Bird's knotweed, or knotweed.

Bird's knotweed, or knotweed

An annual plant of the buckwheat family with a recumbent or slightly ascending branched stem up to 60 cm long. The root is vertical, slightly branched. The leaves are elliptic or linear-lanceolate, grayish or blue-green.

Blooms from July to September. The flowers are pink, small, five-membered, located in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a dark brown nut.

Ripens from July to autumn.

Avian knotweed is widespread throughout the country. Grows well in poor sandy soils.

Grows along roads, in pastures, pastures, fallow lands, compacted areas, stadiums, etc.

The entire above-ground part of the plant serves as medicinal raw material.

The grass is collected in dry weather during the flowering period, cutting it to a length of 40 cm. It is not recommended to harvest knotweed in heavily polluted areas and in areas where livestock is grazing. The grass is separated from impurities and placed in bags.

Dry in a ventilated area, in an attic with good ventilation, outdoors in the shade or in a dryer at a temperature of 50-60°C, turning 2-3 times. The raw material is considered dry when the stems become brittle.

Store in fabric or paper bags for 3 years.

The herb contains the flavonoid avicularin, a lot of ascorbic acid, vitamin K, carotene, silicic acid, resins, bitterness, mucus, tannins and traces of essential oil.

The presence of biologically active substances in knotweed allows the infusion of this plant to be successfully used for many diseases.

It has been established that knotweed has an astringent, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiputrefactive and diuretic effect, reduces bleeding of mucous membranes, moderately lowers blood pressure, accelerates wound healing, increases immunity, increases the excretion of sodium and chlorine from the body, reduces the crystallization of mineral salts in urinary tract. The latter property, as well as an increase in immunity, is associated with the presence in knotweed of soluble silicic acid compounds that are in a colloidal state, which prevents the formation of urinary stones.

An infusion of the herb is used for chronic diseases of the urinary tract, especially with concomitant disorders of mineral metabolism, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, in the initial period of urolithiasis, as well as after removal of stones, for liver diseases, in complex treatment. tuberculosis, malaria, uterine and hemorrhoidal bleeding. Fresh crushed grass is applied to wounds, ulcers and bruises. Knotweed baths are beneficial for children suffering from various skin diseases.

The course of treatment is 2-3 months.

To prepare the infusion, pour 3 tablespoons of herbs into 1 glass of hot water, boil over low heat for 15 minutes, strain and squeeze. Take 1/3-1/2 cup 2-4 times a day 20 minutes before meals.

Knotweed is not toxic to humans.