What is Prostrate Knotweed?
Prostrate knotweed is an effective ayurvedic shrub that is used in the treatment of many disorders. The stem is smooth with swollen joints, light purplish red in color, slender branches and are called as nine joints.
Its leaves are small, lance or oval-shaped, torn, white shining, red at the base and are two-lobed. Roots are woody, annual and having a strong hold on the earth. Its fruit is purgative. The species is hermaphrodite (it has both male and female organs). Its flowers are pink or white colored that blooms during late spring to early autumn. Its botanical name is Polygonum aviculare and it belongs to family Polygonaceae.
Other common names are Kniety-knot, Bird’s tongue, wire wood, Blackstrap, Pigrush, Nine-joints, Pigweed, Prostate knotweed, and cow grass.
Habitat
It is native to Louisiana, southeast United States and occurs on roadsides, wasted grounds and in soils that are deficient in lime. In urban areas, it occurs in less trampled. Size of this shrub varies depending upon the area they grow.
Part Used
Whole plant
What are the Medicinal Uses of Prostrate Knotweed?
- It is used as an expectorant for cough and bronchitis.
- It is also used as an astringent i.e., useful in piles, hemorrhages, and diarrhea.
- It is helpful in expelling urinary tract stones and also cures the inflammation of the urinary tract.
- It has an anti-microbial property that can be used against gingivitis.
- It is also useful in treating inflammatory diseases and wounds.
- It also acts as an anthelmintic, cardiac tonic and vasoconstrictor.
- It clears out the toxins from the body.
- It also reduces stress from the heart and regulates the blood circulation of the body.
- It boosts the immune system and protects the body from infections.
- It increases the production of collagen and elastin which improves the elasticity of skin and also reduces the wrinkles.
- It also improves the health of the blood vessels.
What are the Health Benefits of Prostrate Knotweed?
Kidney Disorders
Prostrate knotweed is used as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory. It works on the kidneys by maintaining its proper functioning and increases the amount of salt and water in the body. It also provides relief in other symptoms associated with kidney disorders like pedal edema, high blood pressure, burning micturition etc. It also induces the urination and expels the fluid from the body. It is the best remedy for removing kidney stones and helps in relaxing the bladder.
Respiratory Disorders
This acts as an expectorant, anti-tussive and mucolytic agent that loosens the thick bronchial secretions and dissolves the thick mucus and also clears the mucus from the airways. It also prevents constriction of muscles in the respiratory tract and provides relief to the patient.
Hemorrhoids
This herb acts as an anti-inflammatory that helps in reducing the inflammation and also acts as an anesthetic that blocks the pain and works by narrowing the blood vessels of the affected area. It also provides relief by decreasing the pain, swelling, and discomfort.
Wounds
In wounds, this herb acts as an antibiotic as well as an antiseptic that reduces the sepsis and infection. It also heals the non-healing wounds in a shorter period of time.
Skin Disorders
This herb helps in correcting the body’s metabolism by improving the immunity of the body. It removes the oil from the skin and moisturizes the dry skin and removes all the toxins from the body. It increases the production of collagen and elastin provides elasticity to the skin.
Dysentery
It is used as an antibiotic that kills the bacteria and works by slowing down the movements of the gut. It decreases the bowel movements and shortens the duration of dysentery and provides relief in other symptoms such as abdominal pain, weakness, and fatigue.
Worm Infestation
This herb expels the parasites from the body without causing any harm to the host by acting as an anthelmintic. Parasites include roundworms, and flatworms. It also controls the recurrence of these worms and provides relief in other symptoms like weakness, abdominal pain, itchy rashes, loss of appetite and bloody stool.
Epistaxis and Sore Throat
It is an excellent shrub that acts as a vasoconstrictor by constricting the blood vessels and prevents epistaxis.
In sore throat, this shrub acts as an antiviral and anti-inflammatory that can help in smoothening the inflamed tissues and provides relief in other symptoms associated with sore throat such as neck stiffness, earache, and fever.
