Ratanhia

The Ratanhia ( Krameria lappacea ) is a shrub from 20 to 40 centimetres. With drawn up stem, one recognizes it with his many hairy branches and blanchâtres, with his simple, oblong, hard and acute Feuille S like with his tiny Fleur S reds and his globulous and covered fruit of pivots. Lastly, its root, cylindrical, crawling and oarswoman, present a bark, brown and Fiber uses.

Habitat and culture

The ratanhia is originating in Central America, the Peru and the the Antilles where it pushes in altitude on dry grounds and Sable ux (between 900 and 3000 Mètre S of altitude on the Western slopes of the Andes cordillera). One cultivates it for his root which one collects throughout the year.

Properties

Traditionally, one uses his root for his astringent virtues (its root contains between 10 and 20% of tannins) and hemostatic like natural Dentifrice. It is besides what its Spanish name suggests, raíz para los dientes (root for the teeth). Also antimicrobic, the ratanhia looks after the affections of the gastro-intestinal apparatus.

Synonym

the species was also named Krameria will triandra Ruiz & VAP.

External bonds

Some photographs of the ratanhia,

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