Immortelle higher (Sempervivum tectorum)

The evergreen is named after that always seems just as shiny, almost at any time preserving the smoothness and brightness of the bracts that form the envelope of its florets. And it has a great ability to survive even under the most adverse conditions. It can hold anywhere and with a little pampering will show its full appreciation to be developed in all its glory. In short, this is a plant with great vitality. Green is always conserved and resists ice and the sun hotter. It breeds mainly in the walls and roofs of all villages in Spain. It is also often grown in pots, coloring to the terraces throughout the year.

FLOWERING

The flowering season coincides with the everlasting summer, from June. Harvesting for medicinal purposes interested in aerial parts. In many cases, scholars speak of that in Spain we have many varieties of the evergreen, but in reality this is always the same species, just that sometimes its development is diminished and appears larger and paler colors.

APPLICATIONS

The composition found malic acid, calcium malate, formic acid, small amounts of resin, tannins and mucilage. There are so many virtues attributed to this plant that leads to confusion. In Spain they have not transcended but a few, such as power and cooling action vulnerary. But beyond our borders plant is considered astringent, diuretic and antiseptic. According to these properties, would be indicated in enterocolitis, cystitis, fluid retention problems, urinary stones and pharyngitis. It has also been popularly used to treat dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain), cuts, sores, burns and some eye problems. It's important with a view to better utilization of the plant always use fresh leaves, as if allowed to dry they lose their supposed virtues. A curious use which has been given is to cover and strengthen the roofs of earth through the thick grass that forms, as it was thought that this natural blanket protecting the homes from lightning. Whether this belief was popularized in the ninth century during the reign of Charlemagne, it was ordered that all roofs of this work were covered by grass.

ADMINISTRATION

Internal use. Prepared from a dessert spoon of the plant per cup of boiling water. Take two or three cups a day.
For external use. In the form of gargle with the juice of fresh plant.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Crassulaceae
HABITAT: On rooftops and walls of villages
FLOWERING: Spring and summer
PART USED: Aerial parts
CASTILIAN: Piñuela
CATALAN: Matafoc
BASQUE: Betibizi
GALICIAN: Herba punteira

USES

Strong diuretic, Antiseptic Moderate, Mild Astringent.