This is a very beautiful plant. Depending on the lighting, its delicate, blue bells imperceptibly change their shade, and in cloudy weather and in the evening, the flowers are not visible at all – they are completely closed.
Common sedge is a herbaceous perennial 15-50 cm tall. The stem of the plant is bare, with blunt edges, erect or ascending, often unbranched, covered with leaves. The leaves are linear or linear-lanceolate, 3-7 cm long and 2-6 mm wide, fused at the base, with curved edges. The flowers are deep blue or purple, violet-lilac (the color depends on the lighting), located in the axils of the middle and upper leaves and at the top of the stem. Rarely, their corolla is white or reddish. The flower is more complex than that of bells. The plant blooms from July to September. The fruit is an oblong-lanceolate box. In Ukraine, it grows throughout the territory, except for the Crimea. In the European part of Russia, it does not happen too often and needs protection, in Siberia – more often, but even there excessive harvesting for medicinal purposes has damaged the plant population. That is why common tyrlich was introduced into culture and is grown on special plantations. In natural conditions, it can be found in meadows, forest edges and forest glades. Amateur gardeners know this plant as one of the most important components of rock gardens and other flower arrangements.
For the preparation of medicinal products, the roots of cypress are used, which are harvested in early spring or autumn. On plantations, they are dug in the fifth-sixth year of the plant’s life, and in natural conditions – not earlier than the fourth. The roots are shaken off the ground, the stems are cut off, quickly washed in cold water, cut into pieces up to 15 cm long (sometimes split lengthwise) and dried for a short time in the sun or in a special dryer at a temperature of 55-60 °C. With prolonged drying, the roots lose their healing properties. Store the finished raw materials in a cool, dry room. The storage period is 5 years.
Buckthorn roots contain bitter glycosides, alkaloids, sugars – gentianose and gentsiobiosis, fatty oil, resinous and pectin substances, as well as ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
The preparations of the plant stimulate the appetite, stimulate the secretion of digestive glands, have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. They contribute to the formation and secretion of bile, increase heart contractions. St. John’s wort products are taken for indigestion accompanied by lack of appetite, achilles, as well as for anemia and diathesis (jaundice). Decoctions and infusions of the roots of the plant are often prescribed as a tonic, in particular to patients in the rehabilitation period after serious illnesses.
In traditional medicine, the products of tyrlich are also used as a tonic, to stimulate the activity of the liver and gall bladder, in case of jaundice, catarrh of the stomach, flatulence and constipation, diseases of the spleen, scurvy and arthritis. Antipyretic properties of the plant are also used for colds and respiratory diseases. It is believed that the use of tyrlich infusions contributes to longevity. Externally, a decoction of the roots is used to wash the feet when sweating, and powder from them is sprinkled on wounds and ulcers.
Decoction of roots. 1 tablespoon of raw material per 200 ml of boiling water. Boil for 10 minutes, filter. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day half an hour before meals. To improve appetite and digestion.
Infusion of roots. 1/2 teaspoon of raw material is infused for 8 hours. in cold boiled water, filter. Take 1/2 cup 3-4 times a day for 30-40 minutes. before eating
Decoction (external). 5 tablespoons of a mixture of the roots of common cypress and the bark of common oak (in a ratio of 1:3) per 1 liter of boiling water. Used for foot baths with sweaty feet.
An overdose of tyrlich products can worsen the patient’s condition, cause vomiting and digestive disorders.
Achillia is a temporary or permanent absence of hydrochloric acid and the enzyme pepsin in the gastric juice.