MEDICINAL PLANTS

The ox tongue is a herbaceous plant belonging to the family Boraginaceae. It has a rosette of leaves narrow lanceolate, very long and attenuated inferiorly, and a deep root. The flowers are borne in clusters unilateral and threaded at its end, the cup is divided into five segments fairly deep, the flowers are supported by a long steel bar and the fruit is composed of four gray granite, longer than wide. It breeds between the crops and in vineyards, olive groves, and so on., All or most of the country, both in lowlands and in mountains.

FLOWERING

The ox tongue blooms from May to July. In his collection for medicinal purposes mainly interested in the leaves and flower, this flower is different, as well as having the calyx divided into five segments deep, for having a tubular corolla 10 to 12 mm. Long, divided into five lobes also extended horizontally from a very deep blue color. Both the flowers and leaves, once collected, are dried in the shade or drying at temperatures not too high. Subsequently stored in airtight jars.

APPLICATIONS

No data are available about the chemical composition of this plant. It is considered to be quite similar to other species of the same gender, Anchusa officinalis, which have found various alkaloids and glycoalkaloids, as well as small amounts of choline and allantoin. The most striking pharmacological property of this plant refers to its anti-inflammatory activity. This activity, along with the virtual absence of side effects make this plant a great alternative to other anti-inflammatory treatment that present myriad of adverse effects. It also has emollient, diuretic and antiateromatósica. As anti-inflammatory especially useful in treating acute or chronic rheumatic processes of different etiology. However, in trauma cases, it seems that its anti-inflammatory develops more slowly, so it is less recommended, if it is true that to be of little side effects may increase the dose in the amount deemed timely.

ADMINISTRATION

This plant can be consumed like borage, therefore obviating any strange form of administration. In any case we describe two possible ways:
Powder. The powdered drug in the form of fine powder or in capsules or tablets can be administered at a rate of 2-3 g. Day.
Infusion. From 2 to 5 g. Of the plant are added to a cup of boiling water and can take up to three cups a day after meals. This infusion is generally prepared from the flowers and acts as a great sudorific.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Boraginaceae
HABITAT: In vineyards, olive groves ...
FLOWERING: May, June and July
PART USED: Leaves and flower
CASTILIAN: Lengua de vaca, lenguaza
CATALAN: Buglossa
BASQUE: Txakurrmin, idimi
GALICIAN: Lengoa de bo

USES

Moderate inflammatory, Emollient Moderate, Diuretic Moderate.