Chernogolovka is a plant known since antiquity. It was distributed on all continents and was used by many healers and healers. At present, the blackhead, as a wild-growing species, has not lost its popularity and is used to treat many ailments, as it has a wide therapeutic activity, a rich chemical composition and an adequate raw material base. The Latin name (Prunella vulgaris) can be translated as "burning coal." Perhaps the name is given due to the similarity of the inflorescence with coal, which is about to die out.
Characteristic
The common black-headed plant belongs to the family Lamiaceae. The culture is unpretentious, requires no maintenance, grows well in the natural environment, covering the ground with a carpet of greenery with ears of purple. Her stalk is erect, uplifted, branched. The upper leaves are sessile, the lower leaves are petiolate.
The inflorescence has an ovoid or elongated shape. It consists of false rings formed from fleecy bracts. Each layer contains six flowers. Their two-lipped calyxes are green or purple. Corollas are usually purple. Inside are four stamens. The flower is designed so that it protects nectar with a fleecy hedge from small insects, saving it for pollinating bees.
Chernogolovka is a honey plant. It is estimated that up to 90 kg of nectar can be collected from one hectare. After pollination is completed, the corollas dry out and fall out, and the bare ears during this period can be compared with miniature corn cobs.
In place of the stamens in each cup, four nut-seeds are formed. But for reproduction in culture, it is not advisable to use them. It is much easier to do this with root layers, which take root well, giving numerous shoots.
Growing, the root system loosens the soil well, giving access to oxygen and moisture, facilitating the penetration of beneficial microflora into the soil. The flowering season lasts a long time, in some places it starts from the end of spring and can last until warm autumn.
Spread
Chernogolovka is a plant found even in the Arctic regions. It grows confidently in Siberia, is present in the Far East and the Caucasus. In China, it is especially common. In the middle and southern parts of Europe and in Asia, it is growing everywhere. You can find it in North Africa and America, in Japan, India, Mongolia, Australia.
You can meet in dry regions, and in humid places, on the plain and in mountainous terrain. It grows on the edges of forests, meadows, along fields, ravines, along the shores of lakes, rivers and swamps. It is considered a weed plant, it can annoy at the cultivated areas, as it gives self-seeding and aggressively grows.
It can be bred as a groundcover or grown for the procurement of medicinal raw materials. It prefers partial shade, grows especially well on mulched soil. Under suitable conditions, the seeds germinate in the same year in August, and by October they have already formed a leafy rosette. Young plants overwinter well. Not sprouted seeds give growth in May.
Although the black head is used in livestock feeding with restriction, many animals in the natural environment eagerly eat it. There is even an opinion to include this type in the list of substances that are safe for use.
Composition
Chernogolovka is a plant that is almost never used in official medicine. Its composition is not well understood. However, the available data indicate its high therapeutic properties due to the presence of biologically active substances.
The aerial part of the plants is rich in flavonoids: quercetin, rutinin, hyperoside, kempferol. Coumarins, saponins, tannins, resins, bitterness, essential oils and organic acids are also present. There are boron, copper, manganese, zinc, potassium, as well as a lot of ascorbic acid and carotene.
This alone is enough to talk about the prospect of studying a plant with the goal of using it to create drugs.
Harvesting of raw materials: common blackheads
The medicinal plant is harvested during flowering. Use all the aboveground parts: leaves, stems and inflorescences. For the collection of raw materials, they choose places far from the fields treated with herbicides, and also not along roads with heavy automobile traffic, since the plant can accumulate heavy metal compounds and other toxic substances.
It is better to use the collected material fresh. Can be dried in the shade in a well-ventilated place and stored for up to six months. Raw materials are harvested from July to September.
Chernogolovka: properties of the blackhead, application
In China and Korean medicine, herbalists use this plant as a panacea for many diseases. The active substances contained in it inhibit the growth of E. coli and pathogens of tuberculosis and typhoid fever. For these abilities, the plant is considered as an alternative to antibiotics. It is also used as an antipyretic, hemostatic, antispasmodic and analgesic.
There is evidence of antiviral activity of the extract from the blackhead. In particular, studies were conducted on the activity of the poluni saccharide prunelin against the immunodeficiency virus. It was found that for some indicators it is more effective than retrovir. Eye drops of the extract had a positive effect on the treatment of viral keratitis.
Organic acids have an effect on the normalization of the hormones responsible for the state of the thyroid gland. High immunomodulatory activity of the blackhead was noted. Preparations from this plant have a beneficial effect on blood vessels and thereby gently regulate blood pressure.
Using
As a mild natural antihypertensive and diuretic agent in the treatment of hypertension in the initial phase, a blackhead is successfully used. Herb plants are harvested and dried to brew tea in its pure form or used as part of collections. Such decoctions will also be useful for rinsing with ulcers of the oral cavity and inflammatory processes of the gums.
From flowers prepare infusions and extracts. They can be introduced into the composition of ointments, creams and lotions for the treatment of dermatitis of various etiologies. Fresh juice is preserved by diluting with vodka or alcohol. With seborrhea, washing the head with a decoction of blackhead grass is shown. For various skin inflammations, it is used to add to the bath. With tonsillitis, gargle with infusion. Steamed grass is used as a means to combat dandruff.
Recipes
Different countries have their own characteristics and even traditions of using this plant. The flower (blackhead perennial) was used not only in the treatment of ailments, but also for the prevention of various diseases. So the Indians of Cherokee and Thompson, soaking it in cold water, got a good tonic drink. The leaves were used to prepare dishes with boiled vegetables, and in dried form - as a seasoning. Whiskey was rubbed with juice to treat headaches, and was also applied to insect bites to relieve swelling and alleviate the condition. Steamed grass was applied to the skin with burns.
In Ireland, tea was made from blackheads and St. John's wort for use in hypertension and diseases of the cardiovascular system. It was believed that such a drink relieves fatigue, tones, soothes with excessive activity, reduces losses during menstrual bleeding.
Tea from blackheads with wine was successfully used to restore strength after a protracted illness. It was recommended to be used in the spring to increase immunity and the body's resistance to colds with vitamin deficiency or with outbreaks of infectious diseases. Bitterness in fresh leaves due to the high content of tannins can be removed by soaking them in cold water. The stems and flowers contain a natural dye that gives an olive color when applied.
conclusions
The usual Chernogolovka should be taken orally with caution and after consultation with the appropriate specialist. We can talk about the great benefits of this plant, since the blackhead is widespread and easily grown in culture. This gives a high yield of natural medicinal raw materials with high therapeutic properties and biological activity.
You can use the plant as a natural natural immunomodulator, which, in addition, has the ability to tone the body, having a hepatoprotective, antiviral, adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory effect on it.