La Arenaria serpyllifolia It is a plant that has its origin in North and Central America, it is also abundant in the Murcia region and some others in the Iberian Peninsula. It is mainly used as natural medicine, due to certain properties attributed to it for that purpose.
Its growth is spontaneous and usually occurs in the middle of rocks, soils rich in siliceous and sandy, forming clusters of white or pink flowers. If you still don't know the benefits of this plant and how to take advantage of them, we will tell you below.
What properties does the Arenaria serpyllifolia?
The main property attributed to it is its diuretic effect, since it is composed of saponins, flavonoids, queens and triterpenic substances, substances that act directly in the renal system and in the gallbladder favoring the elimination of toxins since it increases diuresis. Therefore the plant is effective in the treatment of the following pathologies:
- Liquid retention.
- Weight problems derived from the accumulation of fluids.
- Kidney stone and grit removal.
- It is anti-inflammatory, it is used to deflate the belly, bladder and other discomforts related to this area of the body.
- It acts as a natural antiseptic, helping to eliminate urinary infections or the discomforts of cystitis.
- Control uric acid levels.
- It generates a feeling of satiety thanks to its mucilage content, it is also a very natural laxative.
- Deflames sports injuries.
As we see the vast majority of its properties are focused on treatments to improve conditions of the urinary system, especially with the expulsion of sand and stones and even with the prevention of these.
However, the properties it has to help you lose weight are quite attractive due to its naturalness, which makes it the perfect complement to any diet. This is because we are talking about a diuretic par excellence that eliminates toxic waste from the body and prevents fluid retention.
Another element that contributes to weight loss are the soluble fibers or mucilage that when they are moistened they increase in size and generate a feeling of fullness for longer, causing you to eat less.
Its consumption should be avoided during pregnancy or lactation., since the side effects that it could have have not been proven. In the case of people with high blood pressure problems, prior consultation with your doctor is recommended before adding arenaria to the daily diet.
Features
The flower is formed by 5 petals that are whole, white and visibly smaller than the sepals, these total 5 and are separated. The pistil consists of 3 united carpels, stamens and they are always found in groups. The flowering period goes from June to August.
The leaves are oval, without petioles, opposite, grayish green and can measure up to 5 mm. The plant is annual, of short, small and branched hairs. It is known as an annual or biennial herb, whose stem grows erect and heavily populated with a kind of whitish fluff. It grows from 10 to 30 cm. and the fruit has a brown ovoid capsule shape which contains light brown, reuniform seeds.
How to take advantage of the properties of the plant?
Although there are not many studies that describe what are the medicinal uses of the arenaria, It is popularly used to alleviate some pathologies for which practically all parts of the plant are used from the root to the flowers.
For example, for urinary tract conditions including the calculations, they usually use it in infusions prepared with dried leaves which are boiled in water, cooled and filtered. This is drunk several times a day.
Remember that it is also a home remedy that is used to lose weight, thanks to the fact that it acts as a natural diuretic, in these cases an infusion is also prepared using a little of the plant to boil for 15 minutes, the preparation is left to rest for 5 minutes and strain. This preparation is drunk twice a day.