Snake knotweed - use in recipes of traditional healers.

Instructions for use:

Snake knotweed is a perennial herbaceous shrub that has many other names that are popularly used. So, it is also called:

Gorlet;
Veal tongue;
Snake root;
Meadow knotweed;
Viper grass;
Cancerous cervixes;
Coil.

The plant owes these names to the peculiarities of the shape of its rhizome. The root of the snakeweed is curved twice, slightly flattened and contains transverse folds. Thus, the root of the knotweed is most similar to a snake. The color of the root is dark brown, and the inside is pink.

Snake knotweed belongs to the buckwheat family. The plant stem contains several basal leaves and one to four leaves on top. The flowers of the snakeweed are pink, small, collected in a large inflorescence at the top. The height of the plant is from 50 to 100 cm. The fruit of the snake knotweed is a smooth, dark brown nut. The plant blooms in May–June, and the fruits ripen in July.

Snake knotweed grows everywhere (in clearings, in bushes) and loves damp places. It is absent only in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Composition and beneficial properties of snakeweed

The most important and valuable components of snakeweed are tannins. In the root of the plant, tannins (such as tannin) range from 15 to 25%. In addition, snakeweed root contains the following substances:

Free polyphenols;
Oxyanthraquinones;
Starch;
Protein;
Calcium oxalate;
Vitamin C;
Provitamin A;
Dyes.

Free polyphenols are present in the plant in the form of gallic acid and catechin. And starch in the composition of the knotweed root is about 26%. In addition, the root of snakeweed contains acids (free gallic and elaidic).

The herb of the plant also contains ascorbic acid and flavonoids. Thus, valuable representatives of the group of flavonoids in the composition of snakeweed are:

Hyperoside;
Rutin;
Avicularin.

Snakeweed is a powerful source of tannins for the human body, so this plant is successfully used as an astringent for diarrhea and as an anti-inflammatory for inflammation of the nasopharynx. The effect of snakeweed root on the human body can be compared with galangal and oak bark.

The main properties of preparations made from the root of snakeweed are:

1. Astringent;

2. Resorptive sedative;

3. Anti-inflammatory;

4. Hemostatic.

The astringent properties of the plant, when taken orally, appear rather slowly, as the active substances are broken down, under the direct influence of the body’s digestive juices. In addition, such drugs are low-toxic and have no side effects.

When applied externally, medications based on this plant can also relieve inflammation and stop bleeding.

Application of knotweed

The rhizome of the serpentine plant has long been known as a medicine. Thus, in the Chinese Encyclopedia of Medicines, back in the 11th century BC, the medicinal properties of this plant were already mentioned. And the Indo-Tibetan medical literature also mentioned the use of serpentine as a medicine.

The most valuable medicinal raw material is from the root of the knotweed. Moreover, the greatest amount of useful substances is contained in plants after the age of 15 years. That is why snakeweed root is harvested using raw materials from plants 15 to 30 years old. According to external signs, a good rhizome should be hard, always serpentine in shape, dark brown on top, pink inside. The length of the root of the snakeweed should be from 5 to 10 cm. The thickness of the root is 1 - 2 cm. It tastes bitter and very astringent, but the plant does not emit any smell.

The harvesting of snakeweed root is done either in the summer, after the plant has flowered, or in early spring. The rhizome, along with its root shoots, is dug up, small roots and stems are cut off, and washed from the ground. It should be noted that when harvesting, you need to get rid of rotten rhizomes, since they are not beneficial, but harmful to health. Then the raw materials are washed again and dried a little in the fresh air. Now the root is cut into pieces. Then the knotweed root must be dried: this is done in special dryers with a temperature of no more than 60 degrees, or simply in an attic or other ventilated and warm room. Drying too quickly or, on the contrary, for a long time, leads to the loss of the beneficial properties of the root. Thus, a root that is fractured, has blackened areas, or turns brown from the inside is unsuitable for use. Store snakeweed root in a dry and ventilated area for up to 6 years.

For treatment at home, decoctions are prepared from the root of snakeweed. This decoction is used primarily for intestinal problems. Thus, this medicinal plant helps in the fight against acute and chronic intestinal diseases, for example, acute colitis. In this case, take a decoction of 1 part horse and 10 parts water, 1 tbsp each. up to five times a day.

The root of the knotweed has excellent strengthening properties for the following health problems:

Peptic ulcer;
Duodenal ulcer;
Gallstones;
Dysentery;
Bladder stones;
Pulmonary hemorrhages;
Haemorrhoids;
Rectal fissures;
Urethritis.

In these cases, prepare a decoction at the rate of 20 parts of root and 200 parts of water. Also take 1 tbsp. l. decoction 3 - 4 times a day, always before meals.

In addition, the anti-inflammatory and astringent properties of the plant are used for diseases such as:

Enteritis;
Uterine bleeding;
Gastrointestinal bleeding;
Inflammation of the gums;
Stomatitis;
Gingivitis;
Diarrhea (diarrhea), with blood.

The root of the knotweed is also used in powder form. This composition disinfects open fresh wounds, cuts, boils, ulcers, and eczema. You can also treat wounds with decoction and infusion, make lotions and compresses. Snakeweed root helps quickly stop bleeding and prevents the development of microbes. A decoction of the plant can be used for douching, for example, in the case of colpitis (vaginitis).

A decoction of snakeweed root is used to gargle the throat and mouth for any inflammatory diseases.

Contraindications and harms of snakeweed

A contraindication to the use of the root and other parts of the knotweed is increased sensitivity of the stomach. This is due to the fact that in this case, a large intake of tannins into the body causes harm, not benefit. In addition, it should be remembered that prolonged use of knotweed root during treatment can lead to the development of constipation. Therefore, treatment with this remedy must be done carefully, and always under the supervision of the attending physician.

Snake knotweed should not be used to treat small children under 2 years of age.

Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor of the department. Botany RGAU-MSHA named after K.A. Timiryazeva

(Polygonum bistorta) is a perennial herbaceous plant from the buckwheat family with a thick, shortened, strongly curved rhizome of dark red color, with numerous thin roots, for which it is sometimes called serpentine. At the break it is brownish-pink, like the body of a boiled crayfish. Actually, this is where the popular name comes from - cancerous cervixes. In addition to the characteristic appearance of the root, snakeweed differs from other species of this numerous genus in its dense, dense, spike-shaped inflorescence. Therefore, there is practically no danger of confusing him with other highlanders.

Stems 30-100 cm high, erect. The basal and lower stem leaves have long winged petioles, oblong or oblong-lanceolate blades with a rounded or heart-shaped base; the upper leaves are lanceolate or linear, sessile, with a slightly wavy edge. The inflorescence is a thick, dense, cylindrical spike; later it begins to resemble a brush due to the elongation of the peduncles. The flowers are small, pink, sometimes white. The fruit is an ovoid or oval, triangular, shiny, dark brown or greenish-brown nut. Snake knotweed blooms in May - June, the fruits ripen in June - July.

In Russia, the snake knotweed is found from the Kola Peninsula to Lake Baikal. It grows in floodplain meadows, grassy swamps, in sparse forests, on their edges and clearings, most often on peaty soil, sometimes in thickets of bushes. In the mountains it is found in mossy and shrub tundras, in subalpine and alpine meadows. Therefore, this is an extremely unpretentious plant that can grow in waterlogged soils.

And on the site it can be placed not only near a reservoir, but also in any damp place. When grown in a mixborder or as a border plant, it grows much larger and more spectacular than when competing with other plants in the wild. Mixed plantings of white-flowered and pink-flowered plants look very impressive. If there is a long, warm autumn, then the knotweed has time to bloom again.

Growing

The easiest way to grow knotweed is from rhizomes brought from natural thickets in early spring or late autumn. Planted in fertile soil and without weed competition, the plants grow quickly. They are much larger and more spectacular than in the meadow. It is preferable to choose a damp area, maybe even slightly shaded.

Care consists of weeding and, if there is a lack of moisture, watering. The roots can be harvested for medicinal use starting from the third year after planting. It is better not to dig up the whole plant, but only separate half. Then the beauty will be preserved and valuable raw materials will be collected.

Application

Rhizomes are dug up in the fall, in September - October (after the above-ground part dies off) or in early spring, in April (before it grows back).

The dug up rhizomes are shaken off the ground, washed in cold water, and then the rotten parts are removed. After the raw material has dried in the air, it is dried in well-ventilated areas (in good weather, you can dry it in the open air) or in dryers at a temperature of 50-60 ° C, spread out in a thin layer on paper, fabric or sieves, and turned over daily. The main thing is not to place them on a metal surface, since the tannins they contain are destroyed by contact with iron.

Even in the 11th century BC, this plant was used by Chinese doctors. In European medicine, it has been mentioned in herbalists since the 15th century, and in the 16th century it was already widely used by doctors as an astringent for a very wide range of diseases. In 1905, in Russia they tried to use it as a substitute for the imported ratania plant, which was brought from South America as a remedy for indigestion. Polygonum began to be used in a similar way, although for centuries it has been popularly used for dysentery, digestive disorders and poisoning from poor-quality food.

The rhizomes have an astringent effect and are used for acute and chronic diarrhea and other inflammatory processes of the intestines, as well as for gastric and intestinal bleeding. Snakeweed extract has a strong anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic effect for inflammatory diseases of the bladder. In addition, these properties of knotweed are used in the treatment of prostatitis.

Prescribed as a decoction (10 g per 200 ml, boil for 20 minutes), take one tablespoon half an hour before meals 2-3 times a day. The rhizome itself is included in a number of astringent gastric herbs.

In folk medicine decoctions of rhizomes Snakeweed is used internally for stones in the gall and bladder. To prepare it, 20 g of well-ground raw materials are poured into 1 liter of hot water, boiled in a closed enamel container in a water bath for 20 minutes, filtered while hot and brought to the original volume. Use 1-1.5 glasses per day.

Externally, a concentrated decoction is used to gargle for sore throats, mouth and gum lubrication (stomatitis, gingivitis). In addition, this is a good remedy for weeping and poorly healing wounds and ulcers. To do this, a concentrated decoction is applied in the form of compresses and lotions to the damaged area.

The rhizomes of snakeweed are used in the production of flavored liqueurs, wines, and other alcoholic beverages.

A decoction of rhizomes can be used to dye woolen fabrics black or brown, depending on the metal salt mordant used.

Young leaves and shoots (and it grows early) are used in soups and salads in European countries, and in England even for preparing Easter dishes, the most famous of which is Easter pudding, presented in many ancient and modern recipes.

Photo: Rita Brilliantova, Maxim Minin

In the article we discuss snakeweed. You will learn what the plant looks like and what medicinal properties it has. We will tell you how pharmacognosy uses drugs based on knotweed. By following our advice, you will learn how to prepare infusions and decoctions to treat gastritis, cholelithiasis and stop bleeding.

Snake knotweed or large serpentine is a perennial herbaceous species of the Buckwheat family (lat. Polygonaceae). Latin name: Polygonum bistorta. Other names are crayfish, meadow knotweed, snakeroot, adder's grass, turtledove, serpentine, veal tongue.

What does it look like

Appearance of the snake knotweed. The thick short root of the serpentine is dark red in color. The rhizome is slightly flattened and serpentinely curved, with folds that look like crayfish necks.

Snake knotweed has a six-node, erect stem. The shoot height reaches 150 cm.

The upper petiolar leaves are arranged alternately, have an oblong shape, up to 30 cm long. The edge of the leaf is slightly wavy. The lower leaves are wedge-shaped or heart-shaped. The upper surface of the leaf blade is green, the lower surface is bluish.

