Popular name: Ivan da Marya.
MARJANNIK OAK (Melampyrum nemorosum L.)An annual plant of the Norichnikov family (Serophulariaceae), up to 50 cm high. The root system is poorly developed. The stem is erect, obtusely tetrahedral, shortly pubescent with multicellular white hairs, with longish, opposite, obliquely upward directed branches. Leaves opposite, ovate-narrow-lanceolate, long-pointed, rounded heart-shaped at the base, entire, with 1-2 teeth, glabrous above, sparsely pilose below. Flowers on short, pubescent pedicels, turned in one direction, sit one at a time in the axils of the upper leaves, forming a loose one-sided brush. Each flower is provided with a bright blue bract, the corolla is bright yellow. The fruit is an ovoid, pointed capsule that splits in two when opened. Seeds are small, blackish. Blooms from June to autumn, fruits ripen in August – September. It grows in deciduous and mixed forests, in glades, clearings, forming dense thickets. The plant is poisonous (seeds)!
COLLECTION AND DRYING OF RAW MATERIALS
For medicinal purposes, the herb of the plant is used, which is harvested during the flowering period. Air dry in the shade or in a well ventilated area.
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
The plant has sedative, anticonvulsant, hypotensive properties.
APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE
Currently, it is used only in traditional medicine. Aboveground part. Decoction – for hypertension, dizziness, heart disease, neuralgia, epilepsy, diseases of the stomach and organs of the gastrointestinal tract; externally (baths, washings, poultices) – with scrofulosis, skin tuberculosis, scabies, diathesis, eczema, rashes, diseases of the chest, rheumatism and as a wound healing. Leaves. Infusion, tea (inside and out) – with scrofula, rashes.
DOSAGE FORMS, METHOD OF APPLICATION AND DOSES
♦ Infusion of mariannika herb: 3 tablespoons of raw materials are poured into 1 liter of boiling water, insisted, then filtered. It is used for washing and local baths for skin diseases. CONTRAINDICATIONS AND POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: in case of seed poisoning, weakness, drowsiness are observed, cardiac activity is weakened. The toxicity of the plant is due to the presence of aucubin, which has a narcotic and local irritant effect. * Poisoning of sheep and horses is observed when they are fed with grain and flour contaminated with maryannik seeds. Sick animals become drowsy, tremble, blood appears in their urine, and a heartbeat is noted. First aid consists in prescribing laxatives first, and then in conducting a course of symptomatic therapy (stimulating, cardiac, etc.).
APPLICATIONS IN OTHER FIELDS
Seeds are suitable for obtaining dextrin and starch. Feed for large and small cattle. Insecticide, the fruits are used to kill harmful insects. Honey plant.