In the broad-leaved and mixed forests of the European part of Russia, in the Trans-Urals among shrubs and in forest glades in the second half of April – early May, you can sometimes see an unusual plant. Her flowers are pink at first, then purple, lilac or blue. This is one of the earliest early primroses — dark honeysuckle. The color of flowers depends on their age and is related to the transformation of anthocyanin pigments. In Ukraine, the plant grows in mixed and deciduous forests, among shrubs in forest and forest-steppe areas, rarely in the steppe zone.
Medunka is a herbaceous perennial with an upright stem 15-30 cm tall. The entire plant is covered with rough pubescence, soft to the touch. Medunka leaves are simple, entire, petiolate; stem – sessile.
The flowers are regular, somewhat reminiscent of bells, collected in curls that form sparse tassel-like inflorescences.
The herb collected during the flowering period has healing properties. All parts of the plant contain tannins, mucus, vitamins, various micro- and macroelements.
Honeysuckle is used only in folk medicine. Preparations obtained from the herb of the plant have hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, astringent and emollient properties. In the form of infusions, they are often used as an expectorant, as well as for diathesis (jaundice), bleeding of various origins, gastrointestinal diseases, including diarrhea. Purulent wounds and ulcers are washed with an infusion of the medunk plant.
Young cleaned stems and flower petals of the plant are added to spring vitamin salads, and in England honeysuckle is specially bred as a garden crop and its basal leaves are eaten.
The honey productivity of honeydew is the highest among the early spring honey bearers — up to 100 kg from 1 hectare. No wonder the plant has such a name!
Herbal infusion. 1 tablespoon of raw material per 200 ml of boiling water. Insist for 1 hour, filter. Take 1/2 cup 3-4 times a day. Externally, the infusion is used for washing and lotions.