There are many plants that are part of the bindweed family, including the morning glory and sweet potato, but this post is going to specifically discuss Convolvus arvensis. Commonly called field bindweed, bellbind, possession vine, or according to the Brothers Grimm “our Lady’s little glass,” bindweed is a twining vine with pale trumpet-shaped flowers that open at dawn and close at night, as well as arrow-shaped leaves.
Bindweed is a vigorous plant that will spread and become difficult to get rid of, so it is not recommended that you try to grow it in your garden. Instead, look for it growing wild, in your garden and those of your neighbors. If you live on the West coast of the US where it grows in droves, it shouldn’t be hard to find. Try not to pull it up by the roots unless you specifically need that part of the plant. Wildharvesting is the way to go with this one. If you must grow it, grow it in a container, preferably indoors. This plant is a dangerous invasive species that will completely overrun the area if you let it take hold.
Bindweed has been known since long ago for its properties to purify and cleanse the body as well as to calm the mind. Bindweed can also be used to make cultivable chemical-laden and overly-used agricultural land, freeing it of heavy metals and restoring the fertility and balance of the soil. Thus, bindweed is a good detoxifying agent that eliminates toxins internally as well as externally. The plant is also a rich source of many compounds like tropine, pseudotropine, aspartic acid, cysteine, alanine and Arginine. The plant also serves as a purgative and anti-bacterial as well as anti-fungal agent, the tribes of the United States have used it as a spider bite remedy, and extracts from it are even believed to help treat diabetes or arrest the growth of tumors!
Bindweed vines can be used for binding spells (including handfasting) and for creating “bridges” and connections between realms. Some say that it can be substituted in any recipe calling for High John the Conqueror, root for root. The seeds have been used in earlier times to induce hallucinations, however, they are also toxic. Don’t try it!
Goldnwulf 