Common name: redhead.
Parts Used: Herb and rhizome.
Pharmacy name: burnet herb – Sanguisorbae herba (formerly: Herba Sanguisorbae).
Botanical description. A perennial plant reaching a height of 1 m. Unpaired leaves form a basal rosette, moving away from a powerful dark brown rhizome; they are dark green above, sometimes glossy, pale green below. Leaflets are rounded or oblong, with a serrated edge. The erect stems are slightly leafy, and the number of leaflets in small pinnate leaves is reduced upwards. Small dark red flowers are collected in ovoid or cylindrical heads; there can be 1-5 such inflorescences on the stem. Blooms in July-August. It is necessary to look for this medicinal plant in damp meadows.
Collection and preparation. Grass is harvested during flowering. Collect and basal leaves. Dry in the shade, in the air. Rhizomes, as is generally accepted, are harvested either in early spring or late autumn. If necessary, before drying, they are cut lengthwise into halves.
active substances. The composition is not yet well understood. Saponins, tannins, flavones and vitamin C are considered the basis of the healing action. The content of tannins in the rhizomes is higher than in the grass.
Healing action and application. Antiseptic, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, fixing (stool) and enveloping – this is how the actions of burnet can be characterized. From this follow the most various probabilities of its use for inflammation in the oral cavity and pharynx, especially the gums, and other mucous membranes. True, now in Germany this plant is used only occasionally, while in Russia and China it is a common local hemostatic agent.
Use in homeopathy. The homeopathic remedy Sanguisorba is prepared from a freshly picked flowering herb. With varicose veins in women, it should be taken in dilution D 1 several times every day, 5-10 drops. Sanguisorba D 1 is used for menopausal bleeding!
Application in folk medicine. Burnet can not be called a home remedy: it is not often used. And yet, until now, and not without reason, there is an opinion expressed by P.A. Mattiolus in his “New Herbalist” (Prague, 1563): “The burnet reliably stops all kinds of bleeding. Better than other medicines, this herb helps with too heavy menstruation in women. Drinking an infusion of leaves in wine or water can even stop bloody diarrhea.” Tea from the herb and rhizomes or only from rhizomes is used for too heavy menstruation, for diarrhea, pulmonary bleeding, for worms and for the treatment of wounds.
- Burnet tea: 1-2 teaspoons of herbs pour 1/4 liter of water, bring to a boil and let it brew for 10 minutes. After straining, the tea is ready to drink. Dosage: 2 cups every day.
For the treatment of wounds, a mixture of equal parts of burnet and horsetail showed itself well.
Side effects. Only in case of an overdose, slight irritation of the stomach is likely.