Field eryngo (Eryngium campestre L.)
Very often in the past, this plant has been used as a cough medicine.
Persistent cough was treated with an infusion of the small thorns of this plant (a thick herbal tea, made by boiling).
What the wikipedia article about the Eryngo misses to tell is the other few uses of the plant:
- Helps reduce inflamed prostate gland (prostatitis)
- Relieves light sensitivity in eyes
- Helps excrete small kidney stones (takes about 1 week)
- Improves male sexual power (not a Viagra, needs to be taken for at least 2 weeks)
- Cleans the skin
Gathering and drying
It is collected between June and August when the thorny flowers bloom and start to form. 1 of 5 plants are left intact to form seeds that drop in the soil when autumn winds start.
All the above part of the plant is taken and dried hanging upside down. Temperature less than 50 C. No sun exposure.
When dry, the plant has white-to-gray-blue color, no aroma and bitter taste.
Use thick glove. Remove the stems and crush the thorns and leaves. Keep in dry place (paper bag or small carton box).
Boil 2 tablespoons of the crushed leaves and thorns for 10 minutes in 1/5 liter of water and let it cool.
Sift and keep in a glass bottle.
For internal use - Drink 4 times a day before meals.
If you want to use it for eye cleaning and light sensitivity, boil for 20 minutes or until the water eveporates in half (about 1 cup remaining).
Lay on your back. Use a pipette and drop 3 drops in each eye. Stay for 5 minutes and rinse the eyes with warm water.
Don't rub with towel (leave to dry normally). The saponins in the plant will calm the macula and clean the eyes.
Do not use more than once a day. And if the inflamation continues, visit an eye doctor. The eryngo plant only helps mild sensitivity and you may need something stronger if there is persistent infection.