Rattle

Other Names of Rattle: Yellow rattle, cockscomb, rhinanthus minor

Useful Parts of the Plant: Leaves, flowers, roots

Rattle is an herbaceous plant that is most well-known for its medicinal and therapeutic uses. The plant has a long woody stalk that is thick and straight. It also has four edges with leaves through the stalk. The leaves are oval shaped, and the stalk may grow up to a length of 100 cm. The leaves also contain secretary glands. These glands appear as small white spots all over the leaves. The plant also bears yellow-colored flowers that have dotted petals. The herb blooms for only a few months from June to September. The ideal time to pick up the leaves and flowers is in the morning, right after the first dew or the mist has cleared.

Nutritional Information and Properties

Most of the health benefits of the rattle plant stem from a chemical contained in it. This chemical is known as hypericine. It is a brown and red colored substance. The chemical is also used to create medicinal and therapeutic tinctures, which can be used for a lot of different problems. The rattle plant also contains several other chemicals such as tannins and volatile oils. These chemicals are also known as pseudo hypericine. These chemicals in the plant contribute to its astringent and antiseptic properties. The plant is also known for its hypotensive action, which is contributed due to the flavonoids contained in the plant.

Health Benefits and Therapeutic Uses

There are a lot of therapeutic and beneficial uses for the rattle plant. These include:

Treatment of over or under secretion of the bile juices in the liver. This aids in digestion of fats.
Treatment and management of chronic entero colitis, a condition in which the colon and the small intestines become inflamed.
Treatment of hyperacid gastritis, which is a condition signified by excessive production of gastric juices and acids. This may cause ulceration of the stomach lining.
Treatment and management of gastric ulcers.
Improvement of the symptoms of hepatic conditions such as jaundice. You may also use the herb for treatment of both chronic and acute hepatitis as well as cholecystitis.
Treatment of arterial hypertension caused due to accumulation of cholesterol on the arterial walls.
Treatment of neurovegetative dystonia, which is condition signified by over stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. This disease primarily affects the digestive organs.
Treatment of the symptoms of menopause.
Treatment of psychological conditions such as psychomotor nervousness, hysterical bouts, and depression, as well as irascible states.
Treatment of the symptoms of gingivitis as well as painful tooth abscesses. Gargling with rattle tea can help you treat the symptoms of these conditions.
Treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, which is a condition that causes shocking electrical impulses through the muscles of your face.
Rattle herb infusions may also be used for the treatment of speaking disorders as well as sleep disorder such as somnambulism and parasomnias.
Treatment of urinary incontinence and other pelvic conditions.
Treatment of gangrene, open and infected wounds, as well as hematomas. Salves and lotions made from rattle plant infusions may be topically applied to the wounds for their antiseptic and healing action.
The anti-inflammatory action of rattle plant infusions can help you treat backaches, sciatica, and rheumatic pains.
Rattle flowers essence with linseed oil can be used to make lotions for the treatment of sunburns, skin eczema, and localized infections.
Massaging the belly of babies with rattle plant oil can help relax them and improve symptoms of colic.
Due to its tonic action, essence of rattle plant can be used in cosmetics. The essence helps rejuvenate old and dried skin tissues.

Other Useses

Rattle plant oil can be used on photosensitive skin to improve skin infections.