Dandelion

Dandelion know everything. He does not have a high stem: he is so shortened, that it seems as if pressed to the ground rosette of long, strugovidnovyrezannyh leaves departs immediately from the root ... This looks like a dandelion plantain. Each leaf of the dandelion has a groove through which rain water flows directly to the root of the plant. From the center of the socket upward climb hollow flower stalks with yellow flower baskets at the end. "Cart" is called an inflorescence Astrov representatives of the family that owns and dandelion. The fruits of it - weightless dry achene, long thin rods attached to a feather-parashyutikam, which are easily blown by the wind. Hence the Russian name of plants "dandelion". Interestingly, the only parashyutiki precisely fulfill its mission: in flight achenes did not sway or roll over, they are always at the bottom and landing, ready for sowing. One dandelion plant produces up to 3 thousand seeds.

Clear why this is one of the most common plants on earth - a plant-cosmopolitan: it grows in the plains and mountains, meadows, carpet weaving in a complex with other herbs, on open gravelly slopes in the sunshine and in shadow. It is easy to adapt to their environment and successfully survives, leaving trampling and grazing. It can not be silenced and to press any other plant - he inhabited all the continents! Dandelion and distributed throughout Russia, with the exception of the Arctic. Stocks of raw materials is considerable.

It is believed that the Latin name of this plant "taraksakum" comes from the Greek "taraksis - eye disease, as dandelion, together with some species of the genus chicory treated eye means ... In folk medicine, he was considered a specific means "of liver inflammation and balances of all diseases of the stomach."

Medicinal properties of dandelion were known in antiquity. Abu Ali Ibn Sina juice obtained from fresh plants, recommended to reduce the cataract eyes on the site of the bite scorpion apply dressings from fresh plants. In the spring the young leaves of dandelion can be used instead of lettuce. They contain vitamins C, B9, R. There is evidence that a salad of dandelion leaves is very useful in diseases of the liver, because it stimulates the secretion of bile. Leaves a bitter taste, so before you make a salad, they should hold for half an hour in salted water.

Modern medicine preparations of dandelion are used as a means of stimulating the appetite, increase bile secretion, enhances the secretion and motility of the stomach and intestines. As medicinal plants used by the roots. They contain the triterpene compounds, sterols, choline, nicotinic acid, rubber, resin, wax, inulin, fatty oil, bitter glycosides, organic acids, sugars, flavonoids, tannins and mucus. Part of the delicious teas, gastric and diuretic fees. Have experience of clinical application of herbal medicines for the prevention of common dandelion atherosclerosis. Dandelion is used in cosmetics - to treat rashes, hives, eczema.

Is interesting that in France, the dandelion is cultivated as a salad culture - with a larger and more tender leaves. Juice of young leaves in spring to improve the use of blood composition and color face ... In Germany, derive freckles. In Bulgaria, the fresh leaves and juice are used in skin diseases. In Poland, the use in dermatology. In Central Asia, dandelion juice destroy warts.

Raw materials harvested in spring, early regrowth of plants (in April - early May) and autumn (September - October). The roots of the summer collection are unfit for consumption - they give poor-quality raw materials. When harvesting the root of a plant dug by hand shovel or podpahivayut plow to a depth of 15 - 25 centimeters. In dense soils the root of much thinner than on the loose. Repeated harvesting at the same place spend no more than 2-3 years.