Common name: meadow cornflower.
Cornflower Meadow (Centaurea jacea L.)Perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family (Compositae), up to 150 cm high, all with grayish or cobwebby pubescence. The stem is hard, erect, ribbed, branched in the upper part, without thickenings under the baskets. The leaves are alternate, ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, the lower ones are on winged petioles, the middle and upper ones are sessile. The flowers are lilac-pink, occasionally white, in baskets, located 1-2 at the ends of the stem and its branches. Marginal flowers are large, funnel-shaped, barren, median – tubular. Flowering from June to September, fruits ripen from July to October. Propagated by seeds and vegetatively. Distributed in Eurasia. It grows on fresh sandy and loamy soils in meadows, in light pine and mixed forests, along their edges, shrubs, along roads, along the boundaries and edges of fields, sometimes found in crops.
COLLECTION AND DRYING OF RAW MATERIALS
For medicinal purposes, flower baskets and meadow cornflower grass are used, which are harvested during the flowering period. Dry in the shade under awnings, in well-ventilated rooms or in dryers.
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
The plant has diuretic, choleretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE
Currently, it is used only in traditional medicine. Roots. Infusion – for diarrhea as an astringent. Leaves (steamed) are applied to the place of stretching of muscles and tendons. Aerial part, inflorescences. Infusion – with nephritis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, jaundice, delayed menstruation. Inflorescences. Infusion (inside) – for diseases of the heart, uterus, headaches, stomach pains and as a diuretic; externally in the form of baths – with rheumatism, exudative diathesis, eczema.
DOSAGE FORMS, METHOD OF APPLICATION AND DOSES
♦ Infusion of grass or meadow cornflower inflorescences: 2 teaspoons of raw materials are poured into 200 ml of boiling water, insisted, then filtered. Take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times daily before meals.
APPLICATIONS IN OTHER FIELDS
The leaves are used to make a yellow dye for wool and silk. Honey plant. It is distinguished by high honey-bearing capacity and even in drought it gives the bees a plentiful supply of nectar and pollen. Honey is transparent, with a golden hue. Up to 100 kg of honey is obtained from 1 ha. Decorative, used to decorate curtains, lawns, edges.