Droseraceae
Sundew
Drosera rotundifolia
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Northern Hemisphere (acid bogs)
Also known as: Round-leaved Sundew, Drosera, Moor Grass, Youthwort
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Parts Used
Aerial parts
Therapeutic Uses
Spasmodic dry cough, whooping cough, bronchitis (Commission E approved for respiratory spasm), asthma. Plumbagin specific antispasmodic on bronchial muscle.
Herbal Actions
Antispasmodic, antitussive, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory
Active Constituents
Naphthoquinones (plumbagin — antimicrobial, antitussive, plumbagone), flavonoids (quercetin, hyperoside, myricetin), proteolytic enzymes (carnivorous plant), acids (citric, malic)
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture💊 Capsule☕ Herbal Tea
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 1 tsp dried herb per 250ml, steep 10 min, 3x daily |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 40% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Commission E approved for respiratory conditions. Protected plant — use only cultivated sources. Part of Drosera compound formulas for cough. Plumbagin specific for bronchial spasm. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Protected species — cultivated sources only. Avoid in pregnancy. Generally safe at therapeutic doses.
Side Effects: Mild GI irritation. Rare allergic reactions. Generally well tolerated.