Pellitory Of The Wall

Parietaria officinalis

COMMON NAMES

• Pellitory
• Pellitory Of The Wall
• Spanish Chamomile

This inhabitant of walls and dry stony places is a perennial with dark green leaves, small greenish flowers and small capsules containing dark brown to blackish seeds. The female flowers are borne on the tips of the stems, while the male flowers are clustered in the leaf axils. A closely related species, P. judaica (= P.diffusa) is used in the same way as P. officinalis. It is similar to the latter but is a much smaller herb with smaller leaves. The name Parietaria is derived from paries, the Latin word for wall, in reference to the main habitat (cracks in walls) of the two species. Parietaria species are related to stinging nettle (Urtica species) but their glossy upper leaf surfaces are distinct.

PARTS USED

Aerial parts.

USES

The herb is traditionally used to treat kidney and bladder disorders, urinary tract infections, cystitis, urinary stones and related ailments. It is also a traditional cough medicine and may be used to alleviate the pain of wounds and burns and to promote their healing.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Pellitory of the wall is native to central and southern Europe (P. officinalis) or western and southern Europe (P. judaica). These plants have become weeds in many parts of the world. They are wild-harvested to a limited extent for medicinal use and are not cultivated.

CONSTITUENTS

The herbs contain organic acids, especially caffeoylmalic acid, together with tannins and flavonoids.

USUAL DOSAGE

Infusions or decoctions are used internally or externally but effective or safe doses are not specified.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS

The pollen of P. officinalis is known to cause severe allergic reactions in some people. Present in the pollen is a dodecapeptide containing Par o 1, the major allergen.

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