Small pale pink or white flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences located at the top of the shoot. The length of the spikelets is from 1.5 to 7 cm. Each flower consists of a five-membered perianth, eight stamens, and a pistil with three styles. The plant blooms from late spring to early summer.

The fruit of the snake knotweed is a smooth nut with three shiny sides, 4-4.5 mm long. The plant bears fruit in June - July.

Where does it grow

Snake knotweed prefers temperate climates and moist soil and does not tolerate full shade. The plant is found in the forest-steppe zone, tundra and forest belt. Often forms thickets on peat bogs and floodplain meadows.

Great knotweed is found almost throughout Europe. In Russia it grows in Siberia and the Central region.

For more information about the snake knotweed, watch the following video:

Serpentine rhizomes

Snakeweed is cultivated as a medicinal herb. The rhizome of the plant has medicinal properties. During the collection period, up to 17 tons of plant roots are collected from 1 hectare.

Chemical composition

Snakeweed contains:

tannins;
flavonoids;
calcium oxalate;
ascorbic acid;
starch;
gallic acid;
catechin;
ellagic acid;
coloring matter;
potassium;
iron;
magnesium;
barium;
selenium.

Medicinal properties

In folk medicine, medicinal infusions, decoctions, and powder are made from the rhizome of snakeweed. They have an anti-inflammatory and astringent effect. The drugs are used to treat gastrointestinal diseases.

Snakeweed has a general strengthening and hemostatic effect. A decoction of the plant exhibits antibacterial properties and is used to treat skin diseases, wounds, and burns. It has a deodorizing effect and is used as a mouth rinse to prevent gum disease.

How to collect

The rhizome is harvested in early autumn, after the plant has flowered. It is dug up and cleared of soil and shoots. Dry the raw materials under a canopy or in the attic at a temperature not exceeding 60 degrees. Properly dried roots at the break have a red tint. Violation of drying technology makes the raw material brown.

Dry rhizomes are stored in paper bags in a cool, dry place. The raw materials retain their beneficial properties for 2 years.

How to use

Serpentine rhizomes can be purchased at any pharmacy. Snakeweed root is used to prepare medicinal infusions and decoctions. In its pure form, the rhizome is added to salads, soups and drinks.

Infusions of the plant are taken orally to increase the body's defenses, restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and as a strong hemostatic agent. The product is effective for cholelithiasis, stomach ulcers and inflammation of the bladder.

A decoction of snakeweed is used externally to heal wounds and restore skin after burns and insect bites. The product treats skin diseases: eczema, dermatitis, acne.

Snakeweed is often used in folk medicine. Let's look at several recipes for plant-based medicines.

Infusion for gastritis

Ingredients:

Snakeweed roots - 10 gr.
St. John's wort - 10 gr.
Peppermint - 10 gr.
Water - 450 ml.

How to cook: Combine the dry ingredients, pour the mixture into a thermos, add boiling water and leave for 2 hours. Strain the finished infusion.

How to use: Take 100 ml 3 times a day, regardless of meals. The course of treatment is 1 month.

Result: The infusion envelops the walls of the stomach, relieves inflammation and normalizes digestion. The product regulates the acidity of gastric juice. The infusion is suitable for the treatment of acute gastritis.

Decoction for gallstone disease

Ingredients:

Roots of the knotweed - 10 gr.
Yarrow - 7 gr.
Corn silk - 7 gr.
Rosehip berries - 10 gr.
Dandelion roots - 5 gr.
Water - 500 ml.

How to cook: Grind the herbs with a rolling pin, pour boiling water and simmer over low heat under the lid for 30 minutes. Cool the broth, strain and add boiled water so that the liquid volume is 500 ml.

How to use: Take half a glass 3-4 times a day before meals. The product is used for lotions and compresses for skin diseases and burns.

Result: The medicinal decoction eliminates bile stagnation, normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and metabolism.

Tincture for bleeding

Ingredients:

Snake knotweed - 50 gr.

Alcohol 70% - 100 ml.

How to cook: Grind the roots of the plant, add alcohol, cover and leave for 2 weeks.

How to use: Take 20-30 drops before meals 2-3 times a day.

Result: The tincture quickly stops bleeding. The drug is used to stop uterine and postoperative bleeding. For external wounds, dry powder from the roots of knotweed is used.

Snake knotweed in cooking

Roots, leaves and young shoots are used to make salads, soups and side dishes. Dry raw materials are brewed as tea. Highlander is combined with herbs such as mint, angelica, wild rosemary.

Large serpentine - honey plant

Snake knotweed is a good honey plant. The grass grows in thickets and during the flowering period forms a carpet of flowers. This attracts large numbers of bees. Up to 40 kg of honey is obtained from 1 hectare. One flower produces up to 0.043 mg of nectar per day. Honey is light or dark amber in color.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of products based on snakeweed:

acute pathologies of the genitourinary system;
constipation;
individual intolerance;
period of pregnancy and lactation;
children under 2 years of age.

Classification

The Buckwheat family (lat. Polygonaceae), to which the snake knotweed belongs, unites 55 plant genera. This herb belongs to the order Cloves (lat. Caryophyllales), class Dicotyledons (lat. Dicotyledones), department Flowering (lat. Magnoliophyta).

Varieties

The genus Serpentine (lat. Bistorta) unites about 50 plant species. The most famous of them:

large coil;
serpentine viviparous;
shortened coil;
elliptical coil;
Pacific darter;
serpentine cirrus;
serpentine swordtail.

Highlander snake infographics

Photo of snakeweed, its beneficial properties and uses
Infographics on knotweed

What to remember

Snakeweed is used in folk medicine to stop uterine and postoperative bleeding, to treat gastrointestinal diseases and skin diseases.
The roots, leaves and stems of the plant are used in cooking for preparing salads, first courses and drinks.
Preparations from snakeweed have a number of contraindications, so before use you should consult a specialist.

