European undergrowth

Umbelliferae - Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). Common names: belly grass, medicinal umbrella. Parts used: grass and rhizome. Pharmacy name: herb - Saniculae herba (formerly: Herba Saniculae), root - Saniculae radix (formerly: Radix Saniculae).

Botanical description. This perennial umbrella plant, reaching 50 cm in height, has a short brown rhizome with numerous thin roots. The leaves are long-petiolate, basal, palmate, serrated along the edge. The upper part of the stem is leafless; very rarely 1-2 leaves sit on it. The top of the peduncle is branched, bears from 1 to 5 umbels with small white or pinkish flowers. Blooms from May to July. Grows in deciduous forests on soils rich in humus, as well as in shrubs, preferring shady and moist places; more or less common in mountainous landscapes.

Collection and preparation. The grass is collected before flowering along with the basal leaves and hung in bunches to dry in a shady place. The rhizome along with the roots is dug up in the fall, washed and carefully dried in the shade.

Active ingredients. Both the roots and the herb contain saponins, tannins, bitterness and a small amount of essential oil. The herb also contains vitamin C and allantoin, which undoubtedly play a role in the overall medicinal effect of undergrowth (as well as comfrey).

Healing action and application. Undergrowth has the same purpose as many medicinal plants, the active ingredients of which are saponins, tannins and bitterness. Thanks to this, there are many areas of application for it, and science is only using some of them so far. It is used exclusively as the main part of blood purifying and appetite-stimulating teas, as well as cough mixtures.

My special advice. I consider the European undergrowth to be an outstanding medicinal plant, which, together with fennel, caraway and peppermint, I use for flatulence and diarrhea.

Use in folk medicine. Everything that was written about European undergrowth by medieval herbalists can be found in A.P. Dinand in his “Handbook of Medicinal Plants” (1921). The indications he named are from the field of application in folk medicine: expectorant and cough suppressant, due to the content of saponins; a remedy against gastrointestinal disorders, painful sensations during menstruation, kidney bleeding, dysentery. Currently, in folk medicine, the podleynik is more often used for rinsing and washing for inflammation of the gums and the mouth and throat in general, for lotions and compresses for skin rashes. This remedy is good for abscesses, bruises and sprains. Perhaps this is due to the effect of allantoin and, of course, tannins. The uses of the herb and rhizome are the same; often the whole plant is used - the grass along with the rhizome.

Side effects. Do not overdose, then there will be no side effects.