Asteraceae – Asteraceae (Compositae).
Parts Used: Roots.
Pharmacy name: thorn roots – Carlinae radix (formerly: Radix Carlinae).
Botanical description. A perennial plant that is fixed in the soil with a long taproot. A rosette of leaves extends from it, lying on the ground; leaves 5-15 cm long, roughly pinnately dissected and needle-toothed. Separate leaf segments of uneven size. Directly on the leaf rosette sits an inflorescence-basket ranging in size from 6 to 12 cm, surrounded by a crown of coarse silver-white wrapping leaves. In the middle of the basket there are many white, reddish or yellow tubular flowers. Blooms from July to September. It occurs both on the plains and in the mountains, where it can be found at an altitude of up to 2600 m. In the Jura Mountains on poor soils and in some places along the steppe slopes, the thorn is still very common. To save him from extinction, he is taken under protection.
active ingredients. The main active ingredients of thornberry are essential oil with antibacterial karlinoxide and tannins along with resins and inulin.
Healing action and application. In medicine, thorn is currently almost never used, but in animal husbandry its root is used as an excellent fattening powder.
Application in folk medicine. Thornberry tea is prescribed for chronic bronchitis, urinary retention and dropsy.
- Thornberry tea: 1-2 teaspoons topped with thorn root are placed in 1/4 cold water, slowly brought to a boil, boiled briefly and strained. Drink a cup 1-3 times every day sweetened (with catarrh of the bronchi – honey) or unsweetened, moderately warm, in small sips.
Side effects. Overdose should be avoided, as nausea and vomiting are occasionally observed as unpleasant side effects.