Elecampane is a tall, or wild sunflower - an unusual medicinal plant with a rich history, used since ancient times to treat a variety of ailments. The ancient Slavs were convinced that its root had nine miraculous powers and was able to rid itself of a variety of ailments. Chinese doctors even called the number of these diseases - in their opinion, elecampane heals 99 diseases. And in ancient Greece, the plant was used not only as a medicine, but also for cooking.
In the Middle Ages, elecampane was grown in the monastery gardens of some European countries. We used the plant to treat diseases in Russia.
Where to find
Elecampane is not in vain received such a name. Its height is about one and a half meters. By its appearance, it resembles a sunflower: it has bright yellow flowers with a large center and long petals.
The plant grows in Europe, Africa. It can be found in the Caucasus, in Siberia, in the central part of Russia. In the wild, this grass grows literally at every step - at the edges of forests, along the banks of rivers and lakes. Recently, the plant began to be cultivated as a garden crop.
Plant description
The description of Elecampane High says that this bushy plant can reach two meters in height. It has whole leaves, flowers are large, orange or yellow. A peculiar smell is characteristic of the roots.
After flowering, fruits that are similar to oblong seeds with a brown tuft are tied.
The plant blooms in the second half of summer, and the fruits ripen from the end of August.
Harvesting raw materials
The highest properties of elecampane are high at two and three years of age, when the stem becomes straight and wide. Young plants do not have the proper amount of nutrients, so they have minimal value.
For treatment, roots are used. They are harvested in early spring or in August and September. Rhizomes are dug up very carefully, taking at least twenty centimeters from the stem and to a depth of thirty centimeters. After the plant is dug up, the rhizome is pulled out so as not to damage it.
The raw materials are carefully cleaned of the earth, the stems are removed, and washed. Be sure to remove thin roots. The roots are cut lengthwise into pieces about two centimeters thick and ten centimeters long. Billets dry in the open air for two days. Then they are dried in a warm room or in a dryer at a temperature of forty degrees, spread out in a thin layer on a lattice.
When the roots break easily, the raw materials are considered ready. The roots become gray-brown, in the section - white-yellow. Inside there are brilliant impregnations - this is an essential oil.
The roots have a peculiar smell, very fragrant. They taste bitter, spicy.
To preserve the medicinal properties of Elecampane high, it is stored in paper bags or in glass jars, in a dark, dry place. Billets preserve their properties for three years.
Chemical composition
The roots contain a large number of inulin polysaccharides, saponins. Also in this plant there is vitamin E, alkaloids, essential oil, gum, resins.
Of particular value is the essential oil obtained from the roots. It contains alantolactone, dihydroalantolactone, bicyclic sesquiterpenes, proazolene.
The plant contains vitamin C, isocvercitrin, alantopicrin, quercetrin.
The benefits of rhizomes
The healing properties of elecampane are multifaceted. This unique plant takes an honorable first place among medicinal herbs that have a therapeutic effect in stomach pathologies.
Medicines from elecampane can cause appetite, normalize digestion. This plant regulates the secretory function of the gastrointestinal tract, and also relieves spasms. Drugs stimulate metabolism.
Elecampane has the following effect:
- Antiviral.
- Antibacterial, including struggling with Staphylococcus aureus.
- Expectorant.
- Diuretic.
- Choleretic.
- Antidiarrheal.
Elecampane helps get rid of parasites, including struggling with roundworms. Medicines from the plant are used as an antiseptic.
The use of elecampane high is also possible with some malignant oncological pathologies: leukemia, gastrointestinal cancer. Elecampane is able to treat metabolic disorders, helps with gout, arthritis, inflammation of the sciatic nerve. It is also used in complex therapy for anemia.
Elecampane-based preparations
Elecampane plant tall contains in its composition a substance that helps get rid of parasites - this is alantolactone. Alanton is made from the roots, a drug used for peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
Dry raw materials with expectorant, gastroprotective properties are sold in pharmacies.
Contraindications
Despite the unique healing properties, Elecampane has high contraindications. Herbal preparations should not be taken with severe ailments of the heart, blood vessels, or kidneys. It is forbidden to use elecampane to people suffering from hypotension, with heavy menstruation, during pregnancy.
All about the plant elecampane high, the healing properties and contraindications should be known to those who are going to give drugs to children on its basis. For them there are a number of contraindications, especially to the use of tinctures on vodka.
Traditional medicine recipes
Elecampane root has been widely used in folk medicine. This unique plant can cure a variety of ailments. It can be added to tea to fill the deficiency of vitamins, as well as to increase strength and energy. From the plant prepare infusions, decoctions, make ointments, syrups.
