Knotweed: what does it look like?

Knotweed is a common plant in the Polygonaceae family. Up to 70 cm high, it is an annual plant with numerous branched, ridged stems. Sometimes upright, sometimes creeping, these stems carpet the ground, forming an inextricable and particularly dense network. It’s from this characteristic that the plant gets its other names, knotweed and centinode.

Knotweed leaves are alternate, narrow and hairless. They are elongated and up to 30 mm long. The plant’s new leaves always emanate from a whitish, membranous sheath. These leaves have long served as food for animals, especially pigs. That’s why bird’s-foot weed is also known as pigweed.

From June to October, or even November, tiny white to pink flowers dot the plant’s stems. These flowers generally cluster in the leaf axils. The fruits of bird’s-foot are triangular-shaped achenes. Brown and firm, they contain three bones and a single seed. The latter is highly prized by birds. Rowing, this plant’s root is a taproot with rootlets.

The benefits of bird’s-foot weed

Stems, leaves and flowers are the components of bird’s-foot weed used in phytotherapy. Among other active compounds, these aerial elements contain flavonoids and tannins. These substances act synergistically to aid urinary water elimination. They therefore contribute to the proper functioning of the urinary system.

Thanks to the active ingredients it contains, knotweed has astringent properties, which are very useful in cases of excessive menstruation and circulatory disorders. These disorders can lead to varicose veins and hemorrhoids. In addition, the plant’s silicic acid has the power to strengthen lung cell tissue. Today, the aerial parts of bird’s thumb are marketed as capsules and herbal teas.

For one cup of herbal tea, we recommend 1 teaspoon of dried bird’s-foot extract. Whatever form it takes, a dietary supplement should always be taken as part of a healthy lifestyle. A balanced and varied diet is also encouraged. We also advise you to follow the dosage instructions carefully. You should also pay close attention to the duration of the dietary supplement cure. This valuable information is generally provided in the product leaflets. We recommend that you always take the time to read them before consuming any product. If you have any doubts or require further information about a product, contact a herbalist. This is the only professional who can give you the right advice.