{"id":26179,"date":"2025-02-03T09:40:51","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T09:40:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=26179"},"modified":"2025-07-19T08:54:26","modified_gmt":"2025-07-19T07:54:26","slug":"pellitory-of-the-wall","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/pellitory-of-the-wall\/","title":{"rendered":"Pellitory of the wall"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":26194,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"42ec987d-4cfb-4eda-99af-a7d0943c2aed","beyondwords_preview_token":"085a1f89-2d95-4f76-86a4-cb0e013c2b78","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[],"conditions":[695,700,697],"sustainability":[1576],"sense":[17,18,786,28],"western_action":[1005,1008,1025],"chinese_action":[],"ayurvedic_action":[],"energetics_action":[1499,1498,1382,1488,1492],"region":[1893],"class_list":["post-26179","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","conditions-respiratory-system","conditions-skin","conditions-urinary-system","sustainability-green-sustainability-status","sense-aromatic","sense-bitter","sense-cooling","sense-mucilaginous","western_action-demulcent","western_action-diuretic","western_action-vulnerary","energetics_action-astringent","energetics_action-bitter","energetics_action-cool","energetics_action-moist","energetics_action-toning","region-western-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20250203","herb_author":1344,"banner_text":"Pellitory of the wall is an ancient herb used to support the kidneys","latin_name":"Parietaria officinalis <\/span><\/i>syn<\/span> P. diffusa<\/span><\/i>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Urticaceae","herb_summary":"Pellitory of the wall is used as a demulcent to soothe the urinary tract and support kidney function. It can be used for cystitis, kidney stones and inflammation of the urinary system.","key_benefits":"Kidney stones \r\nUrinary demulcent \r\nSoothing to mucous membranes \r\nUrinary anti-inflammatory\r\nDry cough","how_does_it_feel":"Pellitory of the wall is mildly bitter. Some people have described a subtle background sweetness or nuttiness when tasting it (1).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe infusion of the herb can leave a subtle cooling sensation and mild astringency, leaving the mouth feeling slightly dry or puckered (1,2).<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhen steeped in water, the infusion might feel slightly slippery or mucilaginous due to compounds that soothe mucous membranes. Chewing the raw leaves or stems reveals a fibrous texture.<\/span>","hdif_image_1":26196,"hdif_image_2":26195,"hdif_image_3":26191,"hdif_video":"","sense":[17,18,786,28],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"Pellitory of the wall is a demulcent diuretic, so it is particularly useful in soothing inflammation of the urinary tract (3). It is renowned for its ability to promote urine production and to dissolve small bladder and kidney stones,<\/span> making it an effective remedy for conditions such as kidney stones, gravel, bladder disorders, and fluid retention (3,4,5). Its high potassium nitrate content contributes to its diuretic action, facilitating the elimination of toxins. Its polysaccharides and flavonoids contribute to its anti-inflammatory action, helping soothe and reduce inflammation in the urinary tract (5). This makes it a useful remedy in cases of <\/span>cystitis<\/span><\/a> and pyelitis (3).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe mucilage content of the plant provides soothing properties, which are particularly beneficial for respiratory ailments such as chronic coughs, bronchial irritation, and dryness of the respiratory passages (4,6).<\/span>","into_the_heart_of":"Energetically, pellitory of the wall is considered cooling and moistening (4,7). These qualities make it particularly suitable for addressing conditions characterised by excess heat or dryness. Its cooling nature helps alleviate inflammatory states, whilst its moistening properties counteract dryness in the respiratory and urinary tracts. These energetic traits align with its traditional uses in soothing irritated tissues and supporting the elimination of excess heat and toxins.<\/span>","tradtional_uses":"[caption id=\"attachment_26192\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"440\"]\"Pellitory Pellitory of the wall (Parietaria officinalis<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nPellitory of the wall has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems across Europe and the Mediterranean (3).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe herb has been widely used to treat urinary conditions, including kidney and bladder stones, nephritis, and cystitis (3,4,5,6). Its diuretic and soothing properties help to reduce irritation and promote the elimination of waste products. A traditional recipe to remove kidney stones blends equal parts of pellitory of the wall, wild carrot (<\/span>Daucus carota<\/span><\/i>) and parsley piert (<\/span>Alchemilla aphanes<\/span><\/i>) (4).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe plant\u2019s emollient properties have been used to alleviate dry coughs and bronchial conditions. Traditional preparations often included infusions or syrups to soothe irritated mucous membranes. Culpeper recommended mixing pellitory of the wall with sugar or honey to soothe a dry cough and irritated throat (6).<\/span>\r\n\r\nTraditionally, pellitory of the wall has been used to reduce inflammation in conditions such as cystitis, rheumatism, uterine disorders and ear irritation (4,6). Its soothing properties extend to both internal and external applications. Externally, pellitory of the wall has been applied as a poultice or ointment to treat burns, wounds, and inflammatory skin conditions (4,7). Its emollient and mildly astringent qualities make it an effective remedy for soothing irritated skin and promoting tissue repair. <\/span>","what_practioners_say":"[caption id=\"attachment_26193\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"600\"]\"Pellitory Pellitory of the wall (Parietaria officinalis<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n

