The devil's claw is a perennial plant that has been used for centuries in folk medicine. What are the beneficial properties of medicinal herbs? What is the healing effect of the devil's claw? Is plant cultivation possible in our climatic conditions? We will talk about this and not only later in the article.
General information
Devil's claw is a plant also known as fragrant martinia. Perennial grass has hollow, sparse stems that can branch on the ground to a distance of one meter. The root of the devil's claw has a tuberous shape with large thickenings. Split foliage, strewn with denticles along the edge, can grow to a size of 20 cm or more. The surface of the plant is covered with an oily, sticky fluff.
The devil's claw begins to bloom with plenty of moisture, in particular during the rainy season. During this period, large flowers of a purple hue with five sepals are formed on the stems.
Particular attention is drawn to the fruit of the plant, which is a box with long, stiff processes, bent inwards at the edges. Such hooks really resemble claws, which actually explains the name of the weed.
Unripe fruits have a fleshy structure. Subsequently, they become ribbed and narrowed. Having dried, the fruit of the plant breaks up into several parts, each of which carries a pair of curved hooks. Claws contribute to the spread of seeds, catching on wool past animals passing by.
Growing conditions
Weed prefers to grow in open areas of soil, well-lit by sunlight. Grass develops well on loosened, generously moistened soil. Despite this, you do not need to regularly water the devil's claw. For active growth, it is enough to moisten the soil with a moderate amount of water about 2 times a week. After the formation of the first pods with seeds, watering must be stopped.
If we talk about caring for the plant, it all comes down to timely weeding of the surrounding grass. In order for the stems to grow faster and flowers appear, it is advisable to periodically loosen the soil. Martinia is an annual plant. Accordingly, we are not talking about wintering. With the onset of the next season, the plant is re-cultivated from seeds.
In the South American countries that are the birthplace of martinia, flowers form in the middle of summer and bloom in late autumn. When growing it in domestic latitudes, flowering can be observed later, for example, if a rather low air temperature is observed. Without generous heating by the sun, the stems reach a length of about 50-60 centimeters. Under such conditions, the fruit often does not ripen. Therefore, one of the most important prerequisites for the successful cultivation of plants is the presence of sunny weather throughout the season.
About planting a plant from seeds
The devil's claw is grown using seeds. The latter are laid in the ground in spring, when there are no more night frosts, and good weather is observed throughout the day.
Before planting in the soil, the seeds are pre-soaked with warm water for a period of about 8-10 hours. They are placed superficially in the ground. The first shoots are observed after a few weeks. Only the strongest sprouts are guaranteed to take root. Therefore, thin and weak shoots are recommended to be removed in advance.
Harvesting raw materials
For the purpose of the subsequent manufacture of medicinal extracts, the roots and seed boxes of the plant are used. The latter is harvested during flowering grass. Raw materials are laid on a plane in direct sunlight. Dry the product for several days.
The harvested plant is ground to a powder state. The dry extract of the devil's claw is placed in linen bags or paper bags, after which it is sent for storage to a place protected from moisture.
Healing properties
Martinia has the following medicinal qualities:
- It has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect. The devil's claw finds use in the manufacture of funds for relieving puffiness, removing excess cholesterol from the bloodstream.
- Antimicrobial action - plant extracts contribute to the elimination of gastric disorders, activate the production of bile. Active substances in the composition of medicinal herbs protect the digestive tract from the development of infections.
- Diuretic and antipyretic properties - the plant has long been used by folk healers to eliminate kidney diseases, relieve high body temperature, and reduce headaches.
- Wound healing qualities - the grass can be used to quickly tighten wounds, sores, and treat burn injuries.
- Useful devil's claw for joints. Medicines prepared on the basis of the plant, potentially provide an opportunity to increase the mobility of the body by relieving inflammation. Grass is often used when rehabilitation is necessary after sports injuries, in particular, the elimination of strong, protracted pain syndromes.
Contraindications
Uncontrolled, inappropriate use of traditional medicine based on plants can cause excessive damage to the body. Indeed, the abundance of alkaloids is concentrated in the structure of the grass. Devil's claw extract should be taken with caution to persons who suffer from ulcerative formations in the stomach and intestines. It is forbidden to use the remedy for gastralgia, a tendency to develop heartburn.
The plant contains substances that have a stimulating effect on the reduction of female reproductive organs, in particular, the uterus. Therefore, taking medicines based on grass during the period of bearing a child can provoke a miscarriage. Contraindication is also breastfeeding.
Healing remedies - recipes
Based on the plant, you can prepare a decoction that will eliminate the symptoms of radiculitis and rheumatism, relieve discomfort in the joints. In order to create a medicine, take no more than a dessert spoon of grated grass root. Raw materials are poured into a glass of boiled water. The container is covered and allowed to properly brew for 5-6 hours. Then, the liquid is carefully filtered through a fine sieve or gauze folded into several layers. For rheumatic pains, the medicine is consumed in a glass 3 times a day.
To prevent the destruction of cartilage tissue makes it possible to use alcohol infusion of the devil's root. The crushed grass root is poured with strong alcohol. The container is tightly corked with a lid and sent for a month to a dark place. The tool is periodically shaken. To slow down degenerative changes in the cartilage, take a teaspoon of the drug 3 times a day. They stop using the composition with the complete elimination of the problem or negative reactions from the body.
Excellent healing properties have ointment from the devil's claw. Preparing a miracle cure is easy. Prepare a few glasses of refined vegetable oil. A large plant root is laid here. The composition is allowed to infuse for 3 weeks. The darkened root is periodically replaced with a new one. Vegetable oil should slightly thicken and absorb the aroma of healing herbs. The finished product is used during massage procedures. Rubbing tissue using oil allows you to remove swelling, relieve inflammation, and relieve pain in muscles and joints.
Interesting Facts
The healing plant is famous for the following:
- Grass was actively used by healers even at the dawn of civilization. For example, African aborigines used the plant to restore the functions of the bladder, treat stagnation of bile, and also to destroy the minerals that accumulated in the kidneys.
- The indigenous population of North America made means for defense and intimidation of enemies on the basis of hooked seed weed boxes. Clawed branches of grass were weaved into baskets. The latter were laid out near the settlements, covering with a layer of foliage. While bumping into a trap, tribal enemies or predatory animals experienced unbearable pain.
- In the civilized world, they learned about an amazing plant in the 18th century. It was at this time that grass began to be actively imported into European and Asian countries for the preparation of medicinal products that helped fight diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
- Weed is used in cosmetology. The plant extract is used in the composition of products, the purpose of which is to get rid of skin rashes, various abscesses, boils, and the consequences of the development of dermatitis.
- Not so long ago, researchers found that the juice of the plant contains substances that help smooth facial wrinkles.
Finally
As you can see, the devil's claw plant has a whole mass of healing properties. The grass is unpretentious to growing conditions. Therefore, it can be successfully cultivated in a temperate climate. At the same time, it contains not only useful, but also toxic substances. Therefore, before starting the use of plant-based medicines, it is worthwhile to once again familiarize yourself with the contraindications, as well as take the advice of a doctor.