(European kopitnyak) Asarum europeum L.
\r
Synonyms: podoreshnik, butterbur, wine root, aquarius, hairy (ukr.
\r
Description. A perennial herbaceous plant from the Aristolochiaceae family, with a height of 1015 cm. The rhizome is cord-like, creeping, the creeping stem bears only two leaves. The leaves are rounded, shaped like a horse’s hoof (hence the name of the plant). The flowers are dark red, with a purple hue, axillary. The fruit is a hexagonal capsule. Seeds are grayish-brown. Weight of 1000 seeds within 34 g. Blossoms in May, fruits ripen in June. The rhizome is poisonous.
\r
Medicinal raw materials: rhizomes with roots and leaves.
\r
Habitat. Grows in broad-leaved and mixed, less often in coniferous forests; more common in thickets with hazel undergrowth.
\r
Spreading. Distributed in the middle zone and in the south of the European part of the USSR, in Western Siberia, Altai and the Middle Volga region.
\r\r
Composition of active substances . In rhizomes, roots and grass, it is within 1% of essential oil, which includes the alkaloids azaron (poisonous volatile substance), diazaron, and also azaryl aldehyde; pinene, eugenol, methyl eugenol and bornyl acetate. In addition, the hoof contains tannins, mucus and organic acids.
\r
Application. Preparations from the rhizomes of the hoof are used mainly as an emetic and expectorant. The plant is very popular in folk medicine, where it is used as a laxative, diuretic, anthelmintic, also for alcoholism, jaundice, dropsy, and later as a heart remedy. Its leaves are used in the treatment of malaria. In some states, ungulate products are also used for diseases of the liver, gallbladder, gastritis, and skin diseases.
\r
A decoction of the hoof root in water or goat’s milk is used for insufficient menstruation.
\r
Against alcoholism, A.P. Popov (1969) recommends using a decoction of the root (2.0200.0) in a tablespoon three to four times every day. A tablespoon of decoction mixed with a glass of vodka makes the sick person averse to alcoholic beverages. 0.5 g of hoof powder taken orally causes vomiting.
\r
Lotions from the decoction are made for headaches, and crushed fresh leaves are applied for abscesses.
\r
In later times, an infusion of the leaves was proposed as a cordial, and an infusion of rhizomes as an expectorant.
\r
Collection. Rhizomes with roots are harvested in autumn or early spring, and leaves during flowering. The rhizomes are dug up with roots and carefully shaken off the ground. Leaves are torn off by hand or cut with sickles, knives.
\r
Drying. Dry in the air in the shade or in dryers at a temperature of 50 °.
\r
Pack. Raw materials are packed in 50 kg bags.
\r
Storage. Roots and rhizomes are stored in a dry, well-ventilated area.
\r
Leaves are handed over to the plant every day of collection.
\r
Quality requirement. In accordance with VTU 2660 59, fresh ungulate leaves with petioles must have a dark green color, a peculiar smell and a bitter taste, and a moisture content of at least 70%. Allowed: other parts of the plant 2.0%, impurities of other plants 1, mineral impurities 1%.