Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla)
In this case we are going to talk about the Pulsatilla. Its scientific name is Pulsatilla vulgaris and is a genus of plants consisting of about thirty species and used in homeopathy for the treatment of various diseases. Do you want to know more about the pulsatilla?
Characteristics of the pulsatilla
Pulsatilla is distributed in mountainous areas or meadows with quite a grassy mass. They are found mostly in the mountain areas of North America, Asia and Europe. Its leaves have hairs and its flowers in the form of bells have a bluish, violet or intense purple color, and are one of the first flowers that bloom in spring.
They are perennial plants but their leaves are deciduous. They are characterized mainly by having the underground rhizomes from which the leaves are born in the form of a basal rosette. When blooming in spring, it is also known by the name of Easter flowers.
Regarding the shape of the leaves and stems we find something special: and this plant has a whitish gray hairs that gives them a velvety texture when touched. This hairiness is due to the adaptation to mountainous climates that helps them to better resist the low temperatures, they extend the surface through which the surrounding oxygen enter and protect from the sun’s rays.
Properties and uses of the pulsatilla
The following text is according to the National Institutes of Health website.
Pulsatilla should not be prepared at home because it is extremely toxic and improper use of it could cause serious injuries, depending on the time the plant is in contact with the skin.
Pulsatilla is used especially for homeopathy for medicinal purposes. Among the diseases that are treated thanks to this plant, we find ourselves: colds, diseases related to the liver, depressions, incontinence, spasms, etc.
The part of the pulsatilla that is used for the healing methods is the herb and not the flower.
Pulsatilla is frequently used in homeopathy to treat various problems such as:
Respiratory problems
It is about colds with excess mucus and secretions. They are also used in other respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, sinusitis, etc. The signal that is used to know if pulsatilla should be used is that these conditions are accompanied by abundant mucus and cough that give rise to abundant yellowish sputum.
Behavior problems in children
For children with problems such as excess tantrums, shyness, lack of security, caprice irritability, etc. Pulsatilla is used in a homeopathic manner.
Menstruation problems
When a woman has irregular menstruation and does not adjust to the normal period, the pulsatilla can be used to re-regulate them.
Different types of pains
When there are people who frequently suffer from severe pain such as headaches, molars, mumps … it is used to reduce this pain.
Digestive problems
For people who have problems to make digestion or liver worker, you can use remedies made with the pulsatilla to help against indigestion. In addition, it helps the stomach and liver to work better and prevents the appearance of symptoms typical of poor digestion such as nausea, vomiting and flatulence.
Weak personality problems
For those people who have a weak personality, such as those who are insecure, timid, who think they will be abandoned or who suffer from anxiety, the pulsatilla can be used. It can also help those who suffer from sadness, melancholy, a tendency to cry, loneliness or suicidal thoughts.
How is a person that requires pulsatilla detected?
To identify a person who needs pulsatilla, it is necessary to look at certain patterns of behavior and behavior:
- People who tend to be very sweet, gentle and gentle , but deep down they are really in need of love, and consolation they need pulsatilla. To recognize them we can see how they constantly need hugs, praise, recognition by others, in general affection.
- People who often cry easily and without apparent cause are usually those who perceive and connect in great depth the pain and problems of others.
- These people tend to blush very easily. In addition, they tend to be indecisive and lack confidence in themselves. Many constantly feel sensations such as being abandoned, rejected, abandoned, etc.
- People with suicidal tendencies, strong anxieties and who have deep sorrows.
- Some people who need pulsatilla may have poor memory and do not like physical activity.
- They usually have dizziness when they get up and they need to go back to bed.
Pulsatilla toxicity
As mentioned before, it is not advisable to use pulsatilla in home remedies, since it is highly toxic. When the fresh plant is ingested, it can produce seizures and cause irritating and important injuries in the stomach.
Another effect that pulsatilla can have is to stimulate the nervous system at first, but later it produces depression and can lead to death.
The main symptoms that are caused by the ingestion of the pulsatilla are the following:
- Tingling in the mouth and tongue
- Facial stiffness
- Increased saliva
- Vomiting
- Inability to swallow
- Blurry vision
- Arrhythmia
- Seizures
- Death
To treat a person who has consumed pulsatilla should be performed a stomach lavage and put on assisted respiration.
Culture
Pulsatilla is a plant whose state of conservation is high. Therefore, it can not be collected in the wild. It can be grown manually in cool places.
If we want to use the pulsatilla for other uses that are not medicinal, we can use them to decorate slopes or open-air rockets. So that they can survive in these places, they should be planted in a cool, semi-shaded place . These plants resist the cold quite well by the hair they have and thanks to the adaptation they have had throughout their evolution to live in high mountain areas. Although they resist the cold well, it is always preferable to protect it. These plants prefer the coldest winters and the coolest summers.
To reproduce them, the most normal thing is to propagate them from rhizomes when the autumn begins or by seeds that will sprout when spring arrives.
The best soil to keep the pulsatilla in good condition is a soil composed of mulch, garden soil and sand. To water it, it must be done daily but without puddling around it.
You already know a little more about the pulsatilla and its properties and thanks to it many people are cured of their diseases.
I am Don Burke, one of the authors at My Garden Guide. I am a horticulturist that cultivates, grows, and cares for plants, ranging from shrubs and fruits to flowers. I do it in my own garden and in my nursery. I show you how to take care of your garden and how to perform garden landscaping in an easy way, step by step.I am originally from Sydney and I wrote in local magazines. Later on, I have decided, more than two decades ago, to create my own blog. My area of specialization is related to orchid care, succulent care, and the study of the substrate and the soil. Therefore, you will see many articles dedicated to these disciplines. I also provide advice about how to improve the landscape design of your garden.
