Your Medicinal Plants

Isabgol (Psylliums)

Familia de Plantaginaceae

The scientific name is Plantago psyllium and belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. The plant is hairy, has a single stem and leaves are at odds, has flowers that are grouped together, and a small fruit in which no black seeds. It grows in sandy areas both in the wild or can be cultivated. This plant has proven medicinal properties since ancient times and is known as a strong anti-inflammatory use and as a mild laxative, in addition to lipid lowering and hypoglycemic, ant diarrheal. Besides being used to treat constipation, rheumatic pains, high cholesterol, diabetes, helps reduce appetite which may assist the treatment of obesity or overweight.

In external use is effective for skin injuries and conditions such as abscesses, burns, eczema, varicose ulcers, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, diverticulitis, cystitis, bronchitis. There are several options to choose how to use but be constant and that its effects are not as quick but effective. There are no known contraindications for use of this herb, since its effects are mild and require several shots to take effect. But it’s still advisable to consult a doctor before using natural remedies, but even in the case of children, pregnant women or people with chronic diseases to avoid unwanted effects.

Recipes from this medicinal plant:

Maceration: To benefit from the medicinal effects can be prepared by maceration in water by placing a tablespoon of the seeds of this grass and leaves for half an hour. After this time you can have fasted for 3 or 4 days, if not cash should increase the amount of seed that is used to increase the effect. Warm poultice can be prepared to relieve external conditions.

Isabgol powder: You can also buy Isabgol powder can consume 5 to 15 grams per day but divided into several times with water. Another option is capsules made based on this plant.

Viper’s Bugloss

Familia de Boraginaceae

The Viper’s Bugloss is a wild grass, is biennial, it reaches only 1 meter tall and has blue flowers pretty. Its name arises because the shape of this plant is similar to a coiled snake, but is also known as beef tongue and beef tongue. It grows in mountain areas and grasslands, embankments and roadsides in Europe. Its scientific name is Echium vulgare and belongs to the family Boraginaceae. Other Common Names: Blue Devil, Blueweed, Common Vipersbugloss, Havaciva Otu, Slangenkruid, Viborera, Viper’s Bugloss, Blueweed, Blue weed. The Viper’s Bugloss can be used for medicinal purposes use the leaves and stem. It has proven effects as an emollient, diuretic, cleansing, expectorant and sudorific. Some of the conditions for which this herb are used for rheumatic pains, to treat skin redness and damaged, as well as boils and abscesses, grain, snake bites, dermatitis, cold, fever, headache.
It is also effective in improving conditions and nervous disorders and respiratory diseases, gout, inflammation, edema, fluid retention, urinary disorders.

This plant has a medium level of toxicity that should not be consumed orally for a long time as it can be toxic to the liver. The dose should be prescribed by a professional to not take any chances with toxic substances which owns the plant. Never self-medicate with plant-based preparations in particular children, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases to avoid unwanted effects. This is the only contraindications it has; you should always consult a physician before using home remedies based on plants to prevent harmful health effects.

Recipes from this medicinal plant:

Gastronomy: The Viper’s Bugloss borage is similar to so you can eat boiled leaves as a vegetable, combined with other vegetables to improve the taste and it’s a little bitter.

Infusion: You can also make a tea with leaves and stems 30 grams per liter of water, you can take 2 to 4 cups a day.

External use: can be made poultices, compresses washed and crushed to the ground and the last infusion.

It is also possible to get juice, tincture and wine based on this plant.

Birch, Betula verrucosa

Familia de Betulaceae

Birch is a medicinal plant, rather a medicinal tree. Its scientific name is Betula verrucosa, and Betulaceae is the family plants.
They live in most of Spain, Portugal, and in some places in areas above 1000 m. high.

This medicinal tree is known for a long time. Can reach up to 30 m. tall, the bark is whitish silver.
The younger branches of this tree grow more falls. The end of the branches is the taco pretty rough.
With respect to flowering, we have male and female flowers. They are yellowish green. The male flowers after pollination perform its function onto the floor. The female flowers are preserved and that will be responsible for forming the fruit.
This medicinal plant is harvested leaves, and takes place in the spring.
The leaves of this herb should be dried in the shade at a temperature below 40 º C
Also used for medicinal flowers, bark, young branches (falls) and tree sap.

Among the medicinal compounds that have this tree, the leaves can be found in abundance are the flavonoids that give this plant diuretic property. Birch is used in cases of urinary tract infections, such as cystitis, calculus, pyelonephritis, among others.
In addition, the leaves have essential oils such as betulinol, which gives febrifuge actions.
Birch is also a good antiseptic and healing.
In the bark of Betula verrucosa have tannins, which act as astringents.
The sap acts as a diuretic and ant rheumatic, is used in cases of gout and rheumatism.

Recipes from this medicinal plant:

Infusion: an infusion is made from the leaves of this plant. Place 35 gr. Birch leaves in a quart of water. Once the water boils remove from heat and leave the leaves in the boiling water for 10 minutes. Then add 1 gr. sodium bicarbonate to make more emotional this infusion. You can drink 3 cups per day.