loosestrife loosestrife: species and varieties with photos and descriptions, creating favorable conditions for growth. loosestrife loosestrife medicinal properties of the plant loosestrife growing from seeds

Derbennik - perennial, characterized by very good frost resistance, long-term abundant flowering and a large number of seeds. The natural habitat for this plant is the banks of rivers, lakes, wet meadows, swamps. Its other name, “Plakun Grass,” has also stuck among the people. So the loosestrife was dubbed for one, very unusual property. The fact is that droplets of moisture stand out on the tips of the leaves in the morning. This happens mainly in the summer, so the plant naturally gets rid of excess moisture.

Care

Special conditions for active growth the plant is not required, since loosestrife is a frost-resistant, perennial plant that can take root on any soil. However, for the formation of a magnificent, long flowering bush, it is recommended to plant the plant in bright, moist places. For good growth and abundant flowering well-drained, moist, nitrogen-rich soil is suitable. Comfortably and densely grows in summer period in stagnant water at a depth of up to 30 cm.

When the plant blooms, dry flower stalks are cut off, the green part is either removed or left until spring.

Due to its good frost resistance, the loosestrife does not require additional shelter for a cold period of time, it is enough to wrap it in snow, however, in a winter with little snow, the plant must be covered, due to the possibility of frostbite of the root system.

When choosing top dressing, preference is given to nitrogen-containing fertilizers, while its excess in the soil leads to inhibition of the plant.

Watering

It prefers moist, damp soil, therefore it is recommended to water the roots well 2-3 times a month, to prevent the soil from drying out. Constant loosening and destruction of weeds have a beneficial effect on the growth and flowering of the bush.

Top dressing for loosestrife

In order for the loosestrife to have enough nutrients in the soil for abundant and long flowering, it is necessary to maintain stable soil characteristics annually by the method of early spring feeding. It is best to mulch the soil with compost or peat, which will play the role of not only a long-term fertilizer, but also a means of maintaining stable soil moisture. It is desirable to carry out the first mulching immediately after planting, and then update it annually in the spring. But you can replace the mulch with the incorporation of fertilizers into the soil.

With the beginning of the flowering period, in order to achieve the greatest decorativeness of the loosestrife, it is advisable to use mineral fertilizers to further stimulate the formation of new peduncles. Any mixture of fertilizers for garden flowering plants fit. The only requirement is the minimum content of nitrogen in them. Plakun-grass, unlike all other perennials, reacts to an excess of nitrogen not by actively growing greenery, but by lodging shoots.

Pruning loosestrife

An obligatory component of caring for this perennial is pruning. Traditionally, pruning is carried out only one, sanitary, removing the ground parts left over from last year. The loosestrife can also be cut at the end of autumn, completely cutting off all above-ground parts under the root, or leaving dry shoots to decorate the winter garden and carry out such a complete pruning in the spring.

Formative pruning is carried out depending on the quality in which the loosestrife grows and how important the shape and silhouette are for the beauty of the overall composition. In natural style gardens, loosestrife does not need such pruning, but if you want to maintain a more accurate and architectural form of the plant, then during the summer it is advisable to carry out a formation that gives the bushes greater density and regularity of forms.

Do not forget to cut off faded flower stalks before the seeds begin to ripen. This plant is prone to self-sowing and due to this it is quite aggressive, the seeds germinate quickly and take root very well, so the timeliness of cutting the inflorescences will prevent the undesirable spread of loosestrife in the garden.

Diseases and pests

These large perennials are considered resistant to pests and diseases. But in garden culture, especially on flower beds with roses, they are often attacked by aphids, which easily move to dense loosestrife from neighboring plants. Therefore, in compositions with loosestrife, it is extremely important to carry out constant monitoring for the earliest possible detection of pests and prevent their spread. It is better to fight aphids on this plant immediately with insecticides.

Winter hardiness of plakun-grass

All loosestrife, without exception, are frost-resistant hardy plants, which, for successful wintering in the middle lane, do not need to provide even the slightest shelter in the form of hilling with dry leaves, and even more so to create intensive protection.

