Stellaria media (Stellaria media); Carnation family (Caryophyllaceae); medium asterisk
Owners of private plots or gardens know how difficult it is to get rid of this plant. Prolonged flowering (from May to August), extremely high fertility (3-4 generations of seeds during the growing season) keep this plant in the ranks of the most malicious weeds. It usually grows on well-moistened, loose soils, hence its popular names. Although the roots of the asterisk are thin, and the useful mass is small, it is able to cover the steps with a continuous interwoven carpet and destroy the entire crop. The plant has one more feature: it has delicate stalks, they tear easily when weeding, and roots remain in the ground, from which new shoots grow very quickly. The stem of an asterisk is slender, recumbent, 10-30 cm long. The leaves are ovate, pointed. The flowers are very small, white, inconspicuous. It would seem, a completely worthless plant.
However, let’s see if the asterisk does not have any useful properties. It turns out that vetii is well known as a medicinal plant in the folk medicine of many countries. It is believed that the fresh juice and infusion of the herb contribute to the improvement of cardiac activity, have a positive effect on the nervous system, stop various bleedings, have a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect, and stimulate the healing of wounds.
The plant contains up to 65 mg% of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), so it is a cure for scurvy. Herb infusion and fresh juice are used for diseases of the liver, gall bladder and thyroid gland. There is evidence that fresh juice of asterisk is effective in lung diseases, especially in hemoptysis. Externally, in the form of lotions, a strong infusion is used for various skin diseases (acne, rash), cuts, sores, and warm baths with herbal infusion help with swelling of the limbs and have a calming effect on the nervous system.
Young shoots and leaves of star anise are added to spring vitamin salads along with green onions, dill and boiled egg. The dish is seasoned with sour cream – it turns out quite well.
The taste of the juice is not very pleasant (1 teaspoon is drunk 4 times a day) and the infusion is sweetened with a small amount of honey.
Infusion of grass . 1 tablespoon of raw material per 200 ml of boiling water, insist in a thermos for 8 hours, filter. Take 1/2 cup 4 times a day.
Decoction of grass (external). For lotions and baths, take 10 tablespoons of the herb per 1 liter of boiling water, boil for 5 minutes, infuse for 4 hours, strain.