Mother and stepmother - a description of the plant for children, legends, why they called it that. Mother and stepmother: medicinal properties and contraindications

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Rice. 4.23. flowering shoots

Leaves coltsfoot— folia farfarae

Coltsfoot- tussilago farfara l.

Sem. Compositae– asteraceae (compositae)

Other names: water burdock, kamchuzhnaya grass, cold lapukha, mother grass, one-sided, forest lapushnik, two-faced, rannik, kolorechnaya grass.

perennial herbaceous plant height 10-25 cm.

Rhizome creeping, juicy, branched, with thin roots. In early spring, numerous flower-bearing shoots grow with underdeveloped scaly leaves, which carry one apical basket (Fig. 4.23.).

flowers golden-yellow in baskets: marginal - false-lingual, median - tubular.

Fetus- tetrahedral achene with a long white tuft.

basal leaves, used as raw materials, develop later, after fruit ripening (Fig. 4.24.).

They are long-petiolate, broadly ovate with a deep heart-shaped notch at the base, 10-15 cm in diameter, angular, unevenly dentate, rather dense, glabrous above, with white soft felt pubescence below. The venation is palmate with noticeable three bundles of veins (Fig. 4.25.).

Blossoms in April - May, fruits ripen in May - June.

Composition of coltsfoot

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The chemical composition of coltsfoot

• polysaccharides - mucus (5-10%),
• inulin,
• dextrin,
• as well as bitter glycosides (2.6%),
• sitosterol,
• saponins,
• organic acids
• ascorbic acid,
• carotenoids,
• essential oil traces
• flavonoids,
• tannins,
• pyrrolizidine alkaloids in trace amounts.

Properties and uses of coltsfoot

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Pharmacotherapeutic group. Expectorant.

Pharmacological properties of coltsfoot

Coltsfoot drugs have:

• expectorant,
• anti-inflammatory,
• emollient and
• disinfectant action.

Anti-inflammatory and emollient action due to mucus. Spreading over the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, mucus forms a protective film that protects the epithelium from the irritating effects of cold, bacterial toxins, viruses, and irritating food ingredients. Under the protective film of mucus, the activity of the inflammatory process decreases, the damaged epithelium regenerates, its functions and cilia movements are normalized.

Saponins and organic acids dilute the pathological secrets of the respiratory tract, formed as a result of inflammation, the vital activity of microorganisms and viruses, contribute to their faster evacuation, purification of the respiratory tract and restoration of gas exchange.

Increased anti-inflammatory action carotenoids and tannins. The amount of coltsfoot polysaccharides on experimental models of inflammation gives a distinct anti-inflammatory effect, the anti-exudative effect is most pronounced.

In terms of anti-inflammatory activity, coltsfoot polysaccharides are not inferior to indomethacin although their pharmacodynamics are different.

Application of coltsfoot

An infusion of coltsfoot leaves is used in complex treatment sick

• bronchitis,
• laryngitis,
• pneumonia
• bronchial asthma,
• emphysema,
• to prevent exacerbations
• prevention of postoperative pulmonary complications.

Infusion coltsfoot is also used for

• diseases of the upper respiratory tract,
• chronic runny nose,
• at occupational diseases lungs and for their prevention.

Usually coltsfoot leaves are included in the fees.

In addition, coltsfoot is used inside in the form of aqueous extracts for gastritis, peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum, colitis.

With furunculosis, pustular rashes make lotions, compresses, wash the affected areas of the skin.

Spreading

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Spreading. The Eurasian species, widespread in all regions of the European part of the country, is common in Siberia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

Habitat. It grows on the banks of rivers and streams, coastal cliffs, screes, in damp ravines, along railway embankments, along highways. The plant forms dense thickets in places.

Procurement and storage of raw materials

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blank. The leaves are harvested in the first half of summer (June - July), when they are still relatively small, tearing off with a part of the petiole no more than 5 cm long. You should not collect too young leaves that have pubescence on the upper side, leaves affected by rust fungi and starting to turn yellow. In freshly harvested raw materials, the affected leaves are selected, loosely laid and transported.

Together with the coltsfoot, other plants from the Asteraceae family are often found, whose leaves are similar in appearance, but are not used in medicine (Fig. 4.25.). Butterbur, or false white (Petasites spurius (Retz.) Reinchb.), has triangular-heart-shaped leaves, from above with woolly ragged pubescence, from below snow-white, white or whitish-yellow felt.

Butterbur, or hybrid podbel (Petasites hybridus (L.) Gaertn.) has large round-triangular basal leaves, deeply cut at the base, almost bare from above, grayish-white below, soft felt.

Felt burdock (Arctium tomentosum Mill.) has entire, oblong-ovate leaves (basal), with a distinct main vein.

Security measures. Not required. The plant actively reproduces by seed and vegetatively, with the help of rhizomes. When harvesting, it is necessary to leave part of the leaves.

Drying. The leaves are dried in attics under an iron roof or in the open air under a canopy, spread out in a layer of 1 sheet with the pubescent side down. In the early days, it is recommended to turn them 1-2 times a day to ensure even drying. Artificial drying is allowed at a temperature of 50-60 ºС. Raw materials easily absorb moisture and turn brown, so it must be protected from dampness. The end of drying is determined by the fragility of leaf petioles.

Standardization. GF XI, no. 2, art. 16 and Change No. 1.

Storage. In a dry place on racks, packed in bags or bales. Shelf life up to 3 years.

External signs of raw materials

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Whole Raw Material

A mixture of whole or partially crushed leaves.
Leaves rounded heart-shaped, notched along the edge and unevenly sparsely and finely dentate, glabrous above, white-tomentose below from the abundance of tangled long hairs.
The length of the leaf blade is usually 8-15 cm, the width is about 10 cm, the length of the petiole is about 5 cm. The leaves should not be too young, i.e. should not have dense pubescence on the upper side.
Petioles thin, grooved above, often with preserved tomentose pubescence.
Color leaves are green on the upper side, whitish-gray on the lower side.
Smell absent.
Taste

Crushed raw materials

leaf pieces of various shapes, passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm.
Color grayish green.
Smell absent.
Taste slightly bitter with a slimy feeling.

Microscopy

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Looking at the top side of the sheet it can be seen from the surface that the epidermis consists of large polygonal cells with straight, often distinctly thickened lateral walls. Above the veins, the epidermal cells are elongated, the rest are isodiametric. Cuticle thick, wrinkly-folded, longitudinally folded above the veins.
Cells of the lower epidermis small, with strongly sinuous walls. Cuticle thin, wrinkly-folded, longitudinally folded above the veins. The epidermis is elevated above the air cavities, 1-2 stomata are located here.
stomata large, oval, anomocytic type. On the upper side of the leaf, stomata are rare, they have 4-5 parotid cells; on the bottom - numerous, with 7-9 parotid cells arranged radially. On both sides of the leaf, the cuticle forms radial folding around the stomata.
Upper side of the sheet almost naked, lower - covered with numerous simple hairs. The hairs consist of a short base, formed by 3-6 small cells, and a long terminal, cord-like, strongly sinuous cell.

The hairs are intertwined. The spongy tissue of the mesophyll has the character of aerenchyma - its cells are arranged in single-row chains that form large air cavities (Fig. 4.26).

Rice. 4.26. Microscopy of the coltsfoot leaf:

A - epidermis of the upper side of the leaf;
B - epidermis of the lower side of the leaf;
B - transverse section of the leaf: 1 - upper epidermis; 2 - palisade fabric; 3 - spongy tissue; 4 - lower epidermis; 5 - hair; 6 - stomata; 7 - air cavity.

Numerical indicators of raw materials

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Whole Raw Material

• Humidity no more than 13%;
• total ash not more than 20%;
• browned leaves no more than 5%;
• leaves affected brown spots rust, no more than 8%;
• mineral impurity no more than 2%.

Crushed raw materials

• Humidity no more than 13%;
• total ash not more than 20%;
• ash, insoluble in 10% hydrochloric acid solution, not more than 10%;
• pieces of browned leaves no more than 5%;
• pieces of leaves with brown spots of rust, not more than 8%;
• particles that do not pass through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm, not more than 20%;
• particles passing through a sieve with holes of 0.5 mm, not more than 5%;
• organic impurities not more than 2%;
• mineral impurity no more than 1%.

Medicines

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1. Coltsfoot leaves, crushed raw materials. Expectorant.
2. As part of the fees (feeding chest No. 1 and No. 2; expectorant fee; diaphoretic fee No. 2).
3. Cough syrup with coltsfoot and plantain, syrup (component - extract).
4. Elixir "Vivaton" (component - extract).

Humanity uses medicinal plants more time than it does farming. Before the emergence of a developed chemical industry, it was plant life forms that were the main source of medicines. But, even in our time, it is believed that drugs obtained naturally are much more beneficial for the body than those synthesized artificially. One of the most common human diseases are diseases of the lower respiratory tract - bronchi and lungs. The coltsfoot plant is traditionally used in folk medicine in the treatment of these diseases.

Introduction

Selection of recipes various means of the coltsfoot is large enough. Usually they are used as side therapy with colds, however, their use is not limited to this. At different peoples living in the habitat of this species, its use could sometimes differ significantly.

coltsfoot during flowering

In addition to medicinal properties, coltsfoot is one of the most popular honey plants.. The honey obtained from it has good taste characteristics. Also, like a honey plant, coltsfoot has significant advantages. Firstly, an acceptable yield of both nectar and pollen is obtained from it, and secondly, due to its unpretentiousness, it can occupy large areas, that is, ensure mass collection.

Biological description

Botanically, coltsfoot is a perennial herbaceous shrub., which are a monotypic representative of the Astrov family. This means that such a species is unique in the entire family. Indeed, the structure of the plant is such that it is unlike any other.

The flowering part of the coltsfoot has a large number of small yellow flowers collected in inflorescences-baskets. A feature of the plant is that its flowering occurs in early spring, at the same time, it occurs before the appearance of leaves.

But the unique properties of this herb do not end there. Its leaves are completely miscellaneous device, which even leads to the appearance of different microclimate conditions in different parts of the leaf. On the underside, the coltsfoot leaf is covered with many small villus hairs. This leads to the fact that the evaporation of liquid from the lower surface of the sheet occurs very slowly, one might say, does not occur at all. At the same time, as from a smooth upper surface, especially when exposed to sunlight, evaporation proceeds at a much faster rate.

Evaporating moisture causes a significant cooling of the upper part of the sheet, while the lower part remains relatively warm. Sometimes the temperature gradient between the top and bottom leaf coltsfoot can reach 3°C. The lower side, which is warmer, was popularly called “mother”, and the upper, colder side was called “stepmother”.

However, this plant has other names. Among them you can find the following:

• one-sided
• Kamchuzhnaya grass
• double leaf

Moreover, sometimes coltsfoot under these names will be found in quite official sources. In translation from Latin coltsfoot's official name means "herb that expels coughs".

The plant is very widespread in Eurasia. From the shores Atlantic Ocean and before Western Siberia it can be found at any latitude - from mediterranean sea to Murmansk. However, the range of the coltsfoot, although it has a fairly large area, is not continuous. For example, in Ukraine, it is not found throughout the Dnieper lowland, although it is present in almost the entire rest of the territory. A similar picture is observed in Scandinavia, and in Eastern Europe, and in the Middle lane, and in the Urals. Scientists cannot yet give an explanation for such a “spotted area” of a monotypic plant.

In addition, coltsfoot has a certain selectivity for soil types. For example, it is almost always found in areas where there is no turf and sod land. For a mother and stepmother, there is nothing better than various slopes of ravines or steep river banks. There are frequent cases of the appearance of a plant in places of violent human activity - wastelands, landfills, agricultural land, even landfills and abandoned industries.

wild field coltsfoot

The plant's dislike for soddy soil implies that clay soils are more preferable for the plant. And it's like this: coltsfoot grows best on clay soils. However, if the seeds of a plant fall into more or less favorable conditions, even on "uncomfortable", sandy soils, it can grow to a huge colony due to its unpretentiousness.

The plant blooms in mid-April, after about a month the first leaves appear. The plant has a very powerful root system. The root of the plant is long and branched. The top of the root is dotted with many buds. In the spring, two types of shoots are formed from them. At first - shoots of peduncles, later - shoots of leaves.

Generative plant stems

Moreover, this does not mean that the flowers are devoid of leaves at all. Flowering or generative shoots are covered with small ovate leaves along their entire length. They are brown in color and sometimes very similar to scales. The coltsfoot flower is very complex in structure and consists of many small flowers of the female and bisexual types, collected in two rings relative to the center. In total, there can be several hundred small flowers in the inflorescence.

flower closeup

The fruits of the coltsfoot are achenes with parachutes, that is, they are very similar to the fruits of an ordinary dandelion. After the fruits are ripe, the generative shoots die off, they dry out, and around this time the seeds are shed from the dried peduncle.

The medicinal use of the plant is due to the set of chemical components that make up the leaves.. The leaves of the plant can be up to 20 cm in diameter. They have long, hard petioles and teeth along the edges. Usually on a bush the number of leaves and flowers is approximately the same.

The collection of leaves is carried out in the spring, when the concentration of the necessary medicinal substances maximum in the plant. This usually happens when the veins on the leaf turn reddish-brown.

Growing a plant

Despite the fact that most of the collection of leaves for medical purposes is done in nature, sometimes there are enthusiasts who grow coltsfoot in private. Also, beekeepers often grow this plant, since the coltsfoot not only gives high-quality honey, but is also one of the earliest flowering honey plants. Traditionally, some abandoned areas or wastelands are used for these purposes, since the plant is quite unpretentious.

