MEDICINAL PLANTS

Plant which follows an annual cycle type, first grows at ground level, to raise their stems then generating a large number of branches in turn have a large number of knots of them are born the leaves, which have a base membranous sheath. The leaves are distributed in turn, are slender and shaped like a spearhead, although, due to the high variability of this plant-may change. The roots are quite thick and have many ramifications. We found in ruderal areas, uncultivated land or as a weed between crops. It is distributed throughout the peninsula.

FLOWERING

Flowering occurs throughout most of the year, providing some flowers small, white or slightly pinkish, arising from the axils of the leaves. Harvesting is done with the plant in flower and can be dried in the sun directly as in the shade.

APPLICATIONS

It has tannins, which are responsible for their tonic, astringent and hemostatic, so it is used as antidiarrheal, to cut bleeding wounds, metrorrhagia and hemorrhoids. It also has a gastrointestinal anti-infective action, which is used in cases of gastroduodenal ulcers and enterocolitis. Also contains silica, and hence the remineralizing action, used mainly to consolidate fractures, on the other hand, some authors have recommended this plant for its silica content in the treatment of tuberculosis. Also, there are various flavonoids as avicularina and kampferitrina. It is a little used plant and therefore not much studied. Have been shown to produce a diuretic effect. Formerly drank an infusion prepared from this plant to quench thirst in diabetic patients.

ADMINISTRATION

Decoction. About one liter of boiled water add half an ounce of dried plant and let boil two minutes, then remove from heat and let it rest for twenty minutes. The fluid obtained can make four jacks 250 milliliters during the day.
Fluid extract. It can take fifteen drops in half a glass of water once a day.
Powder plant. It can take five grams a day, to calm the processes that occur with diarrhea.
Decoction external use. About a quart of boiling water add one hundred grams of the whole plant, leaving it at that temperature two minutes later to remove him from the heat for ten minutes. The resulting liquid is used as anti-inflammatory mucous as a mouthwash for stomatitis processes, as a gargle in sore throat, as irrigations in vaginitis, conjunctivitis and eye wash and soaking pads to apply to wounds.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Polygonaceae
HABITAT: At the edge of roads
FLOWERING: All year
PART USED: Whole plant
CASTILIAN: Cien-nudos
CATALAN: Herba de cent nAstringency, Mild haemostatic, Remineralizing Leve.
BASQUE: Odolur
GALICIAN: Erva-dos-passarinhos

USES

Astringency, Mild haemostatic, Remineralizing Leve.