MEDICINAL PLANTS

Yellow Digitalis is a herbaceous plant that is dried in the cold of winter to revive later this spring. Take a few stems that can reach up to one meter in height and has many long and rather narrow leaves. The flowers are forming a bouquet at the end of the stem, all on one side and held together by short Kabyle. The leaves of this digital have a bitter taste unpleasant. It breeds throughout the northeastern Iberian Peninsula from the Pyrenees to the Catalan coast, with a predilection for the forests, rocky hillsides, streams and slopes.

FLOWERING

Flowers from the second half of May in the lowlands, until the middle of August in some mountains. The active principles of therapeutic interest are in the leaves, although it should be noted that plants of this genus are extremely toxic in unskilled hands, so not recommended for collection rather than by highly specialized personnel.

APPLICATIONS

In this genre encompasses a series of plants, of which the most outstanding is the Digitalis purpurea as it is the most studied. But all have in common is that they are highly toxic if used without knowledge. Studies of digital yellow are not very large, but undoubtedly the plant contains active principles very similar to those of all digital, that is, cardiac glycosides such as digitoxin, gitoxina, etc.. And also various flavonoids and saponins. Among the stocks it owns, the more remarkable is that exerted on the heart increases its contractility, decreases the excitability, lowers the rate and in general, tones the heart. It also exerts a diuretic action by the flavonoids it contains. The problem with this kind-and all of its kind, is its low therapeutic index, meaning that the difference between the dose that has a positive effect and that exerts a toxic effect is very small, so small variations in the amount can generate very serious side effects. Moreover, the composition of this plant is very variable, being frankly difficult to adjust the dose. For these reasons, the use of digital products is indicated only in certain diseases of the heart, and always with a strict medical control. And instead of using the plant, is preferred semisynthetic digitalis, as these have a more predictable effect, it's convenient dosing and partly reduced the undesirable effects.

ADMINISTRATION

Being a highly toxic plant is not recommended any popular or home use. Prescription dispensed at a pharmacy several preparations containing a digitalis derivative.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Escrofulariaceas
HABITAT: Barcelona and the Pyrenees
FLOWERING: May to August
PART USED: Sheets
CASTILIAN: Digital
CATALAN: Didalera groga

USES

Toxic Strong, Cardiotonic Leve, Mild diuretic.