Parasite Remedy
To get rid of parasites, an alcohol solution of the root is prepared. You will need to take ten grams of raw material and pour a glass of alcohol. The container in which the product will be infused is tightly closed and placed in a cool dark place. The remedy is infused for three weeks. Drink the composition on a teaspoon three times a day.
It is necessary to apply until complete recovery. The tool helps not only get rid of all types of worms, but also displays the products of their intoxication.
Use of elecampane in gynecology
Elecampane is widely used in gynecology. It is prescribed for the treatment of infertility, as well as for pathologies of the reproductive system. This plant has a positive effect on the prolapse of the uterus, during malfunctions of the menstrual cycle, during painful periods. The plant has good efficiency with a delay of several days of menstruation.
To prepare a remedy that helps with delaying menstruation, they take thirty grams of root and pour 300 milliliters of boiling water. The agent is infused for an hour, then filtered. It is necessary to take the composition at fifty grams twice a day on an empty stomach.
You can make a decoction of the root by taking water and raw materials in the same quantities and boiling over low heat for fifteen minutes. After cooling, the product is ready for use.
With the omission of the uterus and inflammation of the appendages, alcohol tincture is used. Also, tincture is prepared from this plant and taken to reduce the flow of milk during breastfeeding: in a couple of days, the amount of milk will significantly decrease.
Dermatology Application
For the treatment of skin pathologies, decoctions of elecampane are used. You can prepare the ointment for external use. It helps to cope with psoriasis. Tinctures, decoctions, both externally and internally, will also help.
To prepare the ointment, you need to take pork interior fat (one hundred grams), melt it, add the crushed elecampane root (thirty grams). The finished ointment is applied to the tissue and applied to the sore spot.
The grass helps against acne. To do this, it is recommended from time to time to wipe the face with a decoction of the root three times a day.
Male Disease Treatment
Infertility affects not only women, but also men. Elecampane helps to cope with it. Also, this plant helps to get rid of other ailments.
To prepare the medicine, you need to take three tablespoons of raw materials and pour two glasses of water. The composition is infused for twenty minutes. The drug is taken in a tablespoon every two days, and then a break is made for two days.
Elecampane in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases
A decoction of the root helps well with gastrointestinal pathologies. It is used in the following cases:
- For pain in the stomach.
- With flatulence.
- Elecampane helps cope with colitis.
- Recommended for loss of appetite and sluggish digestion.
- With jaundice, diseases of the gallbladder.
To prepare the broth, take a spoonful of root and pour a glass of water. The product boils for fifteen minutes over low heat, then infuses for four hours. A broth is taken warm on a tablespoon three times a day.
Treatment of respiratory diseases
Rhizome helps to cope with pneumonia, bronchitis. A decoction is taken for pulmonary tuberculosis, tracheitis.
For cooking, take fifteen grams of chopped root and pour a glass of water. The mixture is boiled in a water bath for half an hour. After cooling, the resulting composition is filtered. 1/3 cup is taken twice a day.
Elecampane Cancer Treatment
Elecampane has proven itself in the treatment of cancer of various localization, but most often it is used precisely for oncological diseases of the digestive tract.
To prepare a remedy, you need two hundred grams of crushed root mixed with 500 grams of honey. The composition is allowed to stand for a day. The drug is taken in a tablespoon three times a day before meals.
Treatment of high blood pressure, anemia
To prepare the infusion, take a teaspoon of the roots and pour a glass of boiling water. The tool is infused overnight, and filtered in the morning. A composition of fifty milliliters three times a day is taken before meals.
Elecampane to enhance immunity
To strengthen the immune system prepare a decoction of nine forces. He will need fifty grams of root, which are poured with a liter of water. The composition boils over low heat for half an hour. Then the product is filtered. Next, half a glass of juice is taken and 120 grams of sugar is bred in it. The resulting apple syrup is mixed with elecampane decoction. The composition is taken three spoons three times a day.
Means for external use
With cracks, ulcers, the infusion of elecampane, which is used externally, helps. To prepare it, you will need a glass of boiling water, in which a spoon of root is infused. The remedy costs an hour, then it is filtered. The resulting preparation is washed on the affected areas twice a day. It is good to do five-minute baths twice a day.
Tea with elecampane
Photos of Elecampane high demonstrate how this plant looks, which is also an excellent basis for fragrant and healthy teas. They help to boost immunity, and also serve as an excellent preventive measure against a variety of ailments.
To make tea, take a teaspoon of the root and pour boiling water. Insist twenty minutes. Drink a glass no more than twice a week. This tool is characterized by a rich composition of vitamins and minerals.