Fagopyrum esculentum. ACTIONS: Vasodilatory, for strengthening and repairing capillaries, anti-histamine. Arthritis, poor circulation, heamorrhage of capillaries such as in epitaxis, navicular syndrome, any condition which could be helped by improving the blood supply, capillary fragility as a result of extensive X-rays.
Buckwheat is probably better known in the US as the source of buckwheat flour, used to make the famous buckwheat pancakes. In its herbal form it is excellent for any circulatory problem. Scientists at the Eastern Regional Research Laboratory of the US department of Agriculture confirmed after extensive trials that rutin, which is one of the constituents of buckwheat, causes blood vessels to become more flexible and will strenghten fragile blood vessels. Back in the 1940s, US servicemen who had come into contact with atomic fission products or who had suffered from the effects of atomic radiation, were given rutin by the US Government. Buckwheat is rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron and trace elements. DOSAGE: 20 - 30 grams of the dried herb daily.
