Hemm pilosella (Hieracium pilosella) hija pjanta li tappartjeni għall-familja ta' asteraceae. On some texts you can find it indicated with the synonym of Pilosella officinarumwhile vulgarly the plant is called mouse ears. The botanical denomination “pilosellaInstead comes from the Latin pilosa= hairy, referring to the down covering the leaves.
This small spontaneous plant is present throughout Italy and, due to its medicinal properties, boasts a long tradition in popular medicine. It is a precious herb, as it has multiple phytotherapeutic applications, therefore it cannot be missing in home herbal medicine.

In this article we describe the botanical characteristics ofHieracium pilosellaits beneficial properties and uses.

Description of the pilosella

Pilosella
Hemm Hieracium pilosella is a species of perennial herbaceous plant, with the biological form of hemicryptophyte rosulata. It is in fact provided with a creeping underground rhizome from which a rosette of basal leaves and several stolons rooting at the nodes arise. These, more or less long, have alternate leaves that are smaller and smaller as you move away from the plant. Simple flower scapes emerge from the rosette, generally about 10 cm high (sometimes even 30 cm).

Weraq

Pilosella leaves
The leaves of the pilosella, gathered in a basal rosette, are lying on the ground and have a lanceolate-spatulate shape, that is, they have the maximum width towards the apex and not in the central part. The margin is entire, it is rarely engraved by some teeth. The upper surface is green and has some very long bristly hairs. The lower page is instead greyish or white due to the presence of a dense tomentum composed of stellate and bristly hairs.

fjuri

Pilosella flower
The flowers are gathered in a single flower head at the apex of the scape. The flower head is enclosed by an envelope formed by numerous lanceolate-acute bracts with glandular and star-shaped hairs. The flowers all have a prolonged corolla in a yellow ligule sometimes suffused with red (especially in the external ones). The flowering of the pilosella is prolonged and repeated, occurs from spring (May) to the end of summer.

Żrieragħ

Iż-żerriegħa ta Hieracium pilosella it is a cylindrical achene with a truncated apex and a striated lateral surface. It has a pappus made up of simple off-white bristles.

Where does the pilosella grow?

The pilosella plant grows wild throughout the peninsula (excluding islands), from sea level to the Alpine region (in the Alps it reaches 3000 m of altitude). It is a plant that loves grassy places in the countryside, but is sometimes also found at the edge of the woods.

Useful parts and collection

The aerial part of the plant, including the flowers, is used in herbal medicine. This should be harvested from May to August, cutting it off the collar and eliminating the yellow leaves.
The vegetative material, arranged in a thin layer, dries in the shade in an airy place, removing it often. It can be kept dry in paper bags.

Active ingredients of pilosella

The main constituents of pilosella are: tannins, mucilages, resins, hydroxycoumarin. From these active ingredients jiksbu proprjetajiet diuretic, febrifuge, antibiotic, astringent, anti-inflammatory.

Properties of the pilosella

The pilosella has a solid tradition in folk medicine as an astringent, anti-haemorrhagic, vulnerary. In the past centuries it has been used as a valid defense in cases of internal and external haemorrhages following trauma, lung diseases, metroraggie, severe intestinal irritation. These prerogatives are now overcome by modern medicinal substances, which however leave room for the pilosella for other interventions. In fact, it has been proven that the plant, thanks to its coumarin compounds and their antibiotic action, is a specific remedy for undulating fever of infectious origin, such as brucellosis and melitense.
The soothing properties are also excellent for relieving respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis and cough.
Pisolesella is also an effective diuretic useful for promoting, together with excess water, the elimination of chlorides and uric acid, and is therefore considered useful for nephritics, heart disease, gout and people affected.

Użu estern

For external use, the plant has a good astringent and anti-inflammatory action on the skin on boils, flaking and slight burns. This is why it often enters the composition of sun creams. It is also used as an emergency aid on minor wounds and abrasions.
Fil- ħwienet speċjalizzati you will find numerous products based on pilosella, for example in mother tincture drops, tablets, supplement capsules, syrups.

The Hieracium pilosella in home herbal medicine

In home herbal medicine with dried pilosella it is possible ipprepara infużjoni for internal use, with 2 g per 100 ml of water, to be taken in cups and excellent febrifuge.
For external use, as a skin astringent and emergency cleanser, the decoction is prepared with 8 g per 100 ml of water, to be used for washing and compresses with soaked compresses on the affected parts.
For cosmetic use, a handful of pilosella in the bath water fortifies and tones skin that is tired and irritated by the sun and wind.

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