Types of loosestrife suitable for outdoor cultivation and popular varieties

Today there are about 30 known species loosestrife (in Russia - about 15), but only two of them are usually found in gardens - willow and twig. Willow loosestrife, also called willow-like, (lat. Lythrum salicaria) is easily recognizable by its stem covered with hard fluff. This is an extremely unpretentious species, easily enduring even the most severe weather. Its, slightly willow-like, narrow leaves have a rather interesting property: in summer they are green, and closer to autumn they acquire a rich red hue. The special decorative value of the plant is the numerous flowers collected in dense spike-shaped inflorescences. The most popular among gardeners are the following varieties of loosestrife: "Robin" (Robin). These perennials can reach a height of 1.2 m, and its flowers are purple. "Feuerkerze" (Candle fire). Tall dark pink inflorescences stand out brightly against the background of blue-green dense foliage. "Blush" (Blush). This variety is distinguished by lush, pale pink inflorescences. D. "Robin", D. "Feuerkerze", D. "Blush" "Robert" (Robert). Neat, low bushes with crimson flowers.

Considered the most common in middle lane sort. "Swirl" (Whirlwind). Because of the rare, lilac inflorescences, the bushes of the loosestrife seem to be airy and translucent. "Lady Sackville" (Lady Sackville). A plant with very tall stems, humiliated purple flowers. D. "Robert", D. "Swirl", D. "Lady Sackville" "Red hybrids" (Red hybrid). Variety with bright red-pink inflorescences on strong tall stems. "Morden Pink" (Modern pink). The total height of the plant is about 1 m, the color of the flowers is pale pink, with a creamy tint. "Zigeunerblut" (Gypsy blood). Neon purple-pink flowers set against vibrant green foliage. The maximum height of the shrub is 1.2 m. D. "Red hybrids", D. "Morden Pink", D. "Zigeunerblut" This is only an incomplete list of varieties of willow loosestrife. Every year, breeders bring out more and more new hybrids, surprising gardeners with a variety of colors of inflorescences. The rod-like loosestrife (lat. Lythrum virgatum) is not characterized by high frost resistance, so it is best to plant it in southern regions. This species is somewhat lower than the willow, its stems are more branched and devoid of fluff, and the inflorescences are very bright and lush.

Among the most common varieties are: "Rosy Gem" (Pink Gem). The name of the variety speaks for itself: its main feature is high, luxurious bright pink inflorescences. "Helene" (Helen). Flowers also have a rich purple hue, however, the height of the plant itself rarely exceeds 50-60 cm. "Rocket" (Rocket). The variety is distinguished by neat squat bushes and bright pink flowers. D. "Rosy Gem", D. "Helene", D. "Rocket" "Rose Queen" (Pink Queen). In general, the variety is similar to "rocket", but with a more delicate shade of inflorescences. "Dropmore Purple" (Purple drop). The most cold-resistant of all rod-shaped loosestrife. It will delight you with magenta flowers from June to August. D. "Rose Queen", D. "Dropmore Purple"

Derbennik in landscape design

In addition to its endurance, loosestrife has a number of other qualities that make it attractive to most gardeners and landscape designers. Firstly, the period of its flowering is very long - from the beginning of June to September.

Secondly, like all perennials, loosestrife is ideal for decorating mixborders: in this case, it is preferable to place it in the background. When choosing the optimal position for climbing grass, remember that the brighter its inflorescences are, the visually closer the plant itself will appear. Although loosestrife is often used to equip all kinds of flower beds and flower beds varying degrees complexity, it looks great even without neighbors. Most often, it is planted next to artificial pools or directly into the water. With this arrangement, other moisture-loving plants, such as cleres, irises, astilbes, gunners or marsh gladiolus, will make up the best company for plakun-grass. If you want your garden to look natural and a little wild, plant tansy or any umbrella plants next to the loosestrife.

You can also achieve a similar effect by simply placing several varieties of loosestrife next to it. different heights. In front of shrubs with whorls of delicate, restrained shades, bright spots of phloxes, chrysanthemums or peonies will look advantageous. If you have chosen a variety of loosestrife with rich colors, try slightly diluting the flower bed with lilies, tradescantia, callas, or any cereals.

With the help of plakun-grass, you can arrange themed corners in the garden. For example, apothecary, consisting of medicinal plants. In this case, as neighbors to the loosestrife, you can plant a medicinal burnet, magnificent elecampane, goldenrod. Or a corner of butterflies, planted with fragrant representatives of the kingdom of Flora, attracting beneficial insects: loosestrife, oregano, valerian, echinacea. [!] Please note that a very fast growing and hardy loosestrife can gradually crush weak plants. Therefore, only strong and unpretentious flowers and shrubs should coexist with it.