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Classmates

Snake knotweed is a perennial herbaceous plant. Belongs to the buckwheat family, the stem of the plant is straight, unbranched and grows in height from 30 to 120 cm. At the top of the stem grow small flowers of dark pink or pale pink color, which are a spike-shaped inflorescence. The leaves of the snakeweed are large, oblong-lanceolate, smooth, wavy at the edges, dark green above and bluish below.

The root of the knotweed has a serpentine, curved appearance, which is dotted with numerous small roots of orange-pink color. The fruits of the plant grow in the form of dark brown nuts. Snake knotweed blooms in May - June. The fruits ripen in June - July. Popularly, snakeweed is called “serpentine” or “cancer neck”. Snake knotweed grows mostly in the CIS countries, in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, in Buryatia, and the main part of its homeland is Siberia. Snake knotweed prefers fertile soils and damp places, so very often this plant can be found on the banks of the river, on the sunny edges of forests and on the outskirts of swamps. Today, the number of drained swamps entails a decrease in the vegetation of the snake knotweed.

Snakeweed root and its medicinal properties

Snakeweed root is a medicinal raw material that is harvested in May. Since it is during this period of time that the rhizomes of the snake knotweed contain a large percentage of tannins, gallic acid, starch and protein. The rhizome of this plant also contains catechin, calcium oxalate, vitamin C, provitamin A and dyes.

Outside, the root of snakeweed is dark brown in color; when broken, it is pinkish with a brown tint and has an astringent, bitter taste. Since knotweed root contains up to 25% tannins, preparations based on the root have a strong astringent, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and soothing effect. The flowers of this plant also have medicinal properties, as they contain ascorbic acid and flavonoids.

Use of a medicinal plant

With the initial use of snakeweed, it is difficult to achieve quick positive results, because the astringent properties appear very slowly, since initially, under the influence of digestive juices, the active substances are broken down. But over time, with regular use of this medicinal plant, you can see a good, lasting result.

In order to prepare medicinal raw materials, you need to start digging out the root of snakeweed from August to October. The dug up roots are shaken off the ground, washed thoroughly and the small roots, stems and leaves are peeled off with a knife. After this, the roots are cut into pieces of approximately 10 cm and dried. You need to dry the roots in well-ventilated areas or outdoors in good weather. If this is not possible, the roots are dried in dryers or ovens. It is worth noting that it needs to be dried correctly so that when the root is broken, a soft pink color is visible. If the color is brown, then the plant has lost its healing properties.

In folk medicine, snakeweed is used to treat various diseases, and a decoction is prepared from the roots of snakeweed. It is used for colitis and other acute and chronic intestinal diseases. To prepare the decoction, take one tablespoon of crushed root, pour a glass of boiling water and boil for 20 minutes. Then leave for 30 minutes. This decoction is taken for diarrhea, 1 tablespoon 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals. For chronic constipation, it is not recommended to take this decoction, since knotweed root has a high percentage of tannins and has an astringent effect.

When taken orally, a decoction of knotweed roots is useful for uterine, gastric and other bleeding, as it has a hemostatic effect. The decoction is also taken orally for inflammation of the gallbladder and bladder, and for stomach and duodenal ulcers.

For external use, the decoction is used in the form of lotions for various rashes, bleeding wounds and ulcers, as it has an astringent, anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effect. A decoction of knotweed root is used as a rinse for inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth, throat, as well as inflammation of the gums (gingivitis, stomatitis).

Snake knotweed is a perennial herbaceous shrub that has many other names that are popularly used. So, it is also called:

Gorlet;
Veal tongue;
Snake root;
Meadow knotweed;
Viper grass;
Cancerous cervixes;
Coil.

Snake knotweed grows everywhere (in clearings, in bushes) and loves damp places. It is absent only in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Composition and beneficial properties of snakeweed

Free polyphenols;
Oxyanthraquinones;
Starch;
Protein;
Calcium oxalate;
Vitamin C;
Provitamin A;
Dyes.

The herb of the plant also contains ascorbic acid and flavonoids. Thus, valuable representatives of the group of flavonoids in the composition of snakeweed are:

Hyperoside;
Rutin;
Avicularin.

The main properties of preparations made from the root of snakeweed are:

1. Astringent;

2. Resorptive sedative;

3. Anti-inflammatory;

4. Hemostatic.

When applied externally, medications based on this plant can also relieve inflammation and stop bleeding.

Application of knotweed

The root of the knotweed has excellent strengthening properties for the following health problems:

Peptic ulcer;
Duodenal ulcer;
Gallstones;
Dysentery;
Bladder stones;
Pulmonary hemorrhages;
Haemorrhoids;
Rectal fissures;
Urethritis.

In these cases, prepare a decoction at the rate of 20 parts of root and 200 parts of water. Also take 1 tbsp. l. decoction 3 - 4 times a day, always before meals.

In addition, the anti-inflammatory and astringent properties of the plant are used for diseases such as:

Enteritis;
Uterine bleeding;
Gastrointestinal bleeding;
Inflammation of the gums;
Stomatitis;
Gingivitis;
Diarrhea (diarrhea), with blood.

A decoction of snakeweed root is used to gargle the throat and mouth for any inflammatory diseases.

Contraindications and harms of snakeweed

Snake knotweed should not be used to treat small children under 2 years of age.

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Snake knotweed

Snake knotweed (lat. Polygonum bistorta, synonyms Bistorta officinalis, Bistorta major), buckwheat family. Other names: double-twisted knotweed, large serpentine, pharmaceutical knotweed, meadow knotweed, crayfish necks, crayfish necks, snake root, turtledove, viper grass, snakeweed, crooked potion, casing roots, makarsha, makarshino root; Ukrainian snake snake, snake snake, snake snake; blr. dried meat, crayfish. The characteristic bend of the rhizome of the serpentine resembles the shape of a coiled snake. And the color and specific folds of the plant’s rhizome are similar to the neck of a cancer – hence the names: both folk and scientific.

