Content
- 1 The healing properties of phytolacca (lakonos)
- 2 Rules for the procurement of raw materials
- 3 Application of berry lakonos
- 4 What diseases does the American laconos plant help from?
- 5 The use of lakonos americana in folk medicine: recipes
- 6 The use of American phytolacca in homeopathy
- 7 Contraindications
- 8 Conclusion
American lakonos and berry lakonos are two of more than 110 species of the Lakonosov family that grow in Russia. Despite the almost identical appearance, these tall bushes differ quite seriously in their properties and use. If the purpose of the berry lakonos is of a culinary nature, then its American namesake is not eaten due to increased toxicity, nevertheless, and it is used in folk and traditional medicine.
The healing properties of phytolacca (lakonos)
Lakonos drupe (berry) or phytolacca drupe Phytolacca Acinosa is of North American origin, despite the fact that many of its varieties are perfectly adapted for cultivation in the tropics and the Far East.
This herbaceous perennial can grow up to 3 m in height and have a fairly branched stem. Berry lakonos has huge leaves up to 40 cm long and about 10 cm wide. The leaves, stems and fruits of the "berry" variety have a fairly wide application: from eating to using as ingredients for the creation of various medicines. Mostly berry laconos is used for the symptomatic treatment of colds, gastrointestinal problems and as an anti-inflammatory agent. Berry lakonos is shown in the photo below:
As for the "brother", the American laconos, this plant is of a completely different kind; it is not recommended to be eaten due to excessive toxicity. However, this does not prevent its cultivation, since the range of medical applications for this variety is much wider.
There is practically no visual difference in the types of these representatives of the flora: the poisonous species of the lakonos can be distinguished from the berry relative only by the drooping shape of the inflorescence or seed, which for the American lakonos is shown in the photo:
Medicinal and beneficial properties of the American lakonos
The medicinal properties of the plant, in contrast to the "berry" relative, are well known in medicine. The crushed root system of this species is included in the official list of herbal preparations under the name "American lakonos root".
The root, which is quite dense and thick, contains essential oils, a large amount of sugars, flavonoids, saponins, formic and citric acids. The leaves and stems of the plant contain B vitamins, vitamin PP and vitamin C. The content of the latter is about 285 mg per 100 g of product.
American Lakonos can be eaten, but this must be done with caution. Firstly, shoots can be used only in a completely fresh form, when the plant has not passed even half of the growing season. Secondly, they should be thoroughly cooked before being eaten.
In the cuisines of some peoples, the American Lakonos is used as a spice with a tart taste. Lakonos juice is used in the preparation of both fresh and canned dishes.In some parts of Asia and even enlightened Europe, the juice and berries of the American lakonos are still used to give wine a rich red-black hue. In addition, lakonos is used as a food coloring and for some dishes.
Lakonos berries do not have medicinal properties, they are mainly used to extract juice, from which dyes for clothes from wool and silk are later produced.
Useful properties of berry lakonos
The use of drupe lakonos or phytolacca drupes Phytolacca Acinosa is more culinary than pharmaceutical in nature. Almost all parts of the berry lakonos are eaten: roots, leaves and fruits. Similar to its American counterpart, berry lakonos has approximately the same chemical and mineral composition, with minor changes: slightly higher concentration of vitamin C, less essential oils and alkaloids.
The content of toxins in the berry lakonos is very small, and food prepared from the plant does not have any restrictions due to the concentration of these substances. Phytolacca berry has become widespread in its homeland and in Asian countries. In Russia, the berry variety is practically unknown to anyone, since few people eat it, confusing berry phytolacca with American.
Rules for the procurement of raw materials
For medicinal needs, the roots and flowers of the plant, as well as its leaves, are used. However, they do this in cases where there is very little plant material. It is mainly the roots of the American lakonos that are harvested, having the maximum concentration of biologically active substances. Berries, like their juice, have a minimum concentration of active substances and are considered the safest for internal use.
Closer to the ripening of the fruit, the concentration of toxins in the plant increases, so the collection of the material should be carried out with the utmost care.
If the root is deep red or has a reddish tint, it cannot be used. Harvested roots for medicinal purposes must be exclusively yellow.
Collection of material has been carried out since September. The criterion for starting the collection is the ripening of the lakonose berries. After harvesting, the root should be dried. Drying is carried out for several hours in an oven with a temperature of about + 50 ° C.
Store dried plant parts in tissue bags in a dry and ventilated area. The shelf life is about 1 year.
Application of berry lakonos
In the tropics, where the climate allows the plant to grow to enormous sizes (meaning the coverage of the "crown" of the berry phytolacca and the thickness of its leaves and stems, and not at all the height), it is cultivated as a vegetable plant: the stems are used in the same way as the stems of the lakonos American - as a substitute for asparagus. However, unlike the latter, they can be consumed during the entire growing season and even after the fruit has ripened.
