MEDICINAL PLANTS

The tapsia is a robust perennial herb belonging to the family of the Umbelliferae. It has a thick stem and a rather high which can exceed five feet tall. It has a large basal leaves divided into narrow segments greenish, like the stem. In the end it seems the main stem forms a large umbel from thirteen to twenty rays exactly the same, with yellow flowers. The lateral umbels are smaller and do not usually bear fruit. One grows in thickets, in some thick woods, in uncultivated lowland areas and generally throughout the south of the peninsula.

FLOWERING

The tapsia blooms from May to June. For medicinal use the party principally interested in the bark of the root of this bark is used as a resin contained within. It is best to run when the plant is dry, ie in summer. Be careful with the collection, because after a certain amount may appear very troublesome rashes and pustules. This is because the resin that we mentioned before.

APPLICATIONS

This resin is composed of acids, such as tápsico, isovaleric, Capron and caprylic. It also contains an aromatic essence, a substance that has the ability to cause blisters, a wax, a rubber and many other substances of less interest. Being a very irritating resin, its handling is quite dangerous if not done in extreme caution. Therefore not recommended to have it at home everyday to prepare plant remedies, but left to experts. In fact, the external use of this plant is primarily due to its irritant on mucous membranes. Applied externally as a poultice is a strong disruptive, with which effectively combat back pain and many other conditions such as sciatica and various neuralgias. If used internally, acts as a strong purgative, but this application is no longer used in Spain and possibly anywhere, because their effects were greater than the benefits. Finally, we will say the name comes from the tapsia first Thapsos was found, a small island. A plant with a lot of history behind it, but today rarely used because of its difficult handling.

ADMINISTRATION

Internal use. As previously mentioned, can be used internally as a purgative drastic, but its use is strongly discouraged.
For external use. In the form of plaster is applied directly as a lever in lumbago, sciatica, etc. ..

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Umbelliferae
HABITAT: Little thick forests: Ibiza, Andalucia, Portugal
FLOWERING: May and June
PART USED: Root bark
CATALAN: Tàpsia, èdril

USES

Strong Irritant, Strong Laxative, Moderate revulsive.