Drosera in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Drosera

Scientific name

Drosera rotundifolia

Family

Droseraceae

Origin

Temperate and humid areas

Synonyms

sundew

Used Parts

Drug consisting of herbaceous parts

Chemical constituents

Essential oil;
Naphthoquinones (antimicrobial activity);
Flavonoids.

Drosera in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Drosera

The sundew contains active ingredients with antispasmodic properties on the smooth muscles of the bronchi, disinfectants and anti-inflammatory.

Biological activity

As mentioned, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, broncho-spasmolytic and secretolytic properties are attributed to the drosera. These activities are attributable to the naphthoquinones contained within the same plant. In particular, the antimicrobial activity of the drosera appears to be exerted above all by the naphthoquinone plumbagina.

Moreover, from in vitro studies it has emerged that the plumbagina is also able to exert an anti-inflammatory activity through a mechanism of action that foresees the inhibition of the pro-inflammatory prostaglandin synthesis.

Drosera in folk medicine and in homeopathy

In folk medicine, the drosera is used as a remedy for warts, as well as being used in preparations used for the treatment of asthma, spasmodic coughs and tuberculosis.

The sundew is also used in the homeopathic field, where it can be found in the form of granules, mother tinctures and oral drops.

Homeopathic medicine uses this plant in cases of respiratory diseases (such as spasmodic cough, bronchitis, tracheitis, laryngitis and pertussis), rheumatism, arthritis, osteoarticular pain, anxiety disorders, depression, dysentery and lymphatic system disorders.

The amount of homeopathic remedy to be taken can vary from individual to individual, also depending on the type of disorder that needs to be treated and depending on the type of preparation and homeopathic dilution that is intended to be used.