Rheumatism sufferers would add the plant to their bath water to get some pain relief. Research indicates that smartweed extracts have hemostatic properties, and that they lower the blood pressure. Studies on animals have also shown that the plant does indeed have contraceptive effects, as people have claimed. Smartweed is astringent, diaphoretic, and diuretic. It is effective as an extract against coughs and colds, and crushing the fresh herb, and using it as a plaster for congestion is common practice.
Some people claim that the crushed herb relieves many different kinds of pain.
The juice of the plant, mixed with a bit of water, is effective on sores that have developed pus. Smartweed is a smart weed to get to know. Smartweed, polygonum hydropiper, has long been known for its hot, peppery, biting flavor awnd has been used as a seasoning for thousands of years. PageWise makes no representations about the content published on this site. PageWise hereby disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to this information, and user agrees that all such use is at its own risk.