Salsify (Scorzonera hispanica)

The salsify is characterized by a fleshy root, bark cracked and blackened. A foot of land extends a rosette of leaves appears lanceolate, with wavy surface and the edges crisp, often with small teeth. At the end of the main stem are formed heads surrounded by an involucre of bracts broad, longer than those internal than external. The fruits of this plant are long and end in a pappus of feathery edges. It breeds in the hills and uncultivated places much of the country, from Catalonia to Andalusia, his presence is more common in soils rich in lime.

FLOWERING

It blooms in May and June mainly, but much depends on their geographical location. Harvesting for medicinal purposes mainly interested in the underground parts, ie roots. If you cut along this root is found that the bark is easily removed from the xylem and the inside has a light brown. Once the skin has separated, cut into slices and put to dry in the shade or drying, at temperatures not too high.

APPLICATIONS

At the root of salsify is a glycoside called coniferina. There are also significant amounts of arginine, asparagine, little sister and choline. There is something in latex rubber and other minor compounds from the medical point of view. This plant have been attributed many properties, of which today is recognized only a diuretic effect, besides being recommended for people suffering from rheumatic problems. Currently in some areas of our geography is used as a vegetable diet, but not the wild variety, but the cultivated species. This food is especially recommended for people suffering from rheumatism, gout, atherosclerotic and generally to people who must follow a starch-free diet, as for example in the case of diabetics. Of the other virtues in antiquity was attributed to this plant, as it was an effective remedy for bites or attenuate seizures and no longer remains but the memory of ancient books.

ADMINISTRATION

As mentioned in the previous section, the best way to exploit the virtues of consuming plant is like a garden, preparing it to everyone's taste.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Composite ligulifloras
HABITAT: Dry slopes
FLOWERING: May and June
PART USED: Roots
CASTILIAN: Salsifí de España, escorzionera
CATALAN: Herba escurçonera
BASQUE: Astobeharri

USES

Strong diuretic, Mild inflammatory, Antirheumatic Leve.