Teucrium chamaedrys or wall germander, is a species of ornamental plant native to Mediterranean region of Europe, Greek islands and North Africa and to the Middle East as far east as Iran. It was historically used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of gout and sometimes as a component of Venice treacle.

Wall germander has been used throughout the years to treat gout. It also hold diuretic properties, and is an effective treatment for weak stomachs and lack of appetite. It has also been taken as an aid to weight loss and is a common ingredient in tonic wines. It is an anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, aperient, aromatic, astringent, bitter, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, stimulant and tonic.

Wall Germander was used in Elizabethan and Jacobean knot gardens and planted as an ornamental. Bees love this plant and will ignore others and go to it in a herb garden. It usually has pink through to pale purple flowers, although these can be white, but it is quite rare. The herb in the past was used as a diuretic for gout and as a daiphoretic; it was also used in tonic wines and as a stimulant, with the leaves generally being used.

Germander is believed to be a corruption of chamaedrys, which means ground oak, named as such because the leaves look like those of an oak tree. Chamai means ground and drys translates to oak, in Greek. The genus name is thought to refer to the King Teucer of Troy, who was famed as an archer. One of the herb's leaves abilities is to heal wounds, as they hold astringent properties. The infusion that can be used can also work as a mouth wash for bleeding gums, and was once used as an antidote for snake bites.

Germander is tonic, diaphoretic, diuretic and also slightly laxative. The juice of the leaves combined with white wine is considered good for obstruction of the viscera. The extract has also been employed to relieve edema in its early stages. Because germander holds medicinal qualities similar to horehound, the ancient Greek physician, pharmacologist and botanist, Dioscorides, recommended it's use with honey as a treatment for cough and asthma. Additionally, when combined with honey, it was used to heal ulcers and when made into oil it was utilized for eye ailments. The powdered seeds were good against jaundice, and the flowers were used to destroy intestinal worms. The extract has also been used against malaria. It is also good against diseases of the brain, headache, falling sickness and epilepsy, melancholy, drowsiness and dullness, convulsions and palsies.

Medicinal Applications:

Germander can be utilized to help stop rheum from the nose or eyes.

The plant has been used throughout antiquity to treat bronchitis, common cold and influenza, as well as fevers, due to its diaphoretic nature.

Because it can stimulate bile discharge, which is stored in gallbladder, wall germander is great for alleviating dyspepsia and bloating.

It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and thus can be used against edema and arthritic pain.

Due to its bitter nature, it can be used to stabilize blood sugar.

It's healing and astringent properties can help in healing hemorrhoids and other wounds, like bleeding gum.

It can help regulate irregular blood pressure.

Safety Profile:

Wall germander should be consumed very carefully, in very small dosages and for an extremely short time period. It is a very strong medicinal plant and it's consumption has been associated with hepatitis. Pregnant and lactating women are prohibited from consuming germander, as it is unsafe for the fetus.

This is to inform you that we are not doctors. What is written above has a simple character and in no way replaces medical application. Always consult your doctor about your health issues.