The scientific name polygonum is derived from the Greek words polys "many" and gonos "knee" and refers to the gnarled, cranked stem of this knotweed species. The specific name bistorta is derived from Lat. bis "twice" and tortus "twisted, curved" and indicates the serpentine shape of the rhizome. The synonymous species name major means “big”.

Since ancient times, the rhizome of the serpentine plant has been found in the medical literature of various nations. Its medicinal properties were mentioned in ancient Indo-Tibetan manuscripts, as well as in the Chinese Encyclopedia of Medicines (11th century BC). In European medicine, the serpentine has been known since at least the 15th century, and since the 16th century. has already been widely used in medical practice as an astringent for various diseases. In Russia in 1905, Professor L.F. Ilyin suggested using the rhizome of the snakeweed instead of the ratania root, which was imported from South America and was used for intestinal diseases.

Description

Snake knotweed is a herbaceous perennial plant. The rhizome of this species of knotweed is serpentine-curved, thick, woody, dark brown on the outside, pink in cross section, with multiple thin roots. The stem is single (rarely several), 40–100 cm long, straight, unbranched, leafy, pubescent, six-noded.

The basal and lower stem leaves are narrow, large, on winged long petioles, lanceolate or oblong-ovate, with a slightly wavy edge, pointed. The upper stem leaves are smaller, linear or lanceolate, also pointed, entire, sessile, emerging from fused brownish trumpets. The upper side of the leaf blades is dark green, the lower side is bluish, slightly pubescent.

The flowers are multiple, small, regular, pink, with 5 petals and 8 stamens protruding from the perianth, a pistil with 3 styles, the ovary is superior. The inflorescences are single, apical, dense, cylindrical, spike-shaped, reaching 7 cm in length. The serpentine blooms in May - June. Blooms in 3–4 years. The fruit of the serpentine is a triangular, smooth, brown, shiny nut up to 4.5 mm long. Fruiting – June – July.

Snake knotweed is found in Europe in areas with a temperate climate (in Poland, Slovakia, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and other countries), in Russia - in the Far East, in the European part and in Western Siberia. The species grows on well-moistened, moist sandy or peaty soils. Most often - along the banks of reservoirs or in areas periodically flooded when rivers flood, in damp meadows up to 2300 m above sea level. seas. Also found on the outskirts of swamps, in clearings and forest edges, among bushes. It tolerates close groundwater. Propagated by seeds or dividing the bush.

Blank

The fleshy rhizomes of adult knotweed plants are harvested for medicinal purposes; their content of nutrients is higher. This is done in the fall (from September to October) or in the spring (from March to April) until the leaves grow. Less commonly, the above-ground part of the plant is used: grass or only flowers.

The rhizomes of the knotweed are dug up, thoroughly cleaned of soil, remnants of above-ground parts, roots and rotten areas. Wash in cold water, cut into pieces and dry as usual: in a well-ventilated area or outside under a canopy. You can also dry it in the sun, the main thing is that the rhizomes are spread out in a thin layer. When drying slowly, the raw material turns brown inside and loses its beneficial properties, and may become moldy. When drying in dryers (with artificial heat), the temperature cannot exceed 60 °C. Shrinkage is approximately 5:1. The raw material has a strongly astringent, bitter taste and no odor. Shelf life – 5–6 years.

To regenerate, it is necessary to leave at least one copy of the serpentine untouched for every 3-5 m² of its thickets, shaking off the seeds into the hole left after digging up the rhizome. It is allowed to harvest snakeweed in the same place again no earlier than after 8–12 years.

Beneficial properties of snakeweed

In the rhizomes of the knotweed, tannins (up to 25%, among other things tannin, phlobafen), free ellagic and gallic acids, hydroxymethylanthraquinones, catechin, starch (up to 30%), pigments, vitamin C, calcium oxalate, carotene, protein (up to 10%) were detected. %), traces of emodin. The amount of tannins in the rhizomes of the plant varies in different growing seasons. Vitamin C and flavonoids (hyperoside, kaempferol, quercetin, cyanidin, avicularin) were identified in the serpentine grass.

Application

In medicine: Snake knotweed (serpentine) is used as an astringent and anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, antimicrobial, wound-healing, choleretic, diuretic, analgesic and enveloping agent. It is used for chronic and acute intestinal diseases (including diarrhea, dysentery, colitis, enteritis, cholera). The rhizome of the plant is contained in astringent gastric preparations.

Traditional medicine recommends using orally for bleeding (uterine, gastrointestinal, hemoptysis), heavy menstruation, cystitis, prostatitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis and urolithiasis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, duodenal and gastric ulcers, hemorrhoids, urethritis. , various tumors, nervous disorders, vitamin deficiency and scurvy.

Externally, infusions and decoctions of snakeweed are used to rinse the mouth and throat for toothache and various inflammations (including chronic tonsillitis, sore throat, gum disease, stomatitis, gingivitis); used as lotions in the treatment of wounds, burns, furunculosis and other skin diseases; for douching for some gynecological diseases (leucorrhoea, colpitis (vaginitis)). Rhizomes crushed into powder are sprinkled on wounds, boils, ulcers, and eczema. Ear diseases are treated with infusion of flowers.

In other areas: Snake knotweed is an ornamental plant; in floriculture it is suitable for decorating the coastal zone of reservoirs. The leaves and young stems of the plant are used as food raw, boiled, dried and pickled. They are scalded with boiling water and then added to soups or salads. The coil is also used in the alcoholic beverage industry. A good honey plant. The rhizome can be used for tanning leather, dyeing fabrics brown, yellow and black.

A forage plant with feed value close to oats. Sheep eat it on pastures, and other farm animals eat it in hay. The seeds are used as feed for poultry. The rhizomes are used in veterinary practice in the form of decoctions - as an astringent, in powder form - for sprinkling on wounds or ulcers).

