MEDICINAL PLANTS

Perennial herbaceous plant that can measure up to thirty centimeters tall and is characterized by highly branched stems covered with hair. Interestingly, this plant, though the name can be confusing-not found in the Mediterranean area of Spain, France or Italy, but rather its origin in the area of England, from where it spread to the Roman Empire in the sixteenth century, taking its name since then. At present, we can locate in areas of the northwestern part of the peninsula. The leaves have a whitish hue, provided by the numerous hairs that cover it. They have very irregular shapes, cut into fine segments.

FLOWERING

It blooms in the spring and summer, resulting in a compound inflorescence with yellow flowers inside, tubular, surrounded by other white - ligules calls that seem fake petals. They are in the terminal ends of the stems, thus calling attention to any type of insect pollination to proceed. Harvesting, the flowers used, we must take place only when these practices are in full training and thereafter proceed to rapid drying and if possible avoid direct sunlight, which would spoil the show. At most you can keep the product thus obtained for twelve months, and recommended the replacement period has elapsed, provided they are kept in good condition, especially away from moisture, which is what most deteriorates this product.

APPLICATIONS

The essential oil has a very distinctive aroma, remain responsible for their actions carminative, antispasmodic eupeptic and therefore is used to combat flatulence in heavy digestions. It contains a sesquiterpene lactone, called nobilina, which is a bitter tonic. It has traces of camazuleno that gives anti-inflammatory action and hence its use in rheumatism, wounds and eye irritations. You can find small amounts of caffeic acid, flavonoids, glucose and coumarin esters. To all this should be antacid and antiulcer properties.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. He added five grams of inflorescences per 250 ml of boiling water, leaving it in contact for fifteen minutes. The resulting water is taken before meals, for its action aperitif or after them, as it facilitates digestion and prevents bloating.
Powder. It can take five grams a day, spread over two tablespoons of honey.
Infusion external use. He added ten grams of inflorescences to 300 milliliters of boiling water, leaving it in contact for 20 minutes, this water at room temperature, is used for eye washes, eye wash or treat sores and wounds with the help of compresses.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Composite tubulifloras
HABITAT: Fields
FLOWERING: Spring and summer
PART USED: Inflorescences
CASTILIAN: Manzanilla fina
CATALAN: Camamilla romana
BASQUE: Bitxilora
GALICIAN: Macela

USES

Fort Carminative, Moderate inflammatory, Digestive Leve.