Chernogolovka (plant): useful properties, application

Chernogolovka is a plant known from antiquity. It was distributed on all continents and was used by many healers and healers. At present, the Chernogolovka, being a wild species, has not lost its popularity and is used to treat many ailments, as it has wide therapeutic activity, rich chemical composition and a sufficient raw material base. The Latin name (Prunella vulgaris) can be translated as "burning coal". Perhaps, the name is given because of the similarity of the inflorescence with coal, ready to just about die away.

Characteristic

The common black-headed plant belongs to the family. The culture is unpretentious, does not require care, grows well in the natural environment, covering the ground with a carpet of greenery with ears of purple. Her stem is erect, raised, branched. The upper leaves are sessile, the lower leaves are petiolate.

The inflorescence is ovoid or elongated. It consists of false rings formed of fleecy bracts. In each layer there are six flowers. Their bicones are green or purple. Corollas are usually purple. Inside there are four stamens. The flower is designed in such a way that it protects the nectar with a furry hedge from small insects, preserving it for pollinating bees.

Chernogolovka is a plant-honey plant. It is estimated that from one hectare it is possible to collect up to 90 kg of nectar. After the completion of the pollination, the coronals dry up and drop out, and the bare ears during this period can be compared to miniature corn cobs.

In the place of the stamens, four seeds-nutlets are formed in each calyx. But for reproduction in culture it is not advisable to use them. It is much easier to do this by root layers, which are well established, giving numerous shoots.

Growing up, the root system loosens the soil well, giving access to oxygen and moisture, facilitating the penetration of useful microflora into the soil. The flowering season lasts a long time, in some places it starts from the end of spring and can last until warm autumn.

Spread

Chernogolovka is a plant that occurs even in arctic regions. Confidently grows in Siberia, is present in the Far East and the Caucasus. In China, it is especially common. In the middle and southern parts of Europe and in Asia it grows everywhere. You can find it in North Africa and America, in Japan, India, Mongolia, Australia.

You can meet in dry regions, and in wet places, on the plain and in the mountainous terrain. It grows on the fringes of forests, meadows, fields, ravines, along the shores of lakes, rivers and marshes. It is considered a weed plant, it can be annoying in the cultivated areas, since it gives self-seeding and aggressively grows.

Can be planted as a ground cover species or grown for the preparation of medicinal raw materials. Prefers partial shade, especially grows well on mulched soil. Under suitable conditions, the seeds germinate in the same year in August, and by October they have already formed a deciduous rosette. Young plants overwinter well. Non-germinated seeds are given in May.

Although the blackhead in cattle feeding is used with restriction, many animals in the natural environment eagerly eat it. There is even an opinion to include this species in the list of substances that are safe to use.

Composition

Chernogolovka is a plant that is almost never used in official medicine. Its composition has not been studied well enough. However, the available data indicate its high therapeutic properties, due to the presence of biologically active substances.

The aerial part of plants is rich in flavonoids: quercetin, rutinin, hyperoside, kaempferol. Also there are coumarins, saponins, tannins, resins, bitterness, essential oils and organic acids. There are boron, copper, manganese, zinc, potassium, and also a lot of ascorbic acid and carotene.

This is already enough to talk about the prospect of studying a plant for the purpose of using it to create medicines.

Procurement of raw materials: common blackheads

The medicinal plant is harvested during flowering. Use all the aboveground parts: leaves, stems and inflorescences. To collect raw materials, choose places in the distance from fields treated with herbicides, as well as not along roads with intensive vehicular traffic, since the plant can accumulate heavy metal compounds and other toxic substances.

It is better to use the collected material in a fresh form. You can dry in the shade in a well-ventilated place and store up to six months. The time for raw material procurement is from July to September.

Chernogolovka: properties of the black-head, application

In China and Korean medicine, this plant herbalists use as a panacea for many diseases. The active substances contained in it suppress the growth of E. coli and the causative agents of tuberculosis and typhoid. For these abilities the plant is considered as an alternative to antibiotics. It is also used as an antipyretic, hemostatic, antispasmodic and analgesic.

There are data on the antiviral activity of the extract from the black head. In particular, studies were carried out on the activity of Pruneline polysaccharide against the immunodeficiency virus. It was found that for some indicators it is more effective than the retrovir. Eye drops of the extract positively influenced the treatment of viral keratitis.

Organic acids affect the normalization of hormones responsible for the state of the thyroid gland. High immunomodulating activity of the black head is noted. Preparations from this plant have a beneficial effect on blood vessels and this gently regulates blood pressure.

Using

As a soft natural antihypertensive and diuretic in the treatment of hypertension in the initial phase is successfully used black head. Herbaceous plants are harvested and dried to brew tea in pure form or used as part of the collection. Such decoctions will also be useful for rinsing with ulcers of the oral cavity and inflammatory processes of the gums.

From flowers prepare infusions and extracts. They can be introduced into ointments, creams and lotions for the treatment of dermatitis of various etiologies. Fresh juice can be preserved by diluting with vodka or alcohol. When seborrhea is shown, washing the head with a decoction from the grass of the black head. With various inflammations of the skin it is used to add to the bath. With angina infusion rinse the throat. The steamed grass is used as a remedy for combating dandruff.

Recipes

In different countries there are specific features and even traditions of using this plant. The flower (long-term blackhead) was used not only in the treatment of ailments, but also for the prevention of various diseases. So the Indians Cherokee and Thompson, soaking it in cold water, got a good toning drink. The leaves were used to prepare dishes with boiled vegetables, and in dried form - as a seasoning. Juice was rubbed with whiskey for the treatment of headaches, and also applied to insect bites to relieve swelling and alleviate the condition. The steamed grass was applied to the skin with burns.

In Ireland, blackheads and St. John's wort made tea for use in hypertension and diseases of the cardiovascular system. It was believed that such a drink relieves fatigue, tones up, soothes with excessive activity, reduces losses during menstrual bleeding.

Tea made from blackcurrant with wine was successfully used to restore strength after prolonged illnesses. It was recommended to use it in the spring to increase the immunity and firmness of the body to catarrhal diseases with beriberi infection or during outbreaks of infectious diseases. Bitterness in fresh leaves due to the high content of tannins can be removed by soaking them in cold water. In stems and flowers contains a natural dye, giving at application olive color.

conclusions

Chernogolovka is usually taken internally with caution and after consultation with the appropriate specialist. You can talk about the great benefits of this plant, since the blackhead is widely distributed and easily grown in culture. This gives a high yield of natural medicinal raw materials with high therapeutic properties and biological activity.

You can use the plant as a natural natural immunomodulator, which also has the ability to tone the body, providing him with a hepatoprotective, antiviral, adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory effect.