Common rakes (Erodium cicutarium); cranberry noses; Cikutovy stork
An annual herbaceous plant of the geranium family. The stem is ascending, 10-50 cm tall, branched from the base. The leaves are opposite, oblong, twice odd pinnately dissected; the lower ones are in the basal socket. The flowers are regular, bisexual, 5-petalled, in 6-8-flowered umbels: the petals are purple, sometimes with dark spots. The fruit is dry, with 5 one-seeded lobes, which twist spirally when the fruit ripens. Blooms in March – August.
Distribution . It grows throughout the territory of Ukraine in the steppes, on outcrops, as a weed in fields, gardens and littered places.
Raw. They use grass that is collected during the flowering of the plant.
The plant is unofficial.
Chemical composition . The herb contains tannins and bitter substances, flavonoids, resins, acetylcholine, carotene, ascorbic acid, vitamin K, sugars, organic acids, calcium and trace elements.
Pharmacological properties and use . Experimental and clinical studies revealed that the plant has hemostatic properties. In folk medicine, common sedges are used as an astringent, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, hemostatic and sedative agent. An infusion of the herb is used for colds, inflammation of the lungs, pleurisy, angina pectoris, spasms, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and internal and uterine bleeding. It is also used for bathing children with diathesis, for washing wounds and rinsing with throat diseases.
Medicinal forms and applications .
Internally – herbal infusion (1 tablespoon of dry herb per 300 ml of boiling water, infused overnight, filtered) 50 g 4 times a day; herbal infusion (1 tablespoon of dry herb per 200 ml of boiling water, infuse for 15 minutes, strain) 2 tablespoons 5-6 times a day;
herbal infusion (2 teaspoons of dry herb per 200 ml of cold boiled water, infuse for 8 hours) 2-3 tablespoons 3-4 times a day.