Content
- 1 Medicinal properties of phytolacca (lacconus)
- 2 Rules for procurement of raw materials
- 3 Application of Laconia berry
- 4 What diseases does the American lacquer plant help with?
- 5 The use of American lacquer in folk medicine: recipes
- 6 Use of Phytolacca americana in homeopathy
- 7 Contraindications
- 8 Conclusion
American lacconaceous and berry lacconaceous are two representatives of more than 110 species of the Laconaceae family growing in Russia. Despite their almost identical appearance, these tall bushes differ quite seriously in their properties and uses. If the purpose of the berry plant is of a culinary nature, then its American namesake is not consumed as food due to increased toxicity, however, it also finds use in folk and traditional medicine.
Medicinal properties of phytolacca (lacconus)
Phytolacca Acinosa is of North American origin, despite the fact that many varieties are perfectly adapted to cultivation in the tropics and the Far East.
This herbaceous perennial can grow up to 3 m in height and have a fairly branched stem. Lakonos berry has huge leaves up to 40 cm in length and about 10 cm in width. The leaves, stems and fruits of the “berry” variety have a fairly wide range of uses: from eating to using as ingredients to create various medications. Mostly berry lacquer is used for the symptomatic treatment of colds, gastrointestinal problems and as an anti-inflammatory agent. Berry lacquoise is shown in the photo below:
As for its “brother”, American Laconia, this is a plant of a completely different genus; It is not recommended for consumption due to excessive toxicity. However, this does not prevent its cultivation, since the range of medicinal uses of this variety is much wider.
There is practically no visual difference in the species of these representatives of the flora: it is possible to distinguish the poisonous species of Laconia from its berry relative only by the drooping shape of the inflorescence or fruit, which for the American Laconia is shown in the photo:
Medicinal and beneficial properties of American Laconia
The medicinal properties of the plant, unlike its “berry” relative, are well known in medicine. The crushed root system of this species is included in the official list of herbal preparations under the name “American lacquernass root.”
The root, which is quite dense and thick, contains essential oils, large amounts of sugars, flavonoids, saponins, formic and citric acids. The leaves and stems of the plant contain B vitamins, vitamin PP and vitamin C. The content of the latter is about 285 mg per 100 g of product.
You can eat American lilac, but you must do so with caution. Firstly, the shoots can only be consumed when they are still very fresh, when the plant has not even gone through half the growing season. Secondly, before eating, they should be subjected to thorough heat treatment.
In the cuisines of some peoples, American lacquer is used as a spice with a tart taste. Lakonosa juice is used in the preparation of both fresh and canned dishes. In some areas of Asia and even enlightened Europe, the juice and berries of the American laced plant are still consumed to give wine a rich red-black hue. In addition, lacquer is used as a food coloring and in some dishes.
Laconia berries do not have medicinal properties; they are used primarily to obtain juice, from which dyes for wool and silk clothing are subsequently produced.
Beneficial properties of Laconia berry
The use of drupe plant or Phytolacca Acinosa is of a culinary rather than pharmaceutical nature. Almost all parts of the berry plant are eaten: roots, leaves and fruits. Similar to its American counterpart, the berry fruit has approximately the same chemical and mineral composition, with minor changes: a slightly higher concentration of vitamin C, less essential oils and alkaloids.
The content of toxins in blueberry is very small, and food prepared from the plant does not have any restrictions due to the concentration of these substances. Phytolacca berry is widespread in its homeland and in Asian countries.In Russia, the berry variety is practically unknown to anyone, since few people eat it, confusing Phytolacca berry with the American one.
Rules for procurement of raw materials
The roots and flowers of the plant, as well as its leaves, are used for medicinal purposes. However, this is done in cases where there is very little plant material. It is the roots of American lacquer, which have the maximum concentration of biologically active substances, that are predominantly harvested. The berries, like their juice, have a minimal concentration of active substances and are considered the safest for internal use.
Closer to the ripening of fruits, the concentration of toxins in the plant increases, so the collection of material should be carried out with the utmost care.
If the root is deep red or has a reddish tint, it should not be used. Harvested roots for medical purposes must be exclusively yellow.
The material has been collected since September. The criterion for starting the harvest is the ripening of the lacquer berries. After collection, the root should be dried. Drying is carried out for several hours in an oven at a temperature of about + 50 ° C.
Store dried parts of the plant in fabric bags in a dry and ventilated area. Shelf life is about 1 year.
Application of Laconia berry
In the tropics, where the climate allows the plant to grow to enormous sizes (this refers to the coverage of the “crown” of the berry phytolacca and the thickness of its leaves and stems, and not at all its height), it is cultivated as a vegetable plant: the stems are used in the same way as the stems of the laccone plant American - as a substitute for asparagus. However, unlike the latter, they can be consumed throughout the growing season and even after the fruits ripen.