Looseberry growing from seeds

Reproduction of loosestrife will not be difficult, will not incur large material costs and will not take much time. Seed collection is carried out annually, immediately after flowering. If the collection of seeds, for some reason, is not included in your plans, then it is better to immediately cut off the faded inflorescences in order to exclude self-seeding. Huge fields or plantations sown with this incredible bright plant although they cause delight, but if the seeds spread throughout personal plot, then it will already be weeds (weeds), as it will interfere with the growth of other crops. After sowing seeds (in early March) for seedlings, germination can be expected within a month. The temperature must be kept within 17-22°C. The loosestrife, planted from seeds, blooms in the second / third year.

reproduction

Duckweed is propagated in three ways. The division of the bush. The complexity of this method lies in the fact that root system the loosestrife is very powerful and woody, so it can be very difficult to cut it even with an ax. For this reason, only relatively young plants propagate in this way. The bush is dug up and divided into two or three parts, each of which should have several powerful roots and shoots. To avoid rotting, it is recommended to sprinkle the slices with crushed coal. Cuttings. There are two options here. In the first case, basal cuttings with a small part of the mother stem (“heel”) are carefully separated from the main bush.

The second option - the stems are simply cut into cuttings at least 10 cm long so that each has two internodes. They need to be put in water before the roots appear. Growing from seed. In general, a rather convenient and easy way, but, unfortunately, loosestrife seeds are not so common on sale. However, you can collect them yourself. Toward the end of August, oblong fruits filled with small seeds ripen on the bushes. Since loosestrife reproduces well by self-sowing, do not forget to immediately remove faded shoots before the seeds ripen, otherwise, it can flood your entire garden.

loosestrife curative properties

Using the example of loosestrife, we can list the content of the following substances: polyfinol, tannins, glucosides, essential oils, vitamins, and so on. AT medicinal purposes flowers, leaves, roots and seeds of the plant are used. At the same time, flowers and leaves are harvested before the onset of the flowering period, the roots are dug up in the fall, and the seeds, of course, after flowering. The loosestrife serves as an antiseptic, is able to stop the blood and heal minor cuts, wounds and bruises. In addition, it has a tonic, anti-inflammatory and soothing effect. A decoction prepared from the roots of loosestrife is advised to be taken for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, headache, toxicosis during pregnancy, and also for convulsions.

But infusions prepared from the leaves or flowers of the plant improve the course of such diseases as prostatitis, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, nervousness and others. Prepare a decoction, for this you will need: 1 tbsp. l. finely chopped fresh greens of loosestrife, it is necessary to pour a glass of boiled water and put this mixture in a steam bath (10-15 minutes). Then remove and let cool (about 45 minutes), only then strain. Take 50-60 ml of warm decoction three times a day. The infusion is prepared as follows: 2-3 tbsp. l. now dry herbs, also chop and pour one glass of boiling water. This infusion must be kept for at least four hours. Then strain and take 50-60 ml three times a day.

Dirbennik contraindications

This wonderful "doctor" has contraindications. So, for example, you can not take infusions and decoctions of loosestrife for people suffering from increased blood clotting, atherosclerosis and a tendency to form blood clots. It is not recommended to take this remedy for older people who complain of frequent constipation, as well as for hypertensive patients (constricts blood vessels, which leads to increased pressure).

Along the banks of rivers and lakes you can see tall plants, striking with their beautifully blooming inflorescences rushing up. This is loosestrife loosestrife or plakun-grass. The second name of the flower was due to the fact that in the morning “tears” appear on its leaves. Thus, the loosestrife gets rid of excess moisture. Blooming all summer, the plant attracts the eye with its bright flowers. With it, any garden plot can be made spectacular and festive.

Description, varieties and photos of loosestrife loosestrife

Plant grows up to 1.2-1.5 meters and blooms with star-like pink-lilac flowers. Its inflorescences in length can reach 50 centimeters. The loosestrife is characterized by erect tetrahedral stems, loose large curtains and a woody creeping rhizome. Green in summer and red in autumn, the leaves of the plant are lanceolate.

Unfortunately, an attractive loosestrife with his varietal diversity cannot boast. Popular varieties include:

1. Derbennik "Pink Pearl" - the plant grows up to 1.2 m, is distinguished by a straight, even stem, dense spike-shaped inflorescences and bright mauve flowers. The loosestrife of this variety is winter-hardy; it can grow in one place for several years.
2. Variety "Robert" is a very showy plant. Reaching a height of only 60 centimeters, the loosestrife "Robert" blooms unusual colors salmon red.
3. The plant of the Feuerkerts variety blooms profusely for two months with pink-red flowers. It grows up to 70-80 centimeters.
4. Derbennik "Blash" is distinguished by delicate pink flowers similar to a blush.
5. Variety "Swirl" is uniquely beautiful. Its bright pink flowers appear transparent and airy.

