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Botanical Name: Polygonum convolvulus
Family: Buckwheat Family (Polygonaceae), Smartweed Family (Polygonaceae)
Other common names: Wild Buckwheat
Other scientific names: Bilderdykia convolulus, Tiniaria convolvulus
French names: Renouée liseron

Similar species:

•   Upright Bindweed (Calystegia spithamaea ssp. spithamaea) – Large white flowers.
•   Hedge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium ssp. americana) – Large white flowers.
•   Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) – White flowers, larger.

Description:
Flowers: Summer;  Green/Brown;  5 parts (petals)
Leaves: Alternate;  Simple;  Entire

Uses-: All the Convolvulus family have purgative properties in a greater or less degree. Convolvulus Scammonia is used in homoeopathy. A tincture is made from the gum resin. The drugs known as Jalap and Scammony are produced from the Jalap Bindweed and the C. Scammonia.
There are three kinds of Convolvulus or Bindweed in our native flora: the Field, Hedge, and the Sea Convolvulus. We have also many southern species growing in our gardens, chief among which are the handsome Morning Glory (Ipomea purpurea Linn.), C. purpureus, a native of Asia and America, with large purple flowers, and the pretty little annual, C. minor, a native of southern Europe, its cheerful flowers a combination of blue, yellow and white.

Tortoises love bindweed, and it is a useful addition to the diet later in the summer when other edible plants may be scarce. However don’t overdo it, as it can be somewhat purgative and laxative.

The smaller Field bindweed, being milder in this respect, is the better one to choose. As always, pick only from unpolluted places and wash well before feeding if picked from outside your garden.

Medicinal Uses:
Cathartic, diuretic, hepatic.
A drastic cathartic which works much like Jalap, but is more active and irritating and should not be used when inflammatory conditions of the alimentary canal are present.
Was once used as a hydrogogue in cases of dropsy.
Once used in the treatment of rheumatic and chronic diseases that would benefit from a purge.
Leaves were applied externally to swollen feet.
At one time the plant was gathered fresh just before blooming and boiled in ale to which nutmeg and clove had been added and the resulting decoction used as a strong and violent purge (only the robust dared to apply! The foolish didn’t live to talk about it).
DOSE: TRADITIONAL DOSAGES FOR PROFESSIONAL NOTE ONLY
!All others buy commercial preparations and follow directions carefully!
SHORT TERM USE ONLY
POWDERED ROOT = 3 to 12 grains
POWDERED RESIN = 3 to 8 grains
COMPOUND POWDER = 10 to 20 grains

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider

Resources:

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/bindwe38.html

http://ontariowildflowers.com/main/species.php?id=200

http://www.tlady.clara.net/edible/bind.htm

http://earthnotes.tripod.com/bindweed.htm

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