Respiratory system<\/h3>\r\nThe juice of the herb or a decoction can be mixed with sugar or honey and used as a supportive remedy for shortness of breath, dry cough and wheezing in the throat (6).<\/span>\r\n

Urinary system<\/h3>\r\nPellitory of the wall is most well known for its urinary therapeutic properties, particularly in addressing lithiasis of the bladder or kidneys. It is a demulcent diuretic, a laxative, and a stone-solvent. These properties make it beneficial for managing kidney stones, gravel, pyelitis, suppression of painful passage of urine, dropsy, and cystitis (3,4,5,6). It combines well with parsley piert, buchu (<\/span>Agathosma betulina<\/span><\/i>), <\/span>bearberry<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Arctostaphylos uva-ursi<\/span><\/i>) or juniper (<\/span>Juniperus communis<\/span><\/i>) (4).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe herb is particularly effective in treating inflammation of the urinary system, especially in cases where a soothing action is required. It can be very beneficial for conditions such as cystitis and pyelitis (4,5). As a general <\/span>diuretic<\/span><\/a>, it is valuable in relieving water retention when the underlying cause is related to kidney dysfunction. Additionally, it plays a significant role in dissolving <\/span>kidney stones<\/span><\/a> and addressing gravel in the urinary tract (3).<\/span>\r\n

Skin<\/h3>\r\nIn Italy, pellitory is used externally for sprains and contusions (8). The fresh plant applied topically is used to cleanse the skin from spots, swellings, sunburn and inflammation of the skin (6). A warm poultice mixed with mallow and oil can heal bruises, tendons, muscles (6).<\/span>","research":"Pellitory of the wall has traditionally been used to help with the passage of renal calculi as a demulcent diuretic, for chronic dry coughs, and as a vulnerary, particularly in the 17<\/span>th<\/span>, 18<\/span>th<\/span>, 19<\/span>th<\/span> and beginning of 20<\/span>th<\/span> centuries in Britain (3,6). There is, however, very little modern scientific research examining the qualities and properties of this plant.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nRecent in vitro studies have demonstrated the antimicrobial properties of pellitory extracts, particularly against bacterial and fungal pathogens. These findings support its traditional use in treating infections and wounds (9,10).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nMany studies confirm that the pollen of pellitory of the wall (specifically the <\/span>judaica<\/span><\/i> variation) is a notable allergen, particularly in Mediterranean regions. Studies have focused on the allergenic potential and cross-reactivity of <\/span>Parietaria<\/span><\/i> species, which is important for allergy diagnosis and management (11,12,13). It is, therefore, contraindicated in hayfever.<\/span>","did_you_know":"The name\u00a0<\/span>Parietaria<\/span><\/i>\u00a0may be from the Latin word <\/span>paries<\/span><\/i> (a wall). In Britain this plant typically grows in cracks in old stone walls. <\/span>","additional_information_right":{"illustration":123717},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"Pellitory is a bushy, herbaceous perennial plant that grows to a height of 30\u201360 cm. It features reddish, brittle stems and narrow, stalked lanceolate-ovate leaves measuring 2\u20134 cm in length. The stems and the veins on the underside of the leaves are covered with short, soft hairs, while the upper surface of the leaves is nearly smooth with sunken veins. Small, green, stalkless flowers grow in clusters in the axils of the leaves, blooming throughout the summer (3,7).<\/span>","common_names":"