Devil's weed
Pulsatilla, or devil's herb, a plant as treacherous as it is extraordinary: we are talking about a "very particular herb, whose pharmacological studies - actually reliable - only began towards the end of the twentieth century. If pulsatilla, on the one hand, it seems miraculous for some ailments, on the other hand its excessive use can trigger a series of very serious side effects, such as cardiac and respiratory disorders.
The plant, widely used in the homeopathic field, is particularly indicated in depressive states, and also useful in case of insomnia, gastric problems, phlegm, fever and cystitis.
Botanical analysis
The Pulsatilla genus includes about 30 species of perennial herbaceous plants, belonging to the family of Ranuncolaceae, very much yes
Let's emphasize probably the most important species of the genus Pulsatilla: P. vulgaris. The plant in question, perennial and herbaceous, can reach 20 centimeters in height and is made up of hairy and clearly divided, pinnate and petiolate leaves. The flowers are lonely, lilac and fragile. The rhizome penetrates deeply into the soil. [adapted from Reasoned dictionary of herbal medicine and phytotherapy, from . Bruni]
Main properties
Pulsatilla is very rich in anemonin, alkaloid responsible for the yellow color of the essential extract. The liquid characterized by anemonin is extremely volatile, burning and very irritating to the ocular and nasal mucous membranes: it is precisely this molecule that attributes to pulsatilla its antispasmodic properties and therefore makes it useful in the treatment of digestive spasms, spasmodic cough and female genital pains.
Pulsatilla is useful for alleviating migraines and neuralgia: the anti-migraine and anti-neuralgia virtues seem to be directly related to the action of anemonine.
But the extraordinary power of this marker pulsatilla goes much further: in fact, it seems to be an excellent natural analgesic for menstrual pain. More specifically, the pulsatilla creates analgesia in case of dysmenorrhea due to adnexitis and ovarianitis. Particular attention must be paid in case of menstrual pain associated with hypermenorrhea: in fact, the treatment with pulsatilla tends to increase the menstrual flow, and in such situations it is therefore not recommended to take it.
Man can also benefit from pulsatilla: the disorders caused by orchitis, orchi-epididymitis and urethritis seem to fade following the homeopathic assumption of pulsatilla.
In the past, it was customary to exploit the medicinal virtues of the pulsatilla also to treat phlegm (expectorant property) and to alleviate states of anxiety and restlessness (sedative virtue). [Taken from Dictionary of Phytotherapy and Medicinal Plants, second edition, by Enrica Capanini]
Additional properties
Although anemonin is the main responsible for the therapeutic virtues of the pulsatilla, protoanemonin must also be mentioned: this last molecule was exploited for its antibacterial, antifungal and blistering properties. For this reason, it is necessary to pay close attention to its use. of the plant. Pulsatilla extract is highly irritating: in this regard, it must be carefully diluted for oral administration, as well as for topical application.
Undesirable effects of pulsatilla
So far we have listed and analyzed the therapeutic aspects associated with pulsatilla, leaving out the toxic or otherwise dangerous ones. As mentioned in the introduction, the plant with its beautiful lilac flowers hides dangerous, sometimes serious aspects.
Excessive doses of pulsatilla extract can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, hematuria (blood in the urine) and albuminuria (high concentration of albumin in the urine). Exceeding the prescribed dosage, the assumption of pulsatilla could generate even more serious disturbances, up to creating alarming situations, cardiac deficits and respiratory disorders.
In pregnancy, the assumption of pulsatilla is prohibited due to the possible teratogenic effect: in fact, abortions and teratogenic effects have been observed in grazing animals following the intake of plants with protoanemonin, including pulsatilla.
Summary
Pulsatilla: TO FIX CONCEPTS
Botanical name: Pulsatilla vulgaris and P. pratensis
Best known species: P. vulgaris
P. chinensis: Chinese anemone → intestinal disinfectant and antipyretic
Family: Ranuncolaceae
General description of pulsatilla: perennial and herbaceous plant, it can reach 20 centimeters in height
Flowers: solitary, lilac and fragile
Leaves: hairy and clearly divided, pinnate and petiolate
Rhizome - Dig deep into the ground
- extremely volatile, burning and very irritating to the ocular and nasal mucous membranes
- antispasmodic properties, therefore useful in the treatment of digestive spasms, spasmodic cough and female and male genital pain
- migraine and neuralgia
- menstrual pain due to adnexitis and ovarianitis
- disorders caused by orchitis, orchi-epididymitis and urethritis
- catarrh
- states of anxiety and restlessness
In case of severity → creating alarming situations, such as cardiac deficits and respiratory disorders
- clinical evidence: abortions and teratogenic effects on grazing animals
