Lungwort officinalis.

Lungwort officinalis: Properties and Applications

Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the borage family, which grows throughout almost the entire central zone of the European part of Russia, in Transcaucasia and Siberia. This plant, up to 30 cm high, has an erect, rough and woolly stem with small sessile woolly leaves. Barren stems grow from the rhizomes, which develop the following year. The basal leaves are heart-ovate, long-petiolate. Lungwort blooms in April - May. The flowers are located at the ends of the stems and are collected in curls. Before blooming they are pink, later they turn blue-violet. The fruit of the lungwort is four nuts that ripen in May - June.

Lungwort is used in folk medicine to treat various diseases due to its rich chemical composition. Manganese, iron, potassium, silicon, iodine, tannins and mucous substances, rutin, carotene, ascorbic acid and traces of alkaloids were found in the raw materials. Preparations from lungwort have hemostatic, enveloping, astringent, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and wound-healing effects, and also activate the function of the endocrine glands and hematopoiesis.

Lungwort is effective as a diuretic, especially when there is a deficiency of potassium in the body. Preparations from lungwort successfully treat diarrhea, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and bladder, and are used for urolithiasis. Lungwort powder can be used to stop bleeding, and lungwort infusion can be used to restore the quantitative and qualitative composition of the blood (internal, nosebleeds, hemorrhoids).

In folk medicine in Germany, France, Bulgaria, Poland and other countries, lungwort is used for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, lungs and tuberculosis, since the silicon compounds contained in the plant stimulate the immune system and increase the body's protective properties.

In addition, lungwort can be used to prepare salads and soups. Young peeled stems and flower petals are eaten. The plant is a healthy source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, manganese and iron.

However, it must be remembered that lungwort is a powerful medicinal plant and its use should only be done under the supervision of a physician or experienced herbalist. It is also worth considering that this plant may cause allergic reactions in some people.

Overall, lungwort has many beneficial properties and can be an effective treatment for various diseases. However, before using this plant for medicinal purposes, you should consult your doctor.