MEDICINAL PLANTS

The teasel is a herbaceous plant belonging to the family of dipsacáceas, small family comprising not more than 150 species that live mostly in Mediterranean countries. It is a biennial plant, with a kind of turnip root, which is driven vertically into the ground and strong side branches that start. The stem can grow to two meters and draws attention to what is strong and straight. The leaves are large and rough, terminals and large flower heads have red or pink flowers. The name "thistle carders" is that until not long ago the thistle flower heads were used for carding wool. One grows in uncultivated places, provided that these are somewhat moist.

FLOWERING

Flowers summer. There is a cultivated variety, distinguished by the spikes of the capitate hooked on top, it is still grown today in parts of Catalonia, for some jobs because some people prefer the natural to the metallic card clothing. The question that concerns for medicinal purposes is the root, that should be adopted, once washed and sliced-out to dry in the shade or drying, at temperatures not too high. Should be careful with small prickles of the stem when harvesting can proceed, as it is introduced into the skin almost inadvertently, then problems can occur.

APPLICATIONS

The composition of the teasel root is not known at this time. There are some studies on their composition, but are usually not reliable. As for the properties attributed to it, the more features are mentioned at the beginning of the tab, that is, those that make it act as a diuretic, sudorific and appetizer. There is a peculiarity in this thistle is worth commenting: inside of the flower head are white worms, according to the experts-are parasites belonging to the group of nematodes for over a century or so, we know that these modest bugs, mashed if placed on the teeth ache, the pain subside immediately. It is said that its effect is not very long, but a new application seeking the same relief. The only "problem" to benefit from this effect is that you must be very much stomach pain or suffering to get into the mouth a few nasty bugs, also previously crushed.

ADMINISTRATION

Decoction. In a pint of boiling water 10 g. Root. This preparation can be drunk throughout the day in small cups, spacing each shot for at least half an hour. Another way to prepare the decoction is boiling the same amount in two liters of water when it is approximately one liters, is filtered, sweetened with honey and stored in a bottle. You can drink in the morning every morning and treatment to be effective, should take several months.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Dipsacaceas
HABITAT: Sotos and clay embankment
FLOWERING: Summer
PART USED: Root
CASTILIAN: Dípsaco, cardo de cardar
CATALAN: Cardot de paraire
BASQUE: Astakarlo

USES

Diuretic Moderate, Appetizer Leve, Mild sudorific, .