Poisonous! Protected.
Norichnikovye – Scrophulariaceae.
Common names: stomach grass, fish grass.
Parts Used: Above-ground part of the plant.
Pharmacy name: Avran grass – Gratiolae herba (formerly: Herba Gratiolae).
Botanical description. At a depth of several centimeters from the ground plane, a long, thin rhizome is located almost horizontally. A vertical tetrahedral stem grows from it, which reaches 30-40 cm in height and bears opposite sessile lanceolate leaves with a finely serrate edge. Large flowers sit singly on a long pedicel in the axils of the leaves, have a tubular shape and a yellowish color (white inside) with longitudinal stripes. The fruit is a small bilocular capsule. Blooms from June to August. It is not so common, but throughout Central and Eastern Europe. It is found in ditches, along the banks of reservoirs and in wet meadows.
Active ingredients: essential oil, bitterness, tannins, saponins and, above all, glycosides (one of them – cardiac glycoside gratio-toxin – has an effect similar to foxglove). The poisonousness of the avran is due not only to the fact that until now it was believed that it contains cardiac glycosides, but also to the fact that it contains elatericide, a cornbitacin glycoside.
Healing action and application. Previously highly valued, now avran is almost unknown to either folk or scientific medicine, since there are now more effective remedies for constipation, dropsy, ailments of the liver and biliary tract, and ulcers on the lower leg; for action on the heart we have foxglove purpurea and other species of Digitalis. However, there is one area of application for which this medicinal plant is very suitable: RF, Weiss recommends this plant for stimulating menstruation, since their irregularity is not always worth correcting with hormones. Of course, this is only possible under the supervision of a doctor, since self-medication with poisonous plants is prohibited: it is dangerous!
Use in homeopathy. Homeopathic remedy Gratiola is used for disorders of the stomach, intestines and liver. Other uses (for headaches, irritability, shortened menstrual cycles, skin rashes and rheumatism) are not essential. Use dilutions from D 1 to D 1 2, give 3-5 (up to 10) times every day, 3-8 drops.
Side effects. Avran is poisonous and therefore cannot be used on its own. Signs of poisoning: increased salivation, nausea, vomiting, colic, diarrhea, kidney damage, convulsions, cardiac dysfunction, collapse, respiratory arrest.
First aid measures. Contact a doctor or hospital. Urgently induce vomiting, take activated charcoal.