MEDICINAL PLANTS

The mercurial perennial is a plant that lives for many years as its name implies. Every spring new stems arise, leaves and flowers from the strain reached a maximum of one inch in height. The leaves are round the top of the stem, and base it's totally bare. These leaves are large, lanceolate shaped and serrated edges. Strain also start underground stems very slender and elongate the small roots emerging. It breeds between mulch and fallen leaves and in shady places near forests of beech and oak. We found in limestone areas north of the peninsula and is very rare to find in the south of the country.

FLOWERING

Flowering occurs throughout the spring. The fruits are quite hairy and bind to the stem by a long stalks. The aerial parts are of interest, both fresh and dried. Should be put to dry in shady place and quite low temperatures. Aerial parts are harvested from the plant, leaving the root intact to give rise to new shoots.

APPLICATIONS

The mercurial perennial contains tannins, small amounts of alkaloids, potassium salts and various glycosides. The organic parts of the plant contain a substance called hermidina, which turns blue if there is an oxidation also contain acid and neutral saponins. The properties of this plant are very similar to those of mercury, another plant of the same family, the difference between the two is that the effects produced by the mercurial perennial are much stronger because they are its active ingredients. It is a plant very active as a laxative, purgative and diuretic. It is best taken raw as this greater impact, because if they lose many of their baked active. Furthermore, side effects are very unpleasant results, so it is not wise use. There are other plants with the same properties and without contraindications such as this so well because it is better to use another type of plant as a laxative.

ADMINISTRATION

With this plant must take many precautions, it is not convenient at all ingested without first consulting your doctor.
Decoction. You have to boil 2 gr. Of dried leaves in one liter of water for 5 minutes, then strain the leftover debris and sweeten with sugar if the taste is not very pleasant.
Poultice. You have to take a handful of fresh leaves, pound them and put them on a gauze. Formerly this preparation was applied over the chest to stop the flow of milk in women.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Euphorbiaceae
HABITAT: Limestone areas of northern
FLOWERING: Spring
PART USED: Aerial parts

USES

Strong Laxative, Strong Laxative, Strong diuretic.