Reproduction of the plant is equally well done by both seed and vegetative methods.. Particularly popular is the division of the rhizome. Due to the lack of special negative impact on the soil, and also because of its good adaptability to almost any conditions, coltsfoot can grow for decades in the same place in the garden without transplanting. In this case, it may even be necessary to limit the growth rate of the plant, since it reproduces extremely well and quickly captures large areas.

The plant does best in partial shade, but can also grow in full sun. But the shadow does not really suit him.

It is believed that this plant does well without care., therefore, no one dealt with the issues of its cultivation, and, as a result, selection. Everyone is satisfied with its current state. However, the reaction of this herb to fertilizers is quite indicative, which allows in the first 1-2 years of cultivation to achieve high speed its reproduction.

Preference is given to organic fertilizers, which are recommended to be applied once a year at the end of autumn to the location of the plants. These can be: compost, humus or bird droppings diluted with water at a concentration of 1 to 20.

Watering the plant is necessary only in excessively hot weather. while making sure that moisture does not get on the outer part of the leaves. Also, the plant does not need loosening, hilling or mulching the soil. The existing opinion that a plant can only exist near open sources of water does not hold water - even bindweed or mallow will envy the drought resistance of the coltsfoot.

Propagation by vegetative means is very simple.- the daughter root is separated from the mother in the middle of spring and transplanted to a new place. Already at the end of the next season, a large colony of plants is formed at the place of its planting, consisting of about a couple of dozen flowers and 2-3 daughter roots of the next generation.

In addition, do not be surprised if plants begin to sprout in all corners of the garden, similar to coltsfoot, but somewhat more miniature. This is the result of self-seeding of the plant. Small seedlings mature for about three years before they begin to bloom. At the beginning, they will form a powerful root system and a sufficient number of generative and vegetative buds will appear.

Collection, preparation and storage of leaves

It is believed that medicinal properties possess not only the leaves, but also the flowers of the plant. Flowers are harvested already in early May, and the time of collection of leaves may vary depending on the weather.

The collection of leaves can be extended in time for a rather significant period - from early May to mid-July. At the same time, the concentration of medicinal substances in the plant remains maximum until the beginning of August.

Leaves are collected on sunny days.. The leaf is cut from the outlet along with a petiole about 4-5 cm long. If the collection is made in wild nature, plants growing near the roadway or man-made buildings should be avoided. It is best to retire somewhere far away from such objects; modern herbalists recommend distances of at least a kilometer.

Collection of flowers

Leaves must be dried before use.. This is done under a canopy, in the attic or in a ventilated room. The main requirement for drying is the absence of precipitation and high humidity.

The leaves are laid on a flat surface in one layer and once a day they are turned over to the opposite side. Similar procedure helps to avoid bedsores and rotting. Dried leaves need to be crushed a little - this will provide more comfortable and convenient storage.

An alternative is to use special dryers with a temperature of about 40-50°C when drying the leaves. With their help, you can reduce the drying process to 1-2 days.

Dried ingredients should be stored in cloth bags or cardboard boxes. Sealed storage in glass jars is not excluded. At the same time, it is desirable to attach a label to each box, bag or container, indicating the place and time of its collection. Shelf life of dried coltsfoot is 2 to 3 years.

Read also:

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Healing properties of coltsfoot

The leaves of the coltsfoot contain the following components:

• glycosides
• tannin
• sterols
• carotenoids
• tannins

The leaves also contain vitamin C, its concentration is 250 mg per 100 g of raw product.

The pharmacological action of the plant consists mainly in a pronounced expectorant effect., which is a consequence a large number components of the mucus contained in its leaves.

In the lower respiratory tract, in addition to expectoration, coltsfoot also restores the normal activity of the ciliary epithelium of the bronchi and trachea. In addition, it has a mild anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and diaphoretic effect.

Application area

The use of coltsfoot has been indicated as maintenance therapy for a range of conditions various systems body:

