MEDICINAL PLANTS

The coletuy is a small shrub, almost killed, belonging to the legume family. It is entirely hairless and glaucous green color, profusely branched, which can reach up to 2 m. High. It is full of spines, sturdy, sharp, lacks proper leaves and instead form spines, whose armpit born twigs, transformed in the same way. The flowers are hairy, divided into two lips, very deep, with two and three apical teeth. The coletuy grows in calcareous rocks, in whose crevices hold, or at least in rocky places, from Catalonia to Andalusia.

FLOWERING

The coletuy spring blooms in sheltered places, and facing south in the winter blooms. Harvesting for medicinal purposes mainly interested in the seeds. In some cases the flowers are collected, usually in spring, quickly putting them to dry in the shade or drying at temperatures not too high. As for the seeds should be stored in airtight jars to avoid losing part of its content of active ingredients.

APPLICATIONS

This plant contains cardiac glycosides in the seeds. In the flowers is a glycoside, the ulesóxido in amounts ranging from 0.2 to 0.4%. The seeds, containing these glycosides are considered unfit to raise the heart sound, ie they are cardiotonic. Both the seeds and with the active ingredients in pure form has battled asthma, whooping cough and even headaches. The flowers, however, have been popularly used for certain diseases of the liver, with the same qualities as other similar plants of the genus. The problem with this plant is the potential danger of their seeds, as if too rich in carbohydrates can be toxic. It is therefore recommended to refrain from use if not on prescription. Keep in mind that active quantities of these glycosides are extremely small, being quite difficult to adjust the dosage using the seeds in pure form. So are handled previously purified glycosides.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. Coletuy flowers are taken in infusion, as a tea, a handful of them in a cup of boiling water. They take one to three cups a day after the main meals. The seeds, as mentioned, should not be used unless it is under the supervision of a medical professional because they can be extremely toxic in quantities not very high.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Legumes
HABITAT: Calcareous rocks
FLOWERING: Spring
PART USED: Seeds
CASTILIAN: Ruda inglesa
CATALAN: Carolina, canaris

USES

Moderately Toxic, Cardiotonic Moderate.