Gledichia vulgaris is a rather large tree. It grows up to 40-45 meters in height, while all its branches are strewn with thorns. Its flowering time is June. The tree is covered with yellow-green flowers, which form a cluster-shaped brush. After them, fruits appear - dark brown flat pods (legumes), whose length is up to 40 cm. Gledichia is also a good honey plant.
What is this tree
To the territory of our country and the neighboring countries , the common gleditsia was brought from North America, it was there that it appeared. In our country, this tree has taken root well throughout the southern regions.
Common Gledichia - a rare species of wood that is not afraid of drought. It grows well on desert and saline soils, where any other breeds die. It grows very fast. Gledicia is not afraid of any pests, and it is not overcome by disease. Moreover, it is also a soil-improving breed. During growth, a gradual accumulation of nitrogen occurs in the root system, which then enriches the soil on which the tree grows.
Appearance
What is common gledichia? Description of the plant can be found below. Appearance and biological features a bit like the familiar white acacia. The same cirrus leaves, which reach about 30 cm in length, and during flowering, small flowers of a greenish-yellow hue. The first ripening of fruits occurs after 8-10 years from the beginning of growth. Each year, it brings an abundant crop of leguminous beans, whose length is approximately 18-23 cm. Ripe fruits can sag on trees all winter.
Common gledichia propagates both by seeds and shoots. She can give sprouts throughout her life, which lasts about 85-90 years. The tree grows mainly in height, and the trunk remains slender, covered with a bark of a grayish-brown hue. At the cut of the trunk you can see the core of a dark brown color.
The benefits of spikes
Trees are covered from top to bottom with many sharp spikes - and not only branches, but also trunks. Because of this, looking at these trees, you feel as if they are entwined with barbed wire. Therefore, a different name appeared among the people - the “evil tree”. Birds never nest on them. An unknowing person can be frightened by ordinary gledichia. Photo tree can be found in this article.
The plant is specially planted as protective forest belts. It can also be used as a hedge. If you plant around the garden of gleditsia in 3-4 rows, neither a person nor an animal will pass. Gledichia vulgaris is especially popular among landscape designers. Cultivation is carried out in specialized greenhouses, after which the plant is put up for sale.
There are varieties without spikes. This variety is considered decorative, and it can be used for landscaping urban areas. Socialists collect seeds and grow seedlings from them. Gledicia vulgaris nitrogen-fixing plants represents.
The benefits of gleditsia
Gledichia wood is strong enough, while a beautiful pattern is visible on it. Therefore, furniture and other household items are often made from it. Hledicia fruits are used as feed for pigs and wild boars.
She was also used as a treatment for some chronic diseases. Even gledichia vulgaris is friends with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms; they live on this tree. They play a huge role in the natural nitrogen cycle. Treated gas becomes suitable for use by higher plants.
Medicinal properties
Common gledichia is a poisonous plant, and the fruits of the tree are considered unsuitable for use in medicine. Nevertheless, the young leaves of this tree are very useful raw materials. From it you can get the triacanthin alkaloid (Triacanthinum). There are drugs in which the hydrochloride salt of this alkaloid obtained in laboratory conditions is present. Doctors prescribe them to relieve spasms in various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
In addition, the alkaloid also relieves spasms of the blood vessels and smooth muscles of some organs. Greater efficacy of the use of triacanthin was noted when relieving spasms of the bronchi, stomach and intestines. It also enhances coronary circulation. Triacanthin is similar to papaverine, but differs from it in that it is less toxic.
Therefore, it has become a popular plant in folk medicine. From the ripe fruits of this tree and its leaves, decoctions are prepared, which are a good addition to the treatment of almost all diseases related to the digestive tract.
A suitable raw material for the decoction is the early leaves, which are collected in the spring, and ripe pods. The main active substance contained in them is the triacanthin alkaloid , as mentioned above. But, in addition to it, other useful substances are also contained in fruits and leaves, such as flavonoids and flan compounds - olmeline, fisetin, saponin, etc.
The benefits of a decoction
Bean husk contains tannins and vitamin K. Therefore, the result from the decoction will be the same as from medicines that contain the triacanthin alkaloid.
It is recommended to drink it in some cases, for example:
- to relieve muscle cramps;
- activate the respiratory center;
- dilate blood vessels;
- with hypertension;
- with a stomach ulcer;
- with cholecystitis.
It should be borne in mind that the effect of a decoction of leaves is weaker than that of fruits.
Contraindications
There are also contraindications for use, because of which side effects can occur.
All this is due to the fact that the main component is the triacanthine alkaloid, and in large doses it is toxic. Accordingly, it should be borne in mind that the use of drugs inside which it is present can cause poisoning. You should immediately stop taking the medication if the patient has:
- unhealthy pallor of the skin;
- profuse salivation;
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea;
- drowsiness;
- dizziness.
Uncontrolled use of the decoction can lead to the destruction of red blood cells, venous stagnation of the brain, pneumonia, etc. If you suddenly suspect poisoning of the body, you need to stop taking drugs that contain triacanthin alkaloid. If the malaise occurred shortly after the last intake of the decoction, you need to rinse the stomach with potassium permanganate, then forcefully vomit and drink activated charcoal. After this, consult a doctor.
In general, it is better not to experiment with herbs if there is no experience. Such decoctions can only be done by knowledgeable people, while the dose must be able to correctly calculate.