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Common Name: Pellitory Of The Wall

General Information

Parietaria officinalis is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.60 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western Europe to Western Asia and the Caucasus.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a well-drained to dry alkaline soil in full sun or semi-shade[]. The plant grows well on drystone walls[].
The pollen of this plant is one of the earliest and most active of the hay fever allergens[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Young plant - raw or cooked[, ]. The young shoots can be added to mixed salads[].

Medicinal

Pellitory of the wall has been valued for over 2,000 years for its diuretic action, as a soother of chronic coughs and as a balm for wounds and burns[]. In European herbal medicine it is regarded as having a restorative action on the kidneys, supporting and strengthening their function[].
The whole herb, gathered when in flower, is cholagogue, slightly demulcent, diuretic, laxative, refrigerant and vulnerary[, , , , ]. It is an efficacious remedy for kidney and bladder stones and other complaints of the urinary system such as cystitis and nephritis[, , ]. It should not be prescribed to people with hay fever or other allergic conditions[].
The leaves can be usefully employed externally as a poultice on wounds etc[]. They have a soothing effect on simple burns and scalds[].
The plant is harvested when flowering and can be used fresh or dried[].

Other Uses

The whole plant is used for cleaning windows and copper containers[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. Prick out the seedling when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown in situ in autumn or spring.
Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.