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Bulrush (Typha capensis) [Love Reed]
Cape bulrush
Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time and a purpose for everything under the heavens."
Nicknames: Love reed;[1]
Ethnobotany: It's commonly referred to in Africa as "love reed", or "bulrush" ( because it makes the blood rush to your bull(your genitles).[1] It has use as medicine, food for humans, feeds for animals.[2] All parts of the plant including the leaves, seeds, rhizomes and pollen are used as medicine.[2] "The leaves are diuretic (Duke and Ayensu, 1985). The pollen is astringent(tends to shrink or constrict body tissues), desiccant, diuretic(increases or promotes urination), haemostatic(stops bleeding) and vulnerary (Duke and Ayensu, 1985). It's also used in the treatment of nose bleeds, haematemesis, haematuria, uterine bleeding, dysmenor-rhoea(painful menstruation, typically involving abdominal cramps.), postpartum abdominal pain and gastralgia(stomach pain), scrofula(Mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis) and abscesses (Yeung, 1985). The seed is haemostatic (Duke and Ayensu, 1985). The rootstock is astringent and diuretic (Chopra et al., 1986)." Bulrush is used for mostly: Stamina, Pleasure, Duration, Erection Stimulation.
Classification: Perennial;[2] Aphrodisiac;
Plant Family: Typhaceae[2] Genus: Typha[1] Species: T. capensis[1]
Natural Habitat: South Africa;[1][2] Wet and Swampy Areas. Organic Hydroponic-like environments. We know that it is a very ancient plant that had to be exist in mesopotamia ( and Israel ) because of it being mentioned in the bible. People were using it then, so it is therefore integrated into human civilization at its bare roots!
Mixes well with: Ginkgo biloba, Maca, Muna Muna, Damiana..
"While Bulrush is mostly used as an aphrodisiac, it's also made into decoctions to treat venereal diseases."[6] The irony that it's used as both a way to stimulate sexuality, and to treat an STD is humorous. "Decoctions of Bulrush are also used for stomach ailments and to promote fertility in both women and men. They are also useful for improving circulation."([6] Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962; Hutchings et al., 1996). So by helping your circulation, the medicinal qualities of the herb are helping the blood flow to the area that matters, if ya catch my drift. There's more to it than that though. Research has also shown that the phytosteroids in Typha capensis may be metabolized by the body resulting in the creation of an adrogen that's beneficial to male sex drive and performance.[4] In other words, it's not just the circulation benefits that make it an aphrodisiac, it's bio-chemical too.
An academic study that I cite concludes that: "This study shows that T. capensis enhanced testosterone production and might be useful to treat male infertility and ageing male problems."[7]
OG Observations: I couldn't help but notice that this page on the Bulrush plant was one of my top viewed, liked, and shared pages on this entire website. Because of this, I decided to write an entire new page dedicated to Bulrush, also known as the "Love Reed", and scientifically known as Typha capensis. I wanted to look further into the plant and see what it is that makes it so popular. One thing I immediately noticed is that this swamp-loving botaical is in the same family as the Xhosa dream root from Africa, that you may or may not be familiar with. It's mentioned in the bible in Exodus 2:3, and Job 40:21
Related Ethnobotanicals: Damiana is an awesome aphrodisiac, Maca root is great for libido, Muna Muna(herbal aphrodisiac), Ginkgo biloba can be good for erectyle dysfunction
More HerbsPedia Blogs: Modern medicines connection to the occult, Passion flower contains the same harmala constituents as b. caapi vine!, List of Plants that produce LSA/Ergot constituents, Psilocybin 4-po-dmt, medicinal benefits, Did you know that Raspberry leaves as medicine?, Red larkspur is a toxic plant used by Native Americans, How to reverse kratom tolerance
Phytochemicals:
Bulrush contains: several flavones and phenolic compounds[2] They produce anti-inflammatory activity.[2] Scientific studies have proven that this herbal remedy has many pharmacological actions, such as: antibacterial, antioxidants, fertility-promoting effect and apoptosis effect.[2] Two new phenolics named typhaphthalide(a benzylphthalide) and typharin (an isocoumarin), plus sitosterol were isolated from Typha capensis by phytochemist, as well as afzelechinin, epiafzelechin, and catechin(also known as ECGC.)[4] ECGC is proven to inhibit the growth of cavities, and also exist in Green Tea, and Kratom(Mitragyna speciosa)[5]What is Phytochemistry? What are Phytochemicals?
