Uses and Benefits of Common Houseleek (Sempervivum Tectorum)

In my country, we have it in every house, apartment (balcony) or yard. Why? Despite his healing abilities, this plant can survive under very extreme conditions.

When I was little, whenever I had ear pain, my grandmother took a houseleek leaf, cut it in half and let it drip into my ear. That magic droplet was doing something and my ear no longer hurts.

The old folks know to say “Better housekeeper in the house then two dogs in front of her.” Why is that? Let’s see…

What is Common Houseleek?

Sempervivum tectorum is a plant commonly known as the common houseleek plant, old-man-and-woman or hens-and-chicks. Sempervivum on Latin means “live forever”. Its name represents the ability to survive even under different conditions, but it also represents the place where houseleek can most often be found – right on the roofs of houses.

The old folks believed that it will protect them from lighting, disease, and witches.

Its medicinal properties are due to having malic and formic acid.
Works similar to Aloe vera, and it is considered one of the safest remedies for a wide range of skin diseases.

So this housekeeper is healing, guarding, and a survivalist.

In What Form Is Common Houseleek Used?

You can be consuming and use common houseleek in different ways. For example, you can consume it orally, or you can apply it topically for external use.

Raw Leaf from Common Houseleek

One raw leaf in a day is enough to improve your digestive system and affect the health of your whole body.

Common Houseleek and Honey Recipe

Ingredients:

• 300 grams of juicy leaves from a housekeeper
• 500 grams of honey
• 200 ml lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Leaves of housekeeper and the lemon juice blended it in a blender.
2. Mix the mixture with honey.
3. Put the mixture in a glass jar, wrap it in foil, and put it in the refrigerator.
4. Take one teaspoon in the morning on an empty stomach, half an hour before breakfast.

You can see the full recipe at the recipes part of my blog.

Common Houseleek Tea

You can also use a houseleek like tea. The tea is simply prepared. Place a few dry sliced leaves in a small bowl with 250 ml of water with temperature no more than 80°C, for about 15 minutes. Then allow the tea to cool, drain it, and drink. Tea can also be used to coat irritated skin.

Common Houseleek Juice Drops for Ear Infections(ear)

Cut a few leaves in half and squeeze two to three drops of their juice into the sore ear. Allow the liquid to act for a few minutes, then turn over to drain the liquid from the ear cavity.

What are Common Houseleek Benefits?

There are no scientific proofs and studies about the healing effect from common houseleek, at least, not that I’m aware of. All these benefits are told and used in folk medicine, by elderly people, passed from generation to generation.

Benefits from Raw Leaf of Common Houseleek

Eating raw leaf will strengthen your immunity and protect against impending infections.
A drop of its juice will help with ear infections.

Benefits from Honey and Houseleek

This is a mixture of honey and houseleek. The greatest benefit of this natural remedy is the detoxification and purification of the organism from all accumulated harmful toxins.
After all, there is almost no better and healthier recipe for accelerating the metabolism than a combination of a houseleek and honey. Their effect is soothing, even after high-calorie meals.
This home keeper is also used in cases of tension, nervousness, and fear

Benefits from Common Houseleek Tea

The tea from houseleek will relieve skin irritations, the digestive system, and the urinary tract. It will help you with menstrual problems, cramps, and gastritis too.

How I Cured My Foot Corns With Houseleek Leaf?

I’m sure you’ve heard of foot corn. Corns are parts of the yellow calluses that arise from constant pressure, often from wrong sized shoes, and thereby create a hard nucleus that is very painful.

Well, that health problem appeared to me as well. Fortunately, I saw it when it first started. I had heard before that a fresh leaf from a common houseleek can cure it. So I decided to give it a try.

For about 2 months, before going to bed, I took a leaf of houseleek, peeling it from one side, and fastened it with a handicap to the place where my corn came out. I remove it in the morning.

For those 2 months, it started to get dark and eventually disappeared. It was very interesting to me that something so simple could heal it knowing that many people have been trying to cure it for years.

This has not been scientifically proven or supervised by a doctor. I did this little experiment at my own risk. It really helped me and I hope it will help you too. Still, consult a doctor first.

I also give you pictures of the first morning after I put the leaf and when it started to change color or darken. Eventually it disappeared. It took about 2 months for it to disappear, but my corn was very small at the beginning. For someone who has had it for a long time, it will take a longer period, I guess. It’s cheap – you won’t lose anything. Just takes a little patience.

What are the Possible Side Effects from Using Common Houseleek?

There are no studies and evidence about any side effects from using the common houseleek herb.

It is important to know that a houseleek should be consumed orally by pregnant women, nursing mothers, and babies. This is not proven too, but be careful with these conditions and don’t risk it.

When you start to take it, if you feel a strange or bad, stop and consult with a doctor. Everybody is not the same, so different types of organisms might react differently to the herb.

Common Houseleek Growing and Care

Common houseleek is very easy to grow. It doesn’t need any special treatment. It is perfect for those of you who consider themselves as lazy gardeners

How to Grow Common Houseleek

You don’t grow it. You plant it outside and it grows by itself. Ok, you need to water it from time to time but It is like a cactus and can survive without water for a long time. It requires a lot of light (which doesn’t mean it can’t survive in dark places too). Fertilizer is no needed. And that’s all.

You planted yourself a guardian of human health In your yard.

It does not freeze in the winter, so you can use its leaves then too.

How to Plant Common Houseleek?

You can plant it from dividing offsets, seeds, and seedlings. Just remember not to dig too deep. Tamp the soil gently and water lightly. You don’t need to do that every day no matter if the plant is newly planted. Wait the soil gets dry and then water it again.

When you start with seeds, wait to see the pots, and then plant it in the garden as seedlings. You can start in the fall, and do the transfer the spring.

It will start to grow other offside plants, maybe four in one season. These little offside plants are the “chicks”. These “chicks” can be replanted whatever you want.

Diseases on Common Houseleek Plant

If you notice wet soils on the crown rot you need to prevent that problem by growing it in dryer conditions. Otherwise, you risk the plant getting a fungus disease.

Does Common Houseleek has Flowers?

The flower shows up after a few years of growth. When flowers show up, the mother common houseleek dies.

The flower is star-shaped, and its color can be pink, red, or occasionally, yellow.

Types of Sempervivum

Except for Sempervivum tectorum ( sometimes called Sempervivum alpium ) – Common houseleek, there a few more other types:

• Sempervivum montanum or mountain houseleek and
• Sempervivum arachnoideum or cobwebbed houseleek

Why Should I Grow Common Houseleek?

It is perfect for lazy gardeners. Has unique beauty and form without giving it much effort.

Also, it has lots of benefits for the human body and barely any side effects. It doesn’t require attention. All that it needs to grow is a little water and a lot of light.

In the end, you will have protection from lighting, disease, and witches. 🙂