The main advantages of plakun-grass are its versatility and long flowering. In garden plots, with its help, you can arrange not only micboxers and flower beds, but also reservoirs. A flower can grow even in water.

Reproduction and planting

The loosestrife prefers sunny, blown areas, but can also grow in partial shade. The soil for planting it should be light, nutritious and moist. On poor, dry and too dense soils, the plant will not grow.

Most optimal location for growing loosestrife is the shore of a reservoir. However, new varieties of hybrids have good drought resistance, so they grow and bloom well anywhere in the garden.

Planting a plant carried out in the usual way:

1. The distance between the pits for cuttings should be about 50 cm, for seedlings - 30-35 cm.
2. Organic fertilizers are applied to the soil at the bottom of the pit.
3. The plant flows well after planting.

The loosestrife can be propagated both by dividing the bush and by seeds.

Growing loosestrife from seeds

The plant can propagate from seeds by self-sowing, but if you collect the seeds, you can get good, powerful bushes from them.

In order for the loosestrife to bloom in the first year, grow it from its seeds recommended seedling way . Sowing should be done in March. To do this, prepared containers are filled with soil, on the surface of which flower seeds are sown. After moistening the soil with a spray gun, the seedling box should be covered with glass or film, and placed in a bright place with an air temperature of at least + 18C. This will create a greenhouse effect, and the seeds will hatch quickly and simultaneously.

When three true leaves appear, the seedlings need to be picked in separate cups. AT open ground Seedlings can only be planted after the last frost has passed. The distance between seedlings should be at least 30-40 centimeters.

In early spring or October, the seeds of plakun-grass can be immediately sown in open ground on a seedling bed. In this case, flowering can only be expected in the second year.

The division of the bush

This is the easiest breeding method for loosestrife. You can start dividing the bushes from early spring to autumn.

To separate powerful rhizomes, it is recommended to use a shovel or an ax. Delenki should be with several points of growth and powerful roots. It is better not to separate small processes, since they will recover and adapt for a long time. Some of them may not stick at all.

If you cannot afford to divide a powerful bush, then you can propagate loosestrife by cuttings. Root cuttings cut together with heels are planted in loose soil and covered glass jar or other suitable cap. In such humid conditions, the plant will quickly take root and begin to grow.

loosestrife refers to plants that special care not needed. If the bushes are not planted near the reservoir, then they require regular watering. Due to prolonged drought, flowers may lose their attractiveness. However, temporary drying of the soil will not affect these hardy plants. In the first year of planting, care consists in loosening the soil around the bushes, and abundant watering in dry weather.

To ensure long-term flowering, the loosestrife requires top dressing. Soil nutrition can be provided immediately after planting with the help of mulch. Compost or peat will not only fertilize the soil, but also help retain moisture in it.

Any mineral fertilizers with a minimum nitrogen content will help the plant to achieve the greatest decorative effect. It is recommended to make them at the very beginning of flowering. The loosestrife reacts to excess nitrogen in the soil by lodging shoots.

Pruning bushes

Derbennik is prone to self-seeding therefore, in order to prevent unwanted growth of bushes, faded flower stalks must be cut off even before the seeds ripen.

In the spring, you can make a sanitary pruning by removing the ground parts of the plant remaining from last year. However, cutting can also be done in the fall, during closing. holiday season. To do this, all ground parts are removed with a pruner under the root. To decorate the winter garden, some dry shoots can be left.

You can form bushes depending on which composition of loosestrife in landscape design You want to see. To give the bushes correct forms and greater density, during the summer they need to be formed using pruning.

Diseases and pests of loosestrife

This perennial plant is very resistant to various diseases and pests. When growing it in flower beds, you only need to make sure that aphids do not move from other plants to them. If it is found, it will be necessary to treat the bushes with special preparations.

Compositions from loosestrife loosestrife

When making garden plot, from a combination of loosestrife with other colors you can create effective compositions.

Plakun-grass can't be called an aggressor, but since the plant grows rapidly, it may well crush weaker plants. Therefore, when creating compositions next to the loosestrife, it is recommended to plant sufficiently strong plants.

