ENGLISH NAME: Heath Speedwell
LATIN NAME: Veronica officinalis
LOCAL NAMES:
Czechia: Rozrazil lékařský
Turkey: Sığırkuyruğu otu
Bulgaria: Великденче
Georgia: დედოფლისთითა (Dedoplistita)
COUNTRY: Turkey, Bulgaria,
Czechia, Georgia
WHERE TO FIND IT:
Region: Guria, Adjara, and forested regions across temperate Eurasia
Elevation: Common in mid-elevation forests
Terrain: Primarily in coniferous forests (spruce and pine), as well as in open
woodland edges and grassy clearings
DESCRIPTION:
Heath Speedwell is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial forming compact mats.
Plants reach 10–30 cm tall, with opposite, lance-shaped leaves (2–5 cm long).
In late spring and early summer, it produces slender spikes of small, blue to
violet tubular flowers, each 5–8 mm long, densely arranged on upright stalks.
Its spreading, mat-forming habit makes it a useful ground cover in woodland
settings.
USABLE PARTS: Flowers; leaves
MEDICINAL
PROPERTIES:
– Anti-Inflammatory:
Traditionally used for conditions involving inflammation
– Respiratory Support: Infusions
may help with coughs and congestion
– Wound Healing: Leaves used
externally as poultices or in ointments to soothe skin and aid healing
– Diuretic: Used to promote
urine production
– Antioxidant: Contains
compounds that may help protect against oxidative stress
– Other: Folk remedies include
use of tincture for eczema and dandruff
UNDESIRED EFFECTS:
– Excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal upset (nausea, stomach
discomfort)
COMBINING WITH
OTHER MEDICINES:
– No significant interactions are well-documented, but always consult a
healthcare provider if combining with prescribed diuretics or
anti-inflammatories
PREPARATION:
– Tea: Steep 1–2 tsp dried or
fresh leaves and flowers per cup of hot water for 5–10 min, strain, optionally
sweeten
– Tincture: Cover dried plant
material with high-proof alcohol in a glass jar, steep 4–6 weeks, strain, store
in dark bottles
– Poultice: Crush fresh leaves
into a moist paste and apply to skin irritations, wounds, or bruises
– Infused Oil: Cover dried
leaves with carrier oil, infuse in sun for several weeks, strain, use topically
HARVEST TIME:
– Late spring to early summer (when in full flower and leaves are mature)
HARVEST METHOD:
– Harvest in the morning after dew dries; snip stems with flowers and leaves
using sharp scissors, leaving part of each plant for regrowth
CONSERVATION
(STORAGE):
– Gently rinse, pat dry, air-dry in a single layer in shade with ventilation,
turning for even drying
– Store completely dry material in airtight containers (glass jars with tight
lids) in a cool, dark place