Name: Viburnum ordinary
Other names: Forest beauty.
Diseases and effects: Uterine bleeding, painful and heavy menstruation, hemorrhoids, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, neurasthenia, hysteria, epilepsy, hypertension, skin diseases, edema of cardiac and renal origin, hypertension, gastritis, colitis, liver disease.
Active substances: Tannins, ester-like resinous and tannins, valeric, isovaleric acid, formic, acetic, capric, caprylic, butyric, linoleic, cerotinic and palmitic acids, viburnin glycoside, phytosterolin, phytosterol.
Collection time: May – June, August – October
Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae)\r
Botanical description and distribution
\rPerennial branched shrub up to 3-4 m high. The bark is wrinkled, brownish. The leaves are opposite, three- and five-lobed, 5-8 cm long, coarsely toothed, pointed at the apex, almost bare above, pubescent on the inside. The flowers are white, collected in a thyroid inflorescence. The fruit is a juicy edible oval bright red drupe.\r
Blossoms in May-June, bears fruit in August-September.\r
It grows among the undergrowth of mixed and deciduous forests, in shrubs, in ravines, on river banks and mountain slopes.\r
The smell of viburnum is peculiar, weak. It tastes bitter, tart.\r
It occurs in the middle zone of the forest and forest-steppe zones of the European part of Russia, in Ukraine, the Caucasus, Siberia and Central Asia.\r
Procurement of raw materials
\rFor medicinal purposes, the bark of young trunks and branches is used. The collection is carried out in early spring and early summer (in June), during the period of movement of juices, when there is moisture between the bark and the trunk and the bark is easily separated from the tree. It can also be torn off in autumn from cut down thick branches. Dry raw materials in the open air or in a well-ventilated room or dryers at a temperature of 40-50 ° C, laying out so that the tubes of the bark do not fall one on top of the other. The dried bark is greenish-gray, reddish on the inside.\r
Chemical composition
\rViburnum bark contains ester-like resinous and tannins, from which, upon hydrolysis, valeric, isovaleric acids, as well as formic, acetic, capric, caprylic, butyric, linoleic, cerotinic and palmitic acids, viburnin glycoside, phytosterolin, phytosterol and other compounds are formed.\r
Pharmacological properties
\rStudies on various types of laboratory animals have shown that the total active substances of the plant inhibit fibrinolysis by blocking plasminogen activators and partially inactivating plasmin (fibrinolysin), thereby causing the hemostatic effect of the plant bark as a whole. In addition, the tannin substances of viburnum, when administered intragastrically, precipitate mucus proteins with the formation of a dense albumin film that protects the sensitive nerve endings of the underlying tissues from irritation. As a result, pain sensations decrease, local vasoconstriction occurs, secretion decreases, cell membranes thicken, which leads to a decrease in the inflammatory response.\r
The valeric and isovaleric acids contained in the medicinal forms of the viburnum bark have an antispasmodic effect, reduce the excitability of the central nervous system, and increase the duration of the action of sleeping pills. With long-term use of viburnum bark extract with food in animals, the cholesterol content in the blood decreases and a noticeable diuretic and cardiotonic effect is noted, which is due to the content of unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols in the plant. These compounds are biogenic precursors of prostaglandins, are involved in lipid metabolism, in the regulation of blood pressure and renal circulation.\r
Along with hemostatic properties, galenic products of the viburnum bark increase the tone of the muscles of the uterus.\r
Application in medicine
\rGalenic forms of viburnum bark are used in the treatment of various diseases, primarily due to the content of viburnin glycoside and tannins in the plant, which have an astringent, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory effect, and increase the tone of the uterine muscles. Liquid extract and decoction of viburnum bark are prescribed in obstetric and gynecological practice for uterine bleeding, in the postpartum period, to prevent miscarriage during an incipient abortion, with painful and heavy menstruation. As a hemostatic and anti-inflammatory agent, viburnum bark products are used for hemorrhoids, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and the therapeutic effect develops already by the 2nd-3rd day of using the product.\r
An infusion of the bark as a sedative and hypotensive product is prescribed for neurasthenia, hysteria, epilepsy, and hypertension. The fruits of viburnum increase the power of heart contractions, increase diuresis, improve bowel function. They are prescribed as a general tonic for convalescent patients, also for skin diseases, edema of cardiac and renal origin, for hypertension, gastritis, colitis and liver diseases.\r
Dosage forms, method of administration and doses
\rLiquid extract of viburnum (Extractum Viburni fluidium) is used 30-40 drops before meals 2-3 times every day.\r
A decoction of the bark of viburnum (Decoctum cortices Viburni): 10 g (1 tablespoon) of the raw material is placed in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml (1 cup) of hot boiled water, cover with a lid and heat in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes, cool at room temperature for 10 minutes, filter, squeeze, add water to 200 ml. The prepared broth is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days.\r
Take 1-2 tablespoons 3-4 times every day after meals as a hemostatic and antiseptic agent in the postpartum period, with uterine bleeding due to gynecological diseases.\r
Available in packs of 100 g. Raw materials are stored in a dry, cool place.\r
Infusion of wedge fruits (Infusum fructuum Viburni): 10 g (2 tablespoons) of fruits are placed in an enamel bowl, rubbed, gradually pouring 200 ml (1 cup) of hot boiled water, cover with a lid and heat in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes, cool at room temperature temperature for 45 minutes, filter, squeeze, add boiled water to 200 ml. The prepared infusion is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days.\r
It is taken throughout the day as a vitamin, tonic, diaphoretic and laxative, traditionally 1/3 cup 3-4 times every day. Produced in packs of 50 g. Raw materials are stored in a dry, cool place.