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Loosestrife

Scientific Names


• Lythrum salicaria L.
• Lythraceae
• Primrose family

Common Names

Chen-chu-ts’ai (Chinese name)
Grass-poly
Long purples
Milk willow-herb
P’ai-ts’ao
Purple loose-strife
Purple willow-herb
Rainbow weed
Soldiers
Spiked loosestrife
Spiked willow-herb
Willow sage
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Parts Usually Used

The whole plant, fresh or dried in the shade
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Loosestrife is a bushy, erect, perennial plant with a clump of unbranched, four-angled, tall leafy stems; the square, hairy stem grows 2-4 feet high and bears heart-shaped, lanceolate, downy leaves. The lance-shaped leaves grow in opposite pairs or in whorls of three, their bases clasping the stems. Whorls of purple six-petaled flowers grow in the axils off the upper leaves in dense terminal spikes from June to August.

Another variety: Whorled loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia).
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Where Found

Settled in swamps, marshes, along lakes and rivers, wet meadows, roadside ditches, and moist places in the eastern United States after being introduced from Europe. From Newfoundland to Minnesota and south to Virginia and Missouri.
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Medicinal Properties

Astringent, styptic, demulcent, alterative
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Biochemical Information

A glycoside, polyphenolic tannins, pectin and essential oil
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Uses

Loosestrife is effective against diarrhea, including simple diarrhea and that associated with serious illnesses such as dysentery and typhoid fever. The infusion or fluid extract is used for gastroenteritis and is particularly useful for diarrhea in infants. It helps to stop internal bleeding, and it works without producing constipation. Reduces inflammation, relieves hoarseness, and feverish colds. A cold compress of the herb stops bleeding from wounds and cuts; helps bruises and sores to heal. Sometimes used as a gargle for sore throats, or a douche for leukorrhea.

Externally, it is used as an eyewash for ophthalmia, sore eyes, and various skin diseases.
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Formulas or Dosages

Infusion: steep 1 oz. fresh herb in 1 cup water.

Decoction: boil 1 oz. herb in 1 pint of water until 1 cup liquid remains. Take 4 tbsp., 3 times a day.

Fluid extract: usual dose for infants is 10-15 drops; for adults, 1 tsp.

For gargle: with infusion or with 10 drops diluted in a glass of warm water.
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Bibliography

The Herb Book, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.

Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

Culpeper's Complete Herbal & English Physician, by Nicholas Culpeper, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1990, (reprint of 1814)

Chinese Medicinal Herbs, compiled by Shih-Chen Li, Georgetown Press, San Francisco, California, 1973.

The Magic of Herbs, by David Conway, published by Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, England. (Out of print)

Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992

Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023, 1984

The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993

An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants, by Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay, Crescent Books (January 27, 1992).

The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.

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