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Do you think that the vegetable garden is a weed growing in the beds? But no! This is the case when the name does not quite correspond to the true essence of the plant. The grass, which will be discussed further, does not grow in gardens, is not a weed, but it has many properties that are useful to people.
General characteristics
The vegetable garden (vegetable) is popularly called a devil’s rib (the leaves of the plant remotely resemble ribs), and in science – Cirsium oleraceum. It is a perennial herb from the Asteraceae family. And contrary to the misconceptions of many, it does not grow in vegetable gardens, but on the outskirts of swamps, on moist soils of meadows, near forest streams, in thickets of shrubs. But ideal conditions for growth, the vegetable garden receives on peat bogs. Most of all, this plant loves to live in the vicinity of black alder or three-stamen willow, as well as near sedge and marigold. The plant is extremely common in the forests of the European part of Russia and in the south-west of Siberia, although the territory of the Mediterranean is considered its native.
Outwardly, the plant can be recognized by a tall (sometimes more than 1 m) hollow stem without thorns, which branches at a height of 30-40 cm. The leaves closer to the ground are quite large and long (divided into segments), the higher ones are solitary and grow at a distance from each other. At the top, pointed leaves are collected in a dense “bouquet”. Interestingly, the topmost leaves of the bodyak, unlike the lower ones, are not saturated green, but light green (some are bright yellow). It is in such a yellow “basket” of leaves that the cobweb flowers of this herb are hidden. As a rule, the flowers of the vegetable garden are pale yellow, and outwardly inconspicuous. Although they seem inconspicuous only to humans, pollinating insects adore this honey plant. And I must say the plant attracts not only bees, but also bumblebees, butterflies.
The rhizome of the grass is creeping, from many fibrous roots. Thanks to such a root system, the plant provides itself with the necessary supply of water and minerals. In addition, creeping roots contribute to the rapid reproduction of grass. Around the central plant with a strong root, small thickets of a vegetable garden can be formed.
Why is it still “garden”
Now that it’s more or less clear with the appearance and place of residence of the vegetable garden, it’s time to figure out why it is still called garden and how it differs from the weed in personal plots.
To begin with, it must be said that the same weed that has bothered many is also a bodyak, but already a field one (it is popularly called thistle). And I must say, this type of plant is very poisonous, although it is used in microdoses in herbal medicine. In addition to the field one, the various-leaved calendula is also known. This herb grows mainly in Siberia and is known for its beneficial properties. For example, in folk medicine it is used to heal wounds. No less well-known is the common bodyak – this is the very “thorn” with pink-purple flowers, found almost everywhere.
But to understand why Cirisium oleraceum suddenly began to be called garden, you need to know something. For example, what is translated from Latin “oleraceum” means “vegetable”, that is, edible. Yes, yes, this grass is quite edible, but we’ll talk about that a little later. So, it is already difficult to determine exactly when the error in the translation crept in, but the one who translated the name of the herb from Latin probably decided: if “vegetable”, then it must be from the garden. Such confusion has led to the fact that sometimes the gardeners themselves do not know what bodyak they are waging war with.
Chemical composition and useful properties
The beneficial properties of any herb are determined by its chemical composition. And if we talk about the vegetable garden herb, then before biochemists did not spoil this herb with their attention. Today it is known that this plant contains essential oils, resins, tannins, glycosides, inulin, alkaloids, as well as proteins, calcium, potassium and magnesium.
Healers claim that the garden thistle has analgesic abilities, helps stop bleeding and accelerates wound healing. Some sources indicate that thistle is useful for detoxifying the body, has general tonic properties and a pronounced diuretic effect (due to this, it is potentially useful for the treatment of various kidney diseases). The herb’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal abilities are also known. By the way, scientists have determined more pronounced antimicrobial activity in extracts obtained from flowers, and not from the leaves of the plant. And all because phenolic substances are contained in flowers in a higher concentration.
In addition, the herb known as the devil’s rib contains substances that are useful in the prevention and treatment of gallstones and liver disorders. The garden thistle accelerates the regeneration of organ cells, and also improves the functioning of the liver in people with a removed gallbladder. The phenolic substances contained in the herb make it useful in cirrhosis and steatosis.
The results of the few studies conducted with the use of wild thistle indicate that the extract of the plant helps to prevent bleeding. In particular, the flavonoids found in the herb, after 5 days of use, significantly accelerate the formation of blood clots, thereby reducing blood loss. Moreover, the effect of a 5-day course of taking the herbal extract lasts for 25-30 days.
Currently, scientists are paying much attention to antioxidant substances as potentially preventing cancer. Preliminary results of scientific experiments indicate that the extract obtained from the inflorescences and leaves of thistle, including garden, contains substances with antioxidant activity. The researchers suggest that due to the high concentration of lignans and phenolic acids, the plant extract may indeed be useful in the treatment of certain types of cancer.
A decoction from the ground part is useful in the treatment of acne, allergic rashes, burns and other skin lesions. It is also believed that this remedy is useful in the treatment of dandruff, improves blood circulation in the scalp, which accelerates hair growth.
Use in folk medicine
Traditional healers use this plant infrequently, although it can be beneficial to health. Although occasionally herbalists offer patients remedies prepared from the root of the plant. Raw materials are harvested in the fall. The peeled rhizomes are washed and dried in an oven. Harvested roots in hermetic packaging can be stored for a year.
Some herbalists collect the ground part of the bodyak (the most useful during the flowering period), from which they then prepare infusions, decoctions or tinctures.
The vegetable garden is mentioned in some ancient recipes. For example, a decoction of herbs in ancient times was advised to treat conjunctivitis, eczema and acne. And if you drink a decoction, then, according to some sources, you can cure epilepsy, nervous system disorders, migraines. Fresh leaves of the herb are also beneficial for the skin. Crushed into gruel, they can serve as the basis for compresses for eczema and itchy skin. It is known the use of decoctions from the root of the herb for the treatment of rheumatism and gout. A decoction of rhizomes can relieve toothache and cramps, and tea from the stems is good to drink with fragility of blood vessels.
It is useful to use bodyak in cosmetology. For example, as a skin tonic. A healing mask is prepared from 4 tablespoons of crushed leaves, the same amount of kefir and a few drops of rose oil. The product is kept on the face for 15-20 minutes, then washed off, and the skin is wiped with an ice cube. A decoction of the herb is useful to add to baths, as well as to use for rinsing hair.
Some caveats
Since the useful and dangerous properties of the vegetable garden are poorly understood, official medicine advises not to self-medicate with this plant. It is strictly forbidden to use bodyak products for pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. And gastroenterologists warn that excessive passion for grass can cause intestinal obstruction. Since thistle can cause the formation of excessive platelets, it is also prohibited for people with varicose veins and hypertension.
What else is useful
As already mentioned, the garden thistle is a completely edible grass. Young shoots and tender leaves are suitable for salads, soups and vegetable purees. By the way, during the Second World War, this type of bodyak was often used on the menu for soldiers and even harvested grass for the winter. As a food, this plant (greens and roots) is also used in Japan and India. In addition, the vegetable garden, like other members of the family, is an excellent honey plant, and it seems that everyone knows about the incredible benefits of herbal honey.
Herbs, due to the rich content of biologically active substances, are not only an excellent medicine against many diseases, but also a nutritional component of the diet. And although researchers have not really spoiled this herb with their attention for a long time, scientific interest in this herb has increased in recent years. It is clear that so far not as much is known about this plant as we would like, but research continues, returning the grass from undeserved oblivion.