Having chosen a place in the garden for this plant and creating a beautiful composition with it, one should not forget about caring for the plant. Plakun-grass, although unpretentious, requires attention when growing.

loosestrife plant

Plakun-grass- so called by the people ( Lythrum salicaria) for its ability to collect drops at the ends of leaves during heavy dew or rain and drop them like tears.

If you believe other sources, then the plant got this name because, according to ancient belief, “Plakun-grass opens an access to the cursed treasure” and makes evil spirits cry.

loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) or plakun-grass- this legendary plant is quite common in Russia, and those who are friendly with nature could meet it along the banks of rivers and lakes, in wet water meadows and grassy swamps. It is simply impossible not to notice its bright purple flowers in a length - up to 60 cm - in a spike-shaped panicle, outwardly resembling a delphinium inflorescence, on stems about one and a half meters high with long lanceolate leaves similar to willows, it is simply impossible. From time immemorial, in different provinces, the people appropriated the mercenary sonorous names: God's grass, gerstel, bloodthirst, girlish beauty, skryllnyak, oak tree, womb, marshmallow, blue sultans, water gazer.

Plakun-grass has long been widely used by man in economic and medical practice . Rhizomes that do not die off for the winter (looseberry is a perennial plant) contain a large amount of tannins. Their decoction was used for tanning hides and impregnating fishing nets, which prevented them from rotting. The loosestrife is especially valued by beekeepers. Its flowers produce nectar abundantly in July-August. Honey has a pleasant tart, slightly astringent taste.

Properties and use of loosestrife

The aerial part of the plant, in addition to tannins, contains essential oils, organic acids, flavonoids, tannins, starch, glucose, wax, vitamin C, carotene, pectin, mucous and other useful substances.

In many countries, the loosestrife is recognized medicinal plant . In Tibetan medicine, it is used for nervous diseases. In Bulgaria and France, its antiseptic and astringent properties are used in disorders gastrointestinal tract. In Switzerland, an infusion of flowers and herbs of loosestrife is used externally in the treatment of eczema and other skin diseases and internally as a tonic and hemostatic agent. By the way, the ability to stop the blood is reflected in the botanical name of the loosestrife - Lythrum, which means "coagulated blood."

In Belarus, a decoction of the herb is drunk for uterine bleeding and as a diuretic. In the decoction, emaciated children are bathed. Root tincture on vodka (50 g per 0.5 l, leave for 10 days) is drunk for epilepsy, 40 drops three times a day.

In Russia, an infusion of loosestrife herb (1 tablespoon of dry raw materials per glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, take 1/4 cup 30 minutes before meals) is used for headaches, rheumatism, coughs, colds, epilepsy, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, dysentery , with toxicosis of pregnant women, convulsions, encephalitis. Outwardly, a decoction of roots and herbs is used in the form of baths, compresses and rinses for hernia, panaritium, purulent wounds, varicose ulcers and eczema. Fresh leaves are applied to bruises and bloody wounds. Dry inflorescences and leaves are added to herbal teas. The loosestrife gives them a pleasant astringent (tea) taste.

Cultivation and harvesting of loosestrife

Harvest medicinal raw material loosestrife(inflorescences and leaves) at the time of mass flowering - in the second half of July. The upper part of the plants is cut off, leaving stems 50-60 cm long. The raw materials are dried in the attic, spread out thin layer or hung in small bundles, crushed and stored in paper bags.

The easiest way to carry out blanks on your site, since It's very easy to grow a creeper yourself. The loosestrife does not have to be planted on the shore of the pond. It has been growing in my garden for many years. I water 3-4 times during the summer - no more than other plants, this is enough for him. Sowed in early spring to a depth of 0.5 cm in rows across the beds 1 meter wide every 30 cm. After emergence, thinned out, leaving three plants in a row. Nine plants from an area of ​​1 m2 fully provide my family with medicinal raw materials.

In fact, it would be more correct to call the place where the loosestrife settled with me, not a garden bed, but a flower bed. For two months, its lush inflorescences adorn the site. Not without reason in a number of countries it is grown as ornamental plant. And how much joy it gives to watch the bees busily swarming in its flowers! The bees attracted by the loosestrife will not disregard other crops, for example, planting strawberries and will significantly increase their yield.

