Water pepper herb is used for medicinal as well as culinary purposes. When used under the supervision of a trained herbalist and also with the go signal of your doctor, you may employ it for dealing with a variety of minor health issues. Various aerial parts of it can be prepared in different ways for use as a medicinal plant.
If you are into the use of herbs for the attainment of wellness, you can get to know water pepper herb more by reading on. Share this article afterwards to have your family and friends introduced to this beneficial plant, too!
Water pepper herb is called that way for a couple of reasons. First, it can be found growing abundantly in moist or damp areas, as well as ditches and riverbanks. Second, the leaves of water pepper herb taste peppery — courtesy of their polygodial content — and that is why they are also commonly used for culinary purposes.
It’s in many places in the northern hemisphere that water pepper herb is native to, which means that you can find it in various areas of Asia, Europe and North America.
Since water pepper herb grows in so many different places, it is also known by a lot of names. Some of the most popular ones include water smartweed, smartweed, marsh weed, biting knotweed and biting pepper. But no matter the name or where it is found, it’s for certain that water pepper herb is used by herbalists in the same manner.
Here just a few of the medicinal benefits of water pepper herb worth mentioning:
It Reduces Aches and Pains
One of the most popular uses for water pepper herb as a medicinal plant is for the alleviation of various types of pain. Commonly, it is employed for relieving headaches and toothaches. Taken internally in the form of tea or applied topically as a poultice, water pepper herb is known to alleviate the symptoms of gout and arthritis.
It Alleviates Oral Sores
A strong decoction of water pepper herb is normally recommended as a mouth rinse for those who have painful oral sores. It’s also something that may be used for relieving swollen and achy gums, and also for easing a sore throat. What makes water pepper herb good for various oral issues is it has analgesic, antimicrobial and astringent properties.
It Controls Diarrhea
Traditional healers often suggest the intake of water pepper herb tea during a bout of diarrhea. Two reasons exist why this medicinal plant is very good for such. First, its antimicrobial action helps zap diarrhea-causing bacteria in the intestines. Second, its astringent properties help reduce mucus produced by the colon.
It Eases Other Digestive Issues, Too
Water pepper herb can be prepared in various manners for dealing with so many other problems concerning the digestive tract. For instance, it can be employed for relieving indigestion and excess gas or flatulence. Water pepper herb is also commonly used for dealing with intestinal parasites as well as hemorrhoids.
It Relaxes and Beautifies
Did you know that you may also use water pepper herb for relieving stress? You can add a handful of its leaves to your bathwater to attain physical and mental relaxation. Some women actually use water pepper herb for removing blackheads and shrinking large pores because of the astringent properties it is known to possess.
WARNING: Water pepper herb is not meant to replace medications prescribed by a doctor. If you are planning on using this medicinal plant for therapeutic purposes, make sure that you do so only under the direct supervision of an experienced herbalist. Also, it’s a good idea for you to inform your doctor about your plan, most especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or has a known medical condition.
