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Pigweed
Introduction
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Polygonum aviculare or Common Knotgrass is a plant related to buckwheat and dock. It is also called birdweed, pigweed and lowgrass. It is an annual found in fields and wasteland, with white flowers from June to October.
Folklore
Folklore
Nicholas Culpeper states that the plant is ruled astrologically by Saturn and Capricorn.
Herbalism
Herbalism
Culpeper recommended knotweed to cure the spitting of blood. Modern herbalists use it to treat dysentery, excessive menstrual flow, lung disorders, bronchitis and jaundice, and gall and kidney stones. Not all of these uses are supported by scientific evidence.
The plant is an astringent, coagulant, diuretic and expectorant.
Subspecies
Subspecies
- Polygonum aviculare subsp. aviculare
- Polygonum aviculare subsp. depressum (Meisn.) Arcang.
- Polygonum aviculare subsp. rurivagum (Jord. ex Boreau) Berher in Louis
Source
Source
- Howard, Michael. Traditional Folk Remedies, (Century, 1987); p. 162.
cs:Rdesno ptačí da:Vej-Pileurt de:Vogelknöterich nl:Gewoon varkensgras no:Tungras (art) sk:Stavikrv vtáčí fi:Pihatatar sv:Trampört