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Elecampane Christovo Oko (Elecampane ocelli) is a small herbaceous perennial plant with bright yellow flowers. It is used in landscape design in group plantings and to create bright accents. Herb, leaves, inflorescences “Eye of Christ” (Inula oculus christi) are valuable raw materials for the preparation of medicinal tinctures.
Elecampane - medicinal and ornamental plant
Botanical description
“Eye of Christ” is a dicotyledonous herbaceous perennial from the genus Elecampane, family Asteraceae.
Characteristic:
- number of chromosomes – 16 pairs;
- stem – straight, herbaceous, with a glandular edge, slightly branched in the upper part;
- rhizome – rosette, 1-3 mm in diameter;
- leaves are oblong, lanceolate, with a pubescence, up to 2-8 cm long and 1-2 cm wide at the apex. At the bottom they stretch up to 12-14 cm and 1.5-3 cm in width;
- inflorescences - baskets, in the form of a thick shield;
- involucre petals yellow, flat-lanceolate;
- the fruit is an achene up to 3 mm long.
- the ovary is covered with fluff.
Elecampane blooms from June to August.
Distribution area
The “Eye of Christ” grows almost throughout Europe, from Greece and Italy to Germany and Poland, from Great Britain to the central part of the Russian Federation. It is also common in the Caucasus, the Middle and Near East, western Asia, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. In some regions of central Russia it is listed in the Red Book.
The natural habitat is steppes, rocky and overgrown with herbs and shrubs, hillsides and mountain foothills.
“Eye of Christ” feels good in areas with rocky soil; it does not need large amounts of nutrients
Medicinal properties of ocellated elecampane
Plants of the elecampane genus are widely used in folk medicine due to their high content:
- polysaccharides,
- gum;
- resins;
- alkaloids;
- vitamin C;
- flavonoids;
- alantopicrine;
- antiseptic substances;
- coumarins.
In folk medicine, the ground parts of the “Eye of Christ” are used. The roots and rhizomes are too thin to be collected en masse. This distinguishes the ocellated elecampane from other representatives of the same genus.
The infusion “Eye of Christ” is a powerful tonic. It is used to boost immunity after chronic infections and stress.
In Chinese medicine, elecampane is called a remedy for 99 diseases.
Use in folk medicine
“Eye of Christ” is used as a wound-healing and anti-inflammatory agent for treatment.
Used for the following conditions:
- diseases of the digestive system: stomach, duodenum, gall bladder, intestines;
- upper respiratory tract diseases: bronchitis, rhinitis, tracheitis, tonsillitis and ARVI;
- skin rashes;
- non-healing wounds;
- hemorrhoids (in the form of microenemas);
- ulcers and wounds in the mouth.
Elecampane tincture is used in gynecology to treat inflammation and normalize the menstrual cycle.
Crushed fresh above-ground parts of the plant are applied to wounds to stop bleeding and prevent infection.
Elecampane is used to treat protozoal infections: amoebiasis, toxoplasmosis, giardiasis and others, as well as against worms. However, for such infections, drugs from official medicine are more effective.
A decoction of flowers is used to relieve headaches, migraines, and eliminate vascular spasms. It is also used to normalize intestinal function.
Herbal tinctures and decoctions can only be used in combination with medications prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication leads to deterioration of health. Herbal preparations are not always effective against serious diseases.
Elecampane is a valuable honey plant; its honey has the same healing properties as decoctions of the plant.
Collection and procurement of raw materials
“Eye of Christ” leaves are collected in early spring, while the leaf blades are very young. In August and early autumn, flowers, leaves and stems are harvested. This can be done before the first frost. When collecting, do not allow fragments of other plants or debris to get into the preparation. The cut parts of the plant are tied into bushes or laid out in one layer on paper and dried for several days.
Preparing the decoction
To prepare the decoction, take fresh or dried above-ground parts of elecampane, chop it, pour boiling water over it and boil for 3-4 minutes. Then infuse for two hours.
Contraindications
Elecampane should not be used for diseases:
- urinary tract and kidneys;
- stomach and duodenum, accompanied by low acidity;
- female genital organs, accompanied by frequent and heavy bleeding;
- heart and blood vessels.
Also, “Eye of Christ” tinctures are contraindicated for people with high blood viscosity. They should not be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Conclusion
Elecampane Christ's eye is a valuable medicinal plant that helps with various diseases. All parts of the plant are used: leaves, flowers and stems. It can be used both internally and externally as a wound healing agent. The main thing is that to achieve the greatest effect, you must follow all the rules for preparing and taking the medicine.