I advise you to grow this plant from a fairy tale - loosestrife. Willingly help to acquire its seeds. them, as well as planting material maral root, rhodiola, wild garlic, kandyk, God's tree, golden currant, kalufer and more than 200 other rare medicinal, spicy plants, vegetables, flowers and shrubs you can order from the catalog. It is enough to send a stamped envelope - you will receive the catalog free of charge in it. My address: 634024, Tomsk, st. 5th Army, 29-33, mob. tel. 8913-8518-103 – Gennady Pavlovich Anisimov. The catalog can also be obtained from e-mail- send a request by e-mail: [email protected] The catalog can be found on the site http://sem-ot-anis.narod.ru.

Gennady Anisimov, Tomsk

He is God's grass, recruiter, grandfather's beard, lake linnet, girl's beauty - these and a dozen more names were given to this by popular rumor.

The beneficial properties of loosestrife are known in modern medicine, but the plant is not used in the pharmacological industry. Let's talk about features this plant in details.

Description

Chemical composition

The grass has a fairly extensive set of chemical components: phenolcarboxylic, chlorogenic, n-coumaric, ellagic, gallic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids.

As well as resin essential oil, vitamin C, carotene, choline, pectin substances. Substances such as saponans are present in the roots. The seeds of the plant contain alkaloids and the glycoside lytrarin.

Useful properties from seeds to leaves

There are many in the weeping grass useful substances and vitamins and essential oils.

The roots contain tannins and saponins, the preparation of medicinal herbs begins in the fall. Flower panicles are rich in anthocyanins, they make preparations at the time when the peduncles bloom.

The loosestrife is known to herbalists for such medicinal properties as:

• antiseptic;
• hemostatic;
• restorative;
• wound healing;
• anti-inflammatory;
• soothing.

Important! It has been noticed that if you make a pillow stuffed with fresh hay from the leaves and flowers of loosestrife for sleep, then a person will sleep calmly and relaxed.

The use of medicinal properties

• dysentery and diarrhea;
• fever and chronic diseases of the stomach;
• intestinal disorders and gastralgia;
• colds and gastroptosis;
• exhaustion of the body and migraines;
• toxicoses and venereal diseases.

Used in the form effective remedy first aid for rabid bites, encephalitis mites or snake bites.

Plakun grass is used in various formulations herbal teas for general depression or chronic hysterical manifestations. The medicinal properties of fresh perennial leaves are an effective blood-stopping agent.

A leaf applied to a wound or cut stops bleeding after a while. If the damage to the skin is quite deep and extensive, it can be cured with the best result, if over an open wound apply loosestrife leaves crushed into gruel.

The basic recipe for making an infusion of loosestrife: One tablespoon of dried and chopped herbs is poured into a saucepan and poured with a glass of freshly boiled water, tightly closed with a lid. The saucepan is wrapped warmly.

Infusion is continued for 4-5 hours. It is advisable to strain the tincture before taking it. This amount of medicine is taken during the day, one third of the total amount of liquid at a time. Treatment with infusion of loosestrife is continued for 5 days.

Recipe #1 We prepare a decoction that can be used to treat skin ulcers or open wounds. One teaspoon of dry, crushed loosestrife roots is mixed with a glass of boiling water, the mixture is brought to a boil and simmered for 10 minutes.

The saucepan with the broth is left to cool for one hour. After complete cooling, swollen roots are removed from the broth. You can strain the medicine through gauze folded in several layers.

The prepared medicinal decoction is used to treat wounds (washing) several times a day.
Recipe number 2 Infusion for migraine. The infusion is prepared as follows: one part of the dry crushed stem of the loosestrife is poured with 10 parts of medical alcohol, mixed thoroughly, tightly closed with a lid and placed in a dark place for infusion.

The time for insisting such an infusion varies from 5 to 6 weeks. Twice a week, the jar of tincture is shaken well.

Application of the finished infusion: half an hour before meals, take 30 milliliters of infusion. Since the tincture is based on alcohol, the finished medicine can be diluted with water in a ratio of one to three.

Important! Alcohol tincture not diluted with water can cause severe burns of the mucous membrane of the esophagus.

Recipe #3 Tincture used for diarrhea (diarrhea). Three tablespoons of dry crushed stems and leaves of plakun-grass are poured into a deep metal container, 200 milliliters of boiling water are added to it, and mixed.

Further preparation of the tincture takes place in a water bath for 20 minutes. The finished tincture is removed from the fire, covered with a lid and wrapped for a couple of hours for a greater concentration of the medicinal drink.

