You don't have to worry about toxic ingredients with mountain knapweed. This is what distinguishes the plant with its beautiful purple flowers and is why it is so often mentioned as a medicinal plant.
Are mountain knapweed poisonous?
Mountain knapweed isnot poisonous. The flowers of the plant were even used as medicinal herbs for a long time. However, since the plant does not contain any special substances, it is no longer used very often in today's herbal medicine.
Why does mountain knapweed have a reputation as a medicinal plant?
The mountain knapweed (Centaurea montana) is mentioned inGreek mythology as a medicinal plant. Here Cheiron heals a wound on Achilles' leg with the help of the plant. According to the story, the plant acts against the poison in the injury. The idea that mountain knapweed is a medicinal plant with special powers probably derives from this old story. To this day, folk medicine still likes to use the mountain knapweed and harvest its flowers during the flowering period.
What is the non-toxic mountain knapweed used for?
The flowers of the mountain knapweed are still used today inHomeopathy. A tea made with the flowers of the herbaceous perennial can have a cough-suppressing effect. The plant can have an astringent and diuretic effect and is used for these purposes:
- Promoting digestion
- Supporting the urge to urinate
- Relieve menstrual cramps
Tip
Do not pick in the wild
You should not pick the mountain knapweed, which is reminiscent of cornflowers, in the wild. But that doesn't have to do with the fact that the daisy family is poisonous. The plant is protected in many areas of Europe and cannot be picked everywhere in Germany either.
