Content
Canadian small petal (erigeron canadensis) is essentially a weed species that is very difficult to get rid of. It grows not only in the fields, but also in the gardens and gardens of private landowners around the world. Despite the fact that it is a vicious weed, it is valued for its beneficial and medicinal properties.
What it looks like and where it grows
Canadian small petal belongs to herbaceous plants of the Asteraceae or Asteraceae family. This is a fairly common weed crop. It is found everywhere not only in fields and summer cottages, but also along roadsides.
Appearance of small petals
It has a powerful root in the form of a rod, from which a small number of branches extend. The height of the Canadian small petal ranges from 15 to 150 cm. If conditions are favorable, it grows up to 2 m.
The stem of the plant is straight at the bottom and branched at the top.There is dense and hard pubescence along the entire ribbed surface.
The leaf blades of the Canadian small petal are linear-lanceolate, arranged alternately, have no stipules, and differ in shape and location. The upper part of the plant is sessile with solid edges. Those leaves that are located below are located on short petioles, they are long, with a sharp tip.
Ripe fluffy seeds scatter around the entire perimeter of the site
Features of flowering
Judging by the photo and description, the Canadian small petal does not look elegant during flowering. On tall peduncles, panicles or brushes from numerous baskets with white petals bloom. There are decorative species with yellow, white, lilac, burgundy, and pink buds.
Flowering of the Canadian small petal is long - from July to September
In place of each bud, an achene resembling a cylinder is formed. Each of them has the ability to fly. That is why small grayish or yellowish grains spread over long distances, which contributes to the rapid proliferation of erigeron.
During flowering, a huge number of insects gather around the plants. There are especially many bees, wasps, and bumblebees, since the Canadian small petal is an excellent honey plant.
Places of growth
As the name suggests, the small petal weed is native to Canada. The plant came to Europe in the 17th century, when transport links between states began. Then the weed invaded almost all countries of the world, growing even in Australia. It is not found only in the Far North.
Canadian small petal is an unpretentious plant that does not require special growing conditions. It can grow on any soil, even unsuitable for agricultural production.
Canadian small petal, a cosmopolitan weed, continues to conquer new territories
Other plant names
As a rule, widespread plants have different names depending on where they grow. The most common among them are:
- kidney grass;
- cooler;
- rogue;
- Canadian conise;
- Canadian grain;
- flea death;
- shut up (in Ukraine).
Chemical composition
All aerial parts of the Canadian small petal contain from 0.33 to 1.72% essential oils. That is why the scammer has a lemon aroma. But erigeron is famous not only for its oils. The plant is rich in:
- flavonoids;
- saponins;
- alkaloids;
- tannins;
- choline;
- vitamin C;
- limonene;
- terpineol;
- dipentene;
- aldehydes;
- resins;
- bioflavonoids;
- gallic acid;
- various mineral salts.
Thanks to this composition, Canadian small petal (erigeron canadensis) has beneficial and medicinal properties.
Medicinal properties of the Canadian small petal herb
Erigeron is not only a weed, it has long been used to treat many diseases. The beneficial properties have been studied by generations of people. Traditional healers and homeopaths prepare medicines based on the aerial parts of erigeron.
Beneficial properties of Canadian small petal:
- astringent;
- hemostatic;
- antidysenteric;
- anti-inflammatory;
- fixing.
Canadian small petal is used to cleanse blood vessels and normalize the activity of the genitourinary system.
As a preventive measure, the remedy is useful:
- for joint and rheumatoid pain;
- for arthrosis and arthritis;
- for gout and cystitis;
- for prostatitis and suppuration.
Erigeron flowers are widely used in cosmetology, for example, to strengthen hair.
The use of Canadian small petal in folk medicine
As already noted, official medicine does not use the Canadian weed for the manufacture of medicines. But the beneficial properties have been studied for centuries, so folk healers advise using the Canadian small petal for the prevention and treatment of many diseases.
As for homeopaths, in their practice they use Erigeron Canadensis tincture, which is prepared from fresh parts of the plant. They are collected during flowering.
For rheumatism
Tincture of small petal canadian is used to cure gout, rheumatism, and various types of arthrosis.
You can use dry grass for this. An infusion is prepared using 20 g of the substance and 1 liter of boiling water. After 10 minutes, you can take ¼ tbsp. before meals 2 times a day.
Arthritis and rheumatism can be treated with alcohol tincture, which is sold in pharmacies. In addition to the Canadian petal, it also contains meadowsweet and boldo. Take 3 times a day after meals.
