MEDICINAL PLANTS

The Panaca is a perennial herb belonging to the family of the Umbelliferae which sometimes can be found at the bottom thickened, the stems are tough and are covered with numerous scales reflexed and ciliate at the tip. It presents an alternate disposition of the leaves that are elongated and small with a short stalk, the leaves of the base is subdivided three times, with little teeth on the edges fairly regular and are smaller in the upper stem. One grows in shady slopes and not too dry, lowland, from Catalonia to Andalusia but not abundant.

FLOWERING

The Panaca flowers in June or even earlier in the southernmost provinces and the fruits ripen in September and October, the party most interested in collecting medicinal purposes are the resins of the stem and root. To collect the roots are pulled out to start the fall and taking away the crust that is cut to pieces that are dried and stored. As for the fruit harvest, it is expected in late summer that are ripe for although it has no more interest because what interests us most is the milky juice that flows from the root and stem by making small cuts in the surface. This juice has solidified and - as now we shall see great value in some cultures.

APPLICATIONS

The herbaceous parts panaca contain tannic materials in the following amounts to more than 10%. And a substance with an odor like that dismisses chamomile. The root also contains resins, gums, oils and fats, according to some authors, a substance is possibly hemolytic saponin nature. As we mentioned earlier, what is most interesting from the medical point of view is the milky juice that is extracted from the root and bark, this juice solidifies and is one of the tricks of the trade opopónaco, considered by his virtues as an antispasmodic broad and expectorant. These are the main virtues apart from anything else attributed to him, possibly without foundation, one of which is referenced to the leaves is popularly used against inflammation of the respiratory and digestive tracts, to fight colds bronchial soothe cough, reduce inflammation of hemorrhoids, and so on., however, these properties are of dubious credibility and serve rather popular misconceptions. In our country, this plant is not used at all, neither she nor the opopónaco.

ADMINISTRATION

When little or no plant used in our lands, it is unknown how the same management, counseling in any case, consult a specialist in the subject.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Umbelliferae
HABITAT: Shady slopes
FLOWERING: June and July
PART USED: Resins of the stem and root

USES

Moderate Expectorant, Antispasmodic Moderate.