1. With pathological processes in the upper respiratory tract. Traditionally, the effect of coltsfoot is used as an anti-inflammatory and facilitating sputum discharge. In addition, due to the mucus components contained in the preparations of the plant, the inflamed surfaces are enveloped and softened. Herbal infusions are used for throat diseases - tonsillitis and tonsillitis, as well as other diseases. respiratory organs- pleurisy, laryngitis, pneumonia, etc. In non-disseminated forms of pulmonary tuberculosis, leaf tinctures are recommended for use at the final stage of a course of antibiotics.
2. In case of damage to the digestive organs. Since the infusions and decoctions of the plant have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects, they can help in the treatment of gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis and cholecystitis. Sometimes an infusion of coltsfoot is recommended for violations of the functioning of the liver and gallbladder.
3. Various infections genitourinary system . These include cystitis, pyelonephritis, and others.
4. For children over two years old, coltsfoot also helps to cope with diathesis and other manifestations of allergic reactions. In this case, you can use powder from crushed leaves for external influence on the affected area, or use the herbal infusion orally.
5. The plant is often used for various inflammations mucous membranes oral cavity. This also includes numerous dental diseases. Rinsing the mouth with stomatitis, dental diseases, gingivitis, etc. not only relieves inflammation and disinfects, but can also somewhat reduce pain.
6. It is believed that the leaves of the coltsfoot also have the ability to normalize arterial pressure, that is, they are a hypotonic agent. Some researchers are convinced that the substances contained in coltsfoot can significantly slow down the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels. Leaf infusions are recommended not only for atherosclerosis, but also for heart failure and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.
7. Using a decoction of the leaves helps in the treatment of mastitis however, the plant is not recommended for use during lactation.
8. Healing effect. When applied externally, a decoction of coltsfoot helps fight the effects of purulent infections, the effects of acne, and furunculosis. It has a good healing effect on burns, abrasions, wounds of small and medium depth, various scratches. Usually, cotton swabs moistened with decoction are applied to the affected areas. In some cases, freshly picked leaves are applied to wounds, such as psyllium.
9. Cosmetologists and trichologists recommend using the plant in the form of an infusion when washing your hair or rinsing your hair. The infusion helps in strengthening the hair roots, relieves inflammation around the bulbs, relieves the head of dandruff.
10. Therapy is limited not only to the listed methods of using the plant. Often infusions and decoctions of coltsfoot are recommended as tonic with a decrease in immunity or a decline in strength. A decoction of these leaves is also included in many preventive measures.

    Dried coltsfoot flowers

    • This remedy is obtained from one tablespoon of finely chopped coltsfoot leaves, poured with 200 ml of water, brought to a boil. Next, you need to boil the infusion for 15 minutes and leave it to infuse.
    • The infusion time is about 1-1.5 hours. After that, without waiting for the infusion to cool, it must be filtered through a fine sieve. In this case, about 5-10% of the liquid volume is lost. It is necessary to add the infusion to 200 ml with boiling water and let it cool.
    • This remedy is used from 2 to 4 times a day in doses of 50 ml at a time.
    • The infusion of the leaves is mainly used for the treatment colds . And an infusion of flowers - in the treatment of diseases gastrointestinal tract and diseases of the cardiovascular system.

(lat. Tussilago) - a genus of perennials herbaceous plants families Asteraceae, or Compositae ( Asteraceae). The only kind Mother and stepmother ordinary (Tussilago farfara). Among the people, this plant has a lot of names - mother grass, water burdock, cold lapukha, podbel, two-faced, butterbur. Grass is widespread in Eurasia ( Western Europe, Siberia, Kazakhstan, mountains of Central and Asia Minor), in North Africa and North America. For growth, the mother and stepmother prefers clay and moist soils, free from turf. Although it can be found on pebbly and sandy river banks. It grows along the banks of rivers, lakes, meadows, embankments, slopes of ravines and landslides. The mother and stepmother is the most harmful in crops of vegetable crops, as it develops very quickly and grows intensively, which leads to the complete displacement of other plants.

mother and stepmother description

The root system is in the form of a long, creeping, branched rhizome, which deepens into the soil by about 1 m. Two types of shoots are formed from the buds located on the rhizome: vegetative and flowering. Already in early spring, flowering shoots begin to develop, they are erect, low, up to 30 cm high. Each shoot has a head (flower), which fades after flowering. The heads are bright yellow color 2-2.5 cm in diameter. The flowers are both hollow, but barren. When ripe, the heads become fluffy, very similar to a dandelion. The flowering period begins as soon as the snow melts, in early spring.

Fetus- slightly curved cylindrical achene with a tuft. Flowering shoots die off after flowering.

Vegetative shoots begin to develop some time after the start of flowering. These shoots bear several round-heart-shaped, irregularly serrated leaves on long petioles that form a rosette. The upper surface of these leaves is smooth, and the lower surface is white tomentose. If you touch the leaf with your palm, you can feel that the leaf is warm from below and cold from above.

The plant is very prolific. The maximum number of seeds that one plant can produce is approximately 19,000 seeds. Seeds have high germination capacity and germinate in the soil from a depth of up to 2 cm.

mother and stepmother harmfulness

Mother and stepmother bring harm agriculture littering plantations with cultivated vegetables. Measures to combat this weed should be aimed at the destruction of young rosettes. Maximum efficiency this method reached in the early stages of plant development. Very good results in the struggle are shown by a combination of surface treatment techniques with layer-by-layer deep loosening and cutting of rhizomes. To herbicides wide application mother and stepmother shows resilience. It is necessary to use substances that penetrate into the rhizome. For example, tordan, banvel.

mother and stepmother medicinal properties

Since ancient times, the mother and stepmother was considered a medicinal plant. IN Ancient Greece and Rome it was prescribed in the treatment of bronchial asthma and bronchitis. In Paris, the emblem of pharmacies was the image of this plant. Such emblems were hung over every shop that sold medicinal herbs.

The aerial part of the plant is used as a medicinal raw material. Flower heads are harvested during flowering, that is, in March-April. They are usually separated from the stem. It is necessary to dry in the shade, spreading out on paper in one layer. The collection of leaves begins after flowering, when they become smooth, but have not yet begun to become covered with brown spots. The best time for this is early summer. Dry the leaves as exactly as the flowers, in the shade and in one layer. Dried inflorescences are stored for two years, and leaves - three years.

The plant is very rich useful trace elements. The leaves contain zinc, which allows the use of coltsfoot as an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of tonsillitis, hoarseness, laryngitis, colds and others. infectious diseases. Herbal tincture is used externally in the treatment skin infections, wounds, burns. Mother and stepmother have a beneficial effect on digestive system, relieves diarrhea and is an appetite stimulant.

Also, the mother and stepmother is an indispensable assistant in maintaining and restoring the beauty of the skin and hair. This plant has high content amino acids - cystine, sulfur and silicon dioxide. Cystine helps to strengthen and grow hair, high level silicon soothes the scalp, eliminates dandruff and dead cells, gives elasticity and shine to the hair. Mother and stepmother extract will help increase skin elasticity, thanks to this extract, the work of the sebaceous glands is regulated.

Mother and stepmother is able to normalize metabolism. Sometimes it is used for weight loss.

The use of drugs based on this plant has contraindications. Do not use infusions and decoctions long time, more than 1.5 months. Do not give to children under two years of age. It is also forbidden to take the mother and stepmother during pregnancy and lactating women. In no case should people with liver diseases consume this plant in any form.

Be careful! Self-medication is dangerous to life and health. Before using drugs, be sure to visit a doctor.

mother and stepmother photo

Common mother and stepmother (Tussilago farfara) Leaves of mother and stepmother (Tussilago farfara) Seeds of mother and stepmother (Tussilago farfara)

The only species is the common coltsfoot. The description characterizes this plant for a long-term way of life, widespread in Eurasia. Africa is also her home. The flowering period is early spring, when the leaves are not yet open.

What is this wonderful plant?

It says that it is widely used in medical purposes. She is great at fighting coughs. Therefore, the name of the herb has a connection with the verb "to drive away." Before you is really not only a cute and pretty flower, but also a powerful path to recovery.

Even Pliny the Elder and Kaspar Baugin described the coltsfoot. The underside of the foliage of the plant has numerous hairs, the liquid does not evaporate from there as much as from above. The side below is called the "mother". She is warm. The side facing up is called the "stepmother", it is somewhat colder. Due to the different temperatures and appeared among the people current name plants.

Also, the grass is called Kamchuzhnaya, mother-grass, king-potion, one-sided. The distribution of this plant is quite wide, therefore, when there was no strong informational message, each group of peoples called the plant in its own way.

Where can you meet

Almost everywhere a coltsfoot plant will find a living area for itself. The description mentions that the life of the herb lasts several years. Almost all of Eurasia is her home. Grass reached Asia and North Africa. Even in America it is.

Not from gentle plants coltsfoot. Short description testifies that even the Arctic has become her home. Grass is not friendly with turf, grows in areas deprived of it, tends to water, slopes. Also held in high esteem are areas on which there is a trace of anthropogenic impact. Fields, landfills or wastelands are excellent for the growth of this plant.

The description of the mother-and-stepmother characterizes her as a rather universal and unpretentious creation of nature. Soils with clay or other types of soil (sand and pebble river banks) are good for its development. Grass blooms under the rays of the April sun.

Description of biologists

The rhizome of the coltsfoot plant is long. Photo and description show branching and creep. The kidneys are located on the root processes. From there, shoots appear, which can be flower-bearing or vegetative. The description of the coltsfoot says that with the first rays of the spring sun, the grass awakens from its sleep. The development of low shoots, standing straight, which bring flowers begins. They are covered with ovate-lanceolate scaly leaves of a brown hue.