As I've stated on this blog many times, too many people will confidently tell you things which are are not correct. One of the most common misleading statements out there is that there is no scientific inquiry in to the medicinal properties of plants. Fortunately, we have an entire branch of chemistry dedicated to this type of research, and it's called phytochemistry. We've all heard of phytosynthesis right? Notice something the two terms have in common? They both start with "phyto", indicating their relation. Even some professors will tell you that plant based medicine is bogus! At the same time, phytochemistry is being taught at the very establishment that they work for! The paradox of academic ignorance is all too amusing. Redefine intelligence everyone. I apologize for digressing but I do believe this field backs up the notion of intelligent design. To put it bluntly: Phytochemistry is the study of the pharmacology of plants, based on their phytochemical makeup.Pharmacological / Medicinal Properties:
Medicinal uses include: improving male potency and libido, treating genital problems, boosts circulation, enhances female fertility, strengthens uterine contraction in childbirth, facilitates placenta removal, for dysmenorrhea, diarrhoea, and dysentery venereal diseases..[2] Some miraculous pharmacology has been recognized by scholars when studying Typha capensis and its medicinal properties. One study states: "Some extracts were active against Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis, with at least one of them exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentration values of 0.04 mg/ml."[3] By the way, Escherichia coli is the long version for "ecoli". A plant that grows like mad on its own is capable of defeating E. Coli?! Who would have ever thought? The truth is that plants contain pharmacological compounds of such a complex and impressive nature that the human chemist are jealous of Gods work, while simultaneously arrogant, greedy, and foolish enough to attempt to compete with it. Bulrush is also used for: "libido health, sexual tonic, improves circulation, anti-bacterial, diuretic, astringent, desiccant, diuretic, haemostatic and vulnerary, nose bleeds, haematesmesis, haematuria, uterine bleeding, dysmenor-rhoea, postpartum abdominal pain and gastralgia, scrofula and abscesses, venereal diseases."[6] More applications include: "The leaves are diuretic (Duke and Ayensu, 1985). The pollen is astringent(tends to shrink or constrict body tissues), desiccant, diuretic(increases or promotes urination), haemostatic(stops bleeding) and vulnerary (Duke and Ayensu, 1985). It's also used in the treatment of nose bleeds, haematemesis, haematuria, uterine bleeding, dysmenor-rhoea(painful menstruation, typically involving abdominal cramps.), postpartum abdominal pain and gastralgia(stomach pain), scrofula(Mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis) and abscesses (Yeung, 1985). The seed is haemostatic (Duke and Ayensu, 1985). The rootstock is astringent and diuretic (Chopra et al., 1986)."[6]Buy Bulrush (Typha capensis) Here!
Academic citations:
[2] Musara, Collen, and Elizabeth Bosede Aladejana. "Typha capensis (Rohrb.) NE Br.(Typhaceae): morphology, medicinal uses, biological and chemical properties." Plant Science Today 7.4 (2020): 578-583.
[3] Masoko, P., et al. "Biological activities of Typha capensis (Typhaceae) from Limpopo Province (South Africa)." African Journal of Biotechnology 7.20 (2008).
[4] Shode, Francis O., Abdul S. Mahomed, and Colin B. Rogers. "Typhaphthalide and typharin, two phenolic compounds from Typha capensis." Phytochemistry 61.8 (2002): 955-957.
[5] Schneider-Rayman M, Steinberg D, Sionov RV, Friedman M, Shalish M. Effect of epigallocatechin gallate on dental biofilm of Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro study. BMC Oral Health. 2021 Sep 15;21(1):447. doi: 10.1186/s12903-021-01798-4. PMID: 34525984; PMCID: PMC8444437.
[6] African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 7 (20), pp. 3743-3748, 20 October, 2008 Available online at https://www.academicjournals.org/AJB ISSN 1684\965315 via www.ajol.info/index.php/ajb/article/download/59423/47717
[7] Ilfergane, A., and R. R. Henkel. "Effect of Typha capensis (Rohrb.) NE Br. rhizome extract F1 fraction on cell viability, apoptosis induction and testosterone production in TM 3‐Leydig cells." Andrologia 50.2 (2018): e12854.
[?] Food of the Gods: Schults, Hoffman
Encyclopedia Sources:
[1] Wikipedia contributors. (2023, January 7). Typha capensis. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 13:49, December 2, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Typha_capensis&oldid=1132160932
Other resources:
M.A.P.S. Ethnobotanical Studies By Scholars
PubChem - pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov