Native to North America, donkey grass is known for its medicinal properties. Despite its strange name, depending on the location, the plant may be known by other names, including: evening star, onográcea, primrose, evening primrose, zecora and canaries.

Donkey grass is about one meter tall, with yellow flowers and elongated green leaves. These features cause some confusion in the public as to another very similar plant that can be used as ornamentals. That plant is the primrose.

medicinal properties

In natural medicine, donkey grass was used by Native Americans to prevent wound infections. Currently, it also helps to solve some health problems. In this sense, the part used are the leaves, flowers and stem. A kind of oil is also extracted from the seeds.

Its active ingredients are based on the presence of gammalinolenic acid (GLA), phytosterol, onoterin, tannins, flavonic compounds, mucilages, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, beta sitosterol and citrostadiene.

Due to all these components, donkey grass can be used to combat cramps, diarrhea, allergic skin reactions, asthma, chest pain, eczema, cholesterol, multiple sclerosis, nerve pain caused by diabetes, wounds, nervousness, psoriasis, syndrome premenstrual, cough and asthma.

By using the oil, people can also get rid of symptoms of premenstrual tension (PMS), rheumatoid arthritis pain, skin disorders, in addition to preventing the onset of heart disease, depression and hyperactivity.

Donkey Weed Tea

One of the most practical and effective ways to use the plant for health is through the preparation of tea. For this you will need a cup of hot water and a teaspoon of dried donkey grass flowers. In preparation, you will only need to add the herb with water and let it steep for a few minutes. Before drinking, remove all the herb. It is recommended to consume a cup of tea a day.

Precautions

Before including the tea in the treatment of any symptom or illness, it is advised that the doctor be consulted. However, it may already be advanced that women who are pregnant or who are nursing their children cannot consume the tea from the plant, unless the doctor is supervising.

For children’s use, especially among those who show symptoms of hyperactivity, the doctor should be consulted. In people with epilepsy, evening primrose oil can induce seizures as it tends to lower the seizure threshold.