Ivy-shaped budra grass (hanging, dog mint): medicinal properties and contraindications, photo and description

Ivy Budra (Glechomahederacea) is a species belonging to the genus Budra from the Lamiaceae family. On the site, the grass can be a valuable groundcover or a pernicious weed. Sometimes it is grown in special beds or beds with medicinal crops, but more often it is harvested during weeding or while caring for the main plantations.

The culture has other names that differ from those accepted in botany – Budra Ivy. Budra Creeping, Dogmint, Sorokaneduzhnik, they are ubiquitous. Breast or Opukhov grass, Blyushchik, Garuchka are less known, or are used on the territory of a separate region.

What does budra grass look like

Budra ivy is a perennial herbaceous plant with leaves wintering under snow and remaining green until spring. It got its name thanks to the creeping and quickly rooting shoots. Just like ivy, budra, under suitable conditions, develops large areas in a few years, displacing plants competing for water and nutrients. It covers with a thick carpet not only the ground, but also fallen tree trunks.

Above the soil surface, the ivy-shaped budra rises no more than 15 cm, and then during flowering. Tetrahedral, slightly pubescent shoots are located in a horizontal area, able to take root at each node. Stems 15-20 cm long, rarely 50 cm long, strongly branched and slightly raised at the ends.

The leaves are opposite, that is, they come out of one node, and are arranged in pairs, symmetrically to each other, which is clearly visible in any photo of the ivy-shaped grass. Their shape resembles a heart or a kidney, the edge is crenate with rounded teeth, the veins are clearly defined. The size does not exceed 3 cm, the color is green, the petioles are of medium length.

Thin fibrous roots are easily torn. But this has little effect on the general condition of the plant. Each node, touching the soil with sufficient moisture, takes root, without separating from the mother bush, supplies it with water and nutrients.

Budra ivy per season goes through two bursts of growth of leaves and shoots. The first begins in early spring and fades with the beginning of the formation of buds. After flowering, the aerial part again enters the phase of active development. It stops only with the onset of frost.

Where does budra grow

Ivy-shaped budra grass grows almost throughout Eurasia in temperate zones up to the Far East. It is absent only in some regions of the Trans-Urals. The culture came to North America along with the settlers; in the central and adjacent states of the United States it is considered a malicious weed.

Ivy budra grows in meadows, in forests and bushes, along river banks, in household plots, neglected vegetable gardens and farm fields. Dog mint makes its way even through the asphalt of megacities, mastering abandoned lawns there, the territory near fences and along roadsides. For culture, the main thing is that there is at least a little fertile soil and periodic watering.

When and how does the ivy-shaped budra bloom?

The flowers near the budra are small, bisexual, tubular, 1-2,2 cm long, located in the middle or at the tops of the shoots. The corolla is two-lipped, violet-blue or bluish-lilac, the pharynx is often white, with dark strokes and speckles. The upper part of the flower is short, split in two. The lower one is protruding, consists of four segments, with a bright purple spot in the middle. The structure of the dog mint flower is clearly visible in the photo.

The buds are collected in the axils of the leaves, 2-4 pieces. They open shortly after the start of the growing season – in April-May. Flowering is long, sometimes lasting until August. The fruits of dog mint are prefabricated nuts, the seeds ripen by July-August.

What is the scent of dog mint

The smell is manifested if you damage or rub the leaf with your fingers. Sharp and specific, not everyone likes it. And to be more precise, few people will call the aroma of ivy-shaped budra pleasant. It resembles a mixture of mint and sage.

Features of breeding budry

The plant propagates easily by self-seeding and takes root in the nodes as soon as they come into contact with the ground. You can dilute dog mint yourself:

• layering;
• division of the bush;
• planting green cuttings directly into the ground in spring or immediately after flowering;
• sowing seeds at the beginning of the season or before winter.

In order for the rooting of the budra to be successful, it is enough to regularly water the planting. Cuttings will take root better in a slightly shaded place. As soon as new leaves appear, dogmint can be transplanted.

Healing properties of ivy budra

The medicinal properties of dog mint are due to the large number of nutrients contained in the aerial part of the plant:

In addition, the plant contains caffeic and resin acids, gum. Budra contains 35 trace elements, the main of which are:

• phosphorus;
• manganese;
• titanium;
• copper;
• zinc.

What diseases does budra help with?

In Western Europe and America, dog mint is recognized as official medicine and is used to treat:

• bronchial asthma;
• skin diseases;
• liver, including hepatitis;
• thyroid gland;
• pneumonia;
• gallbladder;
• urolithiasis.

In the post-Soviet space, you can find dog mint in the composition of imported privately brought medicines or dietary supplements. Officially, the budra hanging plant in Our Country does not apply to medicinal.

Application of dog mint

Although the ivy-shaped budra is better known to herbalists and landscape designers, nevertheless, the culture has found application in other areas. She was not ignored by culinary specialists and winemakers, esotericists and cosmetologists.

