Earth butter (Tamus communis) has anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory properties, successfully treating rheumatism. It is also commonly known as fluiertoare, brie, earth ointment, or black vine.
The plant is indicated for the following ailments:
- muscle, joint, and meniscus pain;
- arthritis, arthrosis, coxarthrosis, contusions, cramps;
- bunions and bone spurs, bone deformities;
- gout, osteoporosis, hematomas;
- frostbite, swellings, wounds;
- acne, dry eczema, purpuric dermatoses;
- shingles, varicose veins;
- frontal and maxillary sinusitis;
- cervical spondylosis, lumbosciatica;
- bronchitis and pneumonia.
Earth butter contains alkaloids, saponins, calcium oxalate, histamine, flavonoids, vitamins A, C, B complex, and mineral salts of calcium, magnesium, sulfur, manganese, zinc, mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, allantoin, and tannins.
How to Recognize It?
Earth butter is a herbaceous plant, 2-4 meters long, and tends to climb. The leaves are glossy and green, while the fruits are bright red berries, easily noticeable in autumn.
Underground, the plant develops an impressive root, which can reach up to half a meter in length, black on the outside and white on the inside.
The root is also very thick (it can reach the thickness of an arm), with a greasy consistency, which is where its popular name, earth butter, comes from.
Where to Find It and How to Harvest It?
Earth butter grows mainly in the southern regions of the country, at the edges of forests, in clearings, and along green fences. It prefers rocky areas.
Its root is very difficult to extract. It is dug out with a spade, after which it is washed in water to avoid losing its mucilaginous substances.
It is most often used fresh, for direct application on the skin or for preparing tinctures.
Tincture of Earth Butter
Clean one root of earth butter well, grate it, and place it in a 1-liter bottle. Fill it with alcohol or vodka of 30-40 degrees.
Close the bottle and let it macerate for 6 days, during which the container should be shaken 3-4 times a day for better extraction of the active principles.
Finally, strain the preparation by squeezing. Store the tincture in small dark bottles. Use the obtained solution to rub the painful areas 2-3 times a day.
Direct Application on the Skin
For Rheumatism, Sciatica
Grate the root and apply it directly to the skin. Cover it with a sterile cloth and let it act for 15-30 minutes, twice a day. The treated joint will warm up, the pain will diminish, and after a few applications, joint mobility will improve.
For Sinusitis
One tablespoon of grated earth butter root and one of horseradish (both grated) are placed on a sterile compress and applied to the forehead for 5-15 minutes, ensuring to remove the poultice at the first signs of burning. Apply twice a day.
For Bronchitis, Pneumonia
Mix 2 tablespoons of grated horseradish root, 5 tablespoons of earth butter root, and 4 tablespoons of crushed flax seeds, and spread generously on a sterile compress, which is then applied to the chest. Cover the compress with another sterile cloth and place a warm blanket over it. Let it act for 30 minutes, for 4-5 days.
Precautions
Earth butter is used only externally. The root of earth butter can cause strong allergic skin reactions in people with sensitive skin; therefore, it should initially be applied only to a small area of skin, gradually increasing the treated area.
Since it has a strong rubefacient effect, applications should initially last only 30 seconds to 1 minute, increasing the application time only if no burning sensation or skin lesions occur.
