Contents
Useful properties and application of Siberian skerda
Botanical characteristics of skerda
Skerda – an annual, less often biennial, pubescent or bare grass with a stem height of 10 to 150 cm and a thickened strongly branched rhizome. Leaves oblong-elliptic or lanceolate, almost glabrous or pubescent below. The flowers are usually yellow, reed, bisexual, collected in baskets in a common corymbose (or racemose) inflorescence, 1–5 pieces per stem. The fruits are fusiform achenes of brown or red-brown color.
The flowering period of the plant is from June to October, the fruits ripen from July to late autumn. The main areas of distribution of the skerda are in Europe, Africa, North America, and Asia. Skerda loves to settle in wastelands, on the edges, in light forests, along roadsides, in fields, upland meadows and in various weedy places.
Useful properties of skerda
This medicinal plant has been used in folk medicine for several centuries. Decoctions and infusions of skerda help the human body to more effectively resist many diseases, among which it is worth noting various gastric diseases, bronchitis, pneumonia and others. Young stems of the plant are often used to prepare vitamin salads and second courses.
It has been established that skerda contains flavonoids and some other useful substances, in addition, a significant amount of ascorbic acid was found in the green shoots of this medicinal plant. The complete chemical composition of this herb has not yet been studied. For medicinal purposes, the aerial part of the skerda is usually used: stems, flowers, leaves. To do this, they are collected in June-July, dried thoroughly and left for storage in a darkened room.
Skerda application
An aqueous infusion of some types of skerda is used by folk medicine for pulmonary diseases, bone tuberculosis, various bruises, gastralgia, diseases of the nervous system and as an effective laxative. Tibetan medicine treats bronchitis, atherosclerosis, pneumonia with this herb.
Some experts note preparations from skerda as a good tool for restoring the nervous system, improving blood circulation and preventing atherosclerosis. In addition, the plant is often recommended for effective wound healing and stopping bleeding. Special baths from this medicinal herb help relieve swelling of the legs, and skerda lotions are good to apply to boils, abscesses and other skin inflammations.
Infusion: one glass of boiling water should be poured over one tablespoon of dry grass and infused in a thermos for two hours. The tool is recommended to be used in the form of lotions for carbuncles, abscesses, boils.
skerda flowers
Different types of skerda have flowers that are different in shape, size and color. