Content
River grass is a perennial plant of the Rosaceae family. The main accumulation of the species is observed in the Far East, Siberia, less often in the North Caucasus and in the European part. The plant has medicinal properties, so it is used in folk medicine and cooking.
Description of river gravity
River gravilate is a herbaceous plant with a thick superficial creeping rhizome. The height of the crop reaches 80 cm. Gravilat grows in dense groups. Propagated by seeds and root shoots.
Description of river gravity:
- The stems are thin, erect, often simple, less often with slight branching in the upper part. The surface is dark red or burgundy, densely pubescent.
- The basal leaves are located at an acute angle relative to the stem. Attached to long petioles, divided into 3 oblong lobes. The leaf blade is finely pubescent, light green, with serrated edges. Stem leaves are solitary, alternately arranged, sessile, deeply dissected with small oval stipules.
- The flowers are bell-shaped, up to 2 cm in diameter, bisexual, drooping.Arranged on long peduncles singly or in groups of 3-5. The calyx is brown, the petals are wide, rounded at the top, cream with burgundy veins.
- The stamens are long, hairy, and burgundy. The pistils form an oval head. The receptacle consists of dense green tissue.
- The fruit is a red achene equipped with a hook, with which it is attached to animals or human clothing. This way the plant spreads over long distances.
The fruits ripen at the end of August.
River gravilate blooms in early June, cycle duration is 3 weeks.
Where and how does it grow
The main distribution of the species is noted in the Far East and Siberia. In the European part and the North Caucasus, the plant is found, but less frequently. Grows on moist fertile soils with a slightly acidic reaction. Forms small groups; single specimens are rare. It settles near water bodies, in wetlands, among bushes, on forest edges, and in places with close groundwater.
River gravilate is a medicinal plant, it is also used in cooking. Belongs to an endangered species. Negative factors affecting the population are:
- early mowing;
- collection of raw materials for medicinal purposes;
- poor seed germination;
- drying out of the soil;
- expansion of areas for grazing.
Composition and value of the plant
The chemical composition of river gravilate is varied. All parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. The green mass contains:
- ascorbic acid;
- vitamins A, group B;
- tannins.
Useful elements in the root system of river gravilate:
- flavonoids;
- tanning components;
- alkaloids;
- organic and phenolcarboxylic acids;
- many micro- and macroelements;
- proteins, carbohydrates.
River gravilate seeds have a high content of fatty oils.
The plant has found wide use in alternative medicine, it is used externally or orally. They make infusions and decoctions. Used in cooking and industry.
The plant has a number of valuable actions for the body:
- antiseptic;
- sweatshop;
- diuretic;
- hemostatic;
- regenerating;
- astringent;
- sedative;
- painkillers.
The healing properties of river gravilate
In traditional medicine, the plant is not used for therapeutic purposes. It is included only in folk recipes. Indications for taking river gravilate:
- avitaminosis;
- chronic fatigue syndrome;
- as a detoxifier for poisoning, snake or insect bites;
- hemorrhoidal bleeding;
- heavy and long menstrual cycle;
- uterine bleeding.
River gravilate normalizes the platelet count in the blood. Improves sleep quality, relieves irritability and anxiety. Relieves headaches. Effective against diarrhea. It is used to treat long-term non-healing purulent wounds. Helps with skin diseases: psoriasis, streptoderma, relieves itching and swelling.
Features of application
River gravity is used not only in folk recipes, but also in the food and chemical industries. The plant is included in the diet of animals and used in cooking.
The root is used to prepare products; its chemical composition is more diverse.
In folk medicine
In alternative medicine, alcohol and water tinctures and decoctions are made from river gravilate. Used for oral administration (as lotions or compresses). People use the plant to treat:
- gastritis;
- salmonellosis;
- dysentery;
- colitis;
- cystitis;
- nephritis;
Decoctions have antipyretic and expectorant effects. Effective for bronchitis, pneumonia, fever.
An infusion of the root is used to gargle for sore throats, to make baths for arthritis, and for any joint or muscle pain. The product relieves inflammatory processes. The root, crushed to a powder, is sprinkled on purulent wounds. Due to its tanning and antibacterial properties, the plant is used as a mouth rinse for stomatitis or bleeding gums.
Baths based on river gravitate taken at night have a relaxing effect. The plant relaxes muscles, relieves fatigue, and has a calming effect on the nervous system.
In cooking
Fresh leaves are used in cooking. They are included in vegetable salads and added to first courses as greens. The leaves of the plant give the dish a slightly tart, astringent taste. Dried river gravilate root is crushed and used as a seasoning. The smell of the mass is subtle, bright, vaguely reminiscent of cinnamon or cloves. It is added to meat dishes, homemade kvass, and alcohol liqueurs. Used for baking muffins and added to pies filling.
In other areas
River gravilate root is used in brewing and liqueur production as a flavoring agent. The root colors drinks dark red.Dyes for the textile and leather industries are also obtained from the plant.
It is used in the processing of raw leather as a tannin. The above-ground mass is included in silage feed for cattle and in feed mixtures for sheep and goats.
During flowering, river gravilate is a supplier of raw materials for bees. One flower of the plant produces about 10 mg of nectar per day, so the crop is classified as a valuable honey plant. From 1 hectare of continuous planting, insects can produce up to 90 kg of honey.
Gravilat has an insecticidal effect and repels garden pests from the area. The plant is planted near vegetable and flowering crops.
Based on river gravilate, breeding varieties have been created for the design of gardens and personal plots; the most common variety is Leonarde Var. The tall plant is used in ornamental gardening in single plantings, included in mixborders, and used to decorate the banks of artificial reservoirs.
The cultivated variety Gravilata is represented by orange, red, pink and yellow flowers, semi-double.
Collection and procurement of raw materials
For gastronomic purposes, the leaves of the plant are collected before the budding period. To avoid disrupting photosynthesis, cut off no more than 1/3 of the shoots. For medicinal purposes, the above-ground mass is collected before flowering. To maintain the population, stems with fewer buds are cut off.
The green mass is collected in small bunches and hung in the shade in a well-ventilated area or indoors. You can cut the gravilat into pieces and spread it out in a thin layer to dry, turning it over periodically so that the bottom raw material is on top.
The roots are dug in early spring or after flowering. They are washed well, allowed to dry and cut into pieces.Can be dried at a temperature not exceeding +50 0C. A simpler method is also used. To do this, the parts are strung on a thick thread and hung in a ventilated area.
Store raw materials for no more than a year in a canvas or paper bag. If the root is well dried, it can be ground to a powder and stored in a spice container.
Contraindications and restrictions
River gravity has medicinal properties, but before using it, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications. Use the plant with caution in the following cases:
- with hemophilia (increased blood clotting);
- when blood vessels are damaged by thrombosis;
- with arterial hypotension;
- with dysbacteriosis with constipation;
- during pregnancy. The use of Gravilat is contraindicated during lactation.
River gravilate should not be used by people with an allergic reaction to any of the components of the plant.
Conclusion
River gravilate is a rhizomatous perennial plant with medicinal properties. It is used in alternative medicine to treat the genitourinary system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, muscle and joint diseases. Has sedative properties. Used in cooking, goes to animal feed. The plant is classified as a honey plant. River gravilat is an endangered species listed in the Red Book.
