Common Name: Common Restharrow

Latin name: Ononis spinose L.

Description: Common Restharrow is a perennial herbaceous spiny plant or semi-shrub of the Legume family (Leguminosae). It grows in wet meadows, grassy places, on sands by rivers, in thickets and in forests. The root is woody, up to 50-60 cm. long, often twisted, with a short rhizome. From the multi-headed rhizome of the plant emerge stick-shaped, perennial, branched stems (upright or lying down), with a large number of spiny purple-colored twigs. At the earliest age, the stems have basal leaves, which soon fall off. The leaves of the medicinal plant are alternate, triple and simple. The flowers are large, located two at a time in the axils of the leaves along the length of the stem and branches and form cluster-like inflorescences. The corolla is five-leaved, pink or violet in color. The fruit is an ovoid-rhombic fibrous bean with 1 to 3 seeds. The plant blooms from June to September.

Part of the herb used: the roots (Radix Ononidis) of the Common Restharrow.

Harvest time: The roots are dug in the spring (before the plant grows) or in the fall (from August to October) after the fruits have ripened. The collected material is cleaned, washed and dried in the sun at a temperature of up to 45 degrees. The dried roots have a specific smell and a bitter-sweet taste.

Chemical composition/Contents and properties: essential oil, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, potassium, calcium, mineral salts, fatty oil, sugars, resins, starch, etc. Most of the active substances are concentrated in the bark of the roots.

Medicinal action and application: Thanks to its specific chemical composition, ononis has a multi-layered medicinal effect. The plant increases uric acid excretion by 20%. It has a pronounced diuretic effect due to the glycoside ononide and saponins contained in it and is used for kidney stones. The counter-effect of the restharrow is applicable in diseases of the individual system such as hypertrophy of the prostate gland, prostatitis, cystitis, pyelitis, nephritis. In the form of tea, the medicinal plant accelerates the metabolism, ideal for melting fat cells and suppressing appetite in the fight against extra pounds. Externally, in the form of baths, the plant is used for chronic dermatoses and eczema.

Possibilities to offer at the customer's request:

Vesselino Ltd. offers their customers the plant in the following varieties:

• roots (Radix Ononidis) - dried whole, crushed, cut to a certain size at the customer's request, ground into herbal powder/flour