Purple loosestrife is a perennial which grows on a creeping rhizome with erect stems reaching 60cm-1.5 m (2-5 ft.) in height. It has long, lance late leaves and crimson-purple flowers borne on whorled spikes in mid to late summer.
History and traditions
The name loosestrife is connected to this herb’s old reputation for soothing ill-behaved animals. Gerard, in his Herbal of 1597, writes of it “appeasing the strife and unruliness which fillet out among oxen at the plough, if it is put about their yokes”. As it was also supposed to drive away flies and gnats, perhaps this was the reason for its calming influence. The generic name is from the Greek, luthron, meaning blood, a reference to the color of the flowers, and it was considered by herbalists of old to be effective against internal hemorrhage’s, excessive menstruation and nosebleeds. John Lindley, in Flora Medica, 1838, refers to it as “an astringent, which has been recommended in inveterate cases of diarrhoea,” and it was often used in his day to treat outbreaks of cholera.
Growth
It grows best in moist to wet soil in sun or partial shade and is propagated by seed or division in autumn or spring. It often self-seeds and spreads rapidly. It is classed as a noxious weed in some countries and imports of the plants and seeds are forbidden.
Parts used
The whole flowering plant it is used fresh or dried in infusions, decoctions and ointments.
Uses
Medicinal
It has been found in modern research to have antibacterial properties and is still recommended by modern herbalists for diarrhoea and dysentery as well as for hemorrhages and excessive menstrual flow. It is said to be soothing, when applied externally, to sores, ulcers, skin irritations and eczema.
