Drosera rotundifolia
Droseraceae
Habitat: Grows throughout Europe on wet heaths, moors
and sphagnum bogs, especially in Wales.
Collection: The whole of the plant is gathered during
the flowering period in July or August.
Part Used: Entire plant.
Constituents:
- Naphthaquinones; plumbagin, its methly-ether, and methylnaphthazarin
- Flavonoids.
Actions: Anti-spasmodic, demulcent, expectorant.
Indications: Sundew may be used with great benefit in
bronchitis and whooping cough. The presence of plumbagin
helps to explain this as it has been shown to be active against
Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Pneumococcus
bacteria. Sundew will also help with infections in other parts
of the respiratory tract. Its relaxing effect upon involuntary
muscles helps in the relief of asthma. In addition to the
pulmonary conditions it has a long history in the treatment of
stomach ulcers.
Ellingwood considered it specific for "dry, irritable,
persistent cough; also cough of a hoarse, resonant, explosive,
or spasmodic character, without secretion." In addition he
recommends it for the following pathologies: cough of measles,
whooping-cough, chronic bronchitis, phthitis
pulmonalis, asthmatic coughs.
Combinations: In the treatment of asthma it may be used
with Grindelia and Pill-bearing Spurge.
Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling
water onto l teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse
for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: take l-2ml of the tincture three times a day.