots and leaves were used to relieve sore gums, inflammation of the mouth, and toothache.
• Combined with Cranesbill, Agrimony, or Oak, it has been used internally for diarrhea (including bloody diarrhea); also used for infant diarrhea, cholera, cystitis, dysentary, excess mucous, excessive menstruation, mucous colitis.
• A decoction of the stems and leaves has been used in Oriental medicine for diseases of the cervical lymph glands (including scrofula), congestion, epilepsy, fever, insect bites, snakebite, spasms of the extremities, swollen glands, swellings, and tetanus. A decoction of the root has been used specifically for ague, amenorrhea, catarrh, dropsy, dystentary, flux, hemorrhage, leucorrhea (also in douche form to regulate menstrual flow), tumors, and wounds (also, the powdered root applied directly to the cut or wound to stop bleeding as well as used in poultice form).
• Has been combined with equal parts of red raspberries for internal ulcers.
• Alterative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrhea, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, febrifuge, hemostatic, laxative, promotes healing.
• Has been used much like its relative, the oriental FO-TI for smallpox, measles, skin eruptions, jaundice, ruptures and to expel worms.
• Combined with plantain has been used for gonorrhea.
• Has been used externally for anal fissure, gum disease, hemorrhoids, leucorrhea, mouth ulcers, pharyngitis, purulent wounds.
• An old remedy for piles was to add a bit of dried powdered root to a little red wine; the same remedy was at one time used for jaundice.
• The whole plant has been used to improve blood circulation; also for ague, amenorrhea, cancer, colitis, congestion, diverticulitis, fever, gingivitis, hemorrhage, malaria, and menorrhagia.