Traditional medicine recipes with snakeweed

Infusion of knotweed flowers for the treatment of ear diseases. Pour 10 grams into a thermos. flowers, pour in 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 8 hours, filter. They drink 1 table. l. 3–4 r. per day.
A decoction of serpentine rhizomes to regulate the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. Used for diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding, bladder diseases, urinary and cholelithiasis, as a hemostatic and astringent. To 10 gr. pour in 1 cup of finely chopped serpentine rhizomes. hot water, boil, covered, in a steam bath for 20 minutes, filter while still hot and add water to the initial volume. Drink 1 table. l. every 2 hours, drinking up to 1–1.5 tbsp per day. decoction At the same time, you should adhere to a diet: exclude meat, alcohol, salt, strong coffee, fish, eggs. For lotions for ulcers, wounds and for rinsing the mouth and throat for inflammation, 1 table. l. the finished broth is diluted with 1/2 cup. water. The same solution is douched for gynecological diseases and leucorrhoea.
A decoction of the rhizomes of snakeweed in dry red wine for colitis. 10 gr. Pour 1 liter of ground serpentine rhizomes into powder. dry red wine, cook, covering the container, for 10 minutes, let it brew. 1 stack Wine decoction is drunk per day, divided into 4 servings. If in 2-3 weeks. there will be no improvement by 1 liter. add 100 grams of wine decoction. unpeeled crushed garlic cloves and leave for 7 days. Take as described above.
Alcohol tincture of rhizomes of snakeweed for bleeding and diarrhea. Pour the powdered rhizome of the serpentine into alcohol (70%) 1:1. Leave in a dark place for at least 2 weeks. Take 20-30 drops with water. 2–3 r. a day before meals.
Tincture of rhizomes of snakeweed in dry white wine for poisoning. To 20 gr. Pour in 1 liter of serpentine rhizome powder. dry white wine, leave for 8-12 hours, shaking occasionally. Drink in small portions throughout the day.
Powder from the rhizomes of Polygonum is taken in 0.5–1 g doses. three times a day for 30 minutes. before meals, with water or tea, for dysentery, diarrhea or bleeding.
Remedy for stomach or intestinal bleeding with snakeweed and flax seeds. 5 gr. crushed rhizomes of snakeweed and 1 teaspoon. l. flax seeds are mixed and 200 ml is poured. hot water, boil, covered with a lid, in a steam bath for 15 minutes, let cool for 45 minutes, filter. They drink 1 table. l. every 2 hours
Collection with snakeweed for gynecological diseases. Mix 5 g. knotweed rhizomes, 5 gr. common mantle herb, 5 gr. chamomile flowers. Pour in 1 liter. hot water, boil, covered, 15 minutes. in a steam bath, let cool for 45 minutes, filter thoroughly and add 1/2 liter of boiled water. The entire broth is used for the 1st douching. Douching is carried out every other day for 3 weeks.
Collection with snakeweed for dyspepsia. Mix equal parts of the leaves of the cinquefoil and the crushed rhizomes of the snakeweed. From 1 tables. l. mixture and 200 ml of water prepare a decoction. Drink 200 ml of decoction per day, divided into 3-4 doses.
Collection with knotweed for diarrhea. Take 1 part of knotweed rhizomes and 1 part of burnet rhizomes. To 1 table. l. pour 200 ml of the mixture. prepare a decoction of water, let it boil and keep on low heat for 5 minutes, infuse and strain. Take 50-75 ml of the product. 3-4 r. per day.
Collection with knotweed for diarrhea. Take 30 gr. rhizomes of Potentilla erecta; 20 gr. rhizomes of snakeweed and blueberry fruits; 15 gr. peppermint leaves, cinquefoil leaves, yellow gentian herb. Grind and mix. To 1 table. l. collection pour in 250 ml. boiling water, let it boil and cook for 5 minutes. on low heat. Leave for 10 minutes, strain and drink 1 tablespoon at a time. l. 4-5 r. per day.

Contraindications

Preparations of snakeweed are non-toxic, but with prolonged use they can cause constipation. Therefore, they should always be used under medical supervision; with long-term use, it is necessary to take breaks (at least 2 weeks). Knotweed should not be used to treat pregnant women, nursing mothers and small children under 2 years of age, people with individual intolerance to Knotweed preparations, increased blood clotting, or a tendency to constipation.

knigazdorovya.com

Snake knotweed: properties, use and contraindications:

For several centuries, a plant called snake knotweed, also known as turtledove, snake root, calf's tongue, crayfish necks, serpentine and viper's grass, has been very popular in folk medicine. Healing products prepared on its basis are effective for many diseases.

Appearance

This is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the buckwheat family. Its erect, unbranched bare stems reach a height of 80–100 cm. The leaves located closer to the base are quite large, lanceolate and have a long petiole. The upper leaves are sessile and smaller.
The leaf blade is dark green in color, wavy at the edges, its lower side is gray, slightly pubescent.

The short, woody, S-shaped rhizome has many adventitious roots. It is thanks to him that this herb bears its name. Another name by which knotweed is known is snakeroot. This part of the plant actually looks a lot like a snake due to its curved appearance. Thanks to its peculiar surface, which has transverse ring-shaped thickenings, the root resembles the tail of a crayfish, which explains another name for the perennial - crayfish neck.

Small pink flowers (2–3 mm), appearing in May–June, are collected at the top of the stem in thick spike-shaped inflorescences up to 7 cm long. They have a subtle, pleasant aroma. The fruits, which are brownish faceted nuts, ripen in July.

The snake knotweed plant reproduces both by seeds and vegetatively. It is distributed almost everywhere in Russia and the CIS, but its most favorite places are forest edges, river banks and damp meadows.

