2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43
Zopnik
Useful properties and uses of herb zopnik
Botanical characteristics of prickly zopnik
Zopnik is a perennial herb. It is endowed with thick, sinuous roots and has a highly branched stem 30–60 cm high at the base, the surface of which resembles gray felt with pubescence. The basal leaves of the grass are held on flat, long, hairy roots, while the stem leaves have shorter petioles.
The shape of the leaves in different parts of the plant is not the same: rounded or wide wedge-shaped leaves grow at the base, the top is distinguished by whole-cut leaves, and serrate leaves are observed in the middle segment of the stem.
Flowers of a pink shade are collected in a whorl inflorescence, they are located in the axils of the upper leaves, appear in June-July. In August, the plant begins to bear fruit. Its fruits are dark brown nuts in a cup with small tubercles.
The herb is common in Bulgaria, the Caucasus and southern Russia. She chooses the slopes of ravines, steppes, river valleys, light forest glades, grows in groups or grows in thickets among various bushes. Collect the plant together with the root, cleaned from the ground, dried and stored in a dry place.
Useful properties of zopnik
The plant is endowed with excellent chemical composition. All parts of the zopnik contain essential oil, iridoids, alkaloids. Flavonoids useful for the human body, such as genquanine, luteolin, apigenin, have also been identified. Natural organic compounds (diterpenoids) are represented by phytol, steroids, phenol carboxylic acids and their derivatives, which include caffeic, ferulic, chlorogenic and quinic acids.
The plant is fully provided with vitamins C, B2, E, K and carotene. It also contains trace elements. The essential oil has a protistocidal effect. Plant seeds are an excellent weapon against infections and microorganisms.
Application of zopnik
In folk medicine, the aerial part of the herb is used in the treatment of the bladder affected by papillomas. Decoctions and infusions can help with zero acid gastritis. Good results are achieved in the treatment of stomach ulcers, anemia, asthenia. Applying decoctions in the form of lotions on hemorrhoidal cones, you can alleviate the patient's condition: pain decreases, the inflammatory process passes.
The diuretic properties of prickly zopnik help to cope with edema that occurs with hypertension and other disorders in the organs. The flower infusion perfectly tones and improves immunity. A decoction of grass flowers is very effective with poor blood clotting. Infusions and decoctions of leaves are suitable for washing festering wounds. Baths are indicated for rheumatism, relieve pain during exacerbation of arthritis.
Respiratory diseases, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia disappear without complications if funds based on prickly zopnik are included in the complex therapy. Powdered roots are a good antiseptic; they are used to heal wounds. Fresh juice is used for general strengthening of the body, taken in case of vitamin deficiency, diathesis is treated with it. In some countries, the root is eaten. Decoction of seeds destroys Trichomonas infection.
Broth of prickly zopnik: 10 g of seeds and 200 ml of boiling water should be kept for 30 minutes. in a boiling water bath, cool for 10 minutes, strain and 2-3 times a day before meals, take 2 tablespoons.
Tuberous zopnik
Tuberous zopnik grows to a height of 40–150 cm. The plant has cordlike roots with tuber-shaped bulges. The stem of this type of zopnik is naked, with many branches of a violet-purple color. The leaves are triangular-heart-shaped, large at the bottom of the stem, small at the top, without petioles. June-August is the time of blooming of the tuberous zopnik. The blossoming flowers are fluffy, white-pink, collected in whorl inflorescences. The fruit is a nutlet with a top covered with hairs. Fruits ripen from July to August.
Tuberous zopnik grows in the steppes of Europe and Asia, in Ukraine in the Donbass. Dry slopes, thickets of various bushes, meadows, chernozem soils, soils with admixtures of limestone are the most suitable places for its settlement in the Caucasus, in China, in the floodplain of the Ob River. The plant contains essential oils with a lemon scent.
A positive effect in the treatment of diarrhea, jaundice, fever and female diseases with a decoction of the roots or the aerial part of the zopnik is possible due to tannins, saponins, the presence of ascorbic acid, alkaloids, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and many other elements of the periodic table. Zopnik tuberous belongs to the spice-flavoring plants, its roots are used for food, before flour and cereals were made from it. This plant is a melliferous plant, bees and bumblebees adore the flowers of the tuberous zopnik, getting a lot of nectar from them.
Zopnik iron ore
Zopnik iron ore is valued for its root, useful substances are used for gynecological problems, the effect of decoctions from it as an antihypertensive agent has been studied. The plant promotes vasoconstriction and increases blood clotting. Zopnik herb with milk, stripped to a thick state, is used for pulmonary tuberculosis and a decrease in the total amount of hemoglobin in the blood (anemia). External use of decoctions is useful for wound infections and the formation of syphilitic ulcers on the skin. Infusions are prepared from herbs, using them to increase the tone.
Infusion of zopnik iron ore
Raw materials and 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1: 5 are infused in a dark place for 10-12 days, after which they are filtered. Take the remedy 30-40 drops 3-4 times a day.
Zopnik ruselovsky
Many gardeners prefer to create unique flower beds that delight the eye with beautiful plants until late autumn. Ruselovsky's zopnik is a perennial plant that is excellent for planting when creating unusual flower arrangements. It does not require special care, only moderate watering should be done, no transplanting, feeding and weeding are needed. Zopnik Ruselovsky is an ornamental plant, it grows well on fertile soils, pre-fertilized with peat compost, and is winter-hardy.
20 g of the aerial part of the plant and 200 ml of boiling water are infused in a water bath for 15 minutes, cooled for 45 minutes. Take the product, strained, 1/3 cup 2-3 times a day before meals.
Russell's Zopnik
Russell's Zopnik is a herbaceous plant that grows very slowly, forming a green carpet with pale yellow, lip-like, in dense whorls, inflorescences located above each other. The leaves of this type of zopnik are large, heart-shaped, sharp, dull green in color with an ocher tint. Russell's zopnik loves the sun and warm places. The grass grows well on moderately dry soils. It looks spectacular in the central part of the flower garden composition and landscape design.
Russell's homeland is southern Europe and Asia Minor. In nature, this species grows among pines and cedar trees.
Contraindications to the use of prickly zopnik
When taking decoctions and infusions of prickly zopnik, you must always remember the golden rule: strictly observe the dosage, do not abuse. Carefully should be treated with zopnik at the 3rd stage of hypertension. Do not forget that the substances contained in the plant can provoke too strong blood clotting and cause constipation.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
