Noble liverwort: description, properties and use in folk medicine
Noble liverwort, also known as coppice and livergrass, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). This type of vegetation is a protected object and is used for medicinal purposes, mainly in folk medicine.
Botanical description of the Noble liverwort
The plant has long peduncles bearing bright blue-violet flowers. After flowering, basal leaves appear on long petioles, shaped like three-lobed leaves. The leaves are pubescent underneath and then become leathery. Found in shady forests and prefers calcareous and clay soils. It blooms in April (in the mountains - in May).
Parts of the plant used and pharmaceutical name
The part of the Noble liverwort used is the above-ground part of the plant, which is collected during flowering and dried in the shade. The pharmaceutical name for the liverwort herb is Hepaticae herba (formerly: Herba Hepaticae).
Active ingredients
The liverwort does not contain the sharp and poisonous irritating substances inherent in all buttercups in a fresh state. Pharmaceutical raw materials contain anemonin, anthocyanins, flavonoids, glycosides and tannins.
Healing effect and application
Scientific medicine does not use liverwort, however, traditional medicine uses it in the treatment of certain diseases. The healing properties of liverwort are associated with its ability to improve the functioning of the liver and gallbladder, as well as in the treatment of gallstone disease. In addition, this tea is consumed for irritation of the larynx and diseased lungs.
To prepare liverwort tea, you need to pour 1-3 teaspoons of dried herb (in no case should it be used fresh!) with 1/L of cold water and leave in this state for 10 hours. After straining, the tea is slightly warmed and drunk unsweetened in small sips several times throughout the day.
Side effects
It is not recommended to consume fresh grass. You should also consume liverwort only in prescribed doses, otherwise stomach diseases may begin. In conclusion, we can say that Noble liverwort is a valuable and useful plant that has many properties and uses in folk medicine. However, before using this plant to treat any disease, you must consult your doctor and follow the recommendations for dosage and method of use.