Characteristics, uses and allergy of Parietaria judaica

Jewish parietaria

Today we are going to talk about a plant that a large number of people have an allergy to. Its scientific name is Jewish parietaria. It belongs to the Urticaceae family and is known by common names such as basil, rock grass and parietaria. It is a plant whose power usually generates many types of allergies in the population.

In this article we are going to give you information about the characteristics of the Jewish parietaria and how its pollen affects the energy of many people.

Key features

Red stem of Parietaria judaica

It is a perennial herb that usually measures between 20 and 60 centimeters in height. It has a more woody part at the base and its stems are pink or reddish with small hairs. The stems are more or less elect and their leaves are alternate with dimensions of between 3 and 12 centimeters petiolate, oval or lanceolate. The color of the leaves is bright dark green.

As for its flowers, they are green or reddish in color on the part of the axils of the leaves. The flowering stage begins from March to September. This is why it is the time of year where allergy sufferers have the worst symptoms. When spring arrives and the best temperatures arrive, this plant begins its flowering. To this is added the more unstable winds typical of spring and the changes of weather. As there is more pollen in continuous transport in the air, more people are affected with allergenic symptoms.

The biological form of this plant is a camephyte. A camephyte is a perennial herbaceous or woody plant that has a replacement bud on the stem below 50 centimeters in height. Depending on the height at which it is and the climate where the plant develops, it can be camephytic and even if the buds are at a height of 20 centimeters in colder climates and up to 1 meter in warmer climates.

The Jewish parietaria It can be found growing naturally on both walls and walls of older buildings. Needs shady areas and other nitrified media such as crops. In areas with a large amount of nitrogen such as manure heaps and corrals there is usually a great abundance of this plant.

Uses of Jewish parietaria

Pollen of the Parietaria judaica

This plant to have various uses such as medicinal. The entire plant is fully used. The collection of this plant for medicinal uses will be from spring to autumn.

Among the active principles of Parietaria judaica the following: calcium, flavonoids, sulfur, potassium nitrate, tannins, mucilage, bitter principle and kaempferol. It is used thanks to some of the medicinal effects it has.

The internal effects that this plant has on patients are the following:

  • Thas diuretic properties so it helps in the elimination of liquids. There are many people who receive excess fluid in their day to day. With an infusion of Parietaria judaica leaves, you can help eliminate these liquids.
  • It has properties for purify the body.
  • Pectoral, sudorific and demulcent. It can help increase body sweat to lower fever and as an expectorant for those who cannot breathe well.
  • Refreshing and anti-inflammatory. They tend to melt also helps reduce inflation.
  • Laxative and pain reliever. It is quite useful for people who are in pain or suffering from constipation.

Among the external effects we have the following:

  • Astringent
  • Vulnerary
  • Healing

Depending on what we are going to use it for, we have to make different preparations.

  • If we want to have an anti-asthmatic effect, we have to make powder from dried leaves. This polo is taken in two teaspoons two or three times a day mixed with a tablespoon of honey or jam. To make the powder of dried leaves we just have to crush them.
  • If we want to make an infusion we will use 40 grams of flowers for each liter of water. You can take all the infusions you want.
  • We can also make another infusion by putting two tablespoons of crushed dry leaves for each liter of boiling water. It can be taken between 4 and 5 cups a day.
  • If we want to make an infusion as a diuretic, we must boil a liter of water with 30 grams of Parietaria dry. We wait for it to be warm and filter it. We can owe between 3 and 4 cups a day.
  • To make an infusion that helps with a cold, we must pour 10 grams of Parietaria dry in a liter of boiling water and wait 10 minutes to filter it. It is advisable to sweeten with honey and drink the infusion advantages within 10 hours.

Allergy causing Jewish parietaria

Plant that produces allergies

Although this plant does not present any toxicity in its use, it must be taken into account that in many people it causes a significant respiratory allergy in the pollen of this plant. In many more serious cases, it can even cause fever. Therefore, all allergy sufferers should refrain from coming into contact with this plant.

For those who are not allergic should know that the leaves of young plants are edible both raw and cooked. They are excellent companions for making tortillas and in soups.

They are also useful for washing crystals, glasses and containers that are made of copper. In ancient times hens were fed to make the eggshell harder.

For those who are allergic to Parietaria judaica, we are going to give some tips to avoid its symptoms:

  • If traveling by car, it is better to travel with the windows closed.
  • At home we will also have the windows closed, especially in the flowering season.
  • Wear sunglasses.
  • Any vegetable should be washed well before eating them as they may have pollen grains on the surface.
  • The concentration of this pollen is lower inside buildings and near the sea.
  • Tobacco is not a good option at any time.
  • It is interesting to get vaccinated to reduce symptoms.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about Parietaria judaica and its allergic reactions.

Characteristics, uses and allergy of Parietaria judaica

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