L’erected (Conyza canadensis) is a plant belonging to the family of Asteraceae. On some texts it is indicated with the synonym of Erigeron canadensiswhile it is commonly known as Canadian saeppola or simply erigeron And conyza. It is present spontaneously throughout Italy, including the islands, and due to its ease of diffusion it is considered a weed of cultivated fields. However, not everyone knows that the plant has medicinal properties to be easily exploited in home herbal medicine.
In this article we discover the botanical characteristics of Conyza canadensisthe active ingredients it contains, the properties and the most common uses.
Description of the erigero
There Conyza canadensis it is a herbaceous plant with an annual or biennial cycle, with the biological form of terofita scaposa. It has a long tap root, from which the rosette of basal leaves come to life first, then the stems. The latter can even measure 1-1.5 m. The whole surface of the plant is hairy.
Leaves
The erigero leaves do not have a well-defined petiole, but are all more or less attenuated at the base. Sometimes the upper ones are sessile. The lower leaves are lanceolate, the others are very narrow and linear, the margin is whole or incised. Also on the leaves there are long bristly hairs, in particular on the central rib and along the margin.
Flowers
The inflorescence ofErigeron canadensis it is a large, very branched terminal panicle. The flowers are gathered in small flower heads: the external ones have a small white or pink ligule, the others are yellowish.
The flowering period of the erigero is very long, in fact it goes from spring to autumn.
Seeds
The fruit of the Conyza canadensis it is an achene (seed) covered by a short hairiness and surmounted by a pappus composed of numerous yellowish-white bristles. The pappus, under the action of the wind, favors the dispersion of the seeds.
Where the Canadian saeppola grows
As the botanical name suggests Erigeron canadensis it is a species native to North America, from where it has spread a little all over the world. In Italy it has been naturalized since the seventeenth century and grows in uncultivated fields, in vegetable gardens, in fields, along the banks of rivers, in ruderal areas. It seems that it has spread like this thanks to the fact that it grows along the roads and in the scree that line the railways. The “wind” raised by the passage of the means of transport causes the pappus containing the seeds to travel far away. It is present from the Mediterranean to the mountainous region. It is considered an invasive plant of intensive cultivation and pastures, also because animals do not eat it for its bitter taste.
Another peculiarity is that the erigero is perfectly resistant to the action of herbicides such as glyphosatewhich have no killing effect on the plant.
Useful parts and collection
In herbal medicine the useful parts of the Conyza canadensis are the flowering tops, including the stem and leaves. Harvesting is done in spring-summer, when the plant is at the beginning of flowering, cutting off the flowering top and about ten centimeters of stem.
The collected parts come together in not very tight bunches and hang to dry in an airy and shady place. Once dried, the bunches can be stored in special paper bags.
Active ingredients of the ergero
The main constituents of the erigero are: essential oil (citronellol, limonene, etc.), phytosterols, flavonoids, resins, tannins.
Properties of the erigero
The beneficial properties of the Conyza canadensis they are mainly attributed to the presence of essential oil. It confers on the decoctions both a characteristic odor and a bitter taste, and balsamic and anti-inflammatory virtues of the respiratory system. However, the erger is above all a plant with antidiarrheal, diuretic and purifying properties. It is particularly useful for rheumatics, arthritics and gout sufferers, to eliminate the nitrogenous waste from the body through a greater secretion of urine. For external use Erigeron canadensis it is used, always in decoction, to soothe irritation and slight ulceration of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
Domestic use
At home, the erigero decoction is prepared with different dosages depending on whether it is used internally or externally.
For internal use, 2 g of dry plant are used in 100 ml of water, to be taken in 2-3 cups a day.
For external use you need 6 g in 100 ml of water, to rinse and gargle.
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