CHINESE LEMONGRASS [Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill.]Medicinal raw materials are fruits and seeds. Fruits (Fructus Schisandrae) are harvested during the period of full ripening (in September – October, before the onset of autumn frosts). When harvesting, the brushes are carefully cut off without damaging the vines and trees that serve as their support. Freshly picked lemongrass brushes are scattered on a tarpaulin or burlap, sorted out, removing impurities and drying begins as soon as possible. Dry under awnings for 2-3 days. Then the brushes are stripped, that is, individual fruits are cut off from them, freeing them from the receptacle (“brush axis”). The fruits are dried in calorific dryers at a temperature of 40-55°C for 6-8 hours. Lemongrass seeds are obtained after squeezing the juice from the fruit clusters. Dry them in heated rooms, scattering them in a thin layer and stirring occasionally, or on ventilated calorifer dryers at temperatures not exceeding 50°C. The smell of fruits is weak, specific, the taste is spicy, bitter-sour. The smell of seeds when rubbed is strong, specific, the taste is bitter-burning, spicy.
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Tincture and infusion of Schisandra chinensis increase blood pressure, reduce heart rate and increase their amplitude, excite breathing (increase the rhythm and increase the amplitude of respiratory movements). Schisandra preparations increase the level of spinal reflexes, improve neuromuscular conduction.
APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE
Fruit. Infusion and tinctures have tonic, adaptogenic and tonic properties. In gastric diseases, as a stimulant of cardiac activity, in the treatment of the central nervous system, neurasthenia, hypotension, dysentery in children; as a wound healing, stimulating respiration and increasing resistance to oxygen starvation, lowering blood sugar, stimulating labor, choleretic, increasing night vision. Fresh fruits are rarely consumed. Toxic if consumed in excess. Peduncles. Decoction for dysentery and gonorrhea. Seeds. Tincture – tonic and tonic; infusion – wound healing; powder – tonic and adaptogenic, with increased secretion, peptic ulcer, gastritis, to increase the sharpness of night vision.
DOSAGE FORMS, METHOD OF APPLICATION AND DOSES
Tincture of lemongrass fruits (Tinctura fructuum Schizandrae) (1:5 in 95% alcohol) is a clear dark red liquid. An alcoholic extract of lemongrass (1:3) in 70% alcohol is also prepared from the plant. Take galenic products of Schisandra chinensis 20-30 drops 2-3 times every day on an empty stomach or after 4 hours after eating for 20-25 days. boiling and immediately removed, cooled, then filtered. Take 1 tablespoon in the morning and evening. CONTRAINDICATIONS AND POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: Lemongrass products are not recommended for nervous excitement, insomnia, high blood pressure, and cardiac disorders. Apply it like other stimulants, should be prescribed by a doctor with strict adherence to the dosage of the product. In case of an overdose, overexcitation of the nervous and cardiovascular systems is likely.
APPLICATIONS IN OTHER FIELDS
Rhizomes are used as a seasoning for tea and its surrogate. Stems with bark among the peoples of the Far East are a surrogate for tea, seasoning for pickles. Can be used in perfumery and soap making. Dried fruits and juice – in the confectionery industry in the production of sweets, kissels, jams, syrups, flavor extracts in winemaking, as a seasoning for tea. Fruit juice can replace citric acid. The essential oil from the seeds can be used in perfumery and soap making.
ELEMENTS OF AGROTECHNICAL CULTIVATION
The most effective seed propagation of magnolia vine in the nursery with subsequent transplantation of seedlings into the ground to a permanent place. For sowing, only fresh seeds should be taken – no later than a few months after their collection and washing of the pulp. Freshly harvested seeds germinate well when sown in autumn. It is advisable to use the seeds of cultivated magnolia vine, which have a higher germination rate. For spring sowing, seeds are recommended to be stratified for 90-100 days in wet sand. In this case, it will be necessary to provide moderate moisture and good ventilation of the seeds. When using the seeds of cultivated lemongrass, they are stratified for a month at a temperature of 17-20°C. Stratified seeds are sown in rows to a depth of 5 cm with row spacing of 20 cm, at the rate of 100 pcs. per 1 m 2. The ridges are shaded with shields at a height of 1 m. At the age of 2-3 years, lemongrass seedlings are transferred to a permanent place. On plantations, T-shaped concrete supports with meter-long metal crossbars in the upper part are preliminarily installed. The ends of the crossbars at all supports are connected with two rows of wire, to which a support for vines is tied. Plants are planted in 2 rows under the frame. The best planting period is spring, before the start of lemongrass vegetation. Heavy, impermeable clay soils are unsuitable for planting. Lemongrass can also be propagated by green cuttings. As a substrate, it is best to use clean river sand. It is easily permeable to air, which provides good aeration necessary for the rooting of the cuttings. High temperature has a negative effect. Best of all, cuttings take root at an air temperature in a greenhouse or greenhouse of 20-25 ° C and a relative humidity of 85-90%. Cut from the middle part of the shoot of 4-5-year-old plants with 2 leaves. The length of the cutting is 4-5 cm. The duration of rooting of green cuttings is 25-40 days. In the conditions of Belarus, Schisandra chinensis is a polymorphic plant. Therefore, for normal fruiting, a joint planting of female and male specimens or the selection of monoecious dioecious plants is required. Abundant fruiting is observed in a year. Fruit yield – up to 700 kg/ha. Therefore, for normal fruiting, a joint planting of female and male specimens or the selection of monoecious dioecious plants is required. Abundant fruiting is observed in a year. Fruit yield – up to 700 kg/ha. Therefore, for normal fruiting, a joint planting of female and male specimens or the selection of monoecious dioecious plants is required. Abundant fruiting is observed in a year. Fruit yield – up to 700 kg/ha.
TASTY TIPS
Lemon juice with sugar.
Squeeze the juice from the fruits, add 75% sugar syrup to it (ratio 1:3), heat to 75-80 ° C, strain, pour into hot sterilized glass jars and pasteurize: half-liter – 15 minutes, liter – 20 minutes. To increase the vitamin value of sweetened juice, it is recommended to prepare syrup not on water, but on second-pressed juice.
Apple-lemon juice.
To apple juice (55%) add lemongrass (20%) and sugar (25%). To stir thoroughly. Heat the mixture, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves, bring to a boil, boil for 3-4 minutes and immediately pour into hot sterilized jars of a 2-3-liter container. Roll up.
Pigeon-lemon juice.
To blueberry juice (50%) add lemongrass (20%) and sugar (30%). Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, boil for 3-5 minutes and immediately pour into hot sterilized jars. Roll up.
Lemongrass compote.
Pour prepared fruits with 40% sugar syrup or boiled water and pasteurize. Cork.
Lemongrass mashed with sugar.
Add sugar (60-65%) to mashed fruits (35-40%), mix thoroughly to evenly distribute sugar, heat to 70°C and package in hot sterilized glass jars. Pasteurize half-liter jars in boiling water – 20 minutes, liter – 25 minutes, three-liter – 60 minutes, after which immediately roll up.
Lemongrass jam.
Pass the sorted and washed fruits (1 kg) through a stainless steel sieve. Add sugar (1.5 kg) to the puree and cook, stirring, with a slight boil until tender. Pack jam in hot sterilized jars, roll up
Tea made from dried lemongrass fruits.
Boil the fruits (1 tablespoon) in 200 ml of water in an enamel bowl for 10 minutes, then let it brew for 24 hours, strain and add sugar (to taste).