Ononis spinosa
Botanical Nomenclature | Ononis spinosa |
Common Name | Restharrow, Spiny Restharrow |
Taxonomy- Family | Papilionaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Ononis spinosa is a perennial plant growing from 20 to 100cm, with small, green, hairy leaves, red-pink flowers and thorny stem. It blossoms mainly from July to September. The harvesting of the root takes place from March to April and from September to October, while the harvesting of flowers takes place from July to September. |
Region Found | Epirus |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | leaves, root, flowers |
Active Substances | Essential oil, ononin (flavonic glycoside), onocerin, ononide |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | Ononis spinosa has diuretic properties. It is administered for the treatment of peripheral edema, intestinal problems, nephrolithiasis and other kidney diseases. It is also recommended as herbal tea for its ability to lower blood pressure, as well for the treatment of bleeding and cough. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered in the form of herbal tea (10-20g of dried herb in 100mL water) as diuretic, antihypertensive, hemostatic and antitussive. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | The plant should be avoided in children and during pregnancy and lactation, as well in patients with severe edema. |
References | 1) Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 309-310, 2)http://health-from-nature.net/Rest_Harrow.html 3)http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_- _Community_herbal_monograph/2013/08/WC500148190.pdf 4)http://abchomeopathy.com/r.php/Ono-s 5)https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/r/restha11.html 6)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ononis+spinosa |