ratania

From the Andean slopes and páramos of Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia, comes the ratania (Krameria trianda), known in vernacular languages ​​as mapato either pumachuchu and formerly nicknamed “root for the teeth”, as this is the main application of this great friend of the mouth and throat.

It is a low, deciduous shrub with sessile, oval leaves and solitary, large flowers with red petals. The part with medicinal attributes is the root, and specifically its bark. With a pleasant aroma, once collected and chopped, the ratania is usually sold in cylindrical pieces.

medicinal properties of rhatany

Ratania root is very rich in catechin tanninssuch as ratanitanic acid and phlobafen –known as ratania red–, which explains its powerful astringent action.

In addition, it contains rattanin, a principle analogous to tyrosine, as well as lignin and small amounts of starch.

Due to its properties, ratania is considered antidiarrheal, hemostatic and healing, and are attributed bactericidal effects.

What is ratania used for?

The rhatany stands out above all for being one of the best allies of the throat and mouthsince it can relieve toothache, pharyngitis and tonsillitis.

This plant is indicated for people with gastrointestinal disorders and intestinal bleeding, as well as to solve conditions such as anal fissure, leucorrhoea, and heavy menstruation.

Due to its effectiveness in retaining fluids and acting as an astringent, Andean indigenous peoples use rhatany to heal wounds and treat dysentery.

in external useratania is a great help to treat varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

The bactericidal and healing action of ratania is used to treat gums with bleeding problems.

How is rhatany used?

From the rhatany, the dry root bark is used to make decoctions, normally to make mouthwashes and eye baths, although it can also be included in infusions to drink.

It is also used in the form of alcoholic intura, fluid extract, capsules, syrup or suppositories (to relieve hemorrhoids and varicose veins).

Natural remedies with ratania

With rhatany you can prepare infusions to drink, along with other related plants, but also infusions with which to make mouthwashes, sitz baths and rinses. These are some examples of herbal recipes for different purposes, which will allow you to take full advantage of all its properties:

Ratania infusion for gastroenteritis

Herbalists propose an excellent formula that combines ratania root, licorice, lemon verbena and mint in equal parts. How to prepare it: Two tablespoons of the mixture are poured per half liter of water. Boil for 2 minutes, let it rest and, after filtering it, drink it every 2 hours, even cold.

Decoction for eye inflammation

In conditions such as conjunctivitis or blepharitis, you just have to moisten a cotton ball with a warm decoction of ratania and apply it to the affected area.

sitz bath for hemorrhoids

For this, a decoction of ratania, cypress fruits, horse chestnut and plantain will be used, at a rate of 2 tablespoons of the mixture per half liter of water. The decoction should be applied warm or cold.

formula For oral and eye problems

The decoction of 5 g of rhatany per glass of water reduces inflammation in the gums and improves canker sores and pyorrhea. With this same preparation you can also reduce inflammation of the eyes and irritated eyelids.

ratania mouthwash for toothache

Both to strengthen the gums and prevent bleeding and to relieve toothache, the following decoction can be made, which is used as a rinse:

The ratania is mixed with myrrh, oak bark and mastic leaf, in equal parts. Take two tablespoons of the mixture for half a liter of water, which is boiled for 4 minutes. Let it rest, strain and rinse three times up to date.

Precautions and contraindications

Its intake is not recommended in people who suffer from oxalic lithiasissince it contains calcium oxalates and can cause irritation to the mucous membranes due to its high tannin content.

Treatments with rhatany should not last more than two weeks in a row.

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