Content
Laminaria is a plant full of contradictions. On the one hand, it is a weed that reduces the yield of grain and vegetable crops. On the other hand, it is a raw material for the preparation of natural medicines. In addition, the plant is used in landscape design as a ground cover plant with a pleasant honey aroma.
Description and characteristics
Lamium amplexicaule is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is easily recognized by its rounded, kidney-shaped leaves with jagged edges and miniature buds collected in their axils. The photo shows the unusual shape of pink clamy flowers: the tubular corolla ends in two lips, the lower of which is longer than the upper.
The stem-sweetweed prefers nutritious and well-moistened soil.
The tetrahedral, pubescent stems of the plant extend from a single base and reach a length of 40 cm. At the same time, the height of the green cover of the stem-encompassing plant rarely exceeds 30 cm. Its extraordinary vitality is ensured by a branched tap root that goes deep into the ground.
The most active plant growing is on light and fertile soils that do not experience moisture deficiency. A warm climate is ideal for it. In areas without winter cold, the plant can bloom all year round. In the middle zone, this process lasts from mid-spring to the end of summer.
Each flower leaves behind a triangular nut measuring about 2 mm. The stem-bearing claret reproduces very quickly, since each specimen produces an average of 200 seeds. They easily germinate at a depth not exceeding 2 cm. To do this, they require temperatures above 20 °C. If the ground becomes colder (15 °C), germination of the seeds of the stem-bearing plant will be impossible. Sprouts that appear in the fall can survive the winter.
Where does it grow
Today, the stem-encompassing plant can be found almost everywhere. Unless the northern part of Siberia and Africa turned out to be unsuitable for its growth. Most of all she prefers forest and forest-steppe zones. The plant can often be seen growing in meadows, forest edges, along roads and near buildings. In fields and gardens, it usually acts as a weed that interferes with the normal development of crops.
As can be seen in the photo, the stem-embracing flower is not a particularly attractive plant in appearance. However, sometimes it is used to create a living carpet on the site. To a greater extent, gardeners are attracted by the honey smell and beneficial properties of claspberry.
Lamia coli is not highly decorative, but is known for its honey aroma
Useful properties and applications
In the past, the Slavs used various types of jasmine for food. It contains a large dose of vitamin C and carotene. It tastes like spinach, so it can easily become a component of salads. This is especially useful in the spring, when the body is acutely lacking vitamins.
In the process of studying the stem-encompassing clasp, the following valuable components were discovered in its composition:
- Tannins - eliminate inflammation of the skin and have an astringent effect.
- Plant mucus - produces an expectorant effect.
- Flavonoids - provide a hypotensive effect and strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
In some countries, jasmine has found its use as a component of healing ointments. It is also added to dietary supplements designed to strengthen the body. Today, the positive and negative properties of the plant are under research. It is known for sure that it does not contain toxic compounds.
In folk medicine it is used for the following problems:
- bronchitis;
- cold;
- angina;
- jaundice;
- malaria;
- asthma;
- haemorrhoids;
- neurosis;
- damage to the skin and mucous membranes;
- inflammation of the urinary system.
Stem-embracing lily has several contraindications. People suffering from chronic hypotension and increased blood clotting should under no circumstances use it for treatment. The same applies to pregnant women.
Treatment options
In folk medicine, there are several ways to use the stem-encompassing plant:
- Tea. The flowers of the plant are used to prepare it, since most of the nutrients are concentrated in them. A cup of healing tea is prepared from a spoon of the plant. It is recommended to drink no more than 3 times a day to saturate the body with vitamins.Drinking a mug of this tea at night helps you sleep. It is good to make a mixture with yarrow flowers.
- Decoction. A spoonful of flowers and leaves is poured with 200 ml of boiling water and placed in a water bath for a quarter of an hour. Take half a glass 3 times a day for a severe cough, sore throat or cold.
- Alcohol tincture. A spoonful of dried plant flowers is poured with 300 ml of vodka. Leave for 7 days, shaking regularly. The recommended dose is 30 drops in 3 approaches per day. Helps with inflammation of the genitourinary system.
- Bath. A spoonful of dried flowers and leaves is poured into 1.5 liters of boiling water and left in a thermos for about 30 minutes. After this, pour the infusion into the bath. With a daily procedure, improvements in the condition of the skin occur within a week.
What crops can it contaminate?
The common stemweed infests both grain and row crops. It often causes problems for gardeners and gardeners. Significant damage to yields occurs only with mass distribution.
Laminaria can be a weed, ornamental and medicinal plant
It is controlled by mowing before seeding. For planting winter crops, spring harrowing is carried out for protective purposes. Soil herbicides show good effectiveness.
Conclusion
Sweet stemwort is a weed that can be used for health benefits. The plant is unpretentious, therefore, leaving it on the site, you can safely count on receiving high-quality raw materials for preparing a medicinal decoction or infusion. The main thing is to prevent its uncontrolled reproduction in the garden or among garden crops.
