MEDICINAL PLANTS

Shrub that can grow to five meters high, has no thorns, bark is a reddish tinge, but is altered with some elongated white spots generated by rents in the skin, caused in turn by scratches or bumps . It is located on the edges of rivers and generally wet anywhere, especially in the northern half of the Iberian Peninsula, being virtually unknown in the southern half. The leaves are bright green and are arranged alternately, an elliptical shape, with secondary veins easily visible in the back of it.

FLOWERING

Flowering occurs from April to July, producing small flowers, greenish, although we can also find white-pink, which leave from the axils of the leaves and are grouped in varying numbers. Many of them will not achieve their mission, so that on reaching maturity will find a number well below the flower. The fruits are berries botanically that change color, going from green to black and previously by yellow, pink and dark red. Inside are three bones tablets. Just tasteless. Harvesting is done in the months April to July, coinciding with the period of flowering branches are collected already have three or four years, about one centimeter in diameter. The crust should start as soon as possible because as time passes the harder it is this operation. Drying should also be as fast as possible.

APPLICATIONS

Buckthorn bark contains anthraquinone compounds in a ratio of up to 4%, amongst them the frangula A and B, which give strong purgative or laxative action, depending on the amount of ground taken. Also used as cholagogue, by causing the output of bile from the gallbladder and extrahepatic tubules, is mainly indicated in case of biliary dyskinesias. Usually used as a purgative is associated with deworming. Used topically as a healing for the treatment of difficult wounds. But never be used in states of pregnancy, lactation, menstruation, hemorrhoids, acute abdomen and in case of peptic ulcer as a side effect can cause intestinal cramping. Nor should never be used fresh bark, producing nausea, cramps and gastrointestinal spasms.

ADMINISTRATION

Decoction. Seven grams of plant boil for fifteen minutes in a glass of water, then held in contact for six hours, drinking the liquid before bedtime, because the effect occurs the next day.
Powder. It uses a gram per day as a laxative and three or four grams as a purgative.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Ramnaceas
HABITAT: Stream bank
FLOWERING: April, May, June and July
PART USED: Dried bark trunk and branches
CASTILIAN: Frángula, avellanillo
CATALAN: Vern negre
BASQUE: Ollakabar
GALICIAN: Sanguinho-de-água

USES

Strong Laxative, Physic Moderate, Healing Light.