Hoary willowherb, scientific name Epilobium parviflorum, is a plant of the Onagracee family characterized by antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The remedy is used specially to treat problems related to prostate, to the urinary tract and to the skin. Hoary willowherb is useful in case of prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia, because an active substance contained in the plant has the ability to inhibit the proliferation of prostaglandin. This use, that comes from tradition, you can read indeed about in the books of the well known herbalist Maria Treben, has been demonstrated by recent scientific studies such as that published in 2006 on the Journal of ethnopharcology. In addition to this, epilobium, according to the herbalist Maria Treben, can help against cystitis and, in general, against the infections of the urinary tract. Finally, thanks to the anti-inflammatory, moisturizing and astringent properties, the hoary willowherb can be used to soothe dermatitis, aphthae, inflammations of the oral cavity, eczema, wounds and burns. Hoary willowherb can be found in the form of mother tincture or herbal tea.
Mother tincture
You can take 40 drops of hoary willowherb mother tincture twice a day in water.
Herbal tea
According to Maria Treben, you can prepare a brew by boiling a cup of water and a teaspoon of dry plant, once it reaches the boiling point, remove from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Drink no more than two cups per day without food. You can use the herbal tea also to prepare a poultice to treat problems of the skin or to gargle in case of aphthae or other irritations of the mouth. Finally, the hoary willowherb exists in a wide range of varieties that can be easily confused. Buy always the remedy in chemist’s or herbalist’s shops.
