Standardized Plant Extract - TITREX®

Mouse Ear

Mouse Ear: The diuretic of arid soils, ally of the kidneys and edema

Latin name

Pilosella officinarum F.W.Schultz & Sch.Bip.

Family

Asteraceae

History & Botany

Mouse ear is a small stoloniferous perennial plant that thrives only on arid, dry, and poor soils of sandy areas, heaths, calcareous grasslands, and sunny embankments in Europe and Asia. Its Latin name, Hieracium, comes from the Greek hierax (hawk or sparrowhawk): according to an ancient Greek belief, the sparrowhawk would improve its sharp vision by feeding on its sap. This myth earned it a place among the sacred herbs of the Celtic Druids, who used it to "purify the blood." In the Middle Ages, it appeared in all herbals for treating wounds and stopping bleeding.

It was Dr. Henri Leclerc who, around 1930, initiated the first scientific studies on mouse ear and confirmed its powerful diuretic properties. This foundational work was later confirmed by numerous subsequent studies, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) now recognizes its traditional use for increasing urine production and facilitating the elimination of toxins.

Morphology

Small plant, 10 to 30 cm tall, recognizable by its oblong leaves covered with a fine grayish-white down, hence its nickname "Mouse Ear." Stoloniferous runners allow for rapid ground cover. Pale yellow flowers in solitary capitula borne on a single stem, slightly reddish on the outside. Fruits: grayish-white achenes topped with a silky pappus.

Part used & extraction

The whole flowering plant (aerial parts), harvested from May to September during flowering, quickly dried in the shade to preserve the umbelliferone and active flavonoids. Hydro-alcoholic extraction. Main harvesting countries: France, Spain, Bulgaria, Romania.

Pilosella officinarum F.W.Schultz

Solitary pale yellow capitulum and downy grayish leaves called "mouse ear"

Organoleptic Characteristics

Appearance

Small grayish hairy plant, with characteristic white down on the leaves. Pale yellow flowers in solitary capitula. Dry extract powder is khaki-brown to green-brown, fine.

Odor

Slightly herbal and mild, characteristic of dry garrigue plants. Subtle and pleasant, without a pronounced note. The dry extract is almost odorless.

Taste

Slightly bitter and astringent, not pronounced and well tolerated. The astringency reflects the presence of active tannins and phenolic compounds.

Infusion

Liquid is light yellow to golden, slightly astringent, pleasant to drink. Often combined with orthosiphon or dandelion in renal drainage teas.

Active Principles & Biochemistry

Medicinal Properties & Traditional Use

Powerful Diuretic & Dechlorinating

The flavonoids of mouse ear eliminate water and chlorides retained in tissues — a rare and valuable property. Preferred action on water retention, edema, cellulite, and heavy legs. Recognized by the EMA for increasing diuresis and facilitating the elimination of toxins.

Depurative & Urinary Anti-Infective

Promotes the elimination of renal toxins. Antibacterial properties against urinary tract germs, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Traditionally used for mild cystitis, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and gout. Recognized blood depurative.

Hepatoprotective & Anti-Inflammatory

Documented hepatoprotective properties via flavonoids and chlorogenic acid. Anti-inflammatory for joints and urinary tract. Traditional treatment for rheumatism and arthritis linked to uric acid accumulation. Vulnerary in external use (wounds, bruises, epistaxis).

Antioxidant & Metabolic

Umbelliferone and flavonoids provide systemic antioxidant cellular protection. Mild antihyperglycemic properties of umbelliferone (alpha-glucosidase inhibition). Hemostatic in external use. Emerging interest in the prevention of diabetic nephropathy.