Purple Loosestrife - Lythrum salicaria

Purple Loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, was introduced to the Americas in the 1800s and has become widely invasive. It grows in marshy areas and crowds out native species such as cattails, but it is very useful. Purple loosestrife is antimicrobial, antioxidant, styptic, vulnerary, antifungal, astringent, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive (pain blocking). In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is used to treat dysentery. I collect it just as it flowers, when it is richest in flavonoids. Flavonoids are anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective.

It may be useful as a tincture or cream to treat fungal skin infections and hemorrhoids. It may be used as an antibacterial and antifungal gargle for sore throat and bleeding gums. It may be used for gastrointestinal upset, IBS, and diarrhea. As a tea it is traditionally used for respiratory illness, bacterial infections, menstrual problems, as a douche for vaginitis, and as a styptic nasal douche for nosebleeds.

Purple loosestrife has antimicrobial properties and has been demonstrated to have activity in vitro against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, E. coli, Micrococcus luteus, and Cladosporium cucumerinum.¹

"L. salicaria is a rich source of polyphenols including ellagitannins, tannin related compounds, flavonoids, flavan-3-ols, phenolic acids and anthocyanins. Apart from phenolics the presence of some non-polar compounds belonging to different chemical groups such as steroids, triterpenes, phthalates, coumarins was confirmed in extracts prepared from L. salicaria."²

Tincture dosing: 1-2 ml 3x day.

Possible side effects: Allergy, gastrointestinal upset.

Contraindications: Pregnancy and breastfeeding.

^¹ Comparative Histological, Phytochemical, Microbiological, and Pharmacological Characterization of Some Lythrum salicaria L. Populations Ph.D. dissertation Tímea Bencsik, Pharm.D.

² Jakub P. Piwowarski, Sebastian Granica, Anna K. Kiss, Lythrum salicaria L.—Underestimated medicinal plant from European traditional medicine. A review, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 170, 2015, Pages 226-250, ISSN 0378-8741, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.05.017.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. I am not a medical professional and cannot diagnose or treat any illness.