Moldavian snakehead

Dracocephalum moldavica L.

In folk medicine, snakehead Ruisha, Siberian, thyme-flowered and Moldavian have long been used. The latter is cultivated in Crimea as a medicinal and spicy-aromatic plant; its smell and medicinal properties are similar to lemon balm. The people called the snakehead Turkish lemon balm, honey cake, and also for the blue-violet haze of flowers - bruise. Upon closer examination of the whorled inflorescences located at the top of the stem, you understand that the generic name of the plant was not given by chance - the corollas of the flowers resemble a snake’s head with an open mouth. The flowering period covers July and August. Bees love these flowers rich in pollen and nectar. From 1 hectare of snakehead you can get up to 350 kg of high-quality, tear-clear honey with a subtle lemon aroma - this is truly a honey cake. Experienced beekeepers know: if you rub honey on new hives, a swarm of bees will quickly move into such a home.

The aerial part of the plant contains from 0.2 to 0.65% essential oil per absolutely dry weight. Its main component is Citral. The lemon balm scent of the snakehead is highly valued in perfume and cosmetic production. The medicinal properties of the plant are also known. In Tibetan medicine, it is used to treat stomach and liver diseases, colds, and purulent wounds.

Modern research has shown that snakehead essential oil suppresses the development of tubercle bacilli and a number of pathogenic fungi.

Medicinal properties

1. Used for flu, colds, pulmonary tuberculosis.
2. Stimulates appetite, improves the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. Effective for food poisoning and constipation.
3. Has a beneficial effect on kidney function. It has a choleretic and diuretic effect.
4. Reduces glycogen content in the blood, indicated for rapid heartbeat.
5. Reduces temperature.
6. Effective for rheumatism.
7. Used for bruises, purulent wounds, herpes.
8. Stimulates the immune system.
9. Analgesizes toothache, prescribed for stomatitis.
10. Recommended for genitourinary system dysfunctions and inflammatory gynecological diseases.
11. In folk medicine it is known as an astringent, anticonvulsant, antiseptic, laxative, antispasmodic and analgesic.
12. Calms the nervous system. Effective for migraines, headaches, neuralgia. Adaptogenic agent.
13. Suitable for caring for oily, dull skin of the face and neck. Increases skin turgor. Prevents hair loss and gives it shine. An excellent lip care product.
14. Softens the effects of insect bites.

Dosage

Externally: 2-3 k. per 10 ml of vegetable oil (massage).

Internally: 1 k. for 1 tsp. honey after meals.

Baths: 5-8 k.

For herpes: pure oil.

Compresses: 3-4 k: for 50 g of water.

Inhalations: 1-2 k.

Enrichment of cosmetics: 2-4 k. per 10 g of base.

Contraindications. Individual intolerance, acute inflammation of the stomach, intestines, pregnancy.

Note.An overdose can cause lethargy, drowsiness, slow heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and a burn to the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract.