Water pepper (Polygonum hidropiper)

The cayenne pepper water or water is a herbaceous annual plant that reaches four feet high if the soil is moist and rich in nitrogen. It is therefore easy to find at the mouth of canals, creeks and drains and even in flooded fields and overpaid. The stem is long and supports semiascendente lanceolate leaves, the flowers are grouped in loose terminal spikes and the fruits are achenes, or compressed, dull brown, measuring up to 4 mm. long.

FLOWERING

Flowers in summer and autumn. From the medical point of view, interested the whole plant, especially the most rich in active principles, ie, flowering tops. These are collected and washed thoroughly, removing the pieces of root that could be used and spread to dry in the shade or dryer. The leaves of this plant have a spicy flavor, more like flavor of the chili pepper to the taste and this is increasing in the flowering tops, even when the plant is already dry.

APPLICATIONS

In the composition of tannins and pepper are mainly various acids, among which include formic acid, acetic, lemon balm, valerian and gallic. It also has an essence sugars and little studied. Recently we have detected the presence of an alkaloid that appears to be inactive from the standpoint of drug. As for their recognized properties undoubtedly the most important is the hemostasis, ie the ability of certain plants and other substances to stop bleeding. This property is manifested in any type of hemorrhage, either hemoptysis (bloody sputum) or stomach bleeding, it is believed that this activity is to interact in the viscosity and blood clotting. The plant is also popularly used to activate the healing of sores and wounds, or who has a good effect when used externally vulnerary. The problem with home use of this herb is that it can cause inflammation of the bladder or kidney, so one must be wary of using it. The best, as always, is to leave its management in the hands of medical staff or pharmacist. It is said that this plant has long been used to heal wounds and sores anal, but it produced such inconvenience is commonly called "rabiaculo" is more a torture than a remedy. Today the plant use is quite limited, possibly because there are better remedies.

ADMINISTRATION

Fluid extract. Between 30 and 40 drops of fluid extract of the plant, up to 3 times a day. Se utiliza como hemostático.
Powder. A reason for a tip of spoon, 3 times a day.
Externally. On the skin can be applied directly, but can be very annoying. In any event, activates the healing of ulcers and sores.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Ppoligonaceas
HABITAT: On the edge of water, on land without lime
FLOWERING: Summer and autumn
PART USED: Whole plant
CASTILIAN: Pimienta de agua
CATALAN: Pebre d'aigua
BASQUE: Txakurr-piper
GALICIAN: Pimentela

USES

Hemostatic Strong, Moderate inflammatory, Moderate Vulnerary.