Parietaria judaica (Pellitory on the Wall)

Question 1

How do you recognise Pellitory of the Wall?

Answer 1

• A perennial herbaceous plant with alternate leaves & tiny flowers that grows on rocks and walls.
• Known as ‘asthma plant’ in some places as its pollen can cause strong allergenic reactions.
• Native to Europe, W. Asia & N. Africa.
• Formerly known as P. diffusa.
• P. officinalis is easily confused & is also used

Question 2

What are Pellitory of the Wall’s main constituents?

Answer 2

Constituents:
* Flavonoids – quercetin & kaempferol.
* Phenolic acids.
* Bitters.
* Tannins.
* Mucilage.
* Saponins.
* Apart from the activity of the flavonoids and the effects of the mucilage - it is unclear how the constituents of this plant determine its main actions on the kidneys.

Question 3

What family is Pellitory of the Wall in?

Answer 3

A member of the Urticaceae

Question 4

What is Pellitory of the Wall good for?

Answer 4

Summary: Is used for oedema, and for kidney stones/ disease. Bendle mainly thinks of it as a **trophorestorative for the kidneys ( similar for nettle seed use as in same family) to help protect and build it up especially with age. **

Actions:
* Trophorestorative for kidneys.
* Litholitic.
* Diuretic.
* Demulcent- gently mucinagelous.
* Anti-inflammatory.
* Laxative

**Applications: **
* Kidney stones.
* Kidney diseases.
* Cystitis
* Historically has been used for asthma & coughs, externally to heal bruises and sprains.

Question 5

What is Pellitory of the Wall’s Latin name?

Answer 5

Parietaria judaica

Question 6

What parts of Pellitory of the Wall do you use?

Answer 6

Parts used: stems, leaves, flowers.

Question 7

What safety issues might Pellitory of the Wall have?

Answer 7

Safe

Question 8

What useful research does Pellitory of the Wall have?

Answer 8

Most of the research into Parietaria seems to be about the pollen of the plant triggering allergenic reactions. Here are a paper and an article with a modicum of information regarding herbal use.

• Antibacterial, Anticandidal, Phytochemical, and Biological Evaluations of Pellitory Plant
• Botanical Medicines Used for Kidney Disease in the United States – by Eric Yarnell

Question 9

What remedies might you use Pellitory of the Wall in?

Answer 9

• Dose: 20 -30ml/week 1:3 tincture
• Probably works well as a tea.
• Bendle has sometimes used it with Parsley-piert (Aphanes arvensis)
• People may have a kidney function test EGFR which shows the glomera filtration rate, which goes from good to bad…. Bendle had a case study who started him on 20ml a week in 2016 with a EGFR of 49 (stage 3) - but over years it went up to 57 - it may have been due to the plant?