Eleutherococcus senticosus
Botanists call Siberian ginseng "svobodnoyagodnik prickly", and the people, because it shoots densely dotted with sharp, thin spikes - "devil's bush" or "netronnik", but for the fact that the fruits have a burning taste, - "wild pepper". Siberian ginseng, which translated from Latin and means svobodnoyagodnik - shrub 2.5 meters (sometimes up to 4 meters) with a strong root system. From the roots in all directions long horizontal underground shoots - the stolons, reaching a length of 5 meters. They grow from young aerial offshoots. A well-developed adult specimens the total length of rhizomes and roots up to 30 meters. This plant - a normal component of cedar-broadleaf forests (except oak forests). Reaches its maximum development in a stable humidity and adequate lighting.Svobodnoyagodnikom this plant is called is not accidental: this definition characterizes the fruit sitting on the long fruit stems separately (free) from each other in the globular umbels.
surprising that the beneficial properties of Eleutherococcus for centuries have remained undetected in folk medicine of the Far East and Siberia. It was opened for medical research and was one of the most interesting plants in the family Araliaceae: their effect on Siberian ginseng was similar to ginseng. Despite the relationship, Siberian ginseng is never a neighbor to his illustrious relatives - the root of life.
medicinal raw materials - the roots and rhizomes of Eleutherococcus. They contain glycosides, sterols, resins, fatty oils, flavonoids and polysaccharides. Drugs have stimulant properties: increased efficiency and resistance, improve health, regulate blood pressure.
Raw materials are widely used in perfume industry - for the needs of cosmetology to prepare nutritious tonic for all skin creams that preserve and maintain it supple, soft and velvety. Liquid extract, decoction of raw materials used in cosmetics as a tonic, which acts like ginseng. Infusion of leaves, twigs, and a decoction of the underground organs are used for hair growth.
Collection of raw materials are produced only in autumn, with the second half of September, as it was at this time the roots have the highest biological activity. Take the roots of only adults, well-developed plants. Drying - with artificial heating at 50 œ - 60 œ C. Shelf life 2 years.
Svobodnoyagodnik, as well as the Manchurian Aralia, has a high capacity for vegetative reproduction and good recovering blanks with compliance and rules for collection of raw root. Seeds reproduce poorly due to the underdeveloped embryos in the seed. Certainly, its reserves, compared to ginseng, much more, but in the procurement of any underground plant collectors dual responsibility for the preservation of these plants.