Frangula alnus Mill.
The Krushynov family is Rhamnaceae
What does buckthorn look like? A bush, sometimes a tree 150-300 cm tall, with alternate, sharp, almost entire leaves, on the veins of which there are hairs from below. Branches and petioles are hairy, without spines. The bark is smooth, dark brown, with lentils in the form of whitish streaks. When you scrape off its cortical layer with your fingernail, a purple-red layer will appear under it. Petals of inconspicuous flowers are white inside, greenish outside. The fruits are green at first, then black, when ripe they are black, berry-like drupes with two or three stones. Blooms in May – June.
Where does it grow? Widespread in the forest-steppe, in the Polissia, occasionally in the steppe – in river valleys, in the Crimea – in the mountains. It grows in forests, bushes, on wet floodplain meadows, among thickets of vines, sometimes along river banks and among reeds.
What and when are collected? Bark, when it is well behind the wood (January, May – July). Moist, still soft, it is finely chopped and dried in the shade (in attics). Buckthorn-like cathartic cathartic (Rhamnus cathartica L.), but it has thorns at the ends of the branches. Zoster berries are used as a laxative. Brittle buckthorn berries are also collected.
When is it used? Buckwheat bark is used for chronic constipation, swelling of the liver, hemorrhoids, as a harmless laxative (possible addiction). It is contraindicated for pregnant women. In addition to anthraglycosides (glycofrangulin, frangulin – 2-7%), the bark contains saponins, a certain amount of volatile oil, sugars, malic acid and many tannins. A decoction is prepared from buckthorn bark . For 1 glass of water, take 1 tablespoon of crushed bark of two-year storage (the dose is regulated by the characteristics of the patient), boil for 15 minutes. The decoction is drunk 5-6 times during the day (anthraglycosides contained in the bark act slowly – 8-10 hours). To stimulate bile secretion, boil 2 tablespoons of buckthorn bark for 30 minutesin 1 glass of water and drink 1 tablespoon of this decoction 2-3 times a day.
Against chronic constipation, take 1 tablespoon of a mixture of buckthorn bark , leaves of the three-leafed mulberry tree, fennel grass and cumin seeds in a ratio of 5:2:2:1 per 1 cup of boiling water, infuse for 20 minutes and drink half a cup at night (adding the rhizome licorice in a ratio of 10:8 to buckthorn bark enhances its effect). Buckthorn berries (powder from three-year-old berries, on the tip of a folded knife, 0.2-0.5 g three times a day) are used for diarrhea, anemia and excessive menstruation.
With very advanced scabies, the body is washed with a strong decoction of buckthorn bark. For scabies, compresses are made from this decoction on the head.