Content
Curly sorrel is widely used in traditional medicine recipes. Our ancestors also prepared medicinal compresses from it, which helped relieve inflammation. The root and leaves of the herb were regularly used as an antiparasitic agent. However, today the herbaceous plant can be found in many medicines. Due to their high efficiency, preparations based on sorrel are gaining immense popularity.
Various dietary supplements and medicinal teas are made based on the useful perennial. The main advantage of these products is the saving of time for preparation and the availability of instructions for use to achieve a therapeutic effect.
Description of the plant
The perennial plant has a taproot system. The stem of useful grass can reach a length of 50 to 120 cm. The perennial can grow in any climate, adapts well and develops in various conditions. Curly sorrel is native to Japan.
The leaves of curly sorrel are long, rod-shaped, and have a sour taste. In the first 2 years after planting, the plant forms a rosette, which is assembled from leaves, and closer to the 3rd year, the main stem thickens.
A plant of the buckwheat family, it has small inflorescences.The bunches are collected into neat brushes, creating a green-red panicle. The fruits are collected in a triangular achene shape. The plant begins to bloom in early June. The final harvest period is July. By this time, the leaves become rough and contain a large amount of acid, which, if used incorrectly, can be harmful to health.
The period of active flowering begins in mid-spring. The flowers are small, neatly collected in buds, green-brown in color.
The herbaceous perennial is one of the crops that loves abundant watering. Therefore, for a good harvest, it is important to provide the perennial with sufficient moisture. Sorrel is quite frost-resistant and is not afraid of sudden temperature changes.
Where does it grow
Curly sorrel grows in loams and soils with an average pH. At one place weed can grow for more than 4 years. Curly sorrel loves moisture, so it can often be seen in wetlands.
Useful properties and contraindications
The plant is quite popular in medicine. Not only home medicines, but also pharmaceuticals are prepared from curly sorrel. The root, stem and leaves are used for preparation.
The root contains a huge amount of ascorbic acid, which is responsible for the body's defenses. Curly sorrel is also rich in vitamins:
- K;
- B1;
- B2;
- PP.
The composition also contains polynuclear compounds, anthraglycosides, iron and tannins.
Useful properties of leaves:
- improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- have an astringent effect;
- accelerate wound healing;
- strengthen gums;
- used for scurvy.
The root has a rich composition of useful components:
- has a tonic effect;
- used as a sedative;
- increases the body's defenses;
- used as an antipyretic.
Due to the huge acid content, the herbaceous plant is not useful for everyone. Herbal infusions are not recommended for those with increased stomach acidity.
The use of curly sorrel is also contraindicated for people who have stomach ulcers. In any case, the use of medicinal herbs must be agreed with your doctor.
Application of curly sorrel
The plant has a pleasant taste, so young leaves are regularly used in cooking. Soups are made from greens, cold dishes are prepared in the form of okroshka or vitamin salads. Old leaves contain more acid, so they should be consumed with extreme caution.
The use of perennials does not end there. The herb is widely used not only in cooking, but also in recipes for folk and traditional medicine.
It is worth noting that curly sorrel root is used to treat gynecological diseases. Also, such decoctions are good for bleeding. Many doctors recommend drinking infusions with low hemoglobin.
Many women use vitamin infusions for chronic diseases of the genitourinary system.A decoction of the leaves can have a diuretic effect - it removes pathogenic bacteria from the body. Thanks to this, you can quickly recover from cystitis and urethritis. The perennial is widely popular for rheumatism and hemorrhoids. The remedy is often effective in treating the spleen and lymph nodes.
The most widely used infusion of the root is for the treatment of bronchial asthma and obstructive bronchitis. In addition, the herb of the buckwheat family is considered a very effective remedy for purulent processes in the ears and conjunctivitis.
Control measures
Curly sorrel is a weed and often causes great harm to planted crops. Often the weed is the source of a fungal disease, which is why it has curly leaves. To avoid damage to other crops, agrotechnical and chemical methods of controlling curly sorrel are used.
Agrotechnical methods:
- when planting crops, use seed pre-treated against pests;
- adhere to crop rotation;
- perform 2-time soil treatment with fertilizing;
- regularly clear the area of weeds;
- In the initial stage of plant growth, perform deep root pruning.
Chemical methods include treatment with a special preparation “Iskra DE”.
Conclusion
Curly sorrel has long been recognized in official medicine as a tonic, hemostatic and disinfectant. It is widely used in the treatment of a huge list of diseases. Thanks to infusions from a useful herbal plant, you can cure gynecological diseases, improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and increase the body's defenses.