Root

This is the most popular part of the coil in folk medicine. The above-ground part is used very rarely. To prepare high-quality medicinal raw materials, you need to be able to distinguish between healthier and stronger roots. Their length can be in the range of 5–10 cm. When broken, the root usually has a pinkish-brown color, tastes bitter, has an astringent taste, and is odorless. It is not recommended to use for treatment roots that have darkened at the fracture, with a large number of small roots, as well as the presence of organic and mineral impurities in the composition.

Procurement of raw materials

The rhizome of snakeweed can be harvested all year round, but the most suitable time is spring, when the presence of tannins in the root is especially high. The dug up rhizome is carefully cleaned of small roots, the stem is cut off and, after washing in cold water, laid out to dry in the fresh air or in a warm, ventilated room.

The ideal option would be to use a special dryer for this, where it is possible to quickly heat the roots to 40 ⁰C. Slow drying can cause mildew. Snakeweed, prepared in compliance with these simple rules, is able to retain its beneficial properties for 5 years.

Chemical composition

The aerial part of the knotweed contains a large amount of phenol carbonic acids (caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid), flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin), vitamins, coumarins, anthocyanins.

The rhizome is rich in tannins and starch. They contain 25 and 26 percent, respectively. In addition, the rhizome contains organic acids, steroids, potassium oxalate, and phenolcarboxylic acids.

Useful properties

Thanks to its composition, snakeweed has a hemostatic, astringent and anti-inflammatory effect. The tannins in the plant make all medicines prepared from it very effective for intestinal disorders, stomach ulcers, dysentery, and urolithiasis. The astringent properties of knotweed do not appear immediately; this process depends on how quickly the active substances are broken down. The above properties make it possible to use the knotweed plant instead of such well-known remedies as oak bark and burnet.

Application

In many cases, decoctions and tinctures prepared from this plant are used. They are effective for diseases such as stomach ulcers, dysentery, women's diseases, nervous disorders, bleeding, cystitis, etc.

Decoctions from the rhizome of snakeweed are taken as a diuretic and choleretic agent. This is an effective remedy for inflammation of the intestines, gallbladder, and vegetative-vascular dystonia. In China, this plant is widely used to treat tumors.

Snake knotweed is also used as an external remedy. In combination with other medicinal plants, it is used, for example, to wash the vagina during leucorrhoea. The serpentine is widely known in dentistry; it helps relieve inflammatory processes on the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat (stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, etc.), a decoction of rhizomes is used as a rinse. Compresses and lotions have a positive effect on long-healing old wounds and trophic ulcers. They are also used for joint diseases.

Dosage forms and dosages

Basically, the rhizome of the plant is used for treatment, thanks to which snakeweed is so highly valued. The properties of this part of the plant, described above, are used to create a variety of forms of medicine.

A decoction is prepared from crushed rhizomes (pieces no larger than 3 mm are taken), which is filled with water (10 g of raw material per 200 ml of water) and placed in a water bath for 30 minutes. After this, the broth is filtered and taken 1 spoon before meals 3 times a day. If you need to prepare a remedy for external use, take 2 tablespoons of finely chopped root per 1 liter of water.

To prepare the tincture you will need 100 g of crushed rhizomes and 0.5 liters of 70 percent alcohol. The mixture is infused for 12–14 days. You need to take 25-30 drops before meals. An extract can be obtained from the tincture by evaporation.

To make an infusion from the root, it is crushed, placed in a thermos, filled with boiling water, and closed. After 8 hours it is ready for use. It is taken in the same way as a decoction.

Snakeweed can be used to treat skin problems in the form of an ointment, which is prepared by mixing the juice of fresh roots with Vaseline or butter in a 1:2 ratio.

Recipes

For dysentery, small enemas are made from a decoction prepared from serpentine and orchis tubers. Bleeding from internal organs, for example, with a stomach ulcer, will help stop a decoction of crushed knotweed root with flax seeds (a teaspoon of both in a glass of water). Also in such cases, it is effective to use a tincture, which is prepared from equal parts of rhizome and vodka. The mixture should be kept in a dark place for 21 days, after which it should be taken 30 drops at a time.

When getting rid of stones in the gall and bladder, you should not limit yourself to just taking a decoction of the serpentine. At the same time, it is required to follow a diet that excludes foods such as meat, fish, lard and eggs. Bed rest is recommended.

As already mentioned, snakeweed, a description of the beneficial properties of which is given in this article, is effective for washing the vagina during leucorrhoea in combination with other plants. So, for 20 g of the serpentine rhizome cut into pieces, take another 10 g of shepherd's purse, 15 g of mistletoe leaves, 10 g of water pepper, the same amount of immortelle flowers and oak bark. Ten spoons of this mixture are poured with two liters of water, boiled for about forty minutes, then cooled and used for douching.

Contraindications

Snake knotweed is an herb whose use as a medicinal plant requires caution and knowledge of its side effects and contraindications.

The presence of tannins, for which the serpentine root is famous, makes its use unacceptable for constipation and spastic colitis. It is not recommended to take products prepared from it if the filtering function of the kidneys is weakened, or if there is an excessive amount of mineral salts in the urine. You can cause serious harm to your health by incorrectly using a coil for cholelithiasis. Here, along with the use of snakeweed, strict adherence to an appropriate diet is required.

Although snakeweed is not a toxic plant, the beneficial properties and contraindications of this plant should be taken into account when creating preparations based on it at home.

www.syl.ru

Snake knotweed (pharmacy), medicinal properties and recipes

Snake knotweed is a non-toxic herbaceous plant of the buckwheat family. It grows in wet and damp meadows and can reach up to 1 meter in height. Also called large serpentine, snake root, crayfish necks. The serpentine has a thick woody rhizome, it is serpentinely curved and has numerous thin roots; at the break it is pink.

From this it is clear that the plant owes its name to the shape of its rhizome, which resembles a snake.

