Rabo de gato: properties and medicinal use

The mountain ranges of the Valencian Communitylike the valuable Sierra de Mariola, give shelter to a modest endemic plant: the cat’s tail (Sideritis tragoriganum).

Like other species of the same genus –also common in the Iberian Levant–, the cat’s tail It has been used in popular medicine and, especially in veterinary medicine, as a vulnerary herb for wounds and bites.

How is the plant

The cat’s tail plant is a grayish, woody bush barely 40 cm high, with erect stems, linear leaves and pale yellow flowers, grouped in whorls far apart from each other.

In addition to cat’s tail, this plant is known as rabogato or zahareña. In the Valencian Community they call it rabet de gat either cua de cat.

The cat’s tail blooms from late spring, and for medicinal purposes the flowering tops are harvested. With these, very good-tasting infusions are prepared.

Medicinal properties

Among the active principles of the cat’s tail include flavonoids, saponosides, tannins and an essential oil. Traditionally it has been a highly appreciated plant for its properties in Valencian herbalists, who have integrated it into different mixtures.

Due to its composition, it is attributed properties anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, digestive, antiseptic, vulnerary and healing.

What is it for

Due to these properties, cat’s tail has traditionally been indicated in different conditions:

It has been indicated, first of all, as digestive and carminative remedy, to relieve gases and meteorisms, heavy digestions, bad taste in the mouth and gastroesophageal reflux. It is one of this selection of plants recommended for gastroenteritis. It is also considered good support in case of gastric inflammationgastroduodenal ulcer, gastrointestinal spasms and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea.In addition, as it is attributed an antiseptic and antibacterial effect, it is considered useful to stop and alleviate respiratory infectionsin flu processes, laryngitis, pharyngitis and tracheitis.externally It is also used in conjunctivitis, inflamed eyelids, mouth sores, stomatitis, on minor burns, bruises, bruises, eczema, fungus and joint pain.

How is it used

The cat’s tail is basically in the shape of a dry plant to make an infusion or decoction.

The filtered infusion is also used in the form of eye drops, mouthwash, local wash, in compressesetc.

You can also find in herbalists liquid extract and tincture cat’s tail

Infusions and other remedies

These are some herbal mixtures that include cattail in their formulation to take advantage of some of its most outstanding properties.

1. Digestive herbal tea for after eating

This very complete traditional mix combines cat’s tail in equal parts with other digestive plants such as licorice, fennel and both green and star anise.

How to prepare it: A quarter of a liter of water is used for each tablespoon of the mixture. Boil for just 3 minutes, let it rest for another 10 and drink it during the day, after eating. It has a very pleasant flavor, enhanced by anise and fennel.

2. Herbal tea for respiratory infections

In case of laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis or tonsillitis, this plant is combined with oregano, hyssop and Scots pine shoots, in equal parts.

How to prepare it: In a proportion of one tablespoon of the mixture per glass of water, or if you want to have a larger supply, four tablespoons per liter of water. Boil for 2 minutes, let it settle and drink during the day.

3. Mouthwash for an irritated throat

In the form of a mouthwash or gargle, cat’s tail is used to soothe the throat and eliminate irritation, in pharyngitis, laryngitis and tonsillitis, as well as to treat canker sores.

How to prepare it: Mix cattail, walnut leaves, mint, agrimony and thyme in equal parts. They boil about 5 grams per glass of water for 10 minutes and gargle with this decoction about 6 times a day. A pinch of sodium bicarbonate can be added, but ingestion should be avoided.

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