Colors are of two types and are divided by gender. On the edge are females. They are also called reed because of the pronounced features of the extreme colors. It is on this basis that the belonging of the plant is diagnosed. According to the structure of the peduncle, one can understand that this is a coltsfoot flower. The description is similar to butterbur, but reed is not so easy to find there.

The corollas are thread-like, there are much fewer flowers from the edge. The inflorescence in the middle contains a bisexual tubular flower. The fruit can be considered a cylindrical achene. She has pappus. It's a tuft that makes soft hairline. When the fruit ripens, the shoots bearing flowers die off. Some time later, when the peduncle began, the next stage is the development of vegetative-type shoots. Then large, heart-shaped, white-felt, bare leaves grow. They have long petioles.

Significance and use in the economy

The multitude of places where the plant grows is only in the hands of people, because it is so useful. Most of all the value in the early spring honey plant. Bees feed on nectar and pollen from it. IN medicinal purposes harvesting and drying of raw materials in spring period. It is best to place the grass in a dryer with a temperature of 40 degrees. The leaves have a slimy liquid. She is able to soften and envelop. If you need to expectorate sputum, this substance will also be extremely useful. Breast collection consists of bitter glycoside tussylyagin, tannins, sterols, tannin, cartonoids. Traditional medicine skillfully used flowers and leaves for various purposes.

Thanks biologically active substances it is possible to have a complex effect in the case of inflammatory processes. Quite rich has a coltsfoot description. For children, it is useful as a medicine that eliminates cough. If whooping cough does not give rest, this plant will also help in the best way and expel mucous sputum. You can make tea that will make coughing much easier. The mucus in the bronchi will become thinner. Chronical bronchitis also curable with this plant along with bronchiectasis, laryngitis, bronchial asthma and bronchopneumonia.

As we know, the measure is good in everything, so, given the pyrrolizidine alkaloids contained in the herb, doctors do not recommend extending the use of this plant for more than a month. An interesting fact is that in 1990 a coat of arms was created for Nannestad, which was a commune in Norway and was part of the province of Akershus. The picture contains just three yellow flowers. After all, this plant is so common on these lands. It is very close to butterbur, doronicum, buzulnik.

Can be a lot interesting information learn about the uniqueness of this plant. The Red Book contains extensive data. The "coltsfoot" description is close to the water burdock, since it is its immediate relative, as is the case with reptile grass. It can be used both as a set and separately. Both flowers and leaves are equally useful, but each for its own purpose.

The yellow petals are shed when the flowering process is in progress. After that, they move on to the foliage, while the seeds have not yet crumbled. Raw materials can be stored for two years.

Many medicinal infusions become healing due to the fact that they use coltsfoot (plant). The description for children will be very interesting, and the pictures of this herb are very bright and colorful. You can treat your child's airways, disinfect and prevent inflammation.

How to prepare medicine

Recipe for this infusion wonderful plant next: you need to grind the flowers and leaves in the amount of 4 teaspoons. A glass of boiling water is poured. Infused for half an hour, filtered. Drink the mixture a day, but not immediately, but in several doses. It will help with cough, inflammation, hoarseness and bronchial asthma.

Maybe your problem is different. You need to eat, but there is no appetite, the mucous membrane of the intestinal tract is inflamed. In this case, the infusion will also help in the best way.

If there are complex diseases breathing paths, collect the following set of plants: chop comfrey rhizome, coltsfoot, mullein, linden. All herbs should have equal proportions. One tablespoon is poured into one glass of water. Before this, the roots are boiled separately over low heat. It lasts 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add remaining herbs. The decoction should be infused for half an hour. Then we filter it and drink half a glass 30 minutes before meals. And so during the day.

To breathe easily

All kinds of herbs are excellent for curing respiratory problems. Coltsfoot, a little and elderberry are mixed in the same amount. Tea is being made. One tablespoon of herbs is poured into a cup of boiling water. It is advised to take such a drink until a full recovery occurs.

If you are concerned about pulmonary tuberculosis, you can cut the leaves of the coltsfoot, put it in an enamel pan, sprinkle with sugar. We close the dishes tightly, put them in a place where there is a cold, and keep there for two months. After removing the mixture from storage, add honey. Half a kilo bee product put in one kilogram of the mixture. Take one tablespoon of this medicine three times a day. Children's epilepsy is also eliminated with the help of this sweet infusion.

Decoction of this amazing plant you can also use to alleviate the course of diseases skin, remove abscesses and inflammation affecting the veins in the legs.

Not only decoctions help, but also Fresh Juice. You can get rid of a runny nose if you drop them in your nose.

For beautiful hair

Even the head can be washed with this wonderful herb. The decoction removes dandruff and prevents baldness. If you also add nettle to the infusion, a positive effect and beautiful hair secured.

Two plants are taken in equal proportions. Two tablespoons pour a glass of water, wait until it cools down, filter. When the head is washed, you need to rinse your hair with this healing cocktail.

You can make a tincture of fresh flowers. They are collected in a jar, sealed, filled with vodka in equal proportions. The infusion time is one week. A dark place is better. 35 drops are drunk half an hour before a meal.

External application

If you have bronchitis, pleurisy or pneumonia, take and massage. This will provide blood supply and sputum waste. Thoroughly massage the chest and abdomen with the back. In this way, it will be possible to improve the performance of the extraction systems. These are the skin, liver, kidneys, lungs, intestines. Poisonous products of metabolism leave the cells. Cellular enzymes are produced better, good viability appears.

Contraindications

Not worth these medicinal mixtures apply for a period lasting more than one and a half months. Repeat the procedure once a year, as the body accumulates harmful elements. It is too early for children under two years of age to undergo such treatment, as well as for people with liver disease, nursing and pregnant mothers.

Everyone who loves walks in the forest observes the colorful and unforgettable flowering of the coltsfoot in early spring. After the snow melts, thawed patches, clearings, secluded open corners of thickets and forest edges are covered with islands of bright yellow spiky, reed flowers that delight the eye and create a joyful spring mood after long cold weather.

Did you know that this flower compound culture, belonging to the Aster family, is natural healer? Medicinal plant mother and stepmother, medicinal properties and contraindications of which are determined by the biologically active phytonutrients present in it, has a complex effect on the foci of inflammation and the entire body as a whole.

Water infusions of herbs make bronchial mucus more liquid, facilitating the processes of sputum discharge, strengthen the female body, help in the treatment of diseases urogenital area, lotions with infusion improve the condition of patients with dermatological diseases and damage to the skin, and mouth rinses soften the manifestation of dental problems.

How is grass harvested, dried and stored?

By the way, the plant belongs to one of the very first and especially valuable spring honey plants, providing bees with nectar and pollen. Harvesting of coltsfoot leaves is done in early spring. The collected raw materials are dried under a canopy, in an attic, in a barn or in electric dryers at a temperature not exceeding 50°C.

Keep coltsfoot like the rest healing herbs, in paper, cardboard or linen packages, as well as in glass jars in dark place with good ventilation. Healing properties raw materials remain unchanged for 2 years. Mother and stepmother is sold in the pharmacy chain, in the markets, in eco- and phyto-shops.

Medicinal properties mother and stepmother

As part of fresh and dried leaves mother and stepmothers present mucus, tannin, bitter glycosides, tannic compounds, essential oil, phytoncides, sterols, organic acids (malic, gallic and tartaric), polysaccharides, alkaloids, vitamins (carotenoids, C, group B), mineral salts.

The internal intake of extracts, due to the high concentration of mucus, has a pronounced enveloping effect on the walls of the oral cavity, larynx, throat, esophagus, stomach and intestinal mucosa.

The main properties of the medicinal plant include: diaphoretic, sanitizing, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, regenerating, enveloping, bronchodilator, immunomodulatory and antioxidant.

Purify the blood, eliminate mastitis, heal burn surfaces in a short time, alleviate the course of peptic ulcer and cholecystitis and get rid of erysipelas- this is not a complete list of diseases from which coltsfoot helps.

This flowering perennial has been widely known in folk medicine for a long time. It is used for many diseases, including respiratory system person. Traditionally, dried herb is part of chest and emollient collections, helps to get rid of all types of cough, thinning sputum, especially with whooping cough, pneumonia, laryngitis, asthma, tuberculosis and bronchitis.

Local baths from the infusion and decoction of coltsfoot are prescribed in complex therapy with hemorrhoids and cystitis. Procedures lasting 15 minutes are performed by sitting in a basin with warm liquid 1-2 times a day. With bleeding in the colon, microclysters with a decoction are additionally used.

Cosmetologists, trichologists and dermatologists advise to pay close attention to unique plant coltsfoot. The healing properties for women are the ability of water extracts to stop hair loss, improve the condition of curls, cleanse the skin of rashes and acne, rejuvenate the face and smooth out wrinkles. And poultices with dried powder of the plant heal mastitis.

Recipes for medicinal purposes

For a cold accompanied by a cough, protracted bronchitis, whooping cough, tracheitis, a mother and stepmother herb decoction is used, prepared by steaming a tablespoon of dried raw materials with a glass hot water and ten minutes of simmering the liquid for steam bath. After cooling, the decoction is filtered and taken 15 ml three times a day before meals.