Pion
Useful properties, reproduction and recipes for the use of medicinal peony
Botanical characteristics of the peony
The peony is a perennial dwarf shrub or shrub that has rough stems with separate, complex leaves. The plant does not grow more than 1 meter. The rhizome of the peony is powerful with strong and thickened roots. The leaves of the plant can have wide or narrow lobes, they come in a variety of colors, ranging from dark green to dark purple.
The peony stands out for its large single flowers with a leathery remaining calyx and beautiful petals. The flower is located at the top of the stem and has many stamens and up to 8 pistils. Peony fruit is a multileaf of complex composition, having a star-shaped shape. Each fruit contains several large seeds. Seeds can be either round or oval, either black or black-brown.
The peony is grown throughout Russia; it is preferred to plant it in gardens and parks. In addition to decorative purposes, the peony is also grown for medicinal use.
Propagation of medicinal peony
Peony is most often propagated by dividing rhizomes. Spring and late summer are best suited for this method. In peonies, the underground part grows slowly, therefore, to divide the rhizomes, you need to select plants that are more than three years old. With such plants, there will be no problem when digging up and dividing their rhizomes. So, we select a peony and cut off its stems, removing all the soil around the bush. We carefully separate the rhizome without damaging the adventitious thin roots. Further, the separated rhizome is placed for two days in a dark room with dry air for drying. During this period of time, the rhizome will become stronger and clear of dirt.
Now you need to take a sharp knife and divide the rhizome, while you need to make sure that there are as many buds as there are roots on each plot. The cut must be processed with crushed coal. We leave the plot for two days in a cool room. After this time, the plots are planted in prepared fertile soil.
The peony is propagated with the help of root cuttings. To do this, in the spring, you need to separate the adventitious roots 1 cm long. They are planted in loose soil. Water the cutting well throughout the summer. After 2–4 years, renewal buds are formed on the roots.
The peony can be propagated by pruning. It is necessary to dig up the plant so that the rhizome is on the surface, and using a sharp shovel, cut off all the tops. Plots that were obtained in this way must be planted in a garden bed and grown, after which they are transplanted into the ground. The cut on the plant must be treated with wood ash. After processing the cut, the plant must be covered with clean soil. The peony will be able to recover only after 2 years.
Peony medicinal care
Caring for peonies does not require much effort and knowledge. The main condition is removing weeds, loosening the soil and watering it regularly. The plant responds well to feeding and various measures to protect it. Peony prefers nitrogen and potash fertilizers. Water the plant as the soil dries out. The peony needs watering in the spring, since at this time it is at the budding stage and blooms. After watering has been done, you need to loosen the soil. After the flowering period, mineral fertilizer should be applied. The peony needs cutting, which must be done carefully and carefully, leaving at least 50% of all green leaves on the plant.
Useful properties of peony
The rhizomes and seeds of the plant have useful properties. Due to the fact that peony contains tannins, flavonoids and other useful components, preparations from this plant have sedative, choleretic and anti-inflammatory properties. Peony has anticonvulsant and hemostatic effects. The rhizomes of the plant are used as a pain reliever, and they also have beneficial properties that help with cancer, diabetes, nephritis and gynecological diseases.
The seeds of the plant have an effect on the body, due to which the peristalsis of the stomach and intestinal tract increases.
The use of medicinal peony
Peony is not very widespread in folk medicine, but nevertheless it is used in the treatment of many diseases and to eliminate ailments. For example, a decoction of peony rhizomes will help to cope with a disturbed menstrual cycle. A decoction of the plant rhizomes is also recommended for mothers who do not produce enough milk in their breasts.
Peony has expectorant, diuretic and appetite-improving properties. It is recommended for stomach ulcers, stomach cancer or spastic colitis. A decoction of the plant rhizomes helps in the treatment of tuberculosis, colds, pneumonia and bronchitis. Peony preparations are used as a diaphoretic and disinfectant. Powder is made from the roots, which is part of ointments for healing wounds and treating bone fractures.
Tincture of peony root is recommended for insomnia, increased excitability of the nervous system and other disorders in the nervous system. The drug has a calming effect.
Peony decoction for epilepsy. Take 30 grams of dry plant rhizomes and grind them. Next, pour the powder from the roots with 4 glasses of water, put on fire until boiling, then remove from heat and strain. In chilled form, the broth is taken 100 ml three times a day. The same remedy can be used for cramps in the digestive tract, gout, and nervous excitability. The course of treatment is 30 days, after which they take a break for 15–20 days and repeat the course again.
Peony tincture. To prepare it, you need to take 10 grams of plant rhizomes and fill them with 100 ml of vodka. We leave the composition to infuse for 2 weeks. Straining the finished tincture, take it in 30 or 40 drops, diluted with a small amount of water, three times a day.
Contraindications to the use of peony
Preparations made from peony must be used in the correct doses, since a large dose of their use can lead to poisoning.
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).
