Rupturewort

(Herniaria glabra L.= Glabrous Rupturewort and Hernaria hirsuta L.= Hairy Rupturewort, Caryophyllaceae).

Description: Glabrous rupturewort is a small annual or perennial plant with glabrous stems, usually prostrate:
Leaves small 10 5-1 cm (0.2-0-4in) long), opposite, glabrous, lanceolate and acute;
Flowers very small (about lmm 0.03in) greenish-yellow, n axillary clusters of 5-10.
Hairy rupturewort differs in the presence of hairs on the leaves and stems.

Part Used: Dried flowering plant.

Habitat and Collection: Both species are found in dry stony places throughout Europe.
Glabrous rupturewort is found only on sandy soils, hairy rupturewort is found on both sandy and calcareous soils. Both are very localised in England.
The plant is collected when in flower and dried in the shade.

Constituents and Action: A saponin, the glycoside herniarine and volatile substances.
Herniarine relieves the pains accompanying infections of the bladder and kidneys.
As a diuretic it facilitates emission of sodium and of urea without increasing the quantity of urine.
The active constituents are readily decomposed.

Usage: As a tisane (infuse 2-3 tablespoonfuls in 1 litre (1.75pt) jf water, do not boil) also the powdered drug 2-4g (0.07-0.14oz) thrice daily.
Internally as a diuretic and sedative in irritations of the kidney calix and bladder and to stimulate secretion of sodium and urea.
Externally an infusion is used as an application to wounds that are slow to heal.