MEDICINAL PLANTS

The Gorse is a shrub belonging to the legume family, abundantly branched, which can reach up to 2 m. High. It is full of spines, stout and pointed. It lacks proper leaves and thorns instead of as a born armpit twigs, transformed in the same way. The flowers are hairy and divided into two lips are very deep, with two and three apical teeth. The gorse grows on plains and hillsides of the land without lime of all the provinces bordering the Atlantic.

FLOWERING

The gorse blooms from December to May, depending on the geographic area where you are. Harvesting for medicinal purposes mainly interested in flowers and seeds. The flowers are collected in spring, quickly putting them to dry in the shade or drying at temperatures not too high. As for the seeds should be stored in airtight jars to avoid losing part of its content of active ingredients.

APPLICATIONS

This plant contains an alkaloid called cytisine, found in greater concentration in the seeds, which can hold up to 1% of the alkaloid. In the flowers is a glycoside, the furze, in quantities ranging from 0.2 to 0.4%. The seeds, because they contain cytisine, are fit to raise the heart sound, ie that are cardiotonic. Both the seeds and with pure cytisine has battled asthma, whooping cough and even headaches. The flowers, however, have been popularly used in certain liver diseases, with the same qualities that boldo. The problem with this plant is the potential danger of their seeds, as if too rich in the alkaloid can be toxic. It is therefore recommended to abstain from using them only with medical supervision. Keep in mind that active quantities of this alkaloid are around mg., Proving rather difficult to adjust the dosage using the seeds in pure form. So is handled previously purified alkaloid.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. Gorse flowers are taken in infusion, as a tea, a handful of them in a cup of boiling water. They take one to three cups a day after the main meals. The seeds, as mentioned, should not be used unless it is under the supervision of a medical professional.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Legumes
HABITAT: Atlantic coastal land decalcified
FLOWERING: December
PART USED: Flowers and seeds
CASTILIAN: Árgoma, escajo
BASQUE: Kiru
GALICIAN: Toxo molariño

USES

Moderately Toxic, Cardiotonic Moderate, Moderate antimigraine.