Manchurian Aralia

In appearance Manchurian Aralia resembles a tropical palm tree: a smooth, straight-line stem ends of huge carved whorl of leaves; inconspicuous greenish flowers in a sprawling complex panicle to fall are small black-and blue-gray fruit. The entire barrel is seated numerous large spines, because of which Aralia nicknamed by the people "thorn tree" or "the devil's tree". The roots of Aralia arranged radially in all directions from the trunk up to 2-3 meters, lay down horizontally at a depth of 10-25 inches of soil. Then, abruptly bending, they grow down to a depth of 50-60 cm, profusely branched and forming numerous buds. Because of these kidneys has pronounced crease in the ability of vegetative reproduction: 1 meter to 250 roots formed adventitious buds, but only part of them gives runners. Under natural conditions, after logging on burned Aralia provides abundant growth.

This light-loving plants, found on the glades and edges of cedar-broadleaf forests in the Far East, South Sakhalin and Southern Kuril Islands.

roots of Aralia have been proposed for use as a tonic that is identical to ginseng (contraindicated in hypertension, epilepsy, and insomnia), in the form of tinctures and preparation "saparal. Drugs stimulate and regulate the central nervous system, increases efficiency, reduces the state of mental fatigue due to increased redox processes in the tissues of the adrenal glands, increase body resistance. Chinese traditional medicine uses Aralia as a diuretic. Nanai used it for toothache, and stomatitis. Scientific studies have shown that the Manchurian Aralia leaves have a similar effect, but other than that, have gipotezivny and cardiotonic effect.

Roots of Aralia Manchu, as well as the closely related species - Aralia Continental, Schmidt and a heart - contain up to 1% essential oil that is used by the perfume industry. With a stimulating, tonic and adaptogenic action, preparations of roots of Aralia positive effect on metabolism during the dry and sagging facial skin, restoring elasticity and smoothing out her wrinkles.

Juice or infusion of leaves, a decoction of the roots can be added to the nutrient creams for any skin. Tones the skin, making it a velvety, delicate. Broth rinse hair for better growth.

Billet roots held in the autumn, starting in September, and spring - before the opening of leaves. They dug with spades, crowbars, or special devices in the form of a long metal arm. Begin to dig away from the trunk, carefully moving to the periphery. Roots thinner than 1 cm did not take, and leave untouched the root radial 2.1: numerous adventitious buds located on them, ensure the restoration of the undergrowth. Unearthed roots cleaned from the ground, remove the parts of the roots with blackened or rotten core and a very thick roots (greater than 3 centimeters in diameter). Drying is carried out in thermal dryers. Shelf life of medicinal raw materials for 2 years.