Little Bibernelle

The Little Bibernelle (Pimpinella saxifraga) is a close relative of anise, which is often used as a spice in this country. Even the people of the Middle Ages valued the medicinal plant for its broad spectrum of activity. They used the Kleine Bibernelle against many diseases, even against the Black Death (plague), which was angry in many places at the time. In Germany, their medical effects were first documented in writing in 1588.

Occurrence and cultivation of the Kleine Bibernelle

The Pimpinelle loves dry, light locations and nutrient-poor calcareous soils. The Little Bibernelle belongs to the umbelliferae family (Apiaceae) and to the genus of the Bibernelle. The medicinal plant that can be used against many ailments is also Common Bibernelle, Fenugreek, Fenugreek, Pimpinelle and because of their sharp aftertaste on the tongue Pepper herb called.

The herbaceous perennial plant reaches a maximum height of 60 centimeters and has a hairless, grooved and hollow stem. On the stem there are sessile, small pinnate leaves that are arranged opposite one another. The large white inflorescences of the Kleine Bibernelle are double-gold and 5 to 15-rayed. After the plant has flowered (June to October), small, dark seeds form in the umbels. Even during the flowering period, new rosettes of leaves sprout on the stems, which are bristly, shallowly hairy or bald, depending on the species.

The yellowish gray, roughly finger-thick root of the small beaver hole has a spindle-like shape and extends down to 20 cm depth. The Pimpinelle loves dry, light locations and nutrient-poor calcareous soils. That is why it prefers to grow on dry lawns, in dwarf shrub heaths, along the road and in orchards. The common Bibernelle occurs in large parts of Europe to Central Asia. However, it is not native to the Balkans, Portugal or the Scandinavian countries.

Effect & application

If you want to use the Kleine Bibernelle as a natural remedy, collect it in March / April or September / October. It is important that it is clearly identified botanically, as there are other umbelliferae that look very similar to them and are sometimes even poisonous. It is often confused with the (luckily non-toxic) Little Wiesenknopf, which has a similar leaf shape. Today only the spicy smelling and pungent tasting root of the pimpinelle is used for naturopathic purposes. It is even used as a condiment and flavor in the production of bitters.

After collecting, the root is cleaned, cut lengthways, pulled on a thread and hung up to dry. A week later it is then dried in the oven. Then the user chops them up into tiny pieces. In the past, the herb was also used medicinally. However, its effectiveness has not been proven. Therefore it was no longer used for natural medical treatment in the following period. The roots of the small beaver pit can be used in many ways, depending on the disease to be treated.

It is used internally as tea, gargle, tincture, lozenges, cough syrup and homeopathic globules. However, the user should know that homeopathy produces its Pimpinella alba not only from the roots of the little ones, but also from the roots of the big beaver (Pimpinella major). It is usually administered in potencies D1 to D6. It is used externally as an ointment, homeopathic tincture and spray.

If the old natural medicinal plant is taken or applied in the correct dosage, there are no side effects or interactions with other means to fear. Since it is very mild, it can even be given to children.

Importance for health, treatment & prevention

The roots of the little Bibernelle contain pimpinellin, coumarins, furocoumarins, tannins, essential oils, saponins, polyacetylenes, quinic acid, caffeic acid and sitosterol. The main active ingredient is pimpinellin, which has an anti-inflammatory (anti-bacterial) effect and dissolves mucus in the case of respiratory diseases. The use of the Kleine Bibernelle for catarrh of the respiratory tract is even expressly recommended by Commission E of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices of the BGA.

Fenugreek has been used successfully for centuries to treat bronchitis, coughs and hoarseness. Sore throats, laryngitis and asthma are also effectively combated with Bibernelle products. The following basic recipe is suitable as a cough tea: 1 heaped teaspoon of Bibernelle root is poured over 1/4 liter of cold water and boiled for one minute. After straining, the user suffering from a cough or cold drinks a cup of Little Bibernelle tea sweetened with honey three times a day to dissolve the mucus.

The unsweetened brew of the tea is used for gargling with frequently recurring sore throats and hoarseness. It can also be drunk after use. If the patient's gargle tastes too bitter, we recommend a mixture of beagle root, chamomile flowers and tormenti in a ratio of 2: 2: 1. 30 drops of the finished Bibernelle tincture are poured into a glass of water and also used for throat disinfection in angina. As an ingredient in sprays, the patient can use fenugreek against his asthma.

As an externally applied tincture, fenugreek heals purulent ulcers and other open wounds. In addition, the root of the little beaver noodle has a digestive effect and relieves flatulence and intestinal inflammation. Fenugreek tea and tincture stimulate menstruation and thus heal cycle disorders. As a tincture and ointment, it is used to treat rashes and eczema.

In addition, the little Bibernelle has a urinary and perspiring and blood-thinning effect. Sebastian Kneipp even used the medicinal plant in patients with kidney infections and rheumatic diseases. As a homeopathic remedy, it is used to treat bronchitis, gastrointestinal diseases, ringing in the ears, spinal complaints, headaches and nosebleeds.