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 | Pellitory of the Wall Other Names: Lichwort.
Botanical Name: Parietaria officinalis
Family: N.O. Urticaceae |
Description: |
| It is a much-branched, bushy, herbaceous, perennial plant, 1 to 2 feet high, with reddish, brittle stems and narrow, stalked leaves 1 to 2, inches long. The stems and veins of the under surface of the leaves are furnished with short, soft hairs, the upper surface of the leaves is nearly smooth, with sunken veins. The small, green stalkless flowers grow in clusters in the axils of the leaves and are in bloom all the summer. The filaments of their stamens are curiously jointed and so elastic that if touched before the expansion of the flower, they suddenly spring from their incurved position and scatter their pollen broadcast. |
Habitat: |
| Pellitory-of-the-Wall is a humble, inconspicuous plant belonging to the same group as the Stinging Nettle and the Hop. It is the only representative of its genus in Britain. The name of this genus, Parietaria, is derived from the Latin word paries (a wall), for it is very commonly found growing from crannies in dry walls, as its popular English name also tells us, and will frequently luxuriate in the midst of stony rubbish. |
Constituents: |
| All parts of the plant contain nitre abundantly. |
Medicinal Usage: |
Diuretic, laxative, refrigerant and slightly demulcent.
Pellitory-of-the-Wall is a most efficacious remedy for stone in the bladder, gravel, dropsy, stricture and other urinary complaints. Its action upon the urinary calculus is perhaps more marked than any other simple agent at present employed.
It is given in infusion or decoction, the infusion - the most usual form - 1 OZ. to 1 pint of boiling water being taken in wineglassful doses. Frequently it is combined with Wild Carrot and Parsley Piert.
Fluid extract: dose, 1 drachm.
The decoction, says Gerard, 'helpeth such as are troubled with an old cough,' and 'the decoction with a little honey is good to gargle a sore throat.' He gives us many other uses:
'The juice held awhile in the mouth easeth pains in the teeth; the distilled water of the herb drank with sugar worketh the same effect and cleanseth the skin from spots, freckles, pimples, wheals, sunburn, etc.... 'The juice dropped into the ears easeth the noise in them and taketh away the pricking and shooting pains therein.'
In the form of an ointment he tells us it is capital for piles and a remedy for gout and fistula.
The leaves may be usefully applied as poultices.
The juice of the fresh herb, made into a thin syrup will stimulate the kidneys in the same way as the infusion of the dried herb.
Ben Jonson says:
'A good old woman . . . did cure me
With sodden ale and pellitorie o' the wall.'
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Ancient Lore: |
PELLITORY OF THE WALL
PARIETARIA OFFICINALIS
The juice clarified and boiled in a syrup with honey, and a spoonful drank every morning is good for the dropsy; by taking the dose once a week, that disease will be cured.
A perennial growing one or two feet (30 to 60 cm) high with brownish-red, tender, almost transparent stalks, with broad leaves which taper at the end. The small pale, purplish flowers are followed by black seeds which stick to any garment they touch.
Where to find it: Borders of fields, old walls and rocks, and among rubbish heaps. Flowering time: Early to midsummer.
Astrology: It is under Mercury.
Medicinal virtues: A remedy for an old and dry cough, shortness of breath and wheezing in the throat. The dried herb is made up into an electuary with honey, or the juice of the herb, or a decoction is made with honey and sugar. Three ounces (85 9) of the juice relieves stoppage of the urine, and expels stone or gravel in the kidneys or bladder. The bruised herb, sprinkled with some Muscadel, and warmed upon a few quick coals in a chafing-dish and applied to the belly, mitigates pains in the back, sides or bowels, proceeding from wind. The decoction cases the pains of the mother and brings down the courses. With a little honey added the decoction can be used as a gargle for a sore throat. The juice made into a liniment with ceruse and Oil of Roses cleanses foul, rotten ulcers and prevents their spreading. Applied to the fundament, it cases the pains of the piles. The juice is effective to cleanse fistulas and heal them.
Modern uses: An effective remedy for urinary tract stone, perhaps the most effective single agent available. Herbalists use a prepared tincture, but domestically an infusion is made from the dried herb - i oz (28 g) to 1 pt (568 ml) of boiling water - and taken in doses of 2 fl oz (56 mi). This increases urine production and is also indicated for dropsy and suppression of urine. The herb can be combined with Parsley Piert in equal parts. |
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