Loosestrife

Loosestrife is also known as Long purples, milk willow-herb, purple loose-strife, purple willow-herb, rainbow weed, soldiers, spiked Loosestrife, spiked willow-herb, and willow sage. Loosestrife is a bushy, perennial plant which has settled in swamps, marshes, and moist places in the eastern U.S. after being introduced from Europe. The square, hairy stem grows 2 to 4 feet high and bears opposite, lanceolate, downy leaves. Purple six-petaled flowers grow in dense terminal spikes from June to August.

Loosestrife has been used effectively as an astringent and styptic. Loosestrife is effective against diarrhea, including simple diarrhea and that associated with serious illnesses such as dysentery and typhoid fever. The infusion or fluid extract is also used for gastroenteritis and is particularly useful for diarrhea in infants. Loosestrife helps to stop internal bleeding, and it works without producing constipation.

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