Saxifrage femur is a medicinal herb. Distributed in Europe, often found in the Crimea, in the temperate latitudes of Russia, in the Caucasus and the Far East, in Siberia and Southeast Asia. The saxifrage femur is used not only in medicine, but also in cooking. In this article, we will consider the beneficial properties and medicinal recipes based on this plant.
Description
The rhizome of the plant is short, brown. The root is fleshy, light yellow, can be up to 20 cm long. The stalk of the saxifrage femur is dense and thin, from 20 to 60 cm high. The upper leaves consist of three lobes, and the lower ones - of five parts. The flowers of the plant are white, with 5 petals. They are collected in a complex umbrella, which reaches a diameter of 8 cm. The saxifrage femur blooms from June to October.
The plant grows in well-lit areas. Most often found in meadows and clearings, as well as in forests.
Composition
Root of saxifrage femur is saturated with saponins (glycosides), tannins, resins. It also contains aromatic compounds: phenol derivatives, propylbenzene.
The aerial parts of the plant contain many useful substances: vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, fiber and flavonoids. The seeds are saturated with fatty oils, which contain stearic, oleic, palmitic and other acids. During the flowering period, carotene and ascorbic acid were found in the leaves.
All parts of the plant are rich in essential oils.
Collecting and harvesting
In folk medicine, all parts of the plant are used. Roots and rhizomes are harvested in October (after the end of the flowering period) or in early spring. Store the dried parts of the saxifrage femur in the refrigerator in a porcelain or glass container. It is also not recommended to cut the roots before drying, as they lose their beneficial properties and pleasant aroma.
The leaves are collected and harvested just before the start of flowering. During this period, they are saturated with protein, fiber, ascorbic acid and carotene. The leaves of the saxifrage thigh are dried in well-ventilated areas or s alted.
Seeds of the plant are harvested only when ripe (they should have a light brown color). As a rule, they are harvested from August to September. Dried seeds are stored in dark rooms in transparent glass containers.
Pharmacological properties
- Furocoumarin derivatives found in all partsplants, relieve spasms.
- The composition of the roots of the saxifrage femur includes a bitter, water-insoluble substance - pimpinellin. It can activate the excretory function of the gastric glands.
- Saxifrage femur has an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diaphoretic, antipyretic, astringent effect.
- The roots and rhizomes of this plant are often used in vasodilators and blood purifiers.
- Antineoplastic properties of saxifrage femur are being studied in European countries.
History of medical applications
The saxifrage herb was already known in antiquity. In ancient Greece and Rome, this plant was grown as a medicinal plant and was used in the treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, infertility and other disorders of women's he alth, diseases of the male genital area.
In the Middle Ages and the New Age, saxifrage was used as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antipyretic and analgesic during cholera and plague. The roots of the plant were actively used by Norwegian and Swiss healers.
Today, preparations based on saxifrage femur are widely used in folk and traditional medicine. So, what ailments does this plant help fight?
Use of saxifrage hip in modern medicine
- Stimulates sputum production in case of upper respiratory tract disease. Tinctures and decoctions of the saxifrage thighrelieve cough and general condition of the patient. Preparations based on this plant in combination with other drugs are prescribed for pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheitis.
- Improves digestion and metabolism in the body.
- Has a diuretic effect. It is actively used in nephrolithiasis, diseases of the kidneys and biliary tract.
- Drugs containing saxifrage femur are prescribed for viral diseases, acute respiratory infections, fever, bronchial asthma.
- The plant has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antiseptic effect in gastritis, enterocolitis. Used for constipation.
- Gargling with a diluted tincture of the thigh is indicated for sore throat, laryngitis and scarlet fever.
- Compresses from the juice of the roots of the plant are used to eliminate age spots.
- The flowers and seeds are used in the treatment of vitiligo.
Recipes for medicinal tinctures
In folk and traditional medicine, saxifrage femur tincture is most often used. Reviews indicate that already 2 weeks after the start of treatment, the patient's condition improves significantly, unpleasant symptoms of diseases disappear.
Tinctures are prepared as follows:
- Crush the roots of the thigh and pour 100 g of 500 ml of alcohol. The mixture must be infused for 14 days. The finished medicine is drunk 3 times a day, 15 drops each.
- Crush the roots, take 15 g and pour 500 ml of boiling water over them. Then the mixture must be steamed in a water bath for 15 minutes and left under a closed lid for 4 hours. With coldsdiseases, tracheitis, bronchitis and nephrolithiasis, you should drink 2 glasses of medicine per day for 4 sets.
- Mix saxifrage roots with water and vodka in a ratio of 2:2:5. With dropsy, drink the mixture 30 drops several times a day.
Use in cooking
Even in ancient times, the saxifrage thigh was used as a spice, as it had a pleasant aroma and unusual bitter taste. Today, this plant is often included in the composition of various seasonings. Ripe fenugreek seeds have a pleasant carrot-vegetable flavor and are used in stews, zucchini and eggplant dishes.
Umbrella inflorescences are added to the brine when pickling cucumbers and tomatoes.
Cumin and anise are also often substituted for thigh when cooking meat, fish and vegetable dishes.
This plant is used as a natural flavoring agent in the production of mayonnaise and vinegar.
Thigh seeds are used in the production of bread, cheese, and the roots and leaves are used to flavor sausages, beer and other drinks.
