mundillo

Viburnums, frequent in forest clearings, forest edges and riverbanks, are shrubs related to the elderberry. The two most common species – the lantana and the durillo, the viburnum with blue-black fruits cultivated in parks and gardens – have no medicinal application; he does have it, on the other hand, he little world (viburnum opulus), which stands out for its red inflorescences.

Mundillo and viburnum: what is the difference?

The world, also known as snowball, is a shrub up to four meters high, with leaves divided into toothed lobes, white flowers and spherical red fruits. It is, as we have said, a type of viburnum used in traditional phytotherapy.

Herbalists often offer black viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium). It is also a viburnum for medicinal use, but unlike the viburnum, which has its origin in Europe, it is a species native to the United States.

The black viburnum, with a more forceful effect, has oval, acute leaves and cream-colored flowers; the natives of North America used it to calm the pain of cramps and sprains.

Medicinal properties

for medicinal purposes the bark is used of both species, which contains salicylic, malic and chlorogenic acids, coumarins, flavonoids, essential oil and tannins. Thanks to this composition, the following properties and benefits are attributed to it:

it’s a plant sedative, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic, antirheumatic and febrifuge.Herbalists combine the mundillo or viburnum with other plants to relieve pain and as a muscle relaxant. It is useful in sports injuries such as cramps, swelling, bumps and bruisesas well as rheumatism, myalgia and neuralgia.Relaxes muscles, improves circulation and helps remove lactic acid of the shoelaces. As it contains salicylic acid, the mundillo or viburnum reduce fever in flu and allergies. In addition, it is considered a great vein tonic, very useful against varicose veins, phlebitis and hemorrhoids.It can also be applied on wounds, tears, eczema and vulvovaginitis.as a mouthwash It can be useful in case of stomatitis or inflamed gums. The mundillo is indicated in constipation, irritable bowel and nervous migraines.

How is it used

From the world, the dried plant is found in herbalists to prepare it in decoction. It is also found in tincture and liquid extract form.

The decoction for external use It is used to scrub and in compresses, sitz baths, lotions, mouthwashes and gargles.

Remedies with world

These are three very useful infusions with mundillo (or viburnum) to take advantage of its medicinal properties:

1. Herbal tea for muscle pain

The mundillo (or viburnum), as an analgesic and muscle relaxant, is used together with other plants in this herbal tea to soothe pain. When preparing the infusion, the viburnum is mixed with white willow, devil’s claw and star anise, in equal parts (anise is included to soften the flavor).

How to prepare it: Boil a tablespoon of this mixture per half liter of water for 2 or 3 minutes, keep 10 more at rest and strain. Take three cups a day, on an empty stomach, until the pain subsides.

2. Infusion for menstrual tension

The viburnum, mixed in equal parts with yarrow, sage, chamomile and fennel, relieves menstrual tension in dysmenorrhea.

How to prepare it: The mixture is infused for 10 minutes and two cups are taken a day in the second half of the cycle.

3. Sitz bath for hemorrhoids

In external use, the mundillo is combined with horse chestnut, cypress galbulus and cat’s tail (Sideritis tragoriganum), in equal parts.

How to prepare it: Six tablespoons of the mixture are boiled in three liters of water for 3 minutes and a warm sitz bath is performed, once or twice a day.

Jordi Cebrian. Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”