In the world there are up to 300 species of bells. They are common in mixed and deciduous forests, ravines, in meadows, along river banks. Most grow throughout Russia, and some of them can only be found in the Caucasus. The best-known of all species is a bell-shaped bell. It is used in landscape design, but is more widely known in folk medicine.
Description
This plant is biennial. It has a short woody rhizome. A thin stalk with a height of 10 to 70 cm is covered with small broad-lanceolate leaves of a bluish tint. Large (up to 3 cm) flowers are located on long pedicels. Dark blue veins are often visible on the blue-violet corolla with bent lobes. For a branchy stem on which a lot of these beautiful flowers can be seen from the grass, the spreading bell (the Bellflower family) got its name. The fruit is a box with a slit hole in the upper part. The flowering period lasts all summer, ending in late autumn.
Legends
Like many familiar plants, the bell has its own legends and stories. In England, it is still believed that he brings prosperity to the house. He is considered a sacred plant in this country. The monks who wandered the earth wore a flower around their neck, because it resembled a bell in a reduced form. It was believed that if the spreading bell was brought home, then happiness and luck would settle with it.
Beneficial features
The most famous bell-spreading bell, the description of which is given above, by its therapeutic actions. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, sedative and analgesic qualities, it is used to treat many diseases.
For the preparation of infusions, decoctions and tinctures, all parts of the plant are used - flowers, roots, leaves and fruits with seeds.
The healing properties of the bell are due to its rich composition. It contains a large number of steroids, saponins, alkaloids, triterpenoids, phenolcarboxylic acids, anthocyanins, as well as nitrogen-containing compounds: stachidrin, choline and betaine. In addition, a lot of potassium and magnesium were found in it.
Medical use
Spreading bell (photo posted in this article) is widely used in the treatment of diseases associated with the female sphere, with epilepsy, headache. Compresses from infusions help with rheumatism, and also contribute to the speedy healing of wounds. Preparations made on the basis of this plant have an antitussive effect and are used to treat inflammatory processes in the throat. A decoction of the roots is effective for hydrophobia.
Recipes
- In order to prepare a decoction, you need 3 tbsp. spoons of dried bell grass. It is filled with water in an amount of 400 g, after which it is put on fire and boiled for 3-4 minutes. Then the broth is left for an hour, filtered and consumed at least 3 times a day in half or a third of a glass. The prepared infusion should be drunk in small sips, so it is better absorbed.
- To treat female diseases, the bell is brewed in this way: 2 teaspoons of fresh or dried flowers are poured with one glass of boiling water and allowed to stand for 2 hours. Drink the resulting infusion three times a day after eating 1 tbsp. spoon.
- In viral diseases, the root of the bell is used. He is languished in a water bath and allowed to infuse for two hours under a well-closed lid.
- In addition, viral and infectious diseases are treated with a decoction of dry bell grass. For this, 3 tbsp. tablespoons of raw materials are poured with water (500 ml) and kept on low heat, covered with a lid, for 5 minutes. After straining, they drink half a glass after eating.
- For the treatment of the stomach or kidneys, a painkiller infusion is prepared: 20 g of dry raw materials are brewed with boiling water (500 ml) and insisted for 2 hours. Take once with pain in half a glass.
- To prepare a soothing bath, you will need 100 g of dry grass, which is poured with a liter of boiling water, and after cooling, strain, poured into the bath. This procedure is very effective for stress and neurosis.
- A compress that helps with radiculitis and joint pain is prepared from the infusion of a bell. For this, 2 tbsp. tablespoons of raw materials pour a glass of boiling water and leave for 40 minutes under the lid. After filtering, the infusion is ready for use. In it, cotton swabs are moistened and applied to a sore spot.
Contraindications
Like most medicinal plants, the spreading bell is not recommended for everyone. It is contraindicated for people with individual intolerance to this plant, and pregnant women can use it only as directed by a doctor.
Bell in landscape design
This flower can decorate any garden. With its help create whole bell-shaped lawns. The plant is quite unpretentious and grows well even in a shaded area. Prefers slightly alkaline, well-drained soil. However, in vivo it is found less and less.
Currently, the bell is spreading on the verge of extinction. This is due to the fact that they began to collect it in large quantities, including for commercial purposes. Among all the variety in Italy, for example, only 6 species of this flower have survived.