European Clefthoof - Properties And Application Of European Clefthoof

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

European hoof

Properties and application of European clefthoof

Botanical characteristics of the European clefthoof

The European hoof is a plant that covers the soil under trees and forms a carpet; it is very common in the forests of Siberia and the European part of Russia. European clefthoof is a part of many medicines.

Clefthoof, despite its unusual name, has been very common since ancient times. It was used in magic and folk medicine. But only recently did the official pharmacology pay attention to this herb. European hoof is an evergreen plant that grows in the forests of Russia. The leaves of this plant are dark green, in winter they keep well under snow.

Strange, but the leaves of the clefthoof fall off only after overwintering the cold period and waiting for the beginning of summer. You can easily recognize the European clefthoof, despite the fact that it grows in a forest with many other plants. It looks like this: on a curly and long stem are leathery leaves with a fairly long handle, in appearance it all resembles the shape of a hoof. Hence the name itself follows - "European clefthoof". The smell of this plant is rather bitter, with hints of pepper. You can feel it only when you rub the leaves of the plant in your hands.

From the fact that the clefthoof looks rather peculiar, smells specifically, and has a certain share of poisonousness, it has many different names. Let's list several names of this plant:

The European hoof during flowering - and this happens in spring, at the end of April or early May - is covered with flowers that are very difficult to see under wide and dark leaves. The clefthoof reproduces by seeds. If we talk about the reproduction of this plant, then everything is very well thought out, because there is no wind in the forest near the earth itself, and the seeds must somehow be transferred. Workers-ants are engaged in this work. This work attracts them by the fact that the seeds have fleshy-oily outgrowths that are very well suited as food. Insects eat them and carry seeds throughout the forest.

For traditional medicines, I use only the roots and leaves of the clefthoof. The roots are dug up either in spring or autumn. And it is advisable to collect the leaves during the flowering of the plant, this is approximately until mid-June. But, in fact, if you figure it out, the leaves can be harvested throughout the summer, until the beginning of autumn. It is necessary to dry the leaves of the clefthoof in the shade. The room should be well ventilated and the temperature should not exceed fifty degrees Celsius.

European clefthoof application

For rheumatic, joint and headaches, compresses with a decoction of the clefthoof, various lotions or oils are used. For the treatment of eye diseases, it is necessary to resort to a decoction of clefthoof leaves.

Clefthoof can be used as a medicine when you have pneumonia, colds, bronchitis, asthma, or tuberculosis, because clefthoof has anti-inflammatory, expectorant and bronchodilatory effects. To cure these diseases, you need to use the clefthoof in the form of a decoction or tincture of alcohol. So that the clefthoof broth is not too harsh, it is diluted with either honey or hot milk before use.

Clefthoof is also used to treat diseases of the biliary tract, gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder and bladder and liver. Earlier, clefthoof was used to treat jaundice. If you suffer from headaches, insomnia, increased nervous excitability, neurotic conditions, epilepsy or migraine, then take European clefthoof as a sedative.

In small concentrations, tincture of European clefthoof leaves is used to treat female diseases, and also normalizes heart activity, increases vein tone, and is used to accelerate blood flow. The use of powder or decoction from European clefthoof is recommended if necessary in the treatment of alcoholism or in case of poisoning to induce vomiting, and strong. In order to cure a person from alcohol dependence, a person can undergo a treatment course without knowing it. That is, a concentrated broth of the clefthoof is mixed with alcohol, after the patient drinks it, he starts vomiting. After a series of such techniques in the future, alcohol (without the clefthoof) also causes severe vomiting in a person.

The European hoof is used not only in folk medicine and modern pharmacology, but even in the magic of various countries. Clefthoof leaves were dried, after which they were added to various combustible mixtures with which they fumigated the room, that is, they cleaned it of evil spirits. The leaves were used to create all kinds of amulets, amulets: it was believed that they would protect from the evil eye or damage. Also, in order to protect animals from the evil eye, a dried hoof was hung over the front door.

At the time when the tradition of sniffing tobacco was widespread, dry leaves of the European Clefthoof were specially added to it: people believed that in this way it gives the healing power of tobacco, enhances its actual tobacco effect. This happened mainly in Europe. Now this plant is used to decorate the landscape.

Clefthoof properties

The European clefthoof contains essential oil, various resins, alkaloids, starch, mucus, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids and much more.

The European hoof has the most extensive pharmacological properties. It causes an emetic, expectorant, bronchodilatory anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, laxative effect, and also has antipyretic, wound healing, diuretic, anthelmintic, sedative, anti-sclerotic properties. European clefthoof is also used to treat various wounds, formed purulent ulcers, scabies.

Cooking Clefthoof

The European hoof is used for the manufacture of ointments for external use. They do it like this: grind the roots of the clefthoof into powder and mix with oil, petroleum jelly, lard or fat. For the ointment to be most effective, it is necessary to use badger fat, and sea buckthorn or cedar oil.

Not only ointments and oils can be prepared from the clefthoof, but also tinctures, decoctions, infusions, powders. Powders, by the way, are made from clefthoof root. All of this, except for oils and ointments, can be taken internally.

To prepare the daily rate of the medicinal tincture, you need to take two teaspoons of European Clefthoof, pour it into a thermos and pour a glass of boiling water.

Contraindications to the use of clefthoof

European Clefthoof, although a weakly poisonous plant, should be taken only with permission and on the advice of a doctor. Beware of overdose! In no case take more than two tablespoons of the drug at one time.

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).