MEDICINAL PLANTS

The herb milk thistle is a perennial runner in the family of the Umbelliferae, leaves smooth and punctate, pale green hue and small white flowers that are grouped in heads round or ovoid, they are very tight, surrounded by four to six leaves whitish and extended a kind of star, narrow and pointed. The fruit is covered with small scales. The plant is completely hairless, hairless one. All parties have a strong flavor, aromatic, very similar to the carrot, except the root, which is bitter. It breeds on slopes, derelict land, fallow land, etc., of the entire peninsula from sea level to over 1000 meters.

FLOWERING

It begins to flower in June, lasting throughout the summer. For medicinal purposes the root is harvested in October or even later, when the plant is dried or is about to do. Once obtained, dried, cleaned thoroughly with a soft bristle brush and cut into slices. It is important during the process does not get wet, not to slow the drying process. When perfectly dry, stored in sealed containers.

APPLICATIONS

At the root are saponins, tannins, sucrose, resin, rubber and potassium salts. It contains the saponins, the root of thistles corridor has diuretic properties. As a result, recommended for use against the dropsy, edema of the lower extremities and gout attacks. Is also regarded as a plant aperitif in fact, the root is perfectly edible and can be consumed after cooking, being easily digestible. The broker thistle and other species of the same gender were already well known to the great botanists of antiquity. In many villages in Catalonia people used this plant to prevent sores on your feet during long hikes. It was even used a piece of root as a charm was enough to carry it to act as defatigante. In some pastures high in the Pyrenees of another thistle grows similar to that described: it is the white thistle, thistle easily distinguished by its stem corridor little or no branched and the intense blue that stains the tops of the plant.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. In a quart of boiling water put 40 g. Root. It is filtered, sweetened to taste each and drinks throughout the day.
Decoction. With 50 g. Root for each liter of water. The mixture is boiled for five minutes and take two or three cups a day after the main meals.
Fluid extract. They are used 10 to 30 drops of fluid extract three times daily.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Umbelliferae
HABITAT: Limestone and clay
FLOWERING: June
PART USED: Root
CASTILIAN: Eringio, cardo setero
CATALAN: Card panical
BASQUE: Txori-gardu

USES

Strong diuretic, Moderate antiedematous, Appetizer Leve.