Pochechuyny Knotweed, Or Pochechuyny Grass.

Polygonum Pochechuyny, Or Pochechuyny Grass

An annual herbaceous plant of the buckwheat family, 20–80 cm high. The stem is erect, branched. The leaves are lanceolate, long-pointed, almost sessile, without punctate glands on the lower surface.

Blooms from July to September. The flowers are small, pinkish, less often whitish with a greenish tint, collected in a thick, short, dense raceme. The fruit is a broadly ovoid, convex, black, glossy nut.

Ripens from July to autumn.

It grows along river banks, ditches, in damp places, in gardens and orchards throughout Russia, except the north.

The medicinal raw material is herbs.

It is collected during flowering, cutting off the tops 10-25 cm long. The raw materials are cleaned of impurities, laid out in a thin layer and dried in a well-ventilated area, in the open air, in the shade or in a dryer at a temperature of 40-50 ° C, stirring frequently.

When dried in a thick layer, the grass turns black. Store in a closed container for 2 years.

For medicinal purposes, you cannot collect other types of knotweed - sorrel and rough.

Polygonum herb contains vitamin K, tannins, essential oil, acetic, butyric and ascorbic acids, flavonoids, mucus, sugars and pectin substances. It increases blood viscosity and coagulability, promotes contraction of the muscles of the uterus and intestines, has a laxative, diuretic and mild anti-inflammatory effect, and constricts blood vessels.

Herbal preparations are used for hemorrhoidal and uterine bleeding, to strengthen gums, treat atonic and spastic constipation, wounds, ulcers and rashes.

Fresh plant juice is used externally. The infusion is contraindicated in acute kidney inflammation.

To prepare the infusion, pour 2 tablespoons of herbs into 1 glass of hot water, boil over low heat for 15 minutes, cool at room temperature for 45 minutes, filter and squeeze.

Take warm, 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals.