MEDICINAL PLANTS

The scabious is a perennial plant that can reach three feet in height if ground conditions permit. The stem has you covered with white hairs very uneven in sumidad stem hairs almost completely disappear and give way to other glandular structures. The flowers are grouped in heads surrounded by an involucre of leaves lanceolate or linear, very unequal width. The center flowers are more regular than the ends. This plant has many varieties in height and leaf shape. It breeds in the crops and fallow land of almost the entire peninsula, becoming progressively more limited their presence to Andalusia.

FLOWERING

It blooms from May onwards and remains florida all summer, especially at high altitude. Harvesting for medicinal interest stems and leaves should be collected before flowering, ie when the rich are more active.

APPLICATIONS

In the leaves and stem material are tannic and bitter principles. It is also rich in sucrose. There are glycosides and alkaloids. The main virtue attributed to this plant is always to cure scabies. It is considered that-along with many other species, has cleansing properties, ie it is able to clean wounds. Other studies have shown that it also possesses febrifuge, particularly to combat fevers. Either way, the scabious plant is little studied from a medical standpoint, but has been widely used popularly. Scabies today is no longer a problem as worrisome as it was long ago. Before, when the hygiene conditions of the population in general left much to be desired, it became a very common disease, but currently only be seen in some groups which are not given the most basic hygienic habits. Currently it is an easily curable disease, it is very effective medications available for any type of infection.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. Used a spoonful of dessert by cup, taking up to three cups a day, preferably after meals.
Infusion external use. The same infusion before, a little more concentrated, can be applied in lotions or compresses.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Dipsacaceas
HABITAT: Meadows and slopes
FLOWERING: May
PART USED: Stem and leaf
CASTILIAN: Viuda silvestre
CATALAN: Vídues bordes

USES

Fort scabies, Moderate febrifuge, Appetizer Leve.