Plantain chastuha (Alisma plantago-aquatica L.)
Chastukha plantain is a perennial herbaceous plant representing the Chastukhov family (Alismataceae). Other names: water shilnik, podshilnik, swamp grass
Description:
Perennial herbaceous plant with a large vertical rhizome, with basal, ovate or elliptical leaves in outline, entire and pointed at the apex, weakly heart-shaped or rounded at the base, turning into a long petiole. Stem up to 70 cm in height, leafless, obtusely tetrahedral, bearing a whorled panicle of pale pink flowers. It blooms all summer. Chastuha grows along the banks of rivers, lakes, canals and streams, in swamps.
Contains active substances:
Chastukha rhizomes contain resin, tannins, essential oil; fresh grass – a substance that irritates the skin and causes blistering.
Medicinal use:
A decoction of rhizomes with roots or herbs is drunk when bitten by rabid animals; it is even better to eat raw rhizomes with roots for this purpose; a decoction of rhizomes with roots is used orally for venereal diseases; a decoction of the herb is taken for jaundice; fresh leaves are applied to boils. In Western European folk medicine, it is used for diabetes and kidney diseases.