Dittrichia viscosa - Olivarda

Native to the Mediterranean. In the Canary Islands. Naturalized in central and northern Europe (Germany and England). It lives in ditches, wastelands, stony hills. Flowers in summer and autumn.

Although it is generally considered a weed, olivarda has multiple applications in traditional home medicine against malaria, urinary tract diseases, and as an astringent. The infusion of its leaves is used as a remedy for arthritis and rheumatism discomfort.

Olivarda is appreciated as a medicinal plant for the essential oil extracted from the plant, especially in the eastern Mediterranean area.

It also has the particularity of cutting the bleeding of wounds that are not of severe consideration. Using only the crushed leaves as a cataplasm.

Among its therapeutic uses are its healing properties to heal wounds. It is also used to treat burns. It has mild astringent properties (substance that produces constriction and dryness in organic tissues, thus decreasing the secretion that they may experience). In Algeria it is used to combat malaria and urinary tract diseases.

The olive tree is capable of absorbing heavy metals such as lead and mercury for later assimilation in the aerial parts of the plant. It is therefore an accumulator of heavy metals that contaminate the soil.

Dittrichia viscosa has a rather unpleasant odor and bitter taste. The term viscous refers to the viscosity that coats its leaves.