The leaves of the boldo bush (boldo) contain a large amount of essential oils
For a hangover
A large amount of alcohol consumed always leads to poisoning of the body. You can clean it with erigeron. There are several recipes that help with hangover syndrome.
First option
Combine equal parts of Canadian petal, goldenrod, and meadowsweet in one cup (you should get 1 tablespoon of dry herb in total). Pour 1 tbsp. boiling water, leave for a quarter of an hour. To cleanse the body, you need to drink 2 cups of infusion per day.
It is not recommended to boil any herb so that the beneficial properties do not disappear
Second option
To cleanse the body of alcoholic beverages, you need to take small petal (Conyza Canadensis) (flowers), St. John's wort, sage, and horse sorrel seeds. Mix everything well. For infusion you will need 2 tbsp. l. mixtures. Pour 0.5 liters of boiling water over them and place in a water bath for 2 minutes. After the infusion has cooled (after half an hour), you need to filter it and drink 50 g of the resulting liquid.
St. John's wort accelerates the body's release from alcohol and poisoning
To strengthen hair
To strengthen the hair roots, the dry herb of Canadian small petal is excellent. To prepare the infusion, take 50 g of raw material and pour in 1 liter of boiling water. Then put on low heat for a quarter of an hour. In order for the beneficial substances to completely transfer into the infusion, it is kept for about 3 hours.
After filtering with nutritious water, rinse clean hair and leave without drying until dry. The cycle of using a decoction of Canadian small petal to strengthen hair lasts 14-21 days.
By adding rose or lemon essential oil to the rinse, you can enhance the treatment effect.
For toothache
No one enjoys toothache. Experts recommend getting rid of it as quickly as possible. If you can’t see a doctor right away, you can prepare a poultice yourself.Pour hot water over fresh or dry small petals and let it brew. After 2 minutes, moisten the swab and place it on the sore spot. Hold it until the pain subsides.
For endometriosis
Endometriosis is a serious women's disease. Using a decoction of erigeron will help get rid of pain if it is not associated with menstruation. To improve the effect, a decoction is prepared from several herbs, which together anesthetize, relieve inflammation and spasm.
Option #1
For preparation you will need the herbs of Canadian small petal, yarrow, lavender, calendula and wormwood. They are taken in equal parts and mixed.
For infusion you need 4 tbsp. l. mixture of herbs and 1 liter of boiling water. Leave for 1 hour. Then filter through gauze folded in several layers. The course lasts 3 weeks. Drink 50 ml 3 times a day half an hour before meals.
Option No. 2
According to this recipe, to combat endometriosis you will need small petal flowers, lavender, meadowsweet, calendula, yarrow, and the apical part of wormwood. The herbs are mixed. Brew 4 tbsp in 500 ml of water. l. raw materials and leave for 2 hours. After filtering, consume 200 ml 2 times a day. The course of treatment is 3 weeks.
Calendula, lavender and yarrow can be grown in the garden
For gout
Gout is a rather unpleasant disease that you want to get rid of as soon as possible. For treatment, dry grass of the Canadian small petal is used. 20 g of raw material is poured into 500 ml of boiling water, covered with a towel and left for 10 minutes. Drink 50 ml of infusion 2 times a day before meals for 21 days.
Medicine from small petals for gout should be stored in the refrigerator
For cystitis and urethritis
To get rid of diseases of the genitourinary system, you need to mix equal parts of Canadian small petal, hibiscus calyxes, goldenrod, and birch leaves. In 1 tbsp. boiling water add 1 tbsp. l. mixtures. Leave for half an hour. Drink 3 glasses of herbal liquid per day.
Contraindications
Canadian small petal, unlike many medicinal plants, has no contraindications. But practicing healers will never offer a decoction or infusion from the plant to pregnant or lactating women or small children. You need to remember this so as not to cause harm to your health.
Collection and preparation
All parts of the above-ground parts of the plant have beneficial properties: stems, leaves, inflorescences. The procurement of raw materials is planned when the Canadian small petal begins to bloom. Collection can begin in July and continue until September.
You need to cut off the top part of the Canadian petal. The length of the stem should be about 15 cm. After harvesting, separate the flowers and dry them separately. Lay them out in one layer on paper or canvas to dry. Tie the rough parts of the plant into bunches and hang them in a room where the sun's rays do not reach.
To store dry raw materials of Canadian small petal, you can use paper bags and cardboard boxes. They should be kept in a dark room with good air circulation for about 1 year.
Conclusion
Canadian small petal can be found everywhere. This weed causes a lot of trouble. But at the same time it is a very useful plant that helps get rid of various diseases.
