Restharrow
(Ononisspinosa L., Papilionaceae)
Also Called: Cammock.
Description:
A polymorphic species.
The most active forms are those which are creeping and with rounded leaves;
both forms are covered with glandular hairs.
The plant is perennial, 10-60cm (4-24in) high with dark brown, woody taproot
up to 50cm (20 in) long.
The stems are branched, slightly downy and often woody towards the base.
In the typical form all lateral branches are terminated as sharp spines, but
these become soft in certain forms.
Lower leaves, 1-2.5cm (0.4-1 in) long, are divided into 3 leaflets; upper
leaves entire, less hairy, with dentate margins.
Flowers large up to 1-2cm (0.4-0.8in), generally rose-red, rarely white, in
small groups.
Flowering: June--September.
Part Used:
Principally the dried root; rarely also the dried flowering plant.
Habitat and Collection:
In dry, sunny places, on roadsides, edges of woods and in fields throughout
Europe.
Scattered throughout England and Wales, rare in southern Scotland.
Collected. preferably in autumn, but also at other times, and dried either
in the shade or in sunlight.
The aerial parts should be collected when in flower and dried in the shade.
Constituents and Action:
Volatile oil, diuretic, more abundant in the aerial parts than in
the roots which contain a flavonoid derivative and ononide.
Usage:
As a tisane (1 litre (1 •75 pt) of cold water on a handful
of drug in small pieces, raise to the boil and allow to stand) for generalised
oedema, principally for dropsy and, mixed with bearberry tisane, for catarrh
of the bladder and kidneys and for rheumatism and gout.