If the shoots of Phytolacca berry require heat treatment, then this does not need to be done with the leaves: they are used as a salad filler.
The berries are usually used to make juice, which is used as a component of some drinks.
The medicinal properties of phytolacca berry are weakly expressed; it is mainly a symptomatic treatment of colds and inflammations.
What diseases does the American lacquer plant help with?
American Lakonos helps with the following diseases:
- arthritis, arthrosis, joint pain;
- inflammation of the upper respiratory tract: sore throat, laryngitis, tonsillitis;
- rheumatism;
- hypertension;
- skin diseases;
- ulcer;
- inflammation of the genitourinary system;
- stomatitis;
- radiculitis.
There is also a good antiparasitic and antibacterial effect of drugs from the plant. The root of the plant works well in the prevention of various external inflammations, as well as for the localization and partial relief of pain.
The use of American lacquer in folk medicine: recipes
Phytolacca has many medicinal properties that are used for seemingly completely unrelated body systems. However, the rich chemical composition of the plant makes it a truly universal remedy.
Next, the medicinal properties of the American lacquer plant are discussed and popular recipes for certain cases are given.
Tincture of roots and leaves
A tincture of roots and leaves is used mainly for joint diseases: arthritis, arthrosis, radiculitis, and long-lasting pain.
To prepare the tincture you will need fresh leaves and roots. The use of dried ingredients in the preparation of such a product is undesirable.
50 g of finely chopped leaves and roots of the plant are poured with 100 ml of vodka or ethyl alcohol with water. The container with the tincture is placed in a dark place at room temperature for 2 weeks.
After the product has infused, it is used to rub painful areas in the joint areas or compresses are made with it. The holding time of the compress should not exceed 1 hour.
Root tincture
Tincture from the roots is used for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the upper respiratory tract:
- ARVI, acute respiratory infections;
- tonsillitis;
- laryngitis;
- tonsillitis.
To prepare the tincture you will need:
- 10 g root;
- 50 ml alcohol;
- 125 ml water (or about 100-150 ml vodka).
The roots should be filled with alcohol or vodka, sealed tightly and placed in a cool, dark place for 15 days. Once every 4-5 days it is necessary to mix or shake the composition.
Apply the product once a day in the middle of the day after meals. The course lasts 2 weeks. At one time, it is allowed to use no more than 15 drops of tincture on the roots.
Root decoction
The decoction is used in cases of hypersensitivity to American laced plant and can be used for the previously described methods of therapy.
Preparation of the decoction: 5 g of American laced plant roots are poured with boiling water and infused for 30-60 minutes.Use it no more than 5 ml per day orally and monitor the body’s reaction. If everything is normal, the dose is increased to 10 ml daily. Its external use in joint areas is allowed.
Root powder
The powder can be used to create decoctions and tinctures of milkweed, while the amount required to create a particular product is taken 30-50% less than the dried root or 5-10 times less than the freshly collected one. Otherwise, the cooking recipe remains unchanged.
In addition, powder from the roots of the American plant is used to treat skin diseases: from rashes and irritations to benign tumors.
In some cases, the powder from the roots is subjected to additional heat treatment, usually frying. The resulting highly dried and heat-treated powder is used to create tinctures for blood cleansing.
Liquid extract
A liquid extract from the roots and stems of American lacedaria is used to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, in particular, to treat constipation. It is difficult to prepare it at home, but it is included in some products that help in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
Use of Phytolacca americana in homeopathy
If the use of a plant in traditional medicine may be associated with a certain risk due to the high concentration of harmless alkaloids in its parts, then the homeopathic use of American laced plant is completely harmless. In such preparations the concentration of substances dangerous to human life is negligible.
Phytolacca Americana is used in homeopathy for the following indications:
- ARVI, influenza;
- inflammation of the oral cavity;
- inflammation of the lymphatic system;
- for women's diseases.
Naturally, it is impossible to independently prepare homeopathic medicines at home, so it is better not to practice such treatment regimens on your own.
Contraindications
American Lakonos has quite extensive contraindications:
- pregnancy;
- lactation period;
- acute forms of gastrointestinal diseases;
- complicated forms of heart disease.
The only contraindication for Laconia berry can be individual intolerance. However, Phytolacca berry is also prohibited for use by children under 12 years of age.
Conclusion
American lacconaceous is an ornamental and medicinal perennial with a wide range of uses. It can be used in the form of various decoctions and tinctures to treat a wide range of diseases: from colds to diseases of the cardiovascular system and tumors. Its use should be carried out in small doses and very carefully, since the substances contained in the root of the plant and its other parts are potentially dangerous to humans. Phytolacca berry, unlike the American one, is not a poisonous plant and is used in cooking.
