Fragrant bramble (Polygonatum odoratum, synonym — R. officinale); medicinal bramble, cranberry pods, soap, bells, Solomon’s seal; Lily family (Liliaceae); bought fragrant
The closest relative of the beautiful lily of the valley, the bush is probably no less elegant. Because of the peculiar scars on the rhizome, the bush is called Solomon’s seal. According to legend, King Solomon thus marked this useful plant.
Kupina is a perennial with a thickened rhizome. The stem of the plant is branched, bare, drooping, up to 20-50 cm tall. The leaves are alternate, double-rowed, turned to one side, oblong-elliptic, 10-12 cm long and 2-5 cm wide, green above, and grayish-green below . The flowers are bisexual, whitish-green, bell-shaped, on rather long peduncles. The plant blooms in May-June. The fruit is a bluish-black berry that ripens in September. It grows in forests, thickets of shrubs, on the slopes of ravines in the middle part of Russia and throughout Ukraine.
The bush, like the lily of the valley, is a poisonous plant. Despite this, it is used in folk medicine. Fresh and dry rhizomes collected in summer or autumn are used, less often the aerial part collected during flowering.
The rhizomes contain alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, starch, mucous substances and sugars, and the leaves contain up to 330 mg% of vitamin C.
Folk medicine mainly uses decoctions of rhizomes. Under the influence of elevated temperatures, most alkaloids are destroyed, and the toxicity of the plant is sharply reduced. A decoction of rhizomes is prescribed for diseases of the respiratory tract, in particular bronchitis, inflammation of the lungs; as a softening and enveloping agent for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. An infusion of the herb is used as an antipyretic and diuretic (for dropsy, kidney diseases); it is taken for jaundice and gallstone disease. Tibetan medicine uses the rhizomes of the gorse as a tonic for diseases of the lymphatic system, as well as for acute and chronic gynecological diseases, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Buckthorn glycosides increase the amplitude of heart contractions and decrease their frequency.
Decoction of rhizomes is used externally as an analgesic for sciatica, rheumatism, gout, and hemorrhoids, and smeared with it on clogged areas (helps to dissolve bruises). For the same purpose, a tincture of rhizomes in 40% alcohol (vodka) is used. The leaves of the plant are applied to wounds and abscesses.
In addition to medicinal properties, the gorse also has nutritional properties. Its starch-rich rhizomes are edible after boiling in salt water. The bush is also used as a vegetable plant. Young white shoots are used like asparagus – boiled, stewed, baked.
Decoction of rhizomes. 10-15 g of crushed raw materials per 400 ml of boiling water or milk, boil in a water bath for 15 minutes, strain, squeeze, bring to the original volume with warm boiled water. Take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day.
Decoction of rhizomes (external). 40-50 g of raw materials per 0.5 l of boiling water, boil in a water bath for 15 minutes, strain, squeeze, bring to the original volume with warm boiled water. For lotions and washes.
Tincture of rhizomes (external). 1 part of rhizomes to 2 parts of 40% alcohol (vodka). For rubbing.
According to Ukrainian authors, the plant is poisonous, its use requires caution.