Acinos alpinus
Botanical Nomenclature | Acinos alpinus |
Common Name | Rock Thyme |
Taxonomy- Family | Lamiaceae or Labiatae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Acinos alpinus is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing up to 0,5m, with pubescent, oval, green leaves and bell-shaped, purple, hermaphroditic flowers. The flowering and harvesting take place from July to August. The whole plant is woolly, grows in rocky soil and is one of the smallest plants of the Labiatae family. |
Region Found | Ioannina (Pindos, Vikos-Aoos) |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Leaves |
Active Substances | Flavonoids, glycosides, flavones (apigenin, luteolin), flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin), linolenic acid, essential oil, which contain pulegone, menthone, isomenthone, a-pinene, limonene |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The plant has sudorific and antipyretic properties. In the folk medicine of Mediterranean countries, especially in Spain, the infusion made from the leaves, is recommended as anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic and antiemetic, in the treatment of diarrhea, indigestion, obesity and respiratory diseases. Several studies demonstrate that the consumption of the plant's extract may significantly lower the blood cholesterol levels. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered as sudorifi in folk medicine in the form of herbal tea (one spoon of dried leaves in a cup of boiled water, 3 times a day) and infusion (one spoon of dried leaves in boiled water for 15min, 2-3 times a day). 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 | No side effects have been reported. |
References | 1) http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Acinos+alpinus 2) http://www.academicjournals.org/app/webroot/article/article1380531255_Stojanovic%20et%20al.pdf 3) http://garden.rcplondon.ac.uk/Plant/Details/20 4) http://www.rjb.csic.es/jardinbotanico/ficheros/documentos/pdf/pubinv/RMV/JE_2005_98_1-19.pdf 5) http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/a/acinos-alpinus=alpine-calamint.php |