MEDICINAL PLANTS

It is an herb that comes in the spring months. First is a rosette of leaves elongated, pale green on top and more whitish on the underside, and with entire margins. From the axils of basal leaves part a series of false stems that develops at ground level, which intermittently grabs, producing a series of roots that penetrate the ground. Leaves that have are of the same characteristics as those of the basal rosette, but smaller.

FLOWERING

The flowers are bright yellow, while the outer chapter presents a reddish tinge. They arise from a stem that lacks leaves and arranged in a chapter on the end of each. Flowering occurs in spring and summer, some flowers may be seen occasionally in April. The portion of plant that is harvested for therapeutic purposes is the aerial.

APPLICATIONS

It has phenolic acids as caffeic and chlorogenic acid, which explains its diuretic effect, as has traditionally been applied to diseases which present with edema or fluid retention, also has been used in oliguria, cystitis, kidney stones and hyperuricemia. It also noted the presence of flavonoids in the aerial parts of this plant, as derived from luteolol and apigenol. It also contains pigments, phenolics and coumarins, which are what give it its hypolipidemic properties, so it is used in hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Other compounds have been detected in this plant are: inulin, bitter principles, tannins, mucilage, carotenoids, carbohydrates and proteins. They confer antibiotic action, antipyretic, choleretic and vermifuge, so that once was used to combat brucellosis.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. It took six grams of the aerial parts of the Vellosillo, which are added to 250 milliliters of water and boiled and still warm, letting the mixture stand for ten minutes. Is then filtered and the liquid thus obtained can be made up to two times daily to get a diuretic effect.
Decoction. Twelve grams are added to plant 400 milliliters of water, maintaining the boil for one minute. After this time the heat is removed, leaving it in contact with the water still warm for a period of twelve minutes. The resulting liquid can be consumed during the day.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Composite ligulifloras
HABITAT: Clearings something dry
FLOWERING: Spring and summer
PART USED: Aerial parts
CASTILIAN: Pilosela
CATALAN: Peludella
BASQUE: Sagu-belarr

USES

Diuretic Moderate, Antipyretic Moderate, Hypolipidemic Leve.