There are so many options of herbs with amazing medicinal properties you could use as home remedy. Among the list of herbs you should have at home is pineapple weed. Originated from Northeast Asia, this flowering plant has been used to treat stomach upset and fever.
What Is Pineapple Weed?
For those who are not familiar with this herb may be thinking whether this weed has any relation with pineapple the fruit. As a flower plant, pineapple weed has nothing to do with pineapple the fruit. This flowering plant comes from the family of Asteraceae with scientific name Matricaria discoidea. The name of pineapple weed comes from the aroma of this weed when crushed. For some people the aroma is the mixture of pineapple and chamomile that is why in some countries, this weed is also well known as wild chamomile but the health benefits of herbal chamomile tea is a bit different with pineapple weed.
The Medical Uses of Pineapple Weed
The dry flower of pineapple weed is commonly consumed as herbal tea and use as topical medication. If you grow this flowering plant in your garden, pineapple weed could become an effective insect repellent. Aside from that, the health benefits of pineapple weed could be seen in the list below.
- Natural Way to Treat Insomnia
Since ancient time, pineapple weed is well known for its sedative effect. There are a lot of health benefits of herbal tea before bed especially tea like pineapple weed tea. That is why is highly recommended for those with sleeping disorder like insomnia to consume a cup of warm pineapple weed tea before bed. If before you usually wake up tired because of the lack of sleep, after drinking pineapple weed regularly, instead of tired you will feel fresh every time you wake up in the morning.
- Contains Analgesic Properties
One of the amazing things that science has found in pineapple weed is its analgesic properties. That is why pineapple weed is also well known as amazing pain relief that you could use both internally like drinking the pineapple weed tea or use it externally as topical. Both of them are effective to help numbing the pain.
- Topical Medication for Skin Health
One of the ways you could use the health benefits of pineapple weed is by using is as topical medication. Some studies have stated that pineapple weed contain potent antimicrobial and antibacterial agents to help improve the health of skin and even able to treat some skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and of course insect bites.
- Prevents Depressive Episode
As mentioned in the point number one, pineapple weed is well known for its sedative effect. That is why this weed is also used to help preventing depressive episode whenever the symptoms of depression occur.
- Recommended for Breastfeeding Mother
There are a lot of health benefits of breastfeeding for mother but some mothers out there are struggling to make sure their babies are getting enough milk. Consuming foods that could help improving the milk production is highly recommended to help boosting the production. However, it is important to note that though it is great for breastfeeding mother but it is not recommended for mothers during pregnancy.
- Immunity System Natural Booster
As mentioned above as containing potent anti-bacterial and anti-microbial that protect the gut, pineapple weed could act as immunity system natural booster. Just drinking this pineapple weed tea regularly may help you improve your immunity system.
- Accelerates Wound Healing
As your immunity system is in strong condition, wound healing process could be significantly accelerated. It means using pineapple weed as solution to wound healing may help preventing further infection. Moreover, the analgesic properties found in pineapple weed will help reducing the pain as well.
- Home Remedy to Fever
For over centuries pineapple weed is well known as home remedy to fever. The ability to prevent infection and improve immunity system is the key why pineapple weed is excellent to treat fever. Furthermore, by drinking the pineapple weed tea may help stimulating the production of sweat that could help eliminating toxin from inside the body to accelerate the recovery process.
- Promotes Healthy Gut
It has been mentioned several times in some previous points that the anti-microbial and anti-bacterial agents of pineapple weed could help improving immunity system by making sure the gut is in healthy condition. Furthermore, pineapple weed is also able to improve digestion by preventing constipation, cramping and bloating. When your gut is healthy, metabolism could be significantly improved because nutrient will be optimally absorbed.
Cautions of Pineapple Weed
It is essential to find out the cautions of pineapple weed especially for you who are about to use it for the first time. To be in the safe side, consulting your present medical condition with your doctor before you add pineapple weed as part of your home remedy solution is highly recommended.
- Specific scientific studies have been conducted just to prove that this flowering plant is not toxic. However, consuming it in large dosage could cause stomach upset that could lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
- Allergic reaction is the most common case that was ever reported regarding the use of pineapple weed. If it is your first time using it, especially as topical medication is better to be super careful especially for those who are allergic to sunflower and daisy since those two flowers come from the same family as pineapple weed,
The best way to get all the health benefits of pineapple weed is when consumed it as herbal tea. This type of herbal tea is commonly drunk before bed to improve sleep and fight insomnia. Furthermore, keeping the dry herbs of pineapple weed is also recommended because it is effective to treat some light conditions from fever up to common cold as mentioned above.