If the shoots of berry phytolacca need heat treatment, then this does not need to be done with the leaves: they are used as a filler in salads.
Berries, as a rule, are used to make juice, which is used as a component of some drinks.
The healing properties of berry phytolacca are poorly expressed, it is mainly a symptomatic treatment of colds and inflammations.
What diseases does the American laconos plant help from?
American Lakonos helps with the following diseases:
- arthritis, arthrosis, joint pain;
- inflammation of the upper respiratory tract: tonsillitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis;
- rheumatism;
- hypertension;
- skin diseases;
- ulcer;
- inflammation of the genitourinary system;
- stomatitis;
- radiculitis.
Also, there is a good antiparasitic and antibacterial effect of preparations from the plant. The root of the plant manifests itself well in the prevention of various external inflammations, as well as for the localization and partial relief of pain.
The use of lakonos americana in folk medicine: recipes
Phytolacca has many medicinal properties that are used, it would seem, for completely unrelated body systems. However, the plant's rich chemical composition makes it a truly versatile remedy.
Further, the healing properties of the American lakonos are considered and popular recipes for certain cases are given.
Tincture of roots and leaves
Tincture of roots and leaves is used mainly for joint diseases: arthritis, arthrosis, radiculitis, long-lasting pain.
To prepare the tincture, you will need fresh leaves and roots. The use of dried ingredients in the preparation of such a product is undesirable.
50 g of finely chopped leaves and roots of the plant are poured into 100 ml of vodka or ethyl alcohol with water. The container with the tincture is set for 2 weeks in a dark place with room temperature.
After the remedy is infused, it is used to rub the painful areas in the joints or make compresses with it. The holding time of the compress should not exceed 1 hour.
Root tincture
Root tincture is used to treat and prevent diseases of the upper respiratory tract:
- ARVI, ARI;
- sore throats;
- laryngitis;
- tonsillitis.
To prepare the tincture you will need:
- 10 g root;
- 50 ml of alcohol;
- 125 ml of water (or about 100-150 ml of vodka).
The roots should be poured with alcohol or vodka, tightly corked and placed in a cool, dark place for 15 days. Once every 4-5 days, it is necessary to stir or shake the composition.
Apply the remedy once a day in the middle of the day after a meal. The course lasts 2 weeks. At one time, it is allowed to use no more than 15 drops of tincture on the roots.
Root decoction
The broth is used for hypersensitivity to American lakonos and can be used for the previously described methods of therapy.
Preparation of the broth: 5 g of the roots of the American lakonos are poured with boiling water and infused for 30-60 minutes. Apply it no more than 5 ml per day by mouth and monitor the reaction of the body. If everything is normal, the dose is increased to 10 ml daily. Its external use in the areas of the joints is allowed.
Root Powder
The powder can be used to create decoctions and infusions of lakonos, while its amount required to create a particular product is taken 30-50% less than the dried root or 5-10 times less than the freshly harvested one. The rest of the cooking recipe remains unchanged.
In addition, the powder from the roots of the American lakonos is used to treat skin diseases: from rashes and irritations to benign tumors.
In some cases, the powder from the roots is subjected to additional heat treatment, usually roasting. The resulting highly dried and thermally processed powder is used to create tinctures for blood purification.
Liquid extract
A liquid extract from the roots and stems of the American lakonos is used to normalize the gastrointestinal tract, in particular, to treat constipation. Making it at home is problematic, but it is included in some remedies that help treat gastrointestinal disorders.
The use of American phytolacca in homeopathy
If the use of a plant in traditional medicine can be associated with a certain risk due to the high concentration of harmful alkaloids in its parts, then the homeopathic use of the American lakonos is completely harmless. In such preparations, the concentration of substances hazardous to human life is negligible.
Phytolacca Americana is used in homeopathy for the following indications for use:
- SARS, flu;
- inflammation of the oral cavity;
- inflammation of the lymphatic system;
- with female diseases.
Naturally, it is impossible to prepare homeopathic remedies on your own at home, so it is better not to practice such treatment regimens on your own.
Contraindications
American Lakonos has quite extensive contraindications:
- pregnancy;
- lactation period;
- acute forms of gastrointestinal diseases;
- complicated forms of heart disease.
A contraindication for the berry lakonos can only be an individual intolerance. However, berry phytolacca is also prohibited for use by children under 12 years old.
Conclusion
Lakonos American is an ornamental and medicinal perennial with wide application. It can be used in a variety of decoctions and infusions to treat a wide range of ailments, from colds to cardiovascular diseases and tumors. Its use should be carried out in small doses and very carefully, since the substances contained in the root of the plant and its other parts are potentially dangerous to humans. Phytolacca berry, unlike the American one, is not a poisonous plant and is used in cooking.
