Scientific name

Sisymbrium officinale

Family

Brassicaceae

Origin

Common plant in damp places

Synonyms

Singers grass

Used Parts

The drug consists of the flowering tops.

Chemical constituents

• Glucosulfocyanosides (gluconasturtoside);
• Essential oil;
• Iodine;
• Iron;
• mucilage;
• Polyphenols.

Erisimo in Herbalist: Property of the Errisimo

The erysimus finds uses in phytotherapy for the beneficial activities it carries out towards the respiratory system. Therefore, this plant is particularly useful in case of airway diseases.

However, at present there are no qualitatively controlled extracts of erysimus and the herb has often been subject to sophistication.

Biological activity

Although its use has not obtained official approval for any type of therapeutic indication, the erysime is attributed to expectorant, mucolytic, emollient and trophic properties for the mucous membrane of the respiratory system. These activities seem to be attributable to the sulfur glucosides contained in the same plant.

The erysimus, therefore, can be useful to relieve inflammation of the throat, to resolve the aphonia and hoarseness associated with laryngitis, pharyngitis and tracheitis and to appease the irritations of the upper airways resulting from cough, flu and cold. Furthermore, the plant is also used as an infusion for laryngitis and tracheobronchitis (use, however, not approved).

Erysimus in folk medicine and homeopathy

The beneficial actions carried out by the erysimus on the respiratory system are well known also to folk medicine, which uses this plant precisely for the treatment of different types of airway diseases.

Moreover, in ancient times the erysimus was even used as a remedy for poisoning and infections.

The erysim is also exploited by homeopathic medicine, where it can be found in the form of granules, mother tincture and oral drops.

In this context, the plant is used in case of tracheitis, hoarseness and loss of voice.

The dose of homeopathic remedy to be taken can vary from one individual to another, also depending on the type of disorder that needs to be treated and according to the type of preparation and homeopathic dilution that you want to use.

Contraindications

Avoid the use of erysime-based extracts in case of an allergy to Cruciferae (cross-reactivity), or in case of hypersensitivity to one or more components, skin lesions and skin allergies. An exaggerated and prolonged dietary intake is contraindicated in hypothyroid subjects.

Pharmacological Interactions

• enzyme inducer at the level of the hepatic microsomal system;
• can inhibit the anticoagulant effect of warfarin due to its vitamin K content;
• increases the metabolism of some drugs for enzyme induction activity;
• iodized drugs: interference of the erysime with the metabolism of iodine at the thyroid level due to the presence of isothiocyanates.