Great burnet

Description

A perennial herb with a thick woody rhizome. The stems are tall, branched, ribbed, and hollow. Basal leaves are long-stemmed, complicated, and non-pinnate, with oblong-ovate notched leaves, dark green above, glaucous below. The stems end in dark cherry oval flower heads. The flowers are small, dark cherry, with a simple four-part perianth. Four stamens, a pistil with a thread-like column. Fruits are light brown dry achenes. Height 40 – 100 cm.

The time of flowering. June-August.

Distribution. It is found almost everywhere in the CIS.

Habitat. It grows in abundance in water meadows, on the edges of forests, along the banks of rivers and swamps.

The part used. Flowering plants and especially rhizomes and roots.

The time of collection. Rhizomes and roots are collected in late autumn.

Chemical composition

Rhizomes and roots contain tannins (12 – 17%) of the pyrogallic group, Gallic and ellagic acids, saponins (2.5-4%), sterols (a mixture of sitosterol and stigmasterol), hentriacontane, calcium oxalate, starch, colouring agent, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), essential oil and phytoncides. The leaves contain ascorbic acid (up to 0.92%).

Application

The Great Burnet as a medicinal plant was known in ancient times. It is widely used in folk medicine in various countries. The plant is particularly popular in folk medicine in Siberia, in Chinese and Tibetan folk medicine. Decoction of rhizomes with roots to an infusion of herbs stop various bleeding (uterine, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, haemorrhoidal, and others), constrict blood vessels, slow down intestinal peristalsis, stop cramping, weaken and stop inflammatory processes and have astringent, analgesic and strong bactericidal action.

Professor B.P. Tokin notes the strong bactericidal effect of root decoction on microbes of paratyphoid and dysentery groups. Root phytoncides kill typhoid and paratyphoid microbes within 15 minutes, and dysentery group-5 minutes. Proven and a good anti-inflammatory effect of the extract of the roots of Burnet. A decoction of rhizomes with roots and an infusion of herbs in folk medicine are used for various bleeding, excessive menstruation, a rush of blood to the head with agitation, most often with hypertension, inflammation of the veins, convulsions and haemoptysis in tuberculosis patients, colitis and especially dysentery.

Externally, a decoction of rhizomes and roots is used in the form of wet compresses for various inflammatory processes of the skin and in the form of rinses for inflammatory processes of the mouth and throat. Herbal infusion or decoction of rhizomes with roots is also used for sedentary 10-minute baths for external hemorrhoids. Clinical studies have shown that decoction of roots gives good results in dysentery and various diarrhoea. In scientific medicine, a decoction of roots and an extract of Great Burnet are especially effective in acute enterocolitis, intoxication and gastrogenic diarrhea and are used in gynecological practice as a hemostatic and anti-inflammatory agent.

Method of application

1. 1 tablespoon of rhizomes and roots of Burnet boil for 30 minutes in 1 glass of water, insist for 2 hours, strain. Take 1 tablespoon 5 times a day before meals.

2. 3 teaspoons of dry herb infuse for 8 hours in 2 glasses of cooled boiled water, strain. Take 1/4 cup 4 times a day before meals. Drink in sips.

3. 2 – 3 tablespoons of herbs Burnet scald with boiling water, chop, wrap in cheesecloth. Application should be applied as an analgesic to the affected areas.

4. 2 tablespoons of roots boil for 30 minutes in 1.5 cups of water, infuse for 2 hours, strain. Use for lotions, washings and wet compresses for inflammatory skin processes.