Kalanchoe Peristoe.

Kalanchoe Pinnate: description, cultivation and medical use

Kalanchoe Pinnata (lat. Kalanchoe pinnata) is an evergreen plant of the Crassulaceae family, which grows in the tropics of the Old and New Worlds. Two species are grown in indoor culture: Kalanchoe pinnate and Kalanchoe Degremona. They have some differences, but both are excellent plants to grow indoors.

Kalanchoe Pinnate has a height of 60 to 120 cm. The root is short and branched. The stem is erect, woody in the lower part. The leaves are fleshy, on short petioles, elliptical or ovate, bluntly toothed along the edge. As they grow, they change shape: initially simple, then they become complex and odd-pinnate. The flowers are greenish-white-pink, collected in paniculate inflorescences.

In the wild, Kalanchoe Pinnate grows on rocky soils on dry mountain slopes up to an altitude of 2500 m above sea level, on sandy sea coasts. Growing Kalanchoe Pinnate indoors is not difficult. It prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil. It is best to take garden soil, humus and sand in equal proportions. The thickness of the nutrient layer should be 12-15 cm.

The most economical method of plant propagation is vegetative. Before planting, cut a leaf of Kalanchoe pinnate from the mother plant, turn it over with the bottom side up, lay it on the surface of the soil, sprinkle a 2-2.5 cm layer of soil on top, press it lightly and water it moderately. When seedlings appear, the soil is periodically loosened. Seedlings ready for transplanting should be 10-12 cm high and have 5-6 developed leaves.

4-6 kg of rotted manure, 80 g of superphosphate and 40 g of potassium salt per 1 m2 are applied to the area intended for planting seedlings. Nitrogen fertilizers are given 3 times during the growing season in the form of fertilizers of 30-45 g per 1 m2. The plants are fed the first time after the seedlings have taken root, the second and third times in July and August, respectively. The seedlings are planted in the beds along with a lump of earth, being careful. The distance between plants should be 30-40 cm, row spacing 50 cm.

Kalanchoe Pinnate has many medicinal properties. In folk medicine it is used as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antipyretic, laxative, diuretic, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal agent.

The leaves of the plant contain a number of active substances, such as flavonoids, anthraglycosides, phenols, essential oils, alkaloids, organic acids and others. These substances have a positive effect on the functioning of the immune system, metabolism, cardiovascular system, digestion and other body systems.

Kalanchoe pinnate is used to treat many diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, cough, flu, colds, pneumonia, rheumatism, arthritis, gastritis, stomach ulcers, diabetes, insulin resistance, skin diseases, cuts, burns, acne, insect bites, headaches , insomnia and others.

The leaves and stems of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. They can be consumed in the form of tinctures, teas, juices, extracts, or externally in the form of creams, ointments, and compresses.

However, it must be taken into account that Kalanchoe Pinnate may cause side effects and is contraindicated for certain categories of people, such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under 12 years of age, people with liver and kidney diseases, and people taking certain medications. Before using Kalanchoe Pinnate for medicinal purposes, you should consult your doctor.