How to use the tincture: daily dose of medicine - 250 ml. This amount is divided into three approximately equal parts and taken 3 times a day.
When using herbal medicinal infusion, the meal schedule is not taken into account, that is, you can drink the infusion before meals, after meals or during meals.

Recipe #4 In case of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, such an infusion is prepared: 1 tablespoon of dry crushed flowers of loosestrife is poured with one glass of boiling water.

A cup of infusion is covered with a saucer on top and left for an hour. Ready infusion is filtered through a strainer or gauze, and taken three times before meals. At one time, one tablespoon of the medicine is used.

Healing infusion is taken within a week. If the patient's condition improves earlier, the tincture can be stopped.

The medicinal properties of loosestrife are not fully understood. Of course, this perennial has a lot of the advantages listed above, but it also has some contraindications. Not all people can be used for herbal medicine plakun-grass.

Let's take a closer look at the risk group. The plant is contraindicated in people prone to:

• rapid blood clotting;
• atherosclerosis;
• tendency to form blood clots;
• patients with chronic constipation (atonic or senile).

Important! For people suffering from constant high blood pressure, treatment with loosestrife is allowed only after a detailed consultation with the attending physician. The herb can increase the already high pressure (it contributes to the narrowing of arterial vessels) and raise it to critical.

Harvesting and storage of grass

As healing power Since the loosestrife has stems and roots, then tinctures and infusions are made from all these parts. Most good time for harvesting, this is the period in which plakun-grass blooms, in the first half of summer.

The ancient Slavs endowed this plant with magical properties, because they could not explain the droplets of water that form on its leaves. He has a lot folk names: bloodthirsty, water skrypy, derba, but the most famous is plakun-grass.

The loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.), popularly called plakun-grass, is a perennial plant that is widespread in nature. Large (up to 2 m) and unpretentious, it has medicinal properties and can be a decoration for any garden.

History of the appearance of plakun-grass

Eurasia is considered to be the homeland of loosestrife loosestrife. In the wild, its range covers all of Eurasia, the northern part of the African continent, North America and Australia.

Old Russian "derba", from which comes Russian name plants, denotes a wet fallow covered with moss and korchazhnik. Its other name, boletus, indicates that the plant prefers moist habitats - river banks, swamp outskirts, damp ditches.

Beautiful red-violet inflorescences of loosestrife delight the eye from June to September. For its unpretentiousness, beauty, long flowering, the plant has become widespread in household plots.

Why is the creeper crying?

Now let's deal with the mysterious drops on the plant that look like tears. Maybe it's dew or raindrops? Not!

The people call the loosestrife plakun-grass, thanks to its amazing ability to release excess moisture. Small holes on the underside of the leaves - stomata, are a conductor of water from the plant to environment. In the morning, water droplets form on the edges of the leaves, resembling tears shed by the plant.

According to legend, it grew amazing plant from the tears of the Virgin Mary, who mourned the crucified Christ. Therefore, loosestrife was called the mother of all herbs.

Yes and Latin name Lythrum is translated from ancient Greek as "spilled clotted blood", but this is more likely due to its hemostatic abilities.

The release of moisture is a phenomenon characteristic not only of loosestrife. Willow also sheds tears, which is why she weeps. Maple and chestnut also cry before the rain, and from indoor plants balsam has this property.

Useful properties of loosestrife

Plakun-grass has found wide application in traditional medicine and economy. Its flowers are an excellent honey plant. Honey is dark yellow in color, has a tart taste and aroma. Flowers can be eaten. On the basis of the flowers and roots of the loosestrife, a yellow food coloring is used for leather and paper. In this case, the plant material is treated with vinegar.

Tannins, which are part of the stems and roots of the plant, are used by anglers to protect fishing nets. An infusion of plakun-grass, having an antiseptic effect, saves them from decay, it is also used for tanning leather.

In folk medicine, all parts of the plant are used - flowers, stems and rhizomes. Stems and flowers are usually harvested in the middle of summer, during mass flowering, rhizomes - in early autumn. Raw materials for storage are laid out in a thin layer on newspapers or paper and dried in a well-ventilated area.

The loosestrife herb has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, astringent, diuretic properties. Therefore, such raw materials are used to treat a wide variety of diseases.

A decoction and tincture of loosestrife can be used externally for wound healing, including on the oral mucosa, with varicose ulcers, eczema, skin cracks, and rheumatism.

