MEDICINAL PLANTS

The Boxwood is an evergreen shrub that can reach four meters high, for the elegance of line and the bright shade of its leaves are always used as an ornament in parks and gardens. It has a very hard wood, capable of much polish when it is worked, is bred primarily with oak, Scots pine and beech, and so easy to find in the Pyrenees, the Cantabrian Mountains and in the nearby mountains. The species is native to southern Europe, but has now spread worldwide. This shrub is said could last six centuries ... If the man did not stop them.

FLOWERING

It blooms in spring, between March and April. Interest to harvest the root and leaves, the latter, once collected, easily dried in the shade, although it should turn them over often. Once dried, are green and bitter taste.

APPLICATIONS

In the bark of the stems and roots and in leaves, is the main alkaloid of this plant, buxina, which is what gives it its properties, also has an essential oil and Tamino. Alkaloids have properties sudorific boxwood, laxative-cathartic (depending on dosage) cardiotonic and flattering to the expulsion of bile. For all of this is shown in gallbladder problems, constipation (which must be regulated either dose) and also used as external antiseptic, being specially recommended for scalp conditions. Boxwood was once used as a substitute for quinine in malaria. The leaves also serve to prepare compresses or baths to treat rheumatism, gout and skin rashes. There seem to be references to this plant from the Middle Ages, then in the Renaissance were attributed many therapeutic effects that have subsequently been losing credit. One of them referred to his "wonderful" action against baldness, there is a story about it, documented in writing, of a woman who, having been bald, he rubbed his head, face and neck with a decoction of the plant, thus who managed to grow not only hair but also a nice thick layer of hair on face and neck. Today, this application is completely ruled out, not only in the boxwood but more than 99% of the preparations that are currently on the market to treat alopecia. As the saying goes, "the only thing that stops hair loss is the floor ...".

ADMINISTRATION

Should only be used under medical prescription, by the side effects that may result, among which may be emphasized colicky pain, gastrointestinal irritation and nerve damage.
Infusion. A teaspoon of the plant-cut-per cup. Infuse for 10 minutes and not exceed the 3 daily doses.
Tincture. 25 drops before meals.
Decoction. Boil for 15 minutes and 60 g. Bark at 1l. Water. Sweeten the liquid and drink it all day. It's good for rheumatism.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Buxaceas
HABITAT: Pyrenees
FLOWERING: Spring
PART USED: Root bark and leaves
CASTILIAN: Bujo, boje, buje
CATALAN: Boix
BASQUE: Ezpel

USES

Strong Laxative, Cardiotonic Moderate, Physic Moderate.