Perennial herbaceous plant of the rough-leaved family. The stem is ribbed, 10-40 cm tall, erect, covered with stiff glandular hairs. Basal leaves, collected in a rosette, heart-shaped-ovate, on long petioles, pointed, covered with whitish spots. Stem leaves are smaller, middle and upper ones are sessile, semi-stem-wrapped. The flowers are collected in curls on the tops of the stems, the calyx is five-parted, bell-shaped. The corolla is tubular, first red, then purple, after pollination – blue. The fruit consists of 4 spherical nuts. Blooms in March – June.
Distribution . A Western European species, it can occur in the extreme west of Ukraine, but certain locations in the territory of the former USSR are not known.
Procurement and storage . The aerial part is cut off during the flowering of the plant. Healthy basal leaves are also collected (after flowering). Raw materials are harvested in sunny weather. Collected grass is protected from clumping, because it easily steams and turns black. It should be dried immediately after preparation. To do this, raw materials are spread in a thin layer on grates in a ventilated room, turning often. In drying rooms, the temperature should not exceed 50°. Too slow drying leads to blackening of the potion. Dry raw materials must be well ventilated during storage.
The plant is unofficial .
Chemical composition . The young basal leaves contain carotene and up to 30 mg% of vitamin C. The herb (Herba Pulmonariae maculosae) contains up to 5% silicic acid (half of this amount is in water-soluble form), tannins (6-10%), allantoin (up to 1 %), saponin, organic acids, hydrocyanic acid, sugar, mucilage, bornesite, quercetin, kaempferol and mineral salts.
Pharmacological properties and use. The plant exhibits anti-inflammatory, expectorant, astringent, diuretic, softening, hematopoietic and metabolic effects; there are indications of a possible anticarcinogenic effect. Extracts from raw materials have a beneficial effect on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and on the process of calcification of the tuberculosis focus, reduce inflammation and increase resistance to the effects of harmful volatile substances and dust, facilitate the dilution of secretions that lie in the upper respiratory tract. Medicinal products are used as auxiliary medicines for lung diseases, they are especially effective when there are symptoms such as catarrh of the throat and bronchi, difficult expectoration, hoarseness and dry cough. As a rule, the raw material is used in mixtures with other medicinal plants (sorrel, horsetail, nettle, yarrow, licorice, licorice, etc.). Honeysuckle is part of expectorant products, which are produced in Austria and Germany. The plant is official in Germany. Young basal leaves are used for salads.
Medicinal forms and applications . Internally – a decoction of the herb (1 tablespoon of the herb per 1 glass of water, boil for 10 minutes) drink half a glass 2 times a day as an expectorant;
a decoction (10 g of honeydew grass, plantain leaves and common plantain per 1 liter of water, slowly bring to a boil, boil for 3 minutes, insist 10 minutes, add honey) drink half a glass at regular intervals as an aid for flu, bronchitis, pharyngitis and hoarseness.