Elfwort
Elecampane - a large perennial herb of the family Astrov. Strong stems and leaves of the plants are sometimes one and a half meters, the lower leaves resemble the size of the leaves of burdock, only more elongated shape. Yellow Basket Elecampane, similar to sunflowers in miniature, can be found at the end of the summer on the shores of lakes and rivers, forest clearings of mixed forests in the foothills of the Caucasus and Central Asia, from the western borders to eastern Siberia.
Harvested rhizomes and the roots of Elecampane. They are collected in the autumn - in September or in early spring - in March - April.
Pliny wrote that elfwort grew from the tears of Elena, daughter of Zeus and Leda, whose kidnapping by Paris, according to legend, gave rise to the Trojan War. Russian title of "nard" sometimes are explained by the fact that the plant has a 9 medicinal qualities, or "forces". Not without reason it meant all the old Travnik. That is what is said about devyasile in one of them: "Elecampane is grass that has leaves are sharp and long ... and the root is large and spices, the root devyasilov in zeliyah believe. And dig them in the spring. A sushim them to their volglost dry. And keep them for three summers. Yam saith: devyasilovo root finely crush and mix with honey adopted, on the morning and evening, eliko who voshochet tacos and Velma is acceptance kashlyuschim attack - ponezhe to cough her kill. The same root with the same custom convert to expel from within wrecking mokrost, takozh Bolesta withdraw from the waist. "
Once the plant is enjoyed in medicine loud glory, and this is reflected in its title. The generic name derives from the verb "to purify", "empty", and the species associated with the Greek Helios (the sun) because of the color and shape of flowers. Even in ancient times nard widely cultivated Romans and Greeks.
In Ukraine and in other southern areas, and now the rural population grows nard about homes, gardens, zagotavlivaya it as a home remedy.
Known He and cosmetology. Externally a decoction of the roots Elecampane is used in healing is difficult, but not weeping wounds, dermal ulcers, eczema. Use it in the form of compresses, rinsing baths.
Home cosmetic practice for this purpose ointment of lard and chopped roots. Elecampane prescribed for similar purposes. Underground parts of plants contain up to 4 percent essential oil, in its pleasant odor resembling the smell of violets; oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and is used in perfumery.
Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties elecampane caused by essential oils, are used in cosmetology and dermatology.
Elecampane can be grown as perennials (sowing the seeds held in the autumn or spring). In the first year the plant develops a rosette of bottom leaves, but no blooms. Flowering and fruiting occur in the second year of life. The plant overwinters well.