Popular names: podbel, Kamchuzhnaya grass.
Common mother and stepmother (Tussilago farfara L.)Perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family (Compositae), up to 25 cm in height. Rhizome creeping, branched. Flowering stems grow early in spring before the appearance of leaves, straight, cobweb-pubescent, densely planted with oblong-ovate, sharp, brown-red scaly leaves. Green leaves are found after the flowering of the plant, they are basal, large, dense, on long, thin, felt petioles, round-heart-shaped, serrated along the edge, their upper side is smooth, hard and cold (stepmother), the lower one is white-felt, soft and warm (mother). Flower baskets (inflorescences) are solitary, on the tops of the stems, drooping after flowering. In the evening, also in wet weather, the inflorescences close. The flowers are golden yellow, marginal – with a narrow-tongued corolla, arranged in several rows, median – tubular, with a five-toothed corolla, shorter than reed ones. The fruit is a linear-oblong achene with a hairy tuft, capable of germinating in a few hours after entering the soil. Blossoms in April – May, the fruits ripen in May – June and are carried by the wind. Propagated by seeds and vegetatively. Distributed almost throughout the European part of the CIS, the Caucasus, Siberia and Central Asia. It grows on moist clay soils along steep banks of rivers and streams, in wastelands, garbage places, slopes of roads and embankments, forest clearings, edges, worked out quarries, and drained swamps. Quite often forms continuous thickets. It has been used since the time of Ancient Rome. This plant was widely used by Dioscorides, Pliny, Hippocrates. able to germinate in a few hours after entering the soil. Blossoms in April – May, the fruits ripen in May – June and are carried by the wind. Propagated by seeds and vegetatively. Distributed almost throughout the European part of the CIS, the Caucasus, Siberia and Central Asia. It grows on moist clay soils along steep banks of rivers and streams, in wastelands, garbage places, slopes of roads and embankments, forest clearings, edges, worked out quarries, and drained swamps. Quite often forms continuous thickets. It has been used since the time of Ancient Rome. This plant was widely used by Dioscorides, Pliny, Hippocrates. able to germinate in a few hours after entering the soil. Blossoms in April – May, the fruits ripen in May – June and are carried by the wind. Propagated by seeds and vegetatively. Distributed almost throughout the European part of the CIS, the Caucasus, Siberia and Central Asia. It grows on moist clay soils along steep banks of rivers and streams, in wastelands, garbage places, slopes of roads and embankments, forest clearings, edges, worked out quarries, and drained swamps. Quite often forms continuous thickets. It has been used since the time of Ancient Rome. This plant was widely used by Dioscorides, Pliny, Hippocrates. in the Caucasus, Siberia and Central Asia. It grows on moist clay soils along steep banks of rivers and streams, in wastelands, garbage places, slopes of roads and embankments, forest clearings, edges, worked out quarries, and drained swamps. Quite often forms continuous thickets. It has been used since the time of Ancient Rome. This plant was widely used by Dioscorides, Pliny, Hippocrates. in the Caucasus, Siberia and Central Asia. It grows on moist clay soils along steep banks of rivers and streams, in wastelands, garbage places, slopes of roads and embankments, forest clearings, edges, worked out quarries, and drained swamps. Quite often forms continuous thickets. It has been used since the time of Ancient Rome. This plant was widely used by Dioscorides, Pliny, Hippocrates.
COLLECTION AND DRYING OF RAW MATERIALS
Medicinal raw materials are the leaves of coltsfoot (Folium Farfarae), which are harvested in the first half of summer, 2-3 weeks after the baskets are seeded (in June – July). They are cut off with their hands with a small (up to 5 cm) part of the petiole, after the dew has come off. It is not necessary to collect very young leaves that have pubescence on both sides, also affected by rust and starting to turn yellow. Leaves are harvested away from grazing areas and walking dogs. Dry raw materials in attics, in other rooms or in the open air, laying out a thin layer. In the process of drying, they should be carefully turned over 1-2 times so that both sides of the sheet dry evenly. Can be dried in dryers with artificial heating at a temperature of 50-60°C. The shelf life of raw materials is 3 years. Flower baskets are collected at the beginning of flowering plants – in March – April, tearing them off with your hands and removing the rest of the stem. Dry them in the shade, laying out a thin layer in one row. Their shelf life is 2 years. The main harvesting areas are in Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Voronezh and Vologda regions of Russia.
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Due to the content of a significant amount of mucus in the leaves, coltsfoot has an enveloping effect on the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and larynx, protecting them from irritation. In addition, mucus, saponins and organic acids soften and thin the dry discharge in the upper respiratory tract, restore the natural movement of the ciliated epithelium in the trachea and bronchi, promote faster evacuation of inflammation products and significantly improve sputum expectoration. The tannins of the plant, carotenoids and sterols have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect: they reduce the hyperemia of the mucous membranes, actively influence all kinds of phases of the inflammation process.
APPLICATIONS IN MEDICINE
Leaves. In practical medicine, infusion – as an expectorant, disinfectant and anti-inflammatory in diseases of the upper respiratory tract; as an astringent – in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. They are part of the breast and diaphoretic fees. In folk medicine, decoction, infusion, juice – for pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, runny nose, flu, inflammation of the oral cavity, toothache, arthritis, myositis, allergies, epilepsy, malaria, edema, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal – intestinal diseases, gastric ulcer, gastric catarrh, diseases of the heart, bladder, kidneys; externally – for skin diseases, mastitis, boils, erysipelas, ulcers, burns, also to strengthen hair and with abundant dandruff. Crushed dry leaves are smoked for shortness of breath, shortness of breath and to reduce toothache. Leaves, flowers. In folk medicine, infusion, powder – for laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma, gastritis, enteritis, cystitis, nephritis, hypertension, disorders of the nervous system. In the form of tea – with exudative diathesis, general weakness of the body.
DOSAGE FORMS, METHOD OF APPLICATION AND DOSES
Infusion of coltsfoot leaf (Infusum folii Tussilaginis farfarae): 5 g (1 tablespoon) of raw materials are placed in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml of hot boiled water, cover with a lid and heat in boiling water (in a water bath) with frequent stirring 15 minutes, cooled at room temperature for 45 minutes, filtered. The remaining raw material is squeezed out. The volume of the resulting infusion is adjusted with boiled water to 200 ml. The prepared infusion is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days. Take in warm form 1/3-1/2 cup 2-3 times every day 1 hour before meals as an expectorant. at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, then filter. Take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times daily. ♦ Cow leaf juice: squeezed from May or June leaves. They are washed, scalded with boiling water, passed through a meat grinder and squeezed. Ready juice is diluted with water (1:1) and boiled for 2-3 minutes. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times every day after meals. The course of treatment is 7-10 days.
APPLICATIONS IN OTHER FIELDS
In veterinary medicine – for diseases of the digestive and respiratory organs, also externally for bruises, festering wounds, inflammation of the skin. Honey plant gives nectar and pollen to bees, especially at a time when there is no bribe in nature.