ISTOD SIBERIAN (Siberian senega)
Perennial small herbaceous plant with a vertically located rhizome, turning in the lower part into a single sparsely branched root. Stems numerous, thin, low, more or less bushy, short-pubescent (short-fluffy). The lower leaves are elliptical, pointed or obtuse, the rest are lanceolate. Floral racemes are axillary, rarely apical, unilateral, sparse. Lower flowers on drooping pedicels. The sepals are green with whitish membranous margins. Corolla pale purple or bluish. The fruit is a 2-celled, wide flattened box.
Distributed in the forest-steppe and steppe zones in almost all areas of Western and Eastern Siberia.
Grows on open limestone, soddy, rarely rocky slopes of hills and small mountains, in steppe meadows.
The narrow-leaved istod is very similar to the Siberian istod, differing only in bare, narrow, linear, pointed, almost vertically standing leaves and blue color of flowers.
The medicinal raw materials of both types are the roots, which are dug up in the fall and shaken off the ground, they are not washed with water – they are dried cut into pieces. The roots of both types of source contain saponins (especially in the Siberian, where they are found in the aerial part), glycosides (senegin and polygalic acid, belonging to saponins), fatty oil, valeric acid, salicylic acid methyl ester, tannins, and other substances .
The roots have an active expectorant effect and serve as a full-fledged substitute for senega. A decoction of the roots is prescribed for acute and chronic diseases of the lungs and upper respiratory tract, especially for chronic bronchitis, also for bronchial asthma, lung abscesses and for rinsing with laryngitis. Istod preparations do not cause side effects and do not have the property of cumulation.
It has been established that in addition to the expectorant and anti-inflammatory action, the istod increases the tone of the smooth muscles of the intestine. This justifies its use in folk medicine not only for various diseases of the lungs and upper respiratory tract, but also for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially for mucous diarrhea and catarrh of the stomach and intestines.
Lotions from a decoction of the roots or an infusion of herbs are recommended for carbuncles and inflammation of the skin.
Application
Infusion of roots: a teaspoon of raw materials insist 4 hours in cold boiled water and drink half a cup 3-4 times every day before meals.
For rinsing – 1-2 tbsp. spoons 4-5 times every day with laryngitis.