Description.
The shepherd's bag refers to the annual medicinal herbaceous plants of the cruciferous family. Height reaches thirty centimeters, and adult plants and up to sixty centimeters. Leaves are predominantly dentate, with roots collected in a rosette. Flowers are located at the top of the grass stalk, white, and consist of four small petals. Fruits are small compressed pods, the length of which, as a rule, is one centimeter.
It grows as a weed in any areas. Distributed in tropical and temperate zones. Flowering period: from April to August. Fruit ripening period: from May to September. Productivity of seeds: up to seventy thousand seeds from one individual.
Composition of the plant.
The most medicinal value is the above-ground part of the plant, which contains many useful substances and vitamins: proteins, carbohydrates, organic substances of aromatic series (maklurin, film acid, catechidic acid, tannin, etc.), saponins, bursic acid, tartaric, apple and others acids, vitamins of group K, B2, essential oils in seeds, and a variety of mineral substances such as titanium, copper, calcium, iron and many others.
After harvesting the plant is dried at a temperature of no higher than 45 degrees, and stored in dry and well ventilated rooms at a temperature of 15-25 degrees. The shelf life of the shepherd's bag is 2-3 years, but no more.
Beneficial features.
As a potent medicinal product, the shepherd's bag was known in ancient times and was very widely used in folk medicine of different peoples. The plant is known for its haemostatic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, astringent and other properties.
Application in medicine.
It is the presence of vitamin K in large quantities determines the hemostatic properties of the plant. In particular, the plant is used for internal bleeding of a different nature: in case of painful uterine bleeding, hemoptysis in tuberculosis, bleeding ulcers, gastritis, urolithiasis and many others.
Also, the shepherd's bag is used to lower blood pressure. Soothing properties contribute to a quicker action. The drug helps to reduce puffiness, which accompanies chronic and acute cardiovascular insufficiency.
It is known that the infusions of plants have a rather strong therapeutic effect in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the human renal system.
The drug from this plant is widely used in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, in particular, with such problems as postpartum hemorrhage, atony of the uterus. Good indicators during the treatment of malignant neoplasms and uterine fibroids.
The juice of the medicinal plant is used to purify the body (as an excretion and neutralization of toxic substances after the use of strong drugs in the treatment of cancer) and the treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
The increased content in the shepherd's bag of potassium provides the astringent and antiplatelet effect of the drug, it is especially indispensable for achieving the desired complex effect in treatment.
The young plant is rich in vitamins and is used for preparing nutritious first dishes, a variety of salads and many other dishes, which contributes to the strengthening of the body's immunity, as well as the purification of blood vessels. In many countries the shepherd's bag has become an integral part of the diet.
Contraindications when using drugs from this plant.
- The drug based on this medicinal plant is not recommended for use in women during pregnancy (shepherd's bag has an abortifacient property) and lactation.
- Also, long-term and quite frequent use for diseases of the cardiovascular system of the body is prohibited, since there is a risk of blood clots (this is supported by a high content of vitamin K).
- It is not recommended for patients who are highly sensitive to this plant and who have increased blood coagulability. Extremely careful use of children.
Useful recipes.
As a hemostatic, cholagogue and means for reducing blood pressure, infusions are used:
- 2 tablespoons of herbs are bred in 200-250 ml of boiling water, take an average of 4-5 times a day after eating 1-1.5 table spoons as a hemostatic;
- 40-50 grams of herbs are bred in 1 liter of boiling water, the mixture should be infused for 20-30 minutes, then carefully strain, take a glass half-glass 2-3 times a day for 1 hour before meals as a cholagogue.
Extracts of the plant are taken with uterine atony and uterine bleeding 3 times a day, usually 20 drops.
The juice of a fresh plant is more effective than infusion. Depending on the disease, it is recommended to take it for 20-50 drops.