MEDICINAL PLANTS

The cress pig is a plant belonging to the family of crucifers, mainly characterized by being very tallosa. It is perennial, slightly woody at the base, arching stems of the year and steep. The leaves are deeply divided into narrow segments, entire or lobed. The flowers are very small, the calyx consists of four sepals that fall off easily, and the petals are much shorter than the calyx. These flowers form clusters that can last longer than the leaves. The fruits are tiny, bilobed, with a notch at the base and another at the apex. One grows in roadsides, in marginal areas of cities, streets and even in villages, especially in the Cantabrian coast and the Mediterranean.

FLOWERING

The pig cress flowers in spring, the fruits ripen in late summer. Harvesting for medicinal purposes mainly interested in the leaves and stems, which should be collected just before the plant bloom. Are dried in drier at temperatures not too high and finally stored in sealed containers away from light.

APPLICATIONS

The leaves of Indian cress contain tannin, resin, bitter substances and especially an essential oil: it is a greenish yellow liquid, pleasant odor, which is composed mainly of pinene, cineol, dipentene, a hydrocarbon, mirtol and Myrtenol. The main use given to this plant is as antiscorbutic, like wild cress. This is because in addition to the composition as noted earlier, is a plant rich in vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid. Another popular uses of this herb is used as haemorrhoids, but it completely ignores how and on what basis this application. In ancient times this plant was unknown in Mediterranean lands, and that comes from faraway America. Today is present everywhere and can dispose of it at any time. But it's not a particularly active plant and its use is very little spread. Perhaps in the near future it will be discovered in new properties and can be used otherwise.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. From the leaves and stems make an infusion. The mode of operation is the traditional style heating a small amount of water to a boil and then add another part of the plant. It take two to three cups a day, preferably after meals.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Crucifer
HABITAT: Roads on the Cantabrian coast
FLOWERING: Spring
PART USED: Leaves and stems
CASTILIAN: Quimpe

USES

Moderate antiscorbutic, Mild Antihemorroidal.