MEDICINAL PLANTS

The piorno is a plant that does no more than 4 meters in height, abundant branching, branches upright, tight and stiff. Older branches are woody and the current year, herbaceous, very plump, and green petals. In the youngest branches new buds are born with small leaves, very narrow and narrowly lanceolate emerge later. From the bottom of each outbreak occur forming a bouquet of flowers that hold them together for a short twig. The fruit is a pod, compressed, black and hairy. It breeds in the sunny slopes of the mountains without lime, in the higher, generally between 1000 and 2000 m. High.

FLOWERING

The piorno blooms from May to July and fruits mature in late September. For medicinal use the whole plant is harvested while it is necessary to take special care in its use because it can be toxic. It is easy to find because they form long Broom in the heights of the mountains of Guadarrama and Gredos.

APPLICATIONS

The piorno has been so few studies are unknown active ingredients and proportions that are found. Some people claim that this herb contains the same substances as the broom, that is, sparteine, scoparin, cytisine, and so on. Although this is neither proven nor justified the virtues attributed to him, in fact, this plant is more toxic than medicine so it is advisable to refrain from using it because it can be downright dangerous. It is generally considered a plant laxative, a diuretic effect as with many other species of the same family. However, like other related plants, has a potential toxicity possibly caused by some alkaloid or product upon decomposition of the first. The legume family includes many species that are characterized more by its agricultural value for its medicinal value; to this family are the common bean, beans, several varieties of soybeans, lentils, chickpeas, peanuts, etc. . So it is best to forget about other species of the family far from nutritious can become very dangerous.

ADMINISTRATION

In popular folk medicine is best to abstain or use the broom and if we get the effects that, theoretically, this plant produces is advisable to consult a specialist who can advise us best.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Legumes
HABITAT: Sunny slopes and decalcified
FLOWERING: May
PART USED: Whole plant
CASTILIAN: Retama serrana
CATALAN: Bàlec

USES

Toxic Strong, Strong Laxative, Diuretic Moderate.