MEDICINAL PLANTS

The plant is Viborera rough, like borage, both are of the same family. The stems come to vegetate second year, dying after ripening fruit. The leaves that grow on the base of the plant are lanceolate, with a short corner and a longitudinal nerve that runs from base to tip. The flowers have a purple color when have not yet come, turning blue or violet to bloom. They have a tubular shape. One grows in uncultivated places, river banks, roadsides, etc.. Of almost the entire country, even in the high valleys of the Pyrenees and other mountains of the peninsula.

FLOWERING

The Viborera blooms from April until late summer. For medicinal use are harvested leaves and stems.

APPLICATIONS

The parts of the Viborera herbaceous, stem and leaves contain an alkaloid called equiina, this substance has the ability to paralyze the nervous system, as does curare used by American Indians. But the amounts of this alkaloid has the plant are minimal, so in reality it is a non-toxic plant. Previously, the form of floral bouquets, which resembles a coiled snake, the motley of the stem with its small dark spots, which also has something similar to snakes and even the shape of their fructículos, that people were attributing properties against snake bite, and snakes. This similarity derives its name, although this use is completely ruled today. The only properties that can be attributed to the Viborera are as emollient, diuretic and sudorific, all three, so mild. The Viborera can be used as borage, although the latter may be better known and appreciated. In addition, borage grown easier as comes naturally after the first autumn rains, and by Easter, if not before the lower leaves are cut for use as a vegetable.

ADMINISTRATION

Ground fresh. In the same way as borage, used as a vegetable.
Infusion. Prepare a tea from the leaves, it can take 2 to 4 cups a day.
Poultice. To treat small abscesses infusion is used as compresses and washed.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Boraginaceae
HABITAT: Roadsides and in mountains
FLOWERING: April and Summer
PART USED: Stem and leaf
CASTILIAN: Viperina, lengua de vaca
CATALAN: Herba del vibre, cul de pors
GALICIAN: Borraxa brava

USES

Mild diuretic, Mild Emollient, Mild sudorific.