Today we are going to talk about a type of ornamental plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family and that is native to the Mediterranean area of Europe. It is mainly found in Spain and Italy. Its about male opener. His scientific name is Artemisia abrotanum, although it is known by other common names such as worm grass, mugwort, alsuila, green balsam, worm plant, lemon balm (for its lemon aroma), headed thyme, woman's broom, ether grass, dog thyme, etc.
In this article we are going to tell you all the characteristics, properties and uses of the male opener.
Key features
It is an ornamental plant that could be found abundantly in the wild for quite some time, but is now quite rare. Thanks to a pleasant lemon aroma that gives off that it is quite famous for being a plant with medicinal properties. It is not only used as an ornamental plant, but also has other uses derived from medicine.
It is a herbaceous plant very similar to wormwood and it can reach between 50 centimeters and one meter in height if it is cared for in good condition. The leaves are pinnate and hairy green. These leaves have a silky texture and a small size. What stands out the most are the bright yellow flowers with a slight lemon flavor. The flowering is presented in the form of small hanging clusters and blooms in the months that go from July to October.
Care and requirements of the male opening
These types of plants need a Mediterranean climate to survive well. It can grow abundantly in places that have hot summers and somewhat milder winters. Mainly the areas where there is the greatest amount of humidity is where it grows best. Although it is quite resistant and can withstand times of drought, it is where rainfall is scarce and also times of low temperatures.
For development it needs limestone and dry soils provided it has good sandy drainage. Drainage is the ability of the soil to absorb irrigation or rain water. It is necessary that the soil has good drainage if we want the plant not to die from waterlogging. A contribution of organic matter can help the flowering to be more intense and the foliage and also. It requires moderate irrigation since it is able to sustain itself only with rainwater.
The male opener requires some maintenance tasks such as pruning and harvesting. The flowers bloom in the spring time and last fully grown until late summer. It is at this time when they are in an optimal state of collection for medicinal use with the leaves. One of the maintenance tasks is mow the plant about 30 inches from the ground in late summer so that it favors the growth of new shoots during the following spring.
Medicinal properties of male abrótano
As we have mentioned before, one of the main uses of the male opener is medicinal use. And it is that it is a plant that has medicinal properties. It has been and continues to be very popular since they have not only medicinal benefits but also aromatic ones. With its leaves and flowers you can prepare infusions, herbal teas, lotions and other things as natural remedies. One of the most famous lotions of the male opener was the fortifying lotion for the hair. In almost Every barbershop from the 60s-70s found this lotion. It was very useful for all those people who were beginning to lose hair to make it stronger again.
It also has perfect effects as an insect repellent. The pharmacy is in charge of studying the active principles of male abrótano to apply them in the appropriate doses. Many plants of the artemisia genus have similar properties and have been used in a traditional way. Using medicinal formulas, leaves, stems and flowers are used of the male abrótano whose active principles are the following:
- Abrotannins
- Flavonoids
- Hydroxycoumarins.
- Essential oils
- Polyphenolic acids
One of the most studied essential oils of this plant is the piperitone. It is a compound used as a raw material to make synthetic thymol. This synthetic thymol is found naturally in thyme and other plants that also have antimicrobial properties.
Health benefits
Once we know what are the active principles of male abrótano, we are going to point out the benefits that are obtained for our health from its consumption. Let's see what the list of uses and applications that have been accumulating throughout history:
- Helps relieve stomach pain when you have gastritis. On these occasions, the flavonoids act as an antispasmodic, relaxing the smooth muscle.
- Improves digestions heavier say that it is able to stimulate the entire digestive process. It also favors the production and elimination of bile.
- Male opener works strengthening the liver and improving liver functions.
- It can also help in the cure of sores and canker sores of the mouth.
- All those women who have painful periods and irregular periods can improve this situation with the consumption of this medicinal plant.
- It helps to speed up the healing process in wounds. This is because it also acts as an antimicrobial agent.
- Reduces pain in muscle contractures if applied to the skin. The same goes for itching.
- Help the elimination of intestinal parasites.
- Improves seborrheic dermatitis. This not only helps in the removal of dandruff, but it also fights alopecia. If androgenic alopecia is stronger, no remedy can be applied.
At present we can find numerous products that have the male opening such as ingredient in lotions, shampoos or tinctures. Its leaves and flowers are also marketed to prepare infusions. If you have the male apricot at home you can also collect its leaves and flowers towards the end of summer to make the infusions yourself.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the male abrótano, its characteristics and its medicinal properties.