Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)

Small trees, but may reach up to 8 feet high. The leaves have a reddish tinge on the beam, which is oval, with a petiole which represents one fifth of the total length of the blade. The edges are integers and a dark color, being lighter on the underside area. The leaves have veins embossed on the underside, while the part of the beam are forming depressions. Along the stem the leaves are arranged facing each other.

FLOWERING

Flowering takes place in the months of May and June, the fruit matures in autumn. The flowers are borne in clusters emerging from the axils of the leaves, are small in size and white and have four stamens inside. The bouquets of the flowers open all at the same height. The fruit is rounded, about 5 millimeters in diameter, dark blue and bitter taste. This plant is typically located in the north of the peninsula, being found in areas protected from light, in ravines and riverbanks.

APPLICATIONS

In composition we find resinous, various alkaloids and glycosides, which currently are not identified in its entirety. The sheet contains salicylic acid, used in small amounts, acts as queratoplástico, and in greater quantity as keratolytic, causing the elimination of the keratin of skin, whether full or part and thereby producing dermal regeneration. The fruits contain calcium malate, together with the bark, was used in the past as a febrifuge. The seeds are rich in oils and in some cases contain up to 1% of its weight in oil, which once was used as lamp fuel stale. In Galicia, traditionally known as the tree of rabies, a popular belief that effects attributed to rabies, today still unproven.

ADMINISTRATION

The data outlined below are the traditional, because to date there is no verification of the pharmacological activities that are to be obtained.
Infusion. 5 grams of fruit and bark are added to previously crushed three hundred milliliters of boiling water and allow to cool slowly for ten minutes, then filtered and taken in a quantity not more than two cups a day, achieving in this way a decrease in body temperature.
Decoction of bark. 5 grams of dogwood bark added to 200 milliliters of water, letting it boil for 5 minutes, then filtered and the resulting liquid may be taken three times daily between meals.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Mahouts
HABITAT: Shady slopes
FLOWERING: May and June
PART USED: Leaves, fruits and seeds
CASTILIAN: Cornizo
CATALAN: Sanguinyol
BASQUE: Judas-egur
GALICIAN: Sanguinho

USES

Moderate febrifuge, Moderate analgesic, Mild keratolytic.