Found in tropical and subtropical regions, the plant known as beggarticks is commonly treated as a pest. Most people know the plant due to the fact that its seeds “stick” to clothes. The herb is annual and has an erect, quadrangular stem and reaches only 1.5 cm in height. Its leaves are petiolate, opposite and can reach 10 cm in length, being membranous, simple or decomposed. Easily found in South America, Africa, the Caribbean and the Philippines, the plant called Picão has a long history of medicinal applications among the natives of the Amazon and nearby regions.
Index
Benefits and properties
The tea made with the plant pickpoon can be used to treat allergies, tonsillitis, asthma, bitter mouth, bronchitis, catarrh, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, jaundice, indigestion, urinary, vaginal, stomach or kidney infections, food poisoning, pancreas problems and gastroduodenal ulcers. In addition, it has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, hepatoprotective and anti-ulcer action.
Among its active ingredients we find carotenoids, phytosteroids, polyacetylenes, nicotinic acid, flavonoids, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, lipids, benzeneides.
Its consumption is very indicated to cure jaundice, which is a yellowish color on the skin accompanied by mucous membranes caused by the accumulation of bilirubin in the body. The natural medicine, regulated by ANVISA, can be used for children, who have a common tendency to manifest the disease.
How to prepare tea and other applications
Picão tea, effective in combating tonsillitis and allergies, in addition to those mentioned above, must be prepared with the proportion of three tablespoons of the herb for each liter of water. Put the water in a container and heat it. Then add the herb and wait for it to come to boil. When it starts to boil, turn off the heat and cover, leaving the mixture smothered for about ten minutes. After this period, strain and consume the dose of one or two cups a day.
Another way to enjoy its benefits is with the preparation of more concentrated tea, which can be used for bathing. Prepare the tea as shown above, with a higher concentration of herb, wait for it to warm, strain and bathe the affected area for diaper rash and irritation that can be caused by insect bites.
The compress can be used to treat ulcers, hemorrhoids, diaper rash and insect bites, and can be made with a cloth soaked in tea.
Contraindications
The consumption of beetles is contraindicated for pregnant women, as it has weak uterine stimulant activity in guinea pigs. In addition, because it contains a small amount of caffeine, the beetles should not be consumed by people who are allergic or sensitive to caffeine.
