Also called Spanish Needles and Beggar Ticks, Bidens were brought to the United States from South America during colonization. It spreads rapidly and is often thought of as an invasive weed; however, it touts some impressive qualities that make it a worthwhile addition to a home apothecary. According to Florida Wildflower Foundation, “Bidens alba is likely the most underappreciated of all Florida’s native wildflower. It is often considered a weed because it reproduces so prolifically, but it is a wonderful native wildflower for attracting pollinators. It is a larval host for the Dainty Sulphur butterfly and a favorite nectar source for a myriad of butterflies including. In Florida, it is the third most common source of nectar for honey production.“
“Herbs are different than pharmaceuticals. Bacteria can develop immunity to pharmaceuticals because they represent only one, or a few, compounds. Natural herbs, on the other hand, are made up of hundreds of complex compounds that bacteria can’t develop immunity to. Bidens is a natural antibiotic that will successfully treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It outperforms penicillin, tetracycline, methicillin, and other antibiotics for both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.“
Joybilee Farm
Traditional Uses & Actions
- Antibacterial
- Antimicrobial
- Antidiabetic
- Antidysenteric (type of gastroenteritis resulting in bloody diarrhea and perhaps fever, abdominal pain, dehydration)
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antiseptic
- Astringent
- Antimalarial
- Tonic for the blood
- Carminative
- Diuretic
- Hepatoprotective (Liver Supporting)
- Hypoglycemic
- Galactagogue
- Hypotensive (vasodilator)
- Immunomodulant
- Tonic for the mucus membranes
- Neuroprotectant
- Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor
- Vulnerary (healing wounds)
- Styptic (contracting tissues or blood vessels, stopping bleeding)
- UTI support
- Prostate support
“Any herbalist will tell you that Spanish needles plant, or bidens, have an amazing capacity for healing.”
Kiva Rose with Mother Earth News
Parts Used
Leaves, stems, seeds, roots. The whole plant is usually tinctured fresh.
Energetics
Cooling and moistening
Dosing
- 45 to 90 drops up to 4x/day
Benign Prostate Hypertrophy – Michael Moore
“Bidens may be our best herb for benign prostate hypertrophy, usually decreasing the membrane irritability both in the urinary tract and the rectum, and often, over a few weeks of use, noticeably shrinking the prostate and giving its connective tissue better tone.”
Michael Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West, p 71
References
- https://joybileefarm.com/bidens/
- https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-bidens-alba/
- https://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/herbalist-spanish-needles-ze0z1402zjhar/
- Michael Moore. Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West. Museum of New Mexico Press, 1993. p 71.