2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43
Katarantus
Useful properties and application of catharanthus
Useful properties of catharanthus
Catharanthus is a herbaceous medicinal plant, which contains more than 65 alkaloids (in the roots - up to 2.1%, in the leaves - up to 1.3%, in the stems - up to 0.4%). Of the greatest interest are the alkaloids vincristine, virosine, vinblastine, rosidine, perquin, leyrosine, and leurosidine, which have antitumor activity. The healing properties of this herb are well known not only to traditional healers, but also to oncologists.
In case of malignant neoplasms, only the aerial part of the plant is used, making preparations for chemotherapy from it. In folk medicine, all kinds of tinctures and infusions, extracts and oil are prepared from leaves and stems. Raw materials are harvested only at the time when the content of alkaloids in the grass is highest, namely closer to mid-September, during the period of seed ripening. Leaves and young shoots are dried in a shaded place and stored for no more than a year, after which the harvested raw material loses its medicinal properties.
Application of catharanthus
Despite the fact that catharanthus is poisonous, it has a wide spectrum of action on the human body and therefore is highly valued for its healing properties. Preparations from it are used in the treatment of leukemia, blastoma, sarcoma, leukemia, breast cancer, cervical cancer and other serious oncological diseases. Tinctures and infusions from the herb give a stable positive result in the treatment of adenoma, prostatitis, polyps, uterine fibroids, hemorrhoids, varicose veins and stomach ulcers.
Katarantus normalizes blood sugar levels, relieves trophic ulcers and prevents the development of gangrene in diabetes mellitus. It is used for high blood pressure and eczema, as well as a mild pain reliever and for the prevention of cancer. A decoction of young leaves is effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, itching, psoriasis.
Broth: a tablespoon of dry raw materials must be poured with 200 ml of water, boil for 1 minute and leave for about 30 minutes. After straining, it is recommended to take the broth 2-3 times a day one hour before meals, while diluting one teaspoon of the drink in 50 ml of water. For external use, you can pour 2 tablespoons of dry herb into a glass of water.
Infusion: for the prevention of cancer, it is recommended to use a collection of pink catharanthus, pharmacy chamomile, white mistletoe and celandine in equal proportions. A tablespoon of the crushed mixture is poured into a glass of boiling water and allowed to brew for about half an hour. The infusion is taken in 50 ml 30 minutes before meals for a month. The prophylactic course is carried out 2-3 times a year.
Tincture of catharanthus
Herbal tinctures are usually prepared with alcohol or vodka and reach the desired condition within 7-10 days. These drugs are quite effective as a strong antineoplastic and blood-purifying agent.
Recipe 1. The crushed leaves of the plant are poured with vodka in a ratio of 1:20, kept at room temperature in a dark place for 7 days, after which the tincture is filtered and taken 10 drops in a tablespoon of water.
Recipe 2. Two tablespoons of young shoots together with leaves are poured with 250 ml of 70% alcohol and insisted in a dark place for 10 days, shaking occasionally. The first 3 weeks the tincture is taken at the rate of 5 drops per tablespoon of water 30 minutes before meals. After a week break, the dosage is increased to 10 drops for the same volume of liquid. The course of treatment is at least three months with strict adherence to the dosage and recipe for the preparation of the tincture. The drug is good for fibroids, varicose veins, prostatitis, stomach ulcers.
Catharanthus treatment
Despite the fact that this flower is poisonous, it is very useful in the treatment of malignant neoplasms. It contains anti-cancer substances used by traditional medicine in the manufacture of chemotherapy drugs. The herb also has a detrimental effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, it is effective for skin diseases - dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis.
Catharanthus seeds
The seeds of the plant ripen in fruits - two crescent-shaped leaflets 5 cm long and 3 mm thick. Seeds are pit-shaped, small, black. True, in our conditions, they are not tied. After planting, the seeds enter amicably and quickly, with additional lighting they can be sown for seedlings already at the end of February.
Catharanthus flowers
The flowers of the plant are simple, rather large (up to 3 cm), with five petals. Their color can be different: pale purple, white, pinkish. In the center of each flower is a bright crimson or yellow "eye". The aroma of flowers is weak, they bloom continuously from May to October.
Growing a catharanthus
This medicinal plant can often be found among amateur gardeners at home in pots, propagated by seeds and vegetatively. For growing catharanthus, a soil mixture of sod and leafy soil, peat, sand and humus is suitable. Seeds are sown to a depth of 1–2 cm in late February or March. For their germination, complete darkness is required, so it is best to cover the sowing with a dark film. At an ambient temperature of +24 ° C, seedlings appear in 8-10 days. After that, it is recommended to expose the seedlings in pots to the light.
In winter, this healing flower is watered moderately, in summer - abundantly. The first feeding is carried out 2 weeks after the emergence of shoots, and picking (transplanting) - after the plant reaches a height of 6–8 cm and in the presence of four true leaves. Once every 10-14 days, seedlings are fed with a solution of a mineral complex fertilizer at a concentration of 0.1-0.2%. In the second half of summer, the content of potassium and phosphorus increases in it. In winter gardens, this decorative flower can reach up to 1.5 meters, preferring bright, but not too sunny places.
Catharanthus pink
The homeland of this species of catharanthus is the island of Java, where in the tropics the plant grows along the edges of forests and is one of the most common weeds. For medicinal purposes, only its aerial part is used, collecting raw materials during the fruiting period. The leaves and stems contain very valuable alkaloids - vincristine and vinblastine, which are effective antineoplastic agents. Herbal preparations are also used to treat diabetes, psoriasis, fibroids, adenomas and hypertension.
Catharanthus ampelous
This type of catharanthus is intended for growing in hanging pots (pots), it is also used as a ground cover plant. Many varieties of this species have been bred by breeders, and all of them are highly branching flowers. The shoots of some of them can reach a length of 1.0–1.5 meters. Catharanthus gained particular popularity after the introduction of decorative elements for home decoration in the form of hanging baskets into fashion, where this ampelous plant began to be grown.
In recent years, it has been increasingly used in landscape design in conjunction with other partner plants. This species grows rapidly, occupying all the free space and covering the ground with a dense flowering carpet. Catharanthus can be grown in conjunction with such annual herbs as petunia and lobelia, from perennials, periwinkle and balsam are suitable.
Contraindications to the use of katarantus
ATTENTION! Due to the fact that catharanthus is a poisonous plant, treatment with drugs from it should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor. Despite the fact that decoctions, tinctures and ointments prepared on their own have an effective therapeutic effect, they can also cause severe side effects - nausea, vomiting, baldness, skin irritation, although not all people have such symptoms. In addition, the plant is contraindicated in patients with hypotension and vegetative-vascular dystonia.
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).
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