Name: Stinky basil
Diseases and effects: hypertension, vomiting, edema.
Active substances: alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins.
Collection time: June – July
Ranunculaceae family – Ranunculaceae\r
15 species of cornflower growing in the post-Soviet Far East were taken into account (Voroshilov, 1966). To date, three species have been examined in more or less detail, and plants harvested outside the Far East, although related to species common here, have been studied.\r
Stinky cornflower, which is a perennial herbaceous plant with an unpleasant odor, has been studied in the most detail and is among the medicinal ones. It has a straight, evenly leafy stem that sometimes reaches a height of 50 cm. The lower part of the stem is not often colored purple. Leaves are thrice-four-pinnate. The leaflets of a compound leaf are ovoid in shape. Small purple flowers are collected in an inflorescence – a loose panicle. The whole plant is covered with small glands and short protruding hairs. Blooms from early June to mid-July. Distributed in Primorye and in the southern regions of the Khabarovsk Territory, where it occurs on dry slopes and along cliffs among shrubs. Found also in the Susumansky district of the Magadan region.\r
More than 6% of alkaloids, more than 1% of flavonoids, tannins and saponins were found in the herb of the stinky cornflower. Alkaloids were also found in the leaves and roots of the plant, but in smaller quantities.\r
Both the aerial parts and the roots of the stinky basil, despite the high content of alkaloids in them, are eaten by sheep without visible harm. This can be seen as an indication of the plant’s low toxicity to warm-blooded animals. This is also evidenced by the results of its pharmacological study, which, like the chemical study, was carried out at the Institute of Chemistry of Plant Substances of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan.\r
In medical practice, a tincture of the herb stink rue is used. It is a relatively effective tool for lowering blood pressure in the early stages of hypertension. Assign it to 40 drops 3-4 times every day. The course of treatment traditionally lasts within a month. Repeat courses are also possible. In cases where the product does not have a sufficiently clear effect, it is necessary to replace it with some other, more vigorously acting agent.\r
G.E. Kurentsova (1941) points to the use of the products of this plant as a folk antiemetic. According to M.N. Varlakova (1932), in Eastern Transbaikalia, the herb of stinky cornflower is used for edema and for some gynecological diseases. This information has not yet been clinically tested.\r
At home, you can prepare an infusion of stinky cornflower herb; for this, take one tablespoon of crushed raw materials in a glass of water. Infusion is taken in a tablespoon 3 times every day. To prepare a tincture, 20 g of dried chopped herbs should be poured with 100 ml of 70 ° alcohol. Infusion (with occasional shaking) lasts 10-14 days. After straining, the resulting tincture is taken as indicated above.\r
Stinky basil grass is harvested during flowering and dried under a canopy, in the attic or in any other well-ventilated area.