Today, cymbalum is particularly popular as an ornamental plant in rock gardens, but is also known for medicinal purposes in folk medicine. It contains vitamin C, iridoids and other secondary plant substances that promote wound healing and ward off germs.
Table of contents
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- Characteristics
- Cymbalum – An overview
- Cymbalum – Ingredients
- Medical effect
- How do iridoids work?
- Medical applications
- Cymbalum in cultural history
- Cymbalum in the kitchen
Characteristics
- Scientific name: Cymbalaria muralis
- Common names: Wallflower, Cymbal, Wall-Zimbelkraut, Angular Snapdragon, Cymbal, Eustett, Wall-Toadflax
- Family: Plantaginaceae
- Distribution: Mediterranean region, originally northern Italy and northern Adriatic, naturalized in Central Europe and Central Europe, now widespread worldwide
- Plant parts used: The herb
- Ingredients: Vitamin C, iridoids and other secondary plant substances
- Areas of application: wounds and bacterial infections, inflammations (skin, gums), historically scurvy
Cymbalum – An overview
- Naturally, the wallflower grows on rocks and stony areas. That is why it is often found on walls, stone buildings or in stone joints. This is where the name wallflower comes from.
- Since cymbalum looks beautiful with round, deep green leaves and white to pink flowers and grows in stone joints and cracks in walls, it is well suited for greening walls, garages, driveways and rock gardens.
- Today, cymbalum hardly plays a role in folk medicine. However, its ingredients do have medicinal effects, which is why it can be used as a medicinal plant in various applications.
- The leaves of the cymbalum are edible, taste slightly bitter and can be used in the kitchen like cress.
- Historically, the crushed leaves were used to treat inflamed skin diseases.
- Due to its high vitamin C content, the herb was also used as a medicine to treat scurvy.
Cymbalum – Ingredients
Cymbalum provides vitamin C and secondary plant substances, especially iridoids. Well-known iridoids include muralioside, antirrhinoside, linarioside, antirrhid and linarid.
Medical effect
Cymbalum was used especially to treat external wounds and skin inflammations. Secondary plant substances, such as flavonoids, have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects – an effect that can be helpful for minor injuries by preventing inflammation and infections.
The iridoids that protect the plant itself also have an antibacterial effect. The beneficial effects on wound healing and against inflammation are mainly attributed to the iridoids it contains.
Tannins, which are also secondary plant substances, contract tissue. They also close blood vessels and are therefore suitable for stopping the flow of blood in wounds and sealing them off from potential pathogens. Because of its astringent (contracting) effect, cymbalum was also used as a medicine against hemorrhoids. Tannins also have an effect on digestion.
The herb also contains saponins (mucilages), which are found in many herbal remedies for colds because they have expectorant properties.
Historically, cymbalum was taken to treat scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C. The leaves and the herb contain a lot of vitamin C and should counteract the deficiency symptoms when consumed.
Vitamin C is an important factor in the conversion of amino acids and the synthesis of collagen in the body. A long-term lack of vitamin C leads to a weakening of the connective tissue. Such a vitamin deficiency can lead to bleeding gums and falling out of teeth. The immune system is weakened and one becomes susceptible to all kinds of infections. In addition, wounds heal poorly.
Furthermore, scurvy causes joint inflammation, and sufferers often suffer from high fever, watery diarrhea, and dizziness. Scurvy can weaken the heart and lead to death.
Psychologically, scurvy is associated with severe depression: a vitamin C deficiency prevents the production of the hormones adrenaline and serotonin, i.e. the performance and happiness hormones. Today, scurvy is hardly an issue in industrialized countries, as there is generally no danger of a vitamin C deficiency.
Today, the cymbalum no longer plays a major role in naturopathy. However, the herb can be used as a tea or wound dressing for minor skin ailments and other complaints and promotes healing processes. (Image: Alwith/pexels/own editing heilpraxis.de)
How do iridoids work?
According to a study (1997), Cymbalaria muralis contains many iridosides, including antirrhinoside, linarioside, antirrhid, linarid and muralioside.
Iridoids are secondary plant substances that have been found in a variety of plants. These substances help plants to defend themselves against predators (bitter taste). They also have antimicrobial effects and offer the plant protection against microorganisms such as various bacteria and fungi. These effects can also be used for medicinal purposes in humans.
Medical applications
Although cymbalum no longer plays a significant role as a medicinal plant today, it can easily be used as a household remedy. To make cymbalum tea, around two teaspoons of the picked leaves are poured over around 100 milliliters of hot water, left to steep for at least ten minutes and then used in different ways.
To treat gum inflammation, you can gargle this tea lukewarm, pull it through your teeth and then spit it out. To aid digestion, drink the tea in small sips throughout the day. There is no maximum dosage, as no side effects are known.
The tea is also used for washing, compresses and poultices, especially for eczema, ulcers, acne, abrasions and skin wounds that are slow to heal. To do this, soak a cloth and place it on the affected areas or wrap it around them.
A more effective way to use a paste made from fresh cymbalum, which you crush with a mortar, is to prepare this paste fresh twice a day in the traditional way and apply it as a compress to the wounds to be treated.
Cymbalum in cultural history
In nature, cymbalum originally grew in rocky regions of northern Italy and the northern Adriatic. There it is a semi-light plant and is considered a heat indicator. In the early modern period it was known as a medicinal plant and was mentioned in medical literature in 1582.
It was first documented as a plant in Central Europe in 1644. It remains unclear whether the herb was deliberately cultivated as a medicinal plant here or whether it spread unintentionally – for example via mountain travelers. Today it is found almost worldwide and thrives in stony, rocky locations in partial shade or in a sunny spot.
Cymbalum in the kitchen
The bitter-spicy leaves of the cymbalum are similar in taste to cress (see also watercress) and can also be used in herb butter and for green salads, egg dishes, yoghurt, quark and dips. (Dr. Utz Anhalt)