Foraging Gozo. Pellitory Of The Wall

Pellitory Of The Wall is found growing wild on Gozo and you can add it to pasta.

Author of, Weeds For Health On Gozo, Heléna Szöllősy shares everything you need to know about the wild plants that make up Gozo’s unique and diverse flora. Enjoy learning about the healing benefits and many usages of Pellitory Of The Wall which is a perennial and blooms in Summer.

Botanical Name: Parietaria judaica - L.
Synonyms: Parietaria diffusa
Family Name: Urticaceae
Maltese Name: Xeħt ir-riħ komuni
Common Names: Lichwort, Pellitory Of The Wall, Spreading pellitory
Meaning of the Name: Parietaria, from Latin, wall-dweller (a name used by the Roman naturalist and philosopher Pliny), judaica, from Latin, meaning ’Of Judaea, Jewish, from Palestine’.

DESCRIPTION

Pellitory Of The Wall is a much-branched, bushy, herbaceous, perennial plant, 30-60 cm high, with reddish, brittle stems and narrow, stalked leaves 2.5-5 cm long. The stems and veins of the undersurface of the leaves are furnished with short, soft hairs, and 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 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.

• Habitats: Hedge banks, cracks in rocks and dry walls
• Range: Western and southern Europe
• Status for Malta: Indigenous. Originating from Maltese islands. Very common in the wild.
• Parts Used: aerial parts, herb. The plant is harvested when flowering and can be used fresh or dried.
• Herbal Actions: Diuretic, Cholagogue, Demulcent, Laxative, Refrigerant, Vulnerary
• Main Active Constituents: biocide, caffeoylmalic acid, flavonoids, glucosides, and isorhamnetin. kaempferol pyrrole acids, quercetin, rutinosides

INTERNAL USES:

1. Pellitory of the wall has been valued for its diuretic action, as a soother of chronic coughs, and as a balm for wounds and burns.
2. An infusion prepared with the dry leaves of the herb can effectively treat rheumatic ailments, such as arthritis, gout, and /or uric acid. It may be noted that while getting rid of the excess liquid in our body we also drive out unnecessary substances that have amassed in the articulations, often reducing them, and easing the painful symptoms that are related to these physical health conditions. Pellitory Of The Wall all seems to act as a wonderful purifying agent (depurative).
3. This herb is also effective for treating metabolic ailments wherein the main point is to get rid of bodily liquids, for instance, obesity or diabetes. In addition, the herb pellitory of the wall is also effective in treating cellulite.

EXTERNAL USES:

1. The juice held awhile in the mouth eases pains in the teeth; the distilled water of the herb drank with sugar worked the same effect and cleansed the skin from spots, freckles, pimples, wheels, and sunburn.
2. The juice dropped into the ears eases the noise in them and takes away the pricking and shooting pains.
3. The leaves can be usefully employed externally as a poultice on wounds. They have a soothing effect on simple burns and scalds.
4. In the form of an ointment is capital for piles and a remedy for gout and fistula.
5. The decoction with a little honey is good to gargle a sore throat.

EDIBLE USES:

1. Young plant – raw or cooked. The young shoots can be added to mixed salads.

OTHER USES

1. The whole plant is used for cleaning windows and copper containers.

PRECAUTIONS: Parietaria pollen can induce asthma, allergic rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis. It should not be prescribed to people with hay fever or other allergic conditions.

Make This! Pasta With Parietaria

INGREDIENTS

1. Macaroni or Spaghetti
2. Parietaria
3. Béchamel Sauce
4. Salt
5. Chilli

Preparation

1. Cook the pasta ’al dente’.
2. Steam the Parietaria, salt, and blend.
3. Add the sauce and chili to taste.
4. Fold the sauce in the pasta, and serve immediately, and salt to taste.

Want to learn what else you can forage on Gozo? Click here.

Author : Heléna Szöllősy. Editor: GITH

Helena is an expert on the medicinal properties of plants having trained in Herbal Medicine and Naturopathy, specialising in Phytotherapy including Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, Apitherapy and Bach Flower Therapy.

Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs is provided in this book for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. This information is not intended to be used to diagnose, prescribe or replace professional medical care. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your healthcare practitioner before self-administering herbs. Please also undertake your own research when foraging. Some wild plants are endangered and are protected by law.

Author: GITH