Lofant Tibetan: useful properties and contraindications, cultivation

The genus of herbaceous flowering plants of polygons (Agastache) is mainly distributed in the temperate climate of the North American continent. But since the ancestor of the genus is somewhat older than the time of the divergence of the continents, then only one representative of this genus remained in Asia. The polygon is wrinkled, it is also a Tibetan lofant, a native of East Asia. In China, this plant is considered only slightly weaker than ginseng and is used in folk medicine among the 50 main herbs.

Description of the plant Lofant Tibetan

Agastache rugosa has many other names:

• Korean mint (belongs to the same family of mint);
• purple giant hyssop;
• blue licorice;
• Indian mint;
• wrinkled giant hyssop;
• Chinese patchouli;
• huo xiang;
• lofant tibetan.

The latter is a tracing paper from another Latin name – Lophantus tibeticus. This name is synonymous with Agastache rugosa.

The distribution area of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthis plant in the wild is all of East Asia:

• Korea;
• Vietnam;
• Japan;
• China;
• Taiwan.

The Tibetan multi-grate is also growing in Our Country in the Primorsky Territory.

Tibetan lofant is a perennial grass 0,4-1 m high with quadrangular stems. The leaves are large: 4,5-9 cm long, 2-6 cm wide. The shape may be lanceolate or ovoid. The base of the leaf is heart-shaped. The petiole is 1,5 to 3,5 cm long. The edge of the leaf is serrated. Leaf blades are thin. The leaves are dark green on the upper side, light green on the lower side. Leaf blades are pubescent on both sides.

The flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences, the length of which is up to 10 cm, and the diameter is 2 cm. There are also leaves on the peduncles below, the shape is the same as the main ones. But the size of these leaves is smaller.

Flowers are bisexual and capable of self-pollination. There is also pollination by insects. The calyx is long (4-8 mm), painted in purple or lilac. The two-lipped corolla is 7-10 mm long. Flowering lasts from June to September.

There are forms of the Tibetan lofant with white, purple and blue flowers. White-colored ones have a sharper smell than colored ones. In the photo, all three varieties of the Tibetan lofant.

Differences between anise and Tibetan lofant

Most multi-columns are very similar to each other. Tibetan multi-grate is often confused with anise / fennel lofant. Even the color of flowers in some forms of lofants is similar. Anise lofant grows taller than Tibetan, but the growth range of these herbs is the same and it is impossible to say with certainty which plant it is.

The height of anise lofant is 45-150 cm, Tibetan – 40-100 cm. Anise flowers are purple or pink-blue, Tibetan purple or blue.

The difference between the two types of lofants in the region of origin and aroma of the plant. Homeland anise – North America, Tibetan – Asia. The smell of fennel resembles the smell of anise, for which the herb got its name. Tibetan has its own smell.

In the United States, anise lofant is grown on an industrial scale to produce honey with a specific taste and smell. Plants are used to produce spices.

Photo of a fennel lofant. Without a magnifying glass and special knowledge, the differences cannot be discerned.

Therapeutic use

For medicinal purposes, both species are used only in traditional medicine. And information about them here has 3 versions:

• anise – medicinal, Tibetan – spice;
• Tibetan – medicinal, anise – spice;
• both types of lofants have similar medicinal properties.

The third version looks the most plausible. The placebo effect sometimes works wonders.

The chemical composition of the plant

With the chemical composition of the plant, the situation is approximately the same as with its medicinal value. That is, serious studies due to the lack of value of these plants as medicinal have not been carried out. And when describing the chemical composition, the types of lofants are often confused. According to English-language sources, the plant contains:

• estragol;
• p-Anisaldehyde;
• 4-methoxycinnamaldehyde;
• pakhidopol;
• estragole (60-88%), it is also the main component of basil oil;
• d-limonene;
• caryophyllene;
• hexadecanoic acid;
• linoleic acid.

-language data is slightly different:

• hydroxycinnamic acids;
• luteolin;
• umbelliferon;
• quercetin;
• tannins (6,5-8,5%).

Often the composition of the Tibetan lofant is written off from the more studied anise.

The content of chromium in the Tibetan lofant is not confirmed even by studies invented for the sake of advertising. A high content of chromium, supposedly preventing aging, is attributed to anise lofant (the origin of the species is North America). And even about the anise lofant, there is no other data, except for the “research” of a certain doctor V. Evans from the USA. The studies were allegedly carried out in 1992 and caused a sensation. Mentions of the doctor are found only in -language advertising articles.

But some amount of chromium, of course, is available in both types of lofant. But this amount does not depend on the type of plant, but on the presence of an element in the soil.

Planting and caring for the Tibetan lofant

In the Tibetan lofant, in the first year after sowing, the seed crop ripens at the end of September. In subsequent years, seeds should be collected 2-3 weeks earlier. The Tibetan polygon produces the maximum number of seeds in the 3-4th year of life.

The grass is unpretentious, and growing the Tibetan lofant is not difficult. Given the “choice”, the lofant will prefer moisture-resistant fertile soil and good sunlight. In the shade, the aroma of the plant weakens.

The Tibetan multi-growth propagates in two ways:

• division of roots;
• seeds.

The simplest and easiest way to propagate is to grow the Tibetan lofant from seeds.

Reproduction by seeds

Lofant fruits are the size of a poppy seed, so you can’t bury them in the soil. Their growth is above ground. Sow seeds in the spring in mid-May. Sprouts appear 2 weeks after sowing.

Seeds are poured onto prepared, very finely loosened soil and “nailed” to the ground with a spray gun. During these two weeks, the earth is kept moist by spraying water, rather than watering from a watering can.

You can grow lofant through seedlings. In this case, a certain number of seeds are placed in each container. Planting a Tibetan lofant for seedlings can begin at the end of March or at the beginning of April. Germination rules are the same as for any other seedlings.

After 7-12 days after germination, a blade of grass acquires a pair of opposite round leaves. A week later, a second pair appears. In parallel, roots develop. The root system of the Tibetan polygrate is quite powerful and already in a young state has 7-10 lateral roots.

At the end of May, seedlings, together with an earthen clod, are transplanted to a permanent place. A distance of 25 cm is left between plants. The width of the rows is 70 cm. Further care consists in timely watering and weeding.

Flowering begins at the end of July and continues until September. Sometimes lofant can bloom until frost.

Propagation by roots

Tibetan polygon can also be propagated by roots. Dig them up in late autumn or early spring. Divided and planted in a new place. The distance between seedlings is 30 cm.

Useful properties of the Tibetan lofant

Koreans use Tibetan multi-grate as a food seasoning in dishes. The Chinese have a different view of this herb. They believe that Korean mint can help with many types of ailments. It is applied:

• as a sedative;
• immunostimulant;
• to improve blood circulation;
• as bactericidal;
• for the normalization of blood pressure;
• to increase male potency;
• as an anti-inflammatory;
• to normalize metabolism.

There is evidence that a decoction of a polygon dissolves sulfuric plugs in the ears. But this task is no worse than ordinary water.

Rules of raw material procurement

Traditional medicine uses the aerial part of the plant completely. Fresh grass works better, but in winter there is nowhere to get it. At the same time, it is in winter that a person needs drugs that support immunity. Even if the Tibetan polygon is not actually medicinal, it will serve as a good addition to tea and aromatic seasoning for dishes.

When preparing a Tibetan lofant, you need to follow some rules:

• collect grass in the middle of summer;
• after cutting the necessary parts from the harvested raw materials, all contamination is removed;
• dry the grass in the shade in a draft;
• for storage, the prepared lofant is removed in a canvas or paper bag.

The shelf life of the workpiece is 1 year.

Indications for use

In folk medicine, the Tibetan lofant is used almost as a panacea for all diseases at once. Scope of its use:

• restoration of strength in stressful situations, after a hypertensive crisis and stroke;
• anti-inflammatory for the gastrointestinal tract;
• increased immunity;
• treatment of the respiratory tract from acute respiratory infections to pneumonia and bronchial asthma;
• with liver diseases;
• with problems with the genitourinary system.

It is also believed that sleeping on a mattress and pillow stuffed with a Tibetan multi-grate will permanently relieve insomnia, headaches, weather dependence and even fungi.

Alcohol tincture of lofant is used for diseases of the cardiovascular system, paresis, paralysis, trembling of the limbs. A decoction, gel and powder from the leaves of the lofant are advertised as a good remedy for skin fungi.

Ways to use the Tibetan lofant

In the homeland of the Tibetan polygon grass, the grass is popular as a food seasoning. In South Korea, it is added to stews and fish. Sometimes used for Korean pancakes.

In folk medicine, lofant is used in the form of:

1. Infusion for internal use: 1 tbsp. l. to a glass of boiling water. Wrap and insist 3 hours. Strain. Add honey. Drink before meals ½ cup 3 times a day.
2. Infusion for external use: 4 tbsp. l. for 2 cups of boiling water to insist 2 hours. Apply infusion to wipe the skin and rinse the hair.
3. Tincture for internal use is made from fresh raw materials: 200 g of flowers and leaves per 0,5 l of vodka. Infuse for a month in a dark place. Shake periodically. Use 10 drops per 120 ml of water in the morning and evening and 20 drops at lunch 30 minutes before meals.

Infusion for internal use is used for inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, to improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, calm the central nervous system

To soothe inflamed skin on the face, a gel is made from fresh young lofant leaves. Raw materials are ground in a mortar into a homogeneous green mass and apricot or olive oil is added there. For 100 g of fresh leaves take 2-3 tbsp. tablespoons of oil and add 1 ml of vinegar essence.

Store the gel in refrigerators and apply as needed. If you add 50 g of fir oil and salt to it, you will get a good remedy for corns.

Contraindications to the Tibetan lofant

Funds based on the Tibetan multi-grate have no special contraindications. Caution should be observed in people suffering from hypotension and thrombophlebitis. But it doesn’t hurt to ask the doctor a question anyway.

It is necessary to start taking drugs from the Tibetan lofant carefully and with small doses, since no one can predict the individual reaction of the body. The dosage of the drug is gradually increased to the required.

Conclusion

Tibetan Lofant is a controversial plant in terms of its actual therapeutic effect. But if it doesn’t heal, it can’t hurt. But it can decorate the garden and give the dishes an original taste and smell.