Looseberry has fixing properties, it is used to treat colic, intestinal diseases, diarrhea, uterine bleeding. The diuretic effect of this plant is used to treat diseases of the kidneys and bladder. It has found its application for the elimination and prevention of headaches and other types of pain, with colds and even sexually transmitted diseases.

In oriental medicine, plakun-grass is used to treat nervous system. The tonic properties of loosestrife make it possible to use it with increased fatigue, loss of strength.

However, like any, albeit herbal, medicine, there are contraindications to the use of decoctions and tinctures from loosestrife. They are associated with the hemostatic fixing properties of the plant. Do not take its extracts for people with a tendency to constipation and high blood clotting.

loosestrife loosestrife - a flower for a flower bed

Now it is very fashionable to create flower beds and in natural style. In order for a similar flower garden to appear on your site, you need not lush roses, but modest meadow flowers. Such and treat derbennik.

A huge number of varieties of loosestrife have been bred, differing in a variety of colors of flowers.

The most popular are:

• Robert - relatively low grade(up to 90 cm), with deep pink flowers, located in dense inflorescences;
• Swirl - a variety with sparse airy inflorescences of bright pink flowers;
• Blush - pale pink flowers of this variety resemble a blush on the cheeks of a girl.
• Zigeunerblut - a variety up to 120 cm high, with dark red flowers.

From different varieties, you can make compositions in flower beds or combine plakun-grass with other tall plants, such as hosts, phloxes, astilbes.

bright and large plant can decorate the shore of an artificial reservoir or a damp corner of the garden. It grows quickly and profusely, so to create neat compositions with loosestrife, it will be necessary to cut it periodically.

The bright flowers of the loosestrife look very colorful against the background of a variety of sprawling cereals. And among the usual coastal plants (irises, darmers, lightning, miscanthus, etc.), the purple-red flowers of the loosestrife will stand out.

Tall loosestrife can become an adornment of mixborders, being located in the background of continuously flowering compositions, it will divert attention to itself during periods when other flowers have not yet blossomed or have already withered. It will perfectly complement compositions of spring-blooming snake mountaineer, marsh gladiolus, summer-blooming geraniums, lobelia, daylilies and yarrows.

Loosestrife grows well, so tender, non-aggressive perennials of such a company may not survive. But in the company of red meadowsweet, wormwood, spotted loosestrife, growing varieties of asters - they will feel great and complement with their colors.

You can use the weed-grass in the apothecary's garden. It will wonderfully complement the beds with oregano, hyssop, catnip, lofant and other medicinal herbs.

Thus, loosestrife can take its rightful place in any garden, performing not only a decorative function, but also providing its owners with medicinal raw materials.

Reproduction of loosestrife, care and cultivation features

Plakun grass can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or, most simply, rhizomes. When planting seeds in the soil, they must be stratified in the cold, or planted before winter, then stratification will take place in natural conditions. However, with this method of reproduction, varietal characteristics of the flower may not be preserved.

Propagation by cuttings is carried out in mid-summer. In the first half of July, basal cuttings are harvested, with 4-6 leaves remaining. The cuttings are placed under the film in the ground, and in the fall they are transplanted to a permanent place.

The division of the rhizome is carried out in autumn or early spring. The selected part of the rhizome, together with the stems, is placed in a permanent place in the ground. At the same time, there should be a distance of at least 40 cm between plants.

Since loosestrife prefers moist habitats, it is worth considering this when choosing a place to plant it. The plant is photophilous. Do not place it in a too open, blown place. The long stems of the plant may not withstand heavy flower stalks and break under gusts of wind.

The planting pit should be well fertilized with rotted compost or fresh humus. To reduce evaporation from the soil surface, mulch the ground around the plant. The addition of high-moor peat to the ground proved to be good. Peat has a water-holding capacity, which will allow the plakun-grass to get the water it needs longer.

Grooming loosestrife requires minimal. He loves rich acidic soils, while not picky about their density. Young plants should be freed from weeds, the soil must be periodically loosened. Before flowering, the loosestrife should be fed mineral fertilizers. One top dressing for the summer is enough for him.

After the growing season in autumn or spring, dead shoots are pruned. In the spring, when the shoots grow back, they should be shortened to a length of 15-20 cm, as a result, the lateral buds will start growing and the plant will form a lush "crown". With proper care, sufficient soil richness and lighting, the loosestrife will delight the eye with its flowering for a long time.