Eryngo

Alternative names: Eryngium Planum, Chardon Bleu, Panicaut des Champs, Sea Holly

Herbaceous perennial thistle, native to South Eastern Europe and central Asia, Eryngo can be recognized by its bluish stem and inflorescence. The root of Eryngium campestre, a cognate specie was used in Northen Europe as a vegetable  and in Southern Europe (Greece), young sprouts were used in salads. Romanian popular medicine use Eryngo for convulsive cough, the decoction being a powerful expectorant and a local analgesic for swollen breathing airways. To enhance its effect, Thyme is often added. In colds and flu, 2-3 threads of dry Eryngo are boiled together with 2 nuts and a few dry onion peels for a few minutes and administered as hot as possible.

Water extracts of Eryngo have a diuretic action and are used in various conditions of the urinary tract, prostate problems, kidney and bladder stones, difficult urination and fluid retention. Alcoholic Eryngo extracts obtained from the roots and shoots have  a powerful antifungal action and moderate antibacterial effects.

Eryngo tea gargles are efficient in paradontosis and tooth pain and regular baths with Eryngo decoction (3 liters of Eryngo decoction obtained from 5 tablespoons of chopped plant for each liter of water, added in the bath water) are helpful in arthritis and rheumatism. Healing the infections on children’s skin, Eryngo is used successfully for acne, eczema, dermatitis and various skin conditions.

Eryngo may cause allergies if you are sensitive to Apiaceae plant family (celery, dill, fennel) so caution is advisable.