Bistort,
also known as Adderwort, Dragonwort, Osterick, Patience Dock, and Sweet Dock, is
native to northern Europe, Siberia, western Asia, and Japan. It is a hardy
perennial that grows to about 2-1/2 feet tall, with blue-green leaves and pink
flowers. The name ‘Bistort’ comes from the Latin for ‘twisted twice’, which
refers to the appearance of its curled rhizome. Bistort was used as a vegetable
in England, and was used in herb puddings. However, it was always cultivated
primarily for its medicinal use. In the past, Bistort was used to treat stomach
disorders such as dysentery, diarrhea, and vomiting, as well as in the treatment
of respiratory ailments and sore throat. It was also used to reduce menstrual
bleeding. It is now known that these positive results were due to Bistort’s
being among the strongest of astringents due to its high concentration of
tannin. Bistort has been safely used in combination with several herbs for
treating a variety of ailments. Bistort has been used with
Marshmallow Root
and
Cranesbill Root
to ease the discomfort of hemorrhoids. It has also been used in conjunction with
Echinacea,
Goldenseal,
and
Myrrh
to treat minor wounds. Bistort is also used as a safe and mild vermifuge. It is
effective in reducing mouth ulcers and is beneficial to the gums as well.
Bistort also contains Vitamin A and Vitamin C.
