Ratania

Krameriaceae – Krameriaceae.

Parts used: root.

Pharmacy name: ratania root – Ratanhiae radix (formerly: Radix Ratanhiae), ratania tincture – Ratanhiae tinctura (formerly: Tmctura Ratanhiae).

Botanical description. Ratania shrub grows in the Andes, Bolivia and Peru on sandy infertile slopes. Its height is within 1 m, the branches are pubescent, often recumbent. The leaves are small (up to 1 cm long), pointed-ovate, with yellowish-white pubescence on both sides. The flowers are axillary, with 4 sepals green on the outside and red on the inside. The fruits are prickly.

Collection and preparation. The roots used in medicine are taken from wild plants. They are dug up and dried. The roots are knobby, large (with a fist), with thick (1-3 cm) straight or at an angle outgoing lateral roots. Ratania root has no smell, the wood is almost tasteless, but the bark has a strong astringent taste.

Active ingredients: all kinds of tannins, concentrated mainly in the root bark, less – in the wood. The glycosidic tannin of rattania turns into a red tannin on storage and becomes water soluble.

Healing action and application. Ratania root is a pronounced tannic agent that is used for inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, for all kinds of inflammation of the stomach and intestines, and also for diarrhea. In medicine, tincture is used for both external and internal use. It is found in various mouth rinses and is often used in combination with myrrh tincture. It is, as it were, an exotic competitor of our erect cinquefoil. The German National Health Service limits the use of this remedy only for inflammation of the gums and oral cavity. o Ratania root tea: pour half a teaspoon of the root into 1/4 liter of boiling water and infuse for 15 minutes.

Use in homeopathy. The homeopathic product Ratanhia is used both internally and externally, especially for painful and weeping hemorrhoids and anal fissures, as well as against any inflammation in the oral cavity. For internal use, the agent is used in the second and 30% dilution degrees (D 1 -D 1 ); for cauterization, lubrication and rinsing, the initial tincture is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:1.

Side effects. In my opinion, side effects should not be feared, although the literature describes cases of allergy to ratania, when, after lubrication and rinsing, swelling and even nodules appear on the lips and gums.

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