Content
Astragalus glycyphyllos is a perennial herbaceous plant that is one of the representatives of the Legume family. Its value is that it has healing properties and helps in the treatment of many diseases. But for the plant to be truly useful, it must be used correctly and existing contraindications must be taken into account.
Astragalus licorice has a characteristic odor and bitter taste.
What it looks like and where it grows
Astragalus licorice, as seen in the photo, is a herbaceous plant with a recumbent shoot, the length of which reaches 1-1.5 m. Their surface is slightly pubescent. At the bottom it branches.
The leaves of Astragalus licoricefolia consist of a pair of stipules with a sharp tip. They can be green or have a yellow tint. The plant's plates are complex; they contain 4-7 pairs of individual oval-oblong segments. Their length varies between 1.8-4 cm, and their width is no more than 2 cm. They are attached to one common petiole about 20 cm long.The surface of the plates of Astragalus licorice is bare on top, and on the reverse side there is a sparse short edge.
Peduncles appear from the axils of the leaves, on which several inflorescences are subsequently formed, consisting of moth-type flowers, which is characteristic of all representatives of the Legume family. The corolla has a greenish-yellow tint. The sail reaches a length of no more than 15 mm. It is connected to the nail up to 4 mm. The boat of the flower grows no more than 11.5 mm, it has a plate with a pronounced hump and is equal in size to a marigold, or may be slightly shorter.
The bracts of Astragalus licorice-leaved are white-membranous and have awl-shaped teeth. They are practically inseparable from the corolla. In the center of each flower is a finely fibrous or bare ovary, which is located on a short style.
The fruits of Astragalus licorice are simple beans that stick out in bunches upward. They have a crescent shape. Inside there are numerous brownish seeds, which are located on a white bed with slight pubescence.
The flowering period of Astragalus licorice begins in June and continues until August. And fruit ripening occurs in September-October. Astragalus licorice is propagated by seeds.
Another name for Astragalus licorice-leaved is Bogorodskaya grass.
This perennial prefers sandy and loamy soils rich in humus with a neutral acidity level. Astragalus licorice is a shade-loving plant, so it can be found under the canopy of trees and shrubs, where the soil is usually always slightly moist.It can also be found in meadows, in floodplains, in pine forests and on the edge of an oak forest.
Places of distribution:
- All regions of Russia, except for the Karelo-Murmansk and Dvinsko-Pechora districts.
- Ukraine.
- Belarus.
- Moldova.
- Caucasus.
In the world it is found in the countries of Western Europe and Asia Minor.
Chemical composition
Astragalus licorice contains a large number of beneficial substances for human health. Its chemical composition is very diverse, which allows the aerial part to be used for medicinal purposes.
Astragalus licorice contains the following components:
- vitamins B, C;
- flavonoids;
- saponins;
- organic acids;
- alkaloids;
- tannins;
- polysaccharides;
- micro- and macroelements;
- routine;
- essential oils.
This combination of beneficial substances makes it possible to use the plant to treat many diseases and maintain the vitality of the body.
The plant increases insulin sensitivity
Medicinal properties of Astragalus licorice
The healing properties of Astragalus licorice are widely used in folk medicine. The plant helps strengthen human immunity. Also, its use allows you to activate your own defenses, which significantly speeds up recovery.
The main healing properties of this plant:
- has an antiviral effect;
- slows down the growth of malignant tumors;
- improves sputum discharge;
- strengthens the immune system;
- normalizes metabolic processes;
- helps remove toxins from the body;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- has a birth-stimulating effect, accelerates the separation of the placenta.
It is known that astragalus licorice has a calming effect on the central system, so it is widely used for various neuroses.
The plant is recommended for the following health problems:
- hypertension;
- ischemic disease;
- initial stage of heart failure;
- atherosclerosis;
- pyelonephritis;
- cystitis;
- urolithiasis disease;
- venereal diseases;
- epilepsy;
- flatulence;
- leucorrhoea;
- gastroenteritis.
The culture can be used for douching in the treatment of inflammatory processes in the female reproductive organs.
Use in folk medicine
The plant is widely used in folk medicine. Based on Astragalus licorice, decoctions, infusions, teas and tinctures are prepared, which can be used internally and externally.
Cooking recipes:
- Infusion. This remedy should be prepared overnight so that it can be taken in the morning. To prepare, you need to pour 50 g of astragalus raw material into a thermos and pour 500 ml of boiling water. Leave for 10 hours, then peel. Take 2 sips three times a day. The course of therapy is 14 days. The infusion is recommended for disorders of the digestive system, as a general tonic, and for female diseases.
- Decoction. To prepare the product, you need to pour 20 g of astragalus licorice leaf into 250 ml of water and boil for 30 minutes using a water bath. Then cool and bring the total volume of liquid to the original volume, clean. The decoction is recommended for rinsing the mouth for stomatitis, in the form of a compress for the treatment of skin diseases, as well as douching. The duration of therapy is 14 days.
- Tincture. Pour the dried parts of Astragalus licorice into a glass container and add vodka in a ratio of 1 to 3. Leave the mixture in the dark for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally. At the end of the waiting period, clean. Take 10-30 drops before meals daily, after dissolving in 100 ml of water. The course of treatment is 10 days, and then take a break for a week. The tincture is recommended for atherosclerosis and arrhythmia.
- Cool tea. Brew 30 g of medicinal raw material Astragalus licorice in 300 ml of boiling water, cool until warm. Drink 100 ml three times a day. You can add honey to improve the taste. Tea is recommended for relieving swelling and strengthening the immune system. Treatment should be carried out once, if necessary.
Contraindications
Despite the beneficial properties of Astragalus licorice, in some cases it can be harmful to health.
Main contraindications:
- pregnancy;
- age up to 14 years;
- serious disruption of the heart muscle;
- individual intolerance to the component.
Folk remedies based on Astragalus licorice should be used with caution for diabetes mellitus. Therefore, you should initially start with small doses and only gradually increase to the standard dose. If you feel worse, use should be discontinued.
Collection and preparation
For medicinal purposes, shoots and leaves of Astragalus licorice are used. The collection of medicinal raw materials must be carried out in June-July, during the period of active vegetation and flowering before the formation of fruits. Shoots should be cut at a height of 5-7 cm from the ground.
After this, the raw materials must be dried in a dry, dark place, excluding direct sunlight.To preserve the number of Astragalus licorice when harvesting, it is necessary to leave several specimens for seed ripening. Also, for these purposes, it is impossible to procure raw materials in the same place every year.
The dried Astragalus licorice herb should be crushed and stored in a closed glass container or in linen bags. Shelf life – 2 years.
Conclusion
Astragalus licorice is a valuable medicinal plant, which, if the rules of use and procurement of raw materials are followed, can bring health benefits. This culture is not yet in demand in traditional medicine, since its properties have not been fully studied. It is also grown in many countries as a pasture plant that is used as animal feed.
