Upright glasswort

Upright glasswort (Parietaria officinalis) belongs to the nettle family (Urticaceae) and is native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The plant prefers to grow in shady and moist areas such as wall crevices and forest edges and is characterized by its upright stems, which reach heights of up to 60 cm, and its lanceolate leaves. It is known as a medicinal herb and was used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. Upright glasswort contains a number of bioactive compounds that may be responsible for its supposed therapeutic effects.

Potential health benefits

Upright glasswort was used regularly in traditional medicine and was applied for various ailments. However, a distinction must be made here between traditional use and effects actually demonstrated in studies. Many of the sources that might suggest an effect do not distinguish between Upright glasswort and Spreading Pellitory. This distinction is important, however, in order to make a precise statement about the effects of each individual species.

  • Diuretic effect: Parietaria officinalis was frequently used in folk medicine as a remedy to promote kidney function and urine excretion. The plant's diuretic effect was meant to help flush toxins out of the body.
  • Relief of respiratory complaints: Because of its supposedly expectorant properties, Upright glasswort was also used for respiratory conditions such as bronchitis.
  • Anti-inflammatory effect: Some of the bioactive compounds in glasswort, particularly flavonoids and phenols, possess anti-inflammatory properties (1,2,3,4). These can contribute to the relief of inflammation.

Active compounds

The healing properties of Upright glasswort can be attributed to a wide range of constituents, including:

  • Flavonoids: These antioxidants play an important role in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body (5).
  • Silicic acid: Upright glasswort contains plenty of silicic acid, which is said to contribute to strengthening connective tissue and supporting hair and nails (6,7).
  • Glycosides and triterpenes: These compounds could contribute to the presumed diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects (8,9,10,11).

Safety and side effects

Upright glasswort is generally classified as safe, but there are some reports of possible side effects:

  • Allergic reactions: Glasswort can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, especially in people who are also allergic to pollen from other plants in the nettle family (12,13).
  • Skin irritation: When applied topically, mild irritation can occur on sensitive skin.

It is recommended to consult a doctor before taking or applying glasswort, especially in higher doses, particularly for pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with known allergies.

Conclusion

Upright glasswort (Parietaria officinalis) is a versatile medicinal plant that has traditionally been used for its diuretic, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The plant contains valuable constituents such as flavonoids, glycosides, and silicic acid, which are responsible for its potential health benefits. Although it is considered safe, caution should be exercised in sensitive individuals or in cases of existing allergies.

Sources

  1. Ginwala R, Bhavsar R, Chigbu DI, Jain P, Khan ZK. Potential Role of Flavonoids in Treating Chronic Inflammatory Diseases with a Special Focus on the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Apigenin. Antioxidants (Basel). 2019 Feb 5;8(2):35. doi: 10.3390/antiox8020035. PMID: 30764536; PMCID: PMC6407021.
  2. Maleki, S. J., Crespo, J. F., & Cabanillas, B. (2019). Anti-inflammatory effects of flavonoids. Food chemistry, 299, 125124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.125124
  3. Al-Khayri JM, Sahana GR, Nagella P, Joseph BV, Alessa FM, Al-Mssallem MQ. Flavonoids as Potential Anti-Inflammatory Molecules: A Review. Molecules. 2022 May 2;27(9):2901. doi: 10.3390/molecules27092901. PMID: 35566252; PMCID: PMC9100260.
  4. Meng T, Xiao D, Muhammed A, Deng J, Chen L, He J. Anti-Inflammatory Action and Mechanisms of Resveratrol. Molecules. 2021; 26(1):229. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26010229
  5. Ferraz, C. R., Carvalho, T. T., Manchope, M. F., Artero, N. A., Rasquel-Oliveira, F. S., Fattori, V., Casagrande, R., & Verri, W. A., Jr (2020). Therapeutic Potential of Flavonoids in Pain and Inflammation: Mechanisms of Action, Pre-Clinical and Clinical Data, and Pharmaceutical Development. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 25(3), 762. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030762
  6. Martin K. R. (2007). The chemistry of silica and its potential health benefits. The journal of nutrition, health & aging, 11(2), 94–97.
  7. Wickett, R. R., Kossmann, E., Barel, A., Demeester, N., Clarys, P., Vanden Berghe, D., & Calomme, M. (2007). Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on hair tensile strength and morphology in women with fine hair. Archives of dermatological research, 299(10), 499–505. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-007-0796-z
  8. Testani JM, Brisco MA, Tang WH, Kimmel SE, Tiku-Owens A, Forfia PR, Coca SG. Potential effects of digoxin on long-term renal and clinical outcomes in chronic heart failure. J Card Fail. 2013 May;19(5):295-302. doi: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2013.03.002. PMID: 23663810; PMCID: PMC3694335.
  9. de Souza P, da Silva RdCV, Mariano LNB, Dick SL, Ventura GC, Cechinel-Filho V. Diuretic and Natriuretic Effects of Hesperidin, a Flavanone Glycoside, in Female and Male Hypertensive Rats. Plants. 2023; 12(1):25. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12010025
  10. Zhang X, Li XY, Lin N, Zhao WL, Huang XQ, Chen Y, Huang MQ, Xu W, Wu SS. Diuretic Activity of Compatible Triterpene Components of Alismatis rhizoma. Molecules. 2017 Sep 6;22(9):1459. doi: 10.3390/molecules22091459. PMID: 28878160; PMCID: PMC6151603.
  11. Fu, X., Sun, Z., Long, Q., Tan, W., Ding, H., Liu, X., Wu, L., Wang, Y., & Zhang, W. (2022). Glycosides from Buyang Huanwu Decoction inhibit atherosclerotic inflammation via JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 105, 154385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154385
  12. Cvitanović S. (1999). Allergy to Parietaria officinalis pollen. Croatian medical journal, 40(1), 42–48.
  13. Colombo, P., Bonura, A., Costa, M., Izzo, V., Passantino, R., Locorotondo, G., Amoroso, S., & Geraci, D. (2003). The allergens of Parietaria. International archives of allergy and immunology, 130(3), 173–179. https://doi.org/10.1159/000069520