MEDICINAL PLANTS

The Wallflower, by all botanical treatises, including several species of two different genres and for this reason should be called yellow wallflower, so as not to confuse it. It is an annual plant that becomes a little woody as they age. The flowering stems are erect and covered with hairs, like the leaves, which are close to each other, are contained lanceolate, acute and entire margins, slightly whitish below. The flowers are bright yellow and form a bouquet at the end of the stems. The yellow wallflower is traditionally grown in pots for their outstanding ornamental effect, although there is also wild, especially between walls of old buildings, churches, monasteries, etc..

FLOWERING

Flowers from March onwards. Collection of interest for therapeutic purposes leaves and seeds. As the leaves should be collected in September. In some textbooks collection issuing rules, specifying the kind of weather they should do and even ideal time of collection. Possibly this is due to the concentration of active ingredients, which often fluctuate throughout the day. The seeds are collected when the fruits are fully mature, possibly a little before they open by themselves.

APPLICATIONS

The seeds are very rich in oil and they contain several cardiac glycosides. The virtues of wallflower heart were discovered not long ago for other diseases. But being a species that has direct effects on the heart, we must beware of using it without a prescription from a physician. This type of cardiotonic substances-ie, invigorate the heart, have the great disadvantage that for optimum effect you need to adjust the dose well and passed the therapeutic dose of the toxic dose in milligrams issue. Furthermore, we must also take into account the sensitivities of each patient: no 2 persons equal and therefore everyone needs a different dose. Today, all these studies are performed in hospitals, by highly specialized personnel. And do not normally use a plant, but are extracted products of interest and investigated with them, so that the dose is so tight.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. Using a small amount of previously dried leaves are added to a cup of boiling water is drunk in small sips, no more than two cups per day and thereby achieve excellent diuretic. In the botanical literature there are other preparations of varying activity, but almost always used in very small quantities and mixed with other herbs. Do not forget that this is a plant very active and toxic if misused.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Crucifer
HABITAT: Pots
FLOWERING: March
PART USED: Leaves and seeds
CATALAN: Violer groc
BASQUE: Txirintxoi, idarr-baltz

USES

Toxic Strong, Cardiotonic Strong, Mild inflammatory.