Contents
- What does goose cinquefoil look like
- Where does goose cinquefoil grow
- The structure of the goose cinquefoil
- How does goose cinquefoil reproduce
- Medicinal properties of goose cinquefoil and contraindications
- Collection and procurement of raw materials
- The use of goose cinquefoil
- Conclusion
- Potentilla goose reviews
Potentilla goose is considered a unique plant that is actively used in folk medicine to treat a large number of diseases. The plant has not only antiviral properties, but is also able to stop bleeding if necessary. To date, goose cinquefoil has found application not only in folk, but also in scientific medicine, as a biologically active agent suitable for external and internal use. In order to engage in the collection and further storage of the plant, it is worth understanding exactly how it looks, for what purposes it can be used and what are the contraindications for use.
What does goose cinquefoil look like
Potentilla goose or goose foot, as it is also popularly called, is a perennial herb that belongs to the Rosaceae family. In addition, it is worth taking into account the fact that there may be other names for the culture, for example:
- convulsive grass;
- martyn’s hand;
- frogman;
- goose goose.
If we consider the appearance of goose cinquefoil, it is worth noting that it has a fairly thick and many-headed rhizome, creeping rooting stems, the length of which can reach 70 cm. In some places, thin mustaches can extend from the stems, which in turn take root in the ground. The leaves are basal, intermittently pinnate, may include from 9 to 20 leaflets. The leaf plate has a green tint on top, silver-white-felt below, the leaves are velvety to the touch.
The stem leaves located in the lower part of the plant are short-petiolate, in the upper part they are reduced, while their number is small. Shoots, as a rule, come out of the leaf axils, on which flowers are located one by one, consisting of 5 petals. During the flowering period, flowers of a rich golden yellow hue appear on the culture, the calyx is double, pistils and stamens are located in it. A distinctive feature is a rather pleasant smell that the plants exude. The flowering period lasts from May to the end of August.
Where does goose cinquefoil grow
In order to collect goose cinquefoil, it is important to understand not only how it looks, so that it can be distinguished from other varieties of herbs, but also the places in which the culture grows. This type of grass is considered a Eurasian plant species. That is why galangal is widely distributed throughout the European territory. If necessary, culture can be found in the Caucasus and Asia. In Our Country, it grows throughout the European part.
A large amount of grass can be found in Polissya, in addition, harvesting can be done in the Urals, Siberia, up to the Altai Territory. Potentilla goose grows well not only on sandy soil, but also in marshy places. Growth requires a large amount of sunlight and heat.
The structure of the goose cinquefoil
Many recommend that you first study the photo and description of the goose cinquefoil, and then proceed to a detailed examination of the structure of the culture. In order to understand exactly how to distinguish a plant from other varieties and varieties, it is important to understand how each individual part looks like, what useful properties it has. A distinctive feature is the rather large buds, exuding a strong and at the same time pleasant aroma.
What is the rhizome of goose cinquefoil
If we consider the type of goose cinquefoil rhizome, then it is worth noting that the root system is woody, has a cylindrical shape, thickening is observed in places, but it is uneven, which should also be taken into account. The root of Potentilla goose is small in size, quite short if you dig it out completely. In addition, the rhizome contains a large number of biologically active substances, among which are:
- tannins;
- sugar;4
- flavonoids;
- starch;
- essential oils;
- resin;
- glycoside tormentilin;
- wax;
- pigment flobafen red;
- gum;
- ester tormentol;
- flobaphenes;
- quinic acid;
- ellagic acid.
The root system of goose cinquefoil has found wide application, as a result of which it is used not only in folk medicine to prepare decoctions against various diseases, but also added to paint to obtain the desired shade, and is used as a spice in cooking.
Potentilla goose stalk
As practice shows, goose cinquefoil belongs to the Rosaceae family. This culture is a herbaceous perennial plant. A distinctive feature is considered to be a creeping stem, the length of which can vary from 10 to 15 cm. If we consider the appearance of the stems, it is noticeable that they are slightly raised upwards, in addition, they have an arched shape. It is important to take into account the fact that the stems, as well as pedicels with cuttings, are covered with felt, which has a gray or white tint. In addition, there may be a small amount of hairs on the surface. The whiskers of the goose cinquefoil depart from the stems, after which they take root.
Leaves and leaf arrangement of goose cinquefoil
Potentilla goose has intermittent leaves, while they are pinnate. The lower part of the sheet plate is a silvery-white felt shade. In the lower part of the plant there are leaves, which, closer to the root system, have rather long petioles, grouped by about 6-7 leaves. In the central part of the stem and on the upper part of the leaf there are about 4 leaves, which have an obovate shape and a narrow wedge-shaped base. As a rule, at the top of each leaflet there are teeth, in the amount of 2-5 pieces. The upper part of the leaf plate is bare or has rather long and sparse hairs. From the bottom of the leaves, all leaves are covered with white felt and painted in a silvery hue.
Flower and inflorescence of Potentilla goose
During the flowering period, goose cinquefoil develops rich yellow flowers. If you look closely at the culture, you will notice that the buds grow the same size, while they are quite large, which distinguishes this species from other existing varieties. The flowers emerge from the axils of the leaves of creeping shoots, the height of which varies from 10 to 20 cm. If we consider the appearance of the outer sepals, it is worth noting that they are incised, the same length, have a fairly wide ovoid shape. In Potentilla flowers, the goose petals are 7 to 10 mm long, the sepals are several times longer. The number of stamens is about 20-25, the filaments are short.
What is in the nodes of the goose cinquefoil
Potentilla goose – a plant that densely covers the area in which it grows, as a result of which it is a continuous carpet of a rich green hue. In the process of node growth, the process of rooting of sufficiently strong creeping stems is carried out, the length of which can vary from 20 to 80 cm. These shoots, as a rule, come out of the leaf axils.
During strong gusts of wind, the leaf plate turns upside down, as a result of which there is a feeling as if waves of a silvery shade are running along a carpet of goose cinquefoil. That is why among the people you can often hear how the culture is called a silversmith or silver-plated grass.
How does goose cinquefoil reproduce
As mentioned above, goose cinquefoil is a perennial plant. In the first year of life, aerial leaf rosettes begin to form from seeds from seeds. After the plant is 2 years old or more, goose cinquefoil begins to reproduce. In this case, it is important to understand that a plant can reproduce in several ways. Thus, the vegetative method involves reproduction using above-ground rooted shoots. The second method is called sexual and involves reproduction using seeds.
However, it is worth taking into account the fact that the seed method is a secondary method for goose cinquefoil, since the culture takes root quite well due to the presence of creeping above-ground shoots, as well as by cutting root tubers. Thanks to vegetative reproduction, goose cinquefoil is capable of forming fairly dense thickets during growth.
Medicinal properties of goose cinquefoil and contraindications
Since goose cinquefoil is a herb with medicinal properties, it is actively used in folk medicine. It is worth noting that the plant has the following properties:
- anticonvulsant;
- painkillers;
- diuretic;
- hemostatic;
- wound healing;
- astringents;
- improve metabolism.
Due to the presence of astringent properties, goose cinquefoil is actively used in the fight against diarrhea, against bleeding, and mucous secretions. Since ancient times, infusions have been actively used to rinse the mouth if bleeding gums are observed or cracks appear on the tongue.
As practice shows, there are few contraindications for use. Herbal decoctions are not recommended for people who have thick blood, colitis with atonic constipation. Also, drugs should be taken as carefully as possible in cases where it is planned to remove stones from the kidneys. This is primarily due to the fact that stones can quite easily get stuck in the ureter.
Collection and procurement of raw materials
Since goose cinquefoil has useful properties and is actively used in medicine, many people collect plants for further storage and use. As practice shows, all parts of the culture can be used, including grass, flowers and seeds. It is recommended to engage in harvesting at the moment when the flowering period begins, that is, from the beginning of May and lasts until the end of August. In order to dry the collected grass, it is necessary to use a special dryer, in addition, the place must be dark and well ventilated.
You can start collecting seeds after the fruits are fully ripe, namely, in the second half of August. The root system can be dug in early spring or autumn, only after the aerial part has dried. If properly stored dried grass, the medicinal properties can be preserved for several years.
The use of goose cinquefoil
Before you start taking infusions, you should not only study the contraindications of goose cinquefoil, but also understand what diseases you should use.
Thus, goose cinquefoil tea should be used for diseases associated with housing and communal services, menstruation, ailments, cramps in the lower body.
Decoctions and infusions are perfect for dysentery, diarrhea, the presence of kidney stones, tumors, hernia, gastritis, stomach ulcers, severe pain in the abdomen. Also externally taken with angina, ointments are used in the presence of cracks on the lips.
The juice of the plant is used as a lotion in the presence of open wounds. During a toothache, you can rinse your mouth, which helps to strengthen the gums, eliminate ulcers, bleeding wounds. It helps to cope with inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.
In addition, many folk healers strongly recommend using goose cinquefoil in the presence of tuberculosis, a prolapsed uterus. As practice shows, most often decoctions are prepared from parts of the plant.
Conclusion
Potentilla goose is a plant whose beneficial properties are simply undeniable. Due to the presence of healing properties, the plant is actively used in folk medicine for the treatment of many diseases, which is why this remedy can be considered universal. If necessary, you can assemble and procure raw materials yourself or purchase them at a pharmacy.