Popular names: smooth gryzhnik, dog soap, gryzhnitsa, field soap.
GRYZHNIK NAKED (Herniaria glabra L.)One-, two- or perennial plant of the clove family (Caryophyllaceae), with taproot. Stems are numerous, 5-15 cm long, recumbent, tightly pressed to the soil, almost glabrous or slightly short-haired. The leaves are small, oblong-obovate or elliptical, yellowish-green, narrowed towards the base into a short petiole. Stipules membranous, white, finely ciliated along the edges. The flowers are small, inconspicuous, collected 5-12 in axillary glomeruli. Petals 5, white, subulate, shorter than the calyx. The fruit is a spherical, one-seeded, small nutlet. Blossoms in June – July, fruits ripen in August – September. Seed reproduction. Distributed in the European part of the CIS, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Western Siberia. It prefers poor, mostly sandy soils, therefore it is found in sandy places, cliffs of rivers and reservoirs, within roads, on dry fields, fallows. The plant is poisonous!
COLLECTION AND DRYING OF RAW MATERIALS
Medicinal raw material is the herb herb, which is harvested during flowering, carefully cleaned of sand and other impurities. Cut grass with a sickle or knife, dry in the shade in the open air or in well-ventilated areas. The shelf life of raw materials is 2 years. Dried raw materials should have a yellowish-greenish color with a coumarin smell. In medical practice, CIS is not often used and is prepared mainly for export to European countries, where it is used as a diuretic.
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
The main property of the plant is its diuretic effect. In folk medicine in many countries, the hernia is considered a specific remedy for the treatment of acute inflammatory processes and spasm of the bladder.
APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE
Aboveground part. Infusion – as a diuretic for edema of renal and cardiac origin. In folk medicine, infusion – for inflammation of the bladder and kidneys; as a prophylactic against the formation of kidney stones; with pain in the stomach, dropsy, rheumatism, gout. It is believed that it relieves muscle pain after heavy physical exertion, especially in untrained people. Decoction (externally) – with exudative diathesis, eczema in babies (in the form of baths). Juice – in cosmetics. The fresh plant, harvested in July, is used in homeopathy. In Western European medicine, it is used as a wound healing agent, also for pulmonary diseases, urolithiasis, renal colic, urinary retention, chronic cystitis.
DOSAGE FORMS, METHOD OF APPLICATION AND DOSES
♦ Herb herb infusion: 20 g of raw material is poured into 200 ml of boiling water, insisted, then filtered. Take 1 tablespoon 4 times every day. CONTRAINDICATIONS AND POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: it will be necessary to remember that the plant is poisonous and an overdose can lead to poisoning.
APPLICATIONS IN OTHER FIELDS
When the plant is rubbed with water, a soapy foam appears, which washes well and softens the skin. Sometimes gryzhnik is used to wash the hair of domestic animals, in particular dogs. Due to the content of saponins, it can be used in soap making. Insecticide for the control of insects that parasitize animals. Easily introduced into culture. Decorative, suitable for lawns and carpet flower beds.