Candy tree is an exotic deciduous plant native to China, Korea and Japan. Also found in the foothills of the Himalayas and at an altitude of up to 2 thousand meters. In botany, it is known as sweet govenia. It is used in folk medicine of eastern countries, landscape design and cooking.
Candy tree description
On average, the height of the plant is about 15 m. Govinia has a decorative appearance: a dense spherical crown and large glossy leaves of a dark green color. The diameter of a straight cylindrical trunk with a smooth gray-brown bark reaches 80 cm. In July, clusters of white small flowers appear on the plant, which make it look like linden. Young shoots have a reddish hue. Leaves have an oval shape. Five-petalled flowers are characterized by the presence of a delicate aroma. At the ends of thick stalks dry fruits grow. Sweet aromatic drupes can be eaten both unprocessed and dried. In both cases, their taste resembles sour raisins in combination with cinnamon and cloves. The stalks almost never fall from the tree and can sag on it until spring.
In addition to the territory of East China, Japan and Korea, it is also found in the foothills of the Himalayas and at an altitude of up to 2 thousand meters. The tree prefers moist sandy and loamy soil. Saying sweet can be found among shrubs in the subtropical forests. The candy tree, whose photo is located below, is increasingly appearing in collections of botanical gardens, including Crimean and Caucasian, as well as in parks and greenhouses.
Breeding process
The best month for sowing is March. Seeds should be placed in moderately moist soil no deeper than 0.5 cm and left to germinate at a constant temperature of 20-22 ° C. Usually this stage lasts about 10 days. Then the seedlings must be transplanted into individual pots with soil consisting of turf, leafy soil and sand. The candy tree also propagates with the help of semi-lignified cuttings, which take root in two to three weeks under the condition of constant warm air. The plant does not tolerate temperature changes, lack or excess of moisture.
With careful care in the room, the govenia can bloom year-round, but you should not expect sweet fruits from it. The plant needs an abundance of light. During flowering, a tree needs a large amount of boiled water, the temperature of which will be slightly warmer than room temperature. Leaves of sweet govenia do not tolerate dry air. Before spraying, the flowers must be covered, because of the water they become covered with dark spots. Once a month, the tree is watered with water with a small addition of citric acid or juice.
Chemical composition
For medical purposes, pedicels and fruits are used. The latter includes glucose, sucrose, fructose, potassium, ascorbic and malic acids. The stems on which the flowers grow are rich in:
- dihydroflavonol dihydromyretin and a myricetin identical structure;
- bovine meat;
- gallocatechin, which is found in green tea;
- larcetrin;
- steroidal saponins.
Harvesting raw materials
Pedicels for medical and culinary purposes must be collected at the beginning of ripening (September and October). Over time, they become juicy and acquire an orange color with slight yellowness. Dried stalks contain about 45% of sugars, in fresh - about 25%. During the year, about 30 kg of “sweets” can spawn on one tree. Seed and young shoot extract often serves as the basis for a honey substitute.
Application and reviews
A candy tree, according to scientific studies involving people, is primarily an indispensable tool in the fight against alcohol intoxication and a hangover. The aqueous extract of the seeds and fruits of the plant within 30 minutes after consumption significantly reduces the negative impact of ethyl alcohol on the body, especially on the liver. Also, the decoction significantly reduces nausea and headache. Fruit juice, jam, vinegar and wine based on stalks of gohenia fully retain their healing properties. Ascorbic acid in the fruit is used for a weak immune system and the fight against chronic fatigue.
To date, candy tree is not used in scientific medicine. The use of plant fruits for food is contraindicated in children, lactating and pregnant women, as well as people with intolerance to the above components. In 2007, an American publication published the results of studies that demonstrated a therapeutic relationship between hepatitis C and sweet goat. The effect observed on infected mice was that the plant was able to minimize liver damage caused by this disease.
Since ancient times, people in Asia have been using stems for dizziness, nervous disorders, pneumonia, and diseases of the gallbladder and kidneys. A decoction of the fruit helps in the treatment of cramps, cramps, constipation and reduce high body temperature. A remedy based on the bark of a candy tree should be drunk with bowel diseases. Old medical treatises (including the Compendium of Materia Medica) contain information that sweet govenia can relieve alcohol dependence.