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Useful properties and application of hydrastis
Description of hydrastis
Hydrastis canadensis is a herbaceous perennial with an upright cylindrical stem. In height, the plant can reach from 15 to 30 cm. It has a fleshy short brown-yellow rhizome. The length of the horizontal roots does not exceed 6 cm. The palmately dissected stem leaves have a serrated edge and are heart-shaped at the base. The leaf blades are quite wide. Single flowers of a greenish hue are located on a short pedicel. They develop at the very top of the stem.
A simple calyx perianth consists of several leaflets. The number of stamens is approximately 35-40 pcs. The fruit is represented by a red berry with shiny black seeds, which is vaguely similar to a raspberry. Each fleshy berry contains one or two seeds 3 mm long. Seeds are shiny and ovoid, have a strong skin with a pronounced scar.
The flowering of the plant is carried out in May, you can harvest the fruits in July. Most often, hydrastis can be found in eastern Canada and the United States in shady forests with high humidity. Breeding of this culture is also possible in Russia and Ukraine in the respective territories.
Useful properties of Canadian hydrastis
The unique raw material from Canadian Hydrastis includes biologically active alkaloids. These include berberine, which imparts a slight yellow color, and hydrastine. Hydrastis canadensis also contains inositol, tannin, essential oils and bitters. For medicinal purposes, only the roots and rhizomes of this delightful plant are used, which, in addition to hydrastine and berberine, also contain canadine. A powerful toxic effect is based on a special combination of alkaloids with other active ingredients.
This plant can cause paralysis of the centers of the medulla oblongata, as well as irritate the vagus nerve, which in turn provokes bradycardia. Hydrastis canadensis helps to lower blood pressure, because in the human body, under its influence, vasodilation occurs.
The use of canadian hydrastis
The presented Canadian hydrastis significantly enhances the tone of the uterus, stimulating labor. In addition, it has been proven that the use of various plant-based preparations normalizes peristalsis. As a homeopathic remedy, a course of treatment is indicated for the formation of a purulent, viscous yellow exudate on the mucous membranes.
In modern medicine, drugs have been widely used in gynecological practice. They are prescribed for heavy menstrual bleeding. Due to the increased tone of the uterus, the blood vessels of the organ narrow. It is no coincidence that Canadian Hydrastis is called a natural antibiotic. Berberine and hydrastine are able to destroy a variety of bacteria and various types of pathogenic yeast.
It should be mentioned that the plant also increases the antiviral activity of lymphocytes, which makes it possible to prescribe drugs for serious respiratory diseases. They perfectly stimulate the work of the entire immune system of the body. By starting a course of treatment at the first sign of illness, you can get rid of the disease in less than two days. This excludes secondary infection. The plant is also indispensable for the urinary tract. It easily removes infections from the bladder.
With infectious diarrhea, which is caused by pathogenic microorganisms, it is recommended to take pharmacological preparations based on berberine. Lotions from a solution of infusion of rhizomes will help to naturally remove warts of various sizes, since under the influence of hydrastine the human papillomavirus dies. In a warm form, the tincture of the plant is indicated for washing the eyes. It is used for trachoma, conjunctivitis and other eye diseases.
Berberine destroys staphylococci and streptococci in a few treatments. It is no coincidence that many eye drops are produced on the basis of this wonderful plant. With a protracted course of bronchitis, hydrastine-based products will moisten the cough and remove phlegm from the lungs. With otitis, you can also use infusions, they quickly remove yellow mucus and do not irritate sensitive ear skin.
We can mention the effectiveness of these remedies for keratitis with corneal ulceration, sinusitis with dull pressing pain, advanced rhinitis with purulent discharge from the nose, stomatitis and ulcerative conditions, as well as cholelithiasis. During fibroadenomatosis of the mammary glands with sticky yellowish discharge from the nipple and with cracks, many doctors prescribe safe remedies based on Canadian hydrastis.
Such excellent remedies based on this antibiotic can easily get rid of skin diseases associated with a rash. Also an indication for the use of this plant are varicose bleeding ulcers of the lower leg, which are accompanied by burning pain.
Contraindications for Canadian Hydrastis
Unusual plant Hydrastis Canadian with prolonged use can provoke various digestive disorders, including prolonged constipation. Due to the berberine contained in the roots, which has a stimulating effect on the female uterus, such drugs are contraindicated for pregnant women.