Devyasil high( Inula helenium)

Perennial herbaceous plant of the family Compositae. It grows in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of the European part of Russia, in Western Siberia. It grows in damp places, along the banks of rivers and mountain streams, on tall grass meadows, forest glades and fringes, in thickets of bushes.

Description

Devyasil is an excellent honey plant. Stem straight, reaching 1.75 m, rhizome fleshy, thick with numerous lateral roots extending from it. The lower leaves are large, elliptical, up to 50 cm long, the upper leaves are ovate-lanceolate, less large. The flowers are yellow in large baskets, located at the ends of the stems and branches. Marginal flowers in the basket are reed, female, middle - tubular, bisexual. Fruits are tetrahedral brown achenes with a tuft. Blossoms in July-September, fruits ripen in August-September. In medicine, the root of elecampane is used. Rhizomes are excavated early in the spring before the onset of a vigorous vegetation of the plant or in the fall, when the aerial part of the plant dies.

Composition

Rhizome contains essential oil( 1-5%), saponins, resins, mucous and bitter substances. In addition, the roots contain up to 44% of inulin and pseudoinulin.

Growing

Devyasil prefers sunny areas, nutrient-rich heavy soils. In the first year, if necessary, watering is carried out, in the summer they are fertilized with compost and mulched. Reproduction of elecampane is produced by division and by root layers. Plants are planted in spring or autumn at a distance of 50 cm. Collection: the excavated rhizomes and roots are cut from the stem and leaves, cleaned from the ground, washed, cut into pieces measuring 10-20 cm, and thick segments cut along, then dried outdoors orin dryers at a temperature of 40 ° C.The dried root of elecampane has a gray-brown color on the outside and yellowish white on the fracture, it has a peculiar strong odor and a spicy, bitter, slightly burning taste.

Medicinal properties of

Decoction of roots is used as an expectorant for various diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs( bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.).Used as an anthelmintic and diuretic, promotes rapid healing of wounds and ulcers. Devyasil can be used in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract as an anti-inflammatory and hemostatic. Has an eleven and choleretic action. In large quantities, it is toxic, not recommended for allergic reactions.

Application of

From the dried roots of elecampane according to the readings, a decoction of various strengths is prepared and taken inside. Recipes of alcoholic tinctures of elecampane are known, in which its haemostatic properties are manifested. Softened roots of elecampane or mush from the roots are used for wraps and compresses for problem skin.