Sleep grass is a wonderful and healthy plant. Even in antiquity, it was considered a symbol of victorious weapons, and juice was used to lubricate the tips of spears. Our ancestors believed that in this way evil power could be expelled. The wounds received during the battles were treated with sleep grass.
In ancient times, it was very often used in ritual and magical rites. Sleep grass was used as a talisman from the evil eye, and dried flowers were kept as an amulet to attract wealth to the house. Legend has it that a person who has fallen asleep in the midst of dream grass will be able to foresee the future.
According to popular recipes, fresh juice of grass rubbed the joints with aches, and also facilitated labor pains and bathed with various skin diseases.
In general terms, the open cross (sleep-grass) is a perennial culture that belongs to the Lyutikov family. Blossoms in May-April with single dark purple flowers, similar in shape to ordinary garden tulips. Fluffy openwork leaves create additional decorativeness.
Basically, this rare plant is distributed in Europe, Canada and North America. Most often, lumbago can be found in coniferous and dry deciduous forests.
Recently, sleep-grass is often planted in personal plots. If you decide to grow this amazing plant yourself, be sure to consider several important factors.
Lumbago develops well on rich soils with a good structure. Very fond of organic fertilizers. Excessive humidity and dampness adversely affect it. The best place to plant bushes of dream grass is in partial shade.
An adult plant survives transplantation very poorly. If such a need arises, then it is better to do this before the start of the growing season - in early spring. The old bush can be divided into several buds. The plant will take root with regular and moderate watering.
Sleep grass is frost-resistant and does not need special care. In the dry season, additional watering may be required.
Lumbago propagates by seeds, which the wind carries over a considerable distance. If you decide to plant the sleep grass yourself, it is best to do this in November, and cover the grown seedlings for the winter with leaves so that they do not freeze. The first flowers will appear only in the third year of life.
Sleep grass: description of medicinal properties
In the course of various studies, it was found that sleep grass has antiseptic and antifungal properties. It slows down breathing, lowers blood pressure and heart rate. Official medicine does not use this plant. However, in traditional medicine, it is used quite widely.
The name of the dream herb speaks for itself. Decoctions of the lumbago treat headache, hysterical seizures, neurosis and insomnia. Outwardly, it is used for pain in joints, fungal infections of the skin and scabies. Chinese traditional medicine with infusion of sleeping herbs treats bacterial and amoebic dysentery.
It should be noted that a fresh plant is poisonous. When its juice comes into contact with the skin, a chemical burn of the I-II degree occurs. Dried leaves of sleep grass only after four to five months of storage lose their toxic effect. Dry them in a well-ventilated, shaded area.
Since sleep-grass is a potent drug, the plant should be used very carefully and should not be used in pregnancy, hepatitis, pyelonephritis or gastritis.
Unfortunately, because of its excellent decorative properties, sleep-grass is uncontrollably destroyed and today it is listed in the Red Book.