Upright glasswort, Latin Parietaria officinalis or Parietaria erecta, is counted among the family of nettle plants. The relationship can be seen in the similarity of appearance as well as the mode of action to Urtica dioica, which is native and well-known in Central Europe. However, the Upright Glasswort is mainly native to southern Europe.
Occurrence and cultivation of the upright glasswort.
The Upright Glasswort is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches a growth height of 30 to 100 centimeters. Upright glasswort is a perennial, herbaceous plant that reaches a growth height of 30 to 100 centimeters. However, unlike the common nettle in Germany, the glasswort has no stinging hairs and leaves with smooth edges. These are alternately arranged, and the spread is elongated with about 10 to 15 centimeters. The plant is usually dioecious, that is, dioecious separately sexed. Male, female and hermaphrodite flowers are produced. The inflorescences are dense, globose in the angles of the leaves. The cup-shaped bracts are free to the base. The flowers are quadrupinnate and the stamens protrude upward when they bloom. The fruit is a 1.5 to 2 millimeter small, black, shiny nut. The plant blooms from June to September. Sporadically, the Upright Glasswort can be found throughout Central Europe, along ruins, fences, on rubble, in gravel pits, and also in rather moist shrubberies such as in vegetable gardens and vineyards. In particular, the plant is found in the Mediterranean region. Because of its occurrence in crevices of walls, the plant is named Parietaria. Paries, parietis comes from Latin and means “wind”. The German name Glaskraut comes from the fact that the plant was once used to clean glasses.
Effect and application
The plant is little studied in terms of ingredients and mode of action. According to older information, it should contain a lot of potassium nitrate, bitter substances, sulfur, tannins, flavonoids, caffeic acid derivatives and a flavonol-3-diglycoside. This combination of ingredients is responsible for the effect and ensures that the plant is used as a diuretic and wound healing agent. The whole dried herb is used. It is added to tea mixtures and ready-made preparations, especially for its diuretic effect. Tea cures with Upright Glasswort support healthy kidney function and help with rheumatism as well as women’s ailments. A particularly interesting observation with Parietaria was once made by the Dutch physician Boehaave: a young female dog always sought out glasswort in nature and consumed the plant in large quantities. But when she was kept locked up in the apartment, she died. When her body was examined, large amounts of stones were found in her urinary bladder. Boerhaave concluded that the plant must be of great benefit for kidney stones. However, there are no actual studies to support these findings. Nevertheless, the Upright Glasswort is used in homeopathy for the aforementioned conditions. The plant can also be enjoyed raw or cooked in meals. Concerning the presence of micronutrients, i.e. vitamins, minerals and trace elements, no statements can be made, as there are hardly any studies in this regard. Otherwise, the Upright Glasswort is not of great importance as a medicinal plant, due to the insufficient information on the substances it contains and their pharmacological effects. In our latitudes, the related representative Urtica Dioica is mostly used. It is more common in German-speaking countries and its constituents and effects are better researched. This representative is also mainly used for its diuretic and effect and for rheumatic complaints.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
In herbal medicine, the Upright Glasswort is rarely used, but it is still said to have a diuretic effect. It strengthens the urinary organs and can be used against their inflammation. In case of kidney weakness, kidney inflammation, cystitis, abdominal diseases and gout, the plant can provide relief. Because of its mucolytic effect, glasswort is often used for colds, coughs and wheezing. Glasswort is also used for constipation.For women, the plant is of particular importance: it cleanses the uterus, promotes menstruation and is said to facilitate childbirth. Cosmetics also make use of the Upright Glasswort. Applied externally, it is said to bleach freckles and clear the skin. Glasswort is also said to have been used successfully for impetigo, a very contagious bacterial infection. For wounds, glasswort is very commonly used. It relieves pain, cleanses the skin, stitches wounds together and thus promotes wound healing. The pus is driven and wound healing is promoted. In homeopathy, glasswort is used for kidney stones and nightmares – when the patient dreams of being buried alive. The recommended dosage is a tincture up to the third potency, which is still a relatively low dilution in homeopathic terms. In Polish homeopathy, glasswort is used as a blood purifier, and in Hungary it is used in homeopathic dilutions against erysipelas. The green parts of the Upright Glasswort can also be eaten – either raw or briefly cooked. The leaves can be added to salads or vegetable dishes. In this way, the herb can be incorporated into the daily diet and thus be used preventively against the aforementioned ailments. This is especially recommended for people with poor kidney function and rheumatism. In this context, it is worth mentioning again the related representative Urtica Dioica, whose effects are very similar to the Upright Glasswort. This plant can also be incorporated into the diet and, moreover, it is more common in Germany.