In folk medicine

Domestic medicine does not study the medicinal properties and contraindications of budra herb, but the culture is well known to folk healers. It is not for nothing that she is called the forty-weeper. Healers include grass in fees and use it on their own to fight many diseases. Dog mint is considered a means of:

• expectorant;
• diuretic;
• antiparasitic;
• gastric;
• relieving inflammation;
• anti-sclerotic;
• lowering blood sugar;
• choleretic;
• painkillers;
• antitumor.

Traditional medicine treats chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract, prostatic hyperplasia, accompanied by sputum, with the help of ivy-shaped budra. For wounds, skin problems, gout, lotions and baths are recommended.

Recipes for decoctions and infusions with ivy bud

For medicinal purposes, use the entire aerial part of dog mint. Sometimes juice is squeezed out of the grass and, for example, 1-2 drops are instilled into the nose for headaches. But more often decoctions and infusions are prepared from the budra:

1. For diseases of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, upper respiratory tract, a teaspoon of fresh dog mint grass is crushed, poured with a glass of boiling water. Insist until the liquid cools down. Filter. Take 1/4 cup warm 2 to 4 times a day.
2. With the same diseases, as well as tuberculosis and cystitis, an infusion of dried budra grass will help. A tablespoon of chopped raw materials is poured with 3 cups of boiling water. Insist 60 minutes. Take 2 hours before meals, 2 tbsp. l. no more than 4 times a day.
3. A decoction of dry herb budra will help in the treatment of goiter, liver and biliary tract, lung diseases. A teaspoon of raw materials is poured into a glass of boiling water and heated for 15 minutes in a water bath. Insist 45 minutes. Warm strained broth is taken before meals, a quarter cup no more than 4 times a day.
4. For diseases of the liver, bladder and bronchial asthma, you can use the infusion of budra on alcohol (40%) or vodka. Dry grass and alcohol are mixed in a glass container 1:10, kept in a dark place for 10 days. Take before meals 15 drops three times a day.
5. Suppuration, rashes, dermatoses, boils will help cure lotions and washing the affected skin with a decoction of budra. Bring a tablespoon of dog mint to a boil with a glass of water. Wrap and leave to cool.
6. Expectorant collection. In equal proportions, crushed fresh or dry herbs are mixed: budru, common cocklebur, hoof. A tablespoon of the collection is thrown into a glass of hot water, brought to a boil. Keep on fire for 3 minutes, insist half an hour. Drink per day in 3 divided doses after meals.
7. The scabies mite is a very nasty skin parasite. You can get rid of it if you rub into the affected areas 2 times a day a strong tincture of budra on vinegar.
8. With inflammation of the lungs, a collection of dog mint, poplar buds and elder flowers in a ratio of 2: 2: 1 will help. 5 tablespoons of the mixture is poured into 3 cups of boiling water. Insist, filter, drink during the day.
9. Pharyngitis can be cured if 1 tsp. blooming budry pour a glass of boiling water and insist. Apply for inhalation or hot rinses.

Tincture of budre from cancer

As an independent remedy for oncological diseases, dog mint cannot be used. The patient must undergo full medical treatment. As an aid, the herb is allowed to be taken only after consulting a doctor. The tannins and other substances contained in ivy boudra can block or alter the effect of drugs.

The plant is not recognized by official medicine, so the doctor is unlikely to include it in the treatment process. You can use budra on your own only if there is no direct ban on it.

Traditional medicine believes that dogmint can relieve leukemia and liver cancer. There are two ways to take the herb:

1. Decoction. Prepare it in a water bath in the same way as for the treatment of goiter, liver and pulmonary diseases: 1 tsp. dry grass budra pour a glass of boiling water and keep in a water bath for 15 minutes. Infuse for an hour, drink warm before meals 3-4 times a day.
2. Dog mint infused for 10 days in 40% alcohol (1:10) is taken 3 times a day, 12-20 drops, diluted with a little water.

Limitations and contraindications

Ivy-shaped budra, whose medicinal properties are undoubted, belongs to moderately poisonous plants. Here we can recall Paracelsus, who argued that the difference between a medicine and a poison lies in the dosage. For example, pulegone, which is toxic to the liver, is much less in ivy-shaped bud than in peppermint and marsh mint, which are considered quite safe.

Essential oils and bitters can irritate the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. Infusions and decoctions of dog mint should not be used uncontrollably or exceed the recommended doses. Ulcers on an empty stomach are not recommended to drink them.

The first sign of ivy-like poisoning is increased salivation and sweating. Then cardiac activity, blood clotting, and pulmonary edema may occur.

Among the direct contraindications of budra:

• low acidity;
• propensity to form blood clots;
• age up to 3 years;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• kidney or liver failure.

In cooking

Sometimes fresh young leaves of ivy-shaped budra are put in salads. Here you need to know when to stop and not make grass the main ingredient.

Dog mint is used in brewing and to flavor kvass. In addition to giving additional bitterness and smell, the herb helps to increase the shelf life of drinks.

As a spicy-aromatic addition to meat and barbecue marinades, budra not only improves the taste of the finished dish. It promotes the digestibility of fats.

