| Common Knotgrass | |
|---|---|
| Polygonum aviculare | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Polygonaceae |
| Genus: | Polygonum |
| Species: | P. aviculare |
| Binomial name | |
| Polygonum aviculare L. |
|
Polygonum aviculare or Common Knotgrass is a plant related to buckwheat and dock. It is also called birdweed, pigweed and lowgrass. It is an annual found in fields and wasteland, with white flowers from June to October.
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Nicholas Culpeper states that the plant is ruled astrologically by Saturn and Capricorn. He also recommended knotweed to cure the spitting of blood. Modern herbalists use it to treat dysentery, excessive menstrual flow, lung disorders, bronchitis and jaundice, and gall and kidney stones. Not all of these uses are supported by scientific evidence. The plant is an astringent, coagulant, diuretic and expectorant.
In Vietnam, where it is called rau đắng, it is widely used to prepare soup and hot pot, particularly in the South region.