Serpukha
Useful properties and use of Crowned Serpukha
Botanical characteristics of serpukha
Serpukha has a strong erect stem, the height of which can be from 50 to 110 cm. Such a herb with alternate ovoid leaves and oblong edges boasts graceful flower baskets. They are quite large, located at the very ends of the stems and have a lilac-purple hue. Serpukha blooms around July and August, bears fruit with smooth brownish achenes. It is considered an excellent honey plant.
This plant is widespread in the forest-steppe zone of the Far East and Siberia. This herb prefers forest edges and birch groves.
Useful properties of serpukha
Serpukha contains a huge amount of traces of alkaloids, as well as ascorbic acid. It is recommended to take it for various stomach and heart diseases, for anemia and jaundice, as well as for all kinds of neuroses. It has a weakly expressed astringent and choleretic effect on the human body. It should also be noted that the plant has long been used as an antifebrile, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory and sedative.
Serpukha application
To prepare an infusion of serpukha, it is advised to take no more than 1.5 cups of boiling water for 2 teaspoons of well-dried herbs. Such an exceptional remedy should be infused for about three hours, after which it is recommended to carefully strain it and you can drink 1 tablespoon 3 or 4 times a day.
Such an infusion of serpukha is indicated for rinsing a sore throat with tonsillitis and other inflammatory processes.
Crowned serpukha
Crowned serpukha is a herbaceous perennial plant, the height of which does not exceed one meter. Each deeply pinnate leaf has pronounced oblong lobes with rather large sparse teeth. Large flower baskets of a bright red hue are located in several pieces at the ends of the stems. Crowned sickle blooms in mid-July and August. It can often be found in the vastness of the Caucasus, in Central Asia, in the Crimea, as well as in Siberia and the Far East.
Serpukha Don
Serpukha Don is an unusual short-rhizome perennial. This species prefers meadow forb steppes and mountain slopes, and also gravitates to gravelly soils and mountain edges.
The Don serpukha has a powerful erect stem, alternate oblong leaves and rather large purple flower baskets. Such a herbaceous plant is widespread in Russia, Ukraine, as well as in the Caucasus. The Don serpukha blooms in the first half of summer, from May to July.
Serpukha dyeing
Serpukha dyeing delights with its ovate-cylindrical flower baskets, which are collected in common corymbose-paniculate inflorescences. The dark purple flowers are about 6 mm in diameter. The alternate leaves are oblong-lanceolate or lyre-shaped. The height of the dye serpukha can reach 90 cm. At the same time, the erect stem of the plant is rather strong and branched. The short rhizome is supplemented with cordlike lateral roots. The fruit is represented by a grayish achene with a yellowish tuft.
The dyeing serpuha blooms all summer, and the seeds ripen at the very beginning of autumn. This perennial plant lives on forest edges, clearings, forests and bushes. It is widespread in the central part of Russia.
Contraindications to the use of serpukha
To date, no contraindications have been identified for the medicinal use of serpukha.
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).