The stem of the snakeweed knotweed is straight and single, with tubular brown bells. It has lanceolate large leaves, the upper ones are smaller than the lower ones. The leaves are dark green above, bluish below, slightly pubescent. The flowers are pink, small, they are collected at the very top of the plant stem in a spikelet. The fruit of the snakeweed is a triangular nut.

Snake knotweed blooms in May-June, and its fruits ripen in June - early July. The plant reproduces by seeds and cuttings of rhizomes (vegetatively).

Distribution of snakeweed. The serpentine is widespread in the European part of the CIS, or rather from the north to the south of this part, as well as in Siberia. It loves damp meadows, forest edges, the outskirts of low-lying swamps, river floodplains, thickets of bushes, very often on peaty soil, and where groundwater lies close. Recently, the thickets of serpentine have decreased significantly due to the drainage of swamps.

Collection, drying and storage of raw materials

The rhizomes of the serpentine are used for medicinal purposes; they are harvested after the plant has flowered, or rather in September - October or in early spring before the leaves have grown. The dug up rhizomes are cleaned of soil, stem remnants, small roots, basal leaves and washed. They are spread thinly and dried in the open air under a canopy or in well-ventilated rooms in the attic. They are also dried by artificial heating in dryers; the rhizomes can be heated up to 40°C. It is advisable that drying be quick, otherwise the rhizomes will turn brown and mold. The rhizomes, when dry, have transverse folds reminiscent of crayfish necks. This is where another name for the plant comes from – crayfish necks.

To ensure self-renewal of the snakeweed, you need to leave one specimen for every 2-5 m2, and shake off the seeds into the resulting hole after digging. You can stock up on rhizomes again after 8-12 years. The rhizome should be hard in appearance. The length should be 5 - 10 centimeters. Thickness is 1 – 2 cm. Rhizomes can be stored in bags and boxes for up to 6 years. They are dark brown on the outside and pink on the inside with a brown tint. The root is considered unsuitable for use if it has blackened areas, fractures, or has acquired a brown color from the inside. There is no smell, the taste is bitter, astringent. A related species, red knotweed, is also approved for use in medicine.

Medicinal properties of snakeweed

Preparations from the serpentine plant have anti-inflammatory, astringent, hemostatic, bactericidal and wound-healing properties, and also have a resorptive and soothing effect. The astringent properties of the plant manifest themselves slowly as the active substances are broken down.

Tannins in the root of snakeweed range from 15 to 25%. In addition, the root contains many other beneficial substances.

In the root of the knotweed, starch is about 26%. The plant contains free polyphenols: gallic acid and catechin. There are free gallic and elaidic acids. The herb contains flavonoids and ascorbic acid. Knotweed is a strong source of tannins, so it is used for diarrhea as an astringent, and for inflammation of the nasopharynx as an anti-inflammatory.

The main properties of preparations made from snakeweed are:

Anti-inflammatory;
Astringent;
Hemostatic;
Resorptive sedative.

Such drugs are low-toxic and have no side effects. External use of such medications can relieve inflammation and stop bleeding.

Application of knotweed

Serpentine rhizomes. Snake root has been known as a medicine for a long time. The most valuable are preparations prepared from its rhizome.

In scientific medicine, it is used as an astringent for inflammation of the mucous membranes, intestinal disorders and dysentery. Externally for lotions and rinses for stomatitis and to lubricate sore gums. It is used internally and externally in the form of decoctions, lotions, powders, douching, rinsing, etc. Snakeweed is used for dysentery, cholera, indigestion, hemoptysis, bleeding, cystitis, cholecystitis, vaginitis, colpitis, scurvy, inflammation of the mucous membranes, inflammatory skin diseases, burns, and bites of rabid animals.

Traditional medicine uses tincture of rhizomes of the snakeweed for dysentery, stomach and duodenal ulcers, nervous disorders, female diseases, bleeding, for lotions of ulcers and bleeding wounds.

A decoction of rhizomes - for cystitis, cholecystitis, as a diuretic, as a choleretic agent, for cholelithiasis and urolithiasis. For leucorrhoea, a decoction is made in mixture with other plants for irrigation and washing of the vagina. In some European countries, as well as in China, the rhizomes of snakeweed are used to treat tumors.

Young shoots and leaves are edible and are used in salads and soups.

Flowers of the snakeweed. An infusion of flowers is used to treat ear diseases.

Preparations of knotweed

Knotweed rhizome extract is prepared from a medium-sized root in a 1:1 ratio with 70% alcohol. The result is a transparent liquid, red-brown in color, and has a strongly astringent, bitter taste. Contains tannins at least 18%. Take, like many medications before meals, 20-30 drops, 2-3 times a day.

A decoction of the rhizomes of snakeweed. It is prepared using 10 g of root per 200 ml of water. The root will have to be chopped into small pieces no larger than 3 mm, seeds and fruits no larger than 5 mm, and filled with water at room temperature. Cover and heat in a boiling water bath, stirring frequently for half an hour. Strain immediately after removing from the water bath. Before meals, take a tablespoon 3 times a day.

Another recipe for snake root decoction. 1 often root and 10 parts water. Take 1 tbsp up to 5 times a day. This decoction is used primarily for intestinal problems. This plant will help fight acute and chronic intestinal diseases.

Infusion of serpentine rhizomes: leave for 8 hours in a thermos (10-20 g per 200 ml of boiling water). Dosage: a tablespoon 3 times a day.

Snakeweed root in powder form. The powder can be used to disinfect open wounds, cuts, ulcers, boils, and eczema. For these purposes, you can use infusions and decoctions, and make lotions.

Serpentine decoction can be used to gargle the throat and mouth for various inflammatory diseases.

Contraindications for snakeweed

Preparations made from snakeweed are non-toxic, but can cause constipation with long-term use. Hypersensitivity of the stomach may also be a contraindication. This is due to the fact that in this case a lot of tannins can cause harm rather than benefit.

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