Poisonous!
Ranunculaceae – Ranuneulaceae.
Popular names: oil flower, burning grass, gouty grass.
Parts Used: The aerial part of the plant (apparently only effective when freshly picked).
Pharmacy name: caustic buttercup herb – Ranunculi acris herba (formerly: Herba Ranunculi acris).
Botanical description.From a very short thickened rhizome of this perennial plant, erect stems develop, reaching a height of 30-100 cm. They are hollow, branching and slightly pubescent. At the ends of the branches are bright golden yellow flowers. Leaves look different. Basal leaves 5-7 palmately divided, on long petioles; their shares are irregularly notched or serrate. Stem leaves have a simpler structure, with linear lobes, sessile. Blooms from May to June. It is found in great abundance in the meadows, where it does not please the peasants at all, since it is dangerously poisonous for grazing cattle. Corrosive substances become ineffective only when the plant is dried. Therefore, hay is safe for livestock. Different types of yellow buttercups, having a similar appearance, do not differ in folk medicine; For example, bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus L. ) is used in homeopathy. It lives in sunny, dry meadows, arable lands, and fallow fields, and differs from other species in its more elongated receptacle shape, stiff stem, larger flowers, and bulb-like stem base.
active ingredients. The most important is protoanemo-nin; they are irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. Other substances include vitamin C, saponins, tannin, asparagine and arginine. These substances are found in almost all buttercups.
Healing action and application. Scientific medicine does not use buttercup.
Use in homeopathy. Ranunculus bul-bosus, prepared from fresh buttercup, is given for irritation of the eyes (conjunctivitis), nose and mouth, pain in the chest area (tingling, painful and difficult breathing) and muscle pain, skin rashes with the formation of pustules. Dose starting from dilution D 1 . Give 2-5 times every day for 3-5 (up to 8) drops.
Application in folk medicine.All kinds of yellow buttercups are meant here, since it is difficult for a layman to distinguish between them. Most famous is the burning effect of fresh grass, about which parents constantly warn babies who have blisters on their hands if they tear buttercups. Unfortunately, in folk medicine, fresh leaves (please do not try!), Given thinly sliced in milk, are still used as a laxative for severe constipation. The internal and external (for warts) use of ranunculus is known from P.A. Matgiolus, the court physician of Emperor Ferdinand I. In his work “The Power and Action of Various Kinds of Buttercups, or Yellow Flowers” (1563), he wrote the following: “The buttercup acts as a laxative: if you eat 5 or 6 leaves with raisins, it causes repeated stools. If the leaves are put on the outside,
Side effects. Fresh grass is poisonous! Caustic substances irritate the skin and mucous membranes, and getting inside the body, lead to irritation of the stomach and intestines, cause diarrhea and colic. In case of poisoning, induce vomiting and take a lot of activated charcoal. Further care of the victim should be taken by the doctor. External skin lesions pass without leaving marks.
Attention: no self-treatment with ranunculus.