The flowers are small, greenish-white with pink edges, which are placed in leaf axils. Five petals. The fruit is a three-sided nut, which is often longer than the lateral sepals (1-3 mm long). Propagated by seeds. The plant blooms throughout the summer, the fruits ripen from July to September.

The above-ground part of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. The plant is collected throughout the flowering period, collecting the tops of the plant up to 40 cm long. Dry the plant in the attic or in well-ventilated rooms, as well as in the field, but in a shaded place, spreading the plant in a thin layer (2-3 cm) on cloth or paper, stirring occasionally.

Tannins (1.8-4.8%) have been found in equal-leaved Knotgrass; flavonoids (up to 9.4%); avicularin, hyperin, isoramnetin, myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol; essential oil; vitamin C, E and carotene; coumarins: scopoletin, umbelliferone; phenolic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid, beta-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid); anthraquinones, silicic acid compounds (up to 4.5%), resins, mucilages, fats, sugar, macroelements: potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron; trace elements.

Medicinal significance 

Equal-leaved Knotgrass preparations have many medicinal properties: they increase diuresis, have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects, have anti-toxic properties, help to remove small-sized stones from the kidneys.

Phytopreparations of the plant, together with urine, remove excess sodium and chlorine ions from the body, which, as a result, increases the filtration capacity of the kidneys.

Silicic acid compounds present in the equal-leaved Knotgrass also have a beneficial effect, they are excreted in urine in high concentrations. Passing through the ureters, they create a protective colloid function, reduce the concentration of mineral salts, thus preventing the formation of stones in the urinary bladder (urates).

Flavonoids, silicic acid compounds, and tannins contained in the equal-leaved Knotgrass reduce the permeability of blood vessel walls, increase blood coagulation, increase the contraction function of all smooth muscle organs, mainly increase the contraction of the uterus.

Galena preparations have a beneficial effect on the function of the digestive tract due to tannins that have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and astringent effects. Oral use of nightshade not only reduces the inflammation of the stomach and intestinal walls, but also suppresses the bacterial flora, reduces resorption from the intestines, and stops internal bleeding.

Polysaccharides present in the plant stimulate reparative processes in the gastric mucosa in case of artificially induced destructive injuries.

In folk medicine, this plant is used particularly widely. Equal-leaved Knotgrass is used as an astringent, anti-inflammatory, choleretic, diuretic, antiseptic, spasmolytic, pain-relieving, diaphoretic, fever-reducing, emollient, expectorant, laxative, anthelmintic, hypotensive, wound-healing agent.

The medicinal properties of equal-leaved Knotgrass are used to get rid of kidney stones and stones in the urinary bladder, treat colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, scratchy cough, bronchial asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, insomnia, inflammation of the oral cavity, gastritis, dysentery, liver disease, digestive tract , biliary tract, gall bladder, skin diseases, ureters, rheumatism and stomach ulcer.

The setting acts on the function of the uterus and ovaries and is useful as a blood-stopping agent in case of uterine bleeding. There are reports that thanks to this plant, many women have been cured of infertility.

Fresh and crushed grass or its juice is used as an application for the treatment of burns; when combined with other herbs to treat diarrhea and hemorrhoids.

Not recommended for use 

If there is an increased sensitivity to this plant, if there is increased blood clotting, during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for children under 12 years old. In cases where there are stones in the urinary tract larger than 6 mm.

Use very carefully in thrombophlebitis.

Importance of food

Equal-leaved Knotgrass appears very late, but grows abundantly. Harvest the above-ground part of the plant until flowering. As the flowers begin to form, the plant will remain bitter and much more unpalatable. Use instead of spinach and lettuce.

Diet recipes

Salad from equal-leaved Knotgrass

50 gr. young leaves of equal-leaved Knotgrass , 50 gr. bow, 1 egg, 20 gr. cream, salt, dill.

Potato soup with equal-leaved Knotgrass

100 gr of equal-leaved Knotgrass , 100 gr. potatoes, 10 gr. carrot, 5 gr. onion, 5 gr. fat, spices, 350 gr. broth or water.

Boil the potatoes for 15-20 minutes, add the equal-leaved Knotgrass and onion and carrot stewed in a pan.

Equal-leaved Knotgrass roe

100 gr. equal-leaved Knotgrass , 10 gr. carrot, 5 gr. dill, 10 gr. onion, 15 gr. vinegar, 5 gr. vegetable oil, 1 gr. mustard.

Boil the horseradish and carrots until half-cooked, grind them with a meat grinder, add the fried onion to the pan, saute again, cool and add vegetable oil and mustard.

Purée of equal-leaved Knotgrass and nettle

Equal-leaved Knotgrass and large nettle leaves, in equal parts, grind with a meat grinder and salt. It is used as an additive to soups (2 tbsp. per serving), as an additive to second meat and fish dishes, as well as to prepare salads 1-2 tbsp. per serving.

equal-leaved Knotgrass porcini puree with garlic

200 gr. equal-leaved Knotgrass , 50 gr. garlic, salt, vinegar, pepper.

Grind the equal-leaved Knotgrass and garlic in a meat grinder, add salt, vinegar, pepper and mix.