MEDICINAL PLANTS

The Servat is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the family of the Umbelliferae, easily recognized by its thick root of more than 2 cm. In diameter, dark brown, almost black, with numerous fibers to the surface. It has a fleshy stem, thickened noticeably at the nodes where the leaves come in pairs. In late summer, the stem becomes very hard and takes a viscous color, especially in the lowest. Leaves more or less wide, lanceolate shaped and narrow to form a short corner. One grows on slopes and hills of much of the country but widely scattered, not forming large areas.

FLOWERING

Flowers in spring and summer, from May. Are collected for medicinal use the rhizome and roots primarily, but also stems can contain active ingredients. It is very important that the harvesting is done on older plants because the active ingredients that increase as the plant develops. Once collected the root and rhizome, shed their green parts and put the sun or in drying at a temperature not exceeding 65 grados CelsiusC. Subsequently bottles should be stored in tightly closed to prevent moisture or high temperatures alter its composition in active substances.

APPLICATIONS

In the rhizome and root saponin found abundant, essentially, resin and a saponin glycoside, in the more underground, can be found at concentrations above 5%. It is an interesting plant with diuretic actions, balsamic, expectorant and sudorific, but it is necessary to warn that it is not free of adverse effects. Indeed, although it has been widely used as a remedy for many ills, is now little used because of its potential toxicity: in higher doses than those indicated or susceptible humans can cause irritation of the digestive mucosa and depression centers respiratory nerve. In the pharmaceutical industry this plant is used to prepare many medicine with expectorant effects. It is used in the preparation of toothpaste, soap and powder cleaners. The maceration of the root causes frothy, especially after adding sodium bicarbonate. He also attributed emmenagogue properties, but this virtue is not in any serious study contrasted.

ADMINISTRATION

It is important to remember, before describing the potential uses, its use should be subject to medical control.
Decoction. Prepared from 15 gr. Root per liter of water. Boil for 2 minutes. The right dose is 1 cup per day, half an hour before meals. You can marinate it can be toxic.
Syrup. Prepared in the traditional manner, with 60 parts of sugar and 40 of water, then add enough of the root. It takes 1 to 3 tablespoons per day.
Extract. You can use 2% as a gargle.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Umbelliferae
HABITAT: Catalonia, Aragon, Navarra, Valencia and Castile
FLOWERING: Summer
PART USED: Root
CASTILIAN: Rabo de puerco
CATALAN: Fenoll de porc

USES

Moderate anticatarrhal, Mild diuretic, Mild Emenagogo.