In landscape design

A herbaceous plant for open ground, ivy-shaped budra in landscape design is more represented by an ornamental variety with white-edged leaves Variegata. Unlike the mother form, the variety is not so undemanding to growing conditions. With a sunny location and poor watering, especially in the south, the foliage of the budra burns out, and it is difficult to preserve the decorative effect.

There is a rare variety Golden October, less capricious than Variegata. A lot of people like it even more. Dog mint leaves are covered with uneven yellow spots. Their coloration, as can be seen in the photo of the ivy-shaped Golden October, is especially intense in autumn.

Dog mint is used as a groundcover. In large areas, it fills the voids between trees and shrubs. Variegated forms of ivy-shaped budra are planted in irrigated flower beds and ridges.

Where else is dog mint used?

In cosmetology, ivy-shaped budra is used as part of masks and ointments for acne or other skin rashes. In phoniatrics, the plant is sometimes used to treat a persistent cough.

In the garden, dog mint is used to sod the tree trunks. On strawberries, plants protect each other from pests with their secretions. There are other benefits too:

• budra ivy prevents berries from falling on the soil;
• strawberry protects dogmint from the bright sun.

The magical properties of ivy boudra

Dog mint is called witch grass. It is believed that it frees from curses, love spells and any other dark influences. Esotericists claim that the plant cleanses and restores the human aura.

But dark magicians also use the ivy-shaped budra. Grass can bring together people, broken bonds, the powers of sorcerers in sorcery. This property is used for their own purposes by both evil and good forces.

Planting and caring for the boudra

Species budra ivy-like as a herbaceous plant for open ground requires very little care. A little more trouble will bring the variety Variegata. Golden October is rare, but, according to reviews, it is as unpretentious as a wild plant.

Dogmint takes root well, no matter how it was planted – from a container, with an open root, seeds or cuttings. It is important to regularly water the budra at first, and choose at least a little fertile land.

The offspring of species dog mint planted in spring will quickly grow in all directions, and by autumn they will cover a significant area. With the Variegata variety, this will not happen so quickly, he needs to provide moderate regular watering.

Ivy-shaped budra is planted in the sun or in partial shade. Special precision is not required when placing dognip – in less than a season it will spread in all directions. Bushes are planted the thicker, the faster you need to cover the ground.

Growing and caring for the ivy bud

Dog mint does not require top dressing, being content with what it got when caring for neighboring plants. Only shoots that have spread or have lost their decorative effect due to overdrying are pruned. Budra does not require shelter for the winter.

Weeding and mulching of the soil is not carried out. Dogmint a year after planting or even at the end of the first season will spread so much that it can protect the roots of large plants from overheating, moisture loss.

Itself, being a malicious weed, the budra does not allow to grow and “survives” from the site of competitors. So, small ornamental plants with a superficial root system need to be monitored – they will not withstand independent competition with a dog.

Possible problems in growing

Ivy-shaped budra is a plant that is resistant to external influences, which is much easier to start on the site than to expel it later. There can be only one problem with the species dogmint – it cannot be completely destroyed.

Boudra grows worst of all in poor sandy and permanently blocky or dry areas. The white-rimmed form needs more light and water than the species dogmint.

From excessive watering, all parts of the plant will rot. In the south, without irrigation in the hot summer, the roots cannot get enough moisture, for which reason the leaves near the budra dry.

Pests and diseases

Dog mint is sick and affected by pests only in exceptional cases. From waterlogging, the root and stem of the budra can rot. With a dry content, in addition to withered leaves, a spider mite appears on the plant.

How to get rid of ivy budry on the site

Dognip is a weed that is difficult to get rid of. But it must be removed from the garden. If you leave a budra in an area where farm animals graze, they can get poisoned and even die.

To combat buddha:

• in the spring, soil treatment with herbicides is used; on lawns and pastures, selective preparations can be used, for example, Lintur;
• the beds are mulched with non-woven materials, straw or mowed grass;
• carry out weeding.

Dislikes dog mint and regular mowing. So it can be, if not completely removed from the site, then significantly reduce the infected area, stop further spread.

When and how to collect budra for medicinal purposes

Unlike other medicinal herbs, dogmint can be harvested throughout the growing season. The above-ground part has healing power – leaves, shoots, flowers.

The ivy-shaped budra, which was collected in hot, dry weather, contains the most useful substances. The shoots of the plant are lifted and cut with a knife or scissors.

How to dry and store dog mint

It is impossible to dry the budra under a hot roof or in another room adapted for the rapid removal of moisture from plants or products. The essential oils contained in dog mint evaporate at temperatures above 30 °C.

An ivy-like boudra is spread in a thin layer on white paper (you can’t take newspapers). Leave in the shade with good ventilation. As soon as the top layer dries, the grass is carefully turned over to the other side. It is impossible to stir and mix dog mint.

You can store dry grass at room temperature in sealed jars or cardboard boxes for no more than 1 year.

Conclusion

Many people know the ivy-shaped budra as a malicious weed. But it is also a ground cover and medicinal plant, flavoring for kvass or beer, seasoning for meat. Before removing dogmint from the site, you need to think – what if there is a use for it.