One does come across a number of valuable medicinal uses of pineapple weed, which include its role in preventing parasitic infection, aiding sleep, reducing fever, boosting one’s immune system, improving skin health, speeding healing, soothing one’s digestive system, lowering stress levels and also increasing milk production. There are also some important side effects to be aware of, such as severe allergic reactions, skin inflammation and stomach upset. If one were using this herb for the first time, one needs to consult with a doctor about one’s specific medical conditions, and also be sure that one is preparing/using this herb in the proper way.
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What is Pineappleweed?
Pineappleweed goes by a number of common names that include wild chamomile and disc mayweed and is scientifically referred to as Matricaria discoidea. Native to North America, this plant does grow roughly to 1 foot in height and also bears yellow, cone-shaped flower heads that resemble small pineapples. It is interesting to note that when the flowers are crushed, they also do give off a slight aroma of pineapple, as well as the aroma of chamomile, hence the usage of common names.
The cone-shaped flower heads are a rather valuable part of this plant, as they are rather used to either dried or fresh, most often in pineapple weed tea, which has a clear pineapple scent when rather brewed. One can also eat the dried or cooked flower heads for an energetic burst, which is why these flowers are indeed often, included in homemade trail mixes. The dense nutrient content of this herb does include myrcene, germacrene, and geranylisovalerate, as well as various tannins and glycosides.
Pineappleweed Medicinal Uses
Pineappleweed has medicinal value being in use for thousands of years by indigenous peoples in both North America as well as Northeast Asia. Some of these uses do include brewed in a tea, topically applied after solvent extraction, eaten indeed for its internal benefits and cultivated to repel insects.
Tea:
Dry flower heads of pineapple weed are often used to brew an herbal tea, and this does remain the most popular usage of this herb. One only needs 5-6 flower heads and can add honey to sweeten the flavor or dilute the taste of pineapple.
Through a process of solvent extraction, one can pull some of the essential oils out of the flower heads and infuse other carrier oils with it. This can then be topically applied to skin irritation and sore joints. Alternatively, the tea can also be allowed to cool and then applied to the affected area with a compress.
Consumption:
Many people choose to eat the flower heads of pineapple weed because they are dense with nutrients and can also provide an energy boost during an active day. Excessive consumption can cause allergic reactions, however, so one needs to use with caution.
Insect Repellent:
Another popular medicinal use of this herb is to simply allow it to grow in one’s home or garden. The scent of this herb works as a very effective insect repellent, and in areas of the world where a disease is often spread via mosquito bite, this is definitely a beneficial plant to have around.
Pineappleweed Health Benefits
One comes across several health benefits of making use of pineapple weed for people who are suffering from fever, insomnia, parasitic infections, chronic pain, inflammatory conditions, skin irritation, wounds, indigestion, stress, low milk production, anxiety as well as a weak immune system.
Insomnia
One of the oldest and most trusted benefits of making use of the pineapple weed herb is its sedative effect, which is very excellent for people who are suffering from insomnia and other sleep disorders. If one regularly suffers from interrupted sleep or wakes up feeling tired, one can try a cup of pineapple weed tea before going to bed.
Analgesic
For pain relief, both topical, as well as internal, drinking this tea and also applying the cold tea to the painful area, are very good options. The active compounds do quickly numb the area and also provide much relief from one’s chronic or acute pain.
Skin Health
This herb has certain antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, combined with antioxidants that do help in improving the appearance as well as the health of the skin. Applying a small amount of the tea or extracted oil on the site of psoriasis, eczema, insect bites and also even wrinkles that can help minimize their appearance and speed healing.
Stress and Anxiety
The aromatic compounds available in pineapple weed have been associated with lower levels of stress and anxiety, on account of the herb’s sedative effects. One can drink herb in tea form or eat its dried flower heads to help balance one’s mood and prevent depressive episodes prevent depressive episodes.
Breast Milk
As a galactagogue, pineapple weed can also help to stimulate the production of breast milk. For new mothers, this can also be important as many women do struggle to produce sufficient milk for their child. Pineappleweed should not be consumed by pregnant women, although it is quite safe for breastfeeding mothers.
Immune System
It helps balance the bacteria levels in one’s microflora environment, and also helps in soothing upset stomachs. This can also improve one’s digestive efficiency and also prevent symptoms of constipation, bloating and cramping.
Wound Healing
Applying pineapple weed tea or oil to one’s wounds can also help to speed the healing process and also protect the injuries from infection. Due to the analgesic properties, it can also eliminate the pain of fresh wounds, when used in smaller quantities.
Fever
Traditional usage of pineapple weed does include the treatment of fevers. Tea it is understood can stimulate the immune system and also induce sweating, which does help to release toxins from one’s body and also stimulate the recovery process.
Parasitic Infection
Pineappleweed has indeed strong anthelmintic properties which eliminate any parasitic infections or intestinal worms that can lodge in one’s body. This can help in improving one’s nutrient uptake, and also ensure proper growth as well as and development, particularly in areas of the world where parasitic infections are rather more widespread.
