Name: gorse dyeing
Weakly toxic!
Common name: yellow dye flower.
Parts Used: Flowering shoots, preferably tops.
Pharmacy name: herb dyeing – Genistae tinctoriae herba (formerly: Herba Genistae tinctoriae).
Botanical description. Semi-shrub 30-60 cm in height, has several varieties. The erect stem, later woody, bears long rose-like lateral shoots, which often branch profusely, taking on the shape of a broom. They have bare lanceolate leaves, dark green on the upper side. Yellow moth flowers, collected in long racemes at the ends of the branches, give this medicinal plant a very beautiful appearance. Blooms from May to July (flowering time varies greatly depending on the habitat). It is quite common in Europe (except the Alps) and in Asia. It grows most often along the edges of forests, in dry clearings, in oak forests and pine forests, as well as along slopes.
Collection and preparation. Young shoots with flowers are collected during flowering and dried in the shade. Make sure that no woody parts get into the collection.
active ingredients. Scientific medicine does not use this medicinal plant due to the lack of accurate information about its action. However, it appears in some blood-purifying teas prescribed by doctors as a diuretic and laxative component.
Application in folk medicine. This medicinal plant is still used in folk medicine in the same way as recommended by Sebastian Kneipp – as a tonic after a serious illness, as a blood purifier and to remove stones and sand from the bladder. In addition, dyer is also recommended for constipation, rheumatic and gouty pains, against delays in menstruation and for minor complaints from the heart. The German National Health Service indicates the following applications for gorse: “To increase the amount of urine, also as a supportive treatment in diseases where increased urine output is desirable (sand in the urine, prevention of bladder stones)”. Contraindicated in persons with high blood pressure. This medicinal plant is used in the form of a tea.
- Teas from gorse dyer: 1 teaspoon with the top of gorse grass pour 1/4 liter of cold water, heat to a boil and strain. Tea is drunk slowly, in small sips (about 1/4 liter throughout the day).
Side effects. This medicinal plant has been studied too little to be able to judge side effects. However, in any case, overdose should be avoided. There have been cases of diarrhea.
My special advice. Against those ailments for which folk medicine uses dyeing gorse, there are more suitable medicinal plants (for example, dandelion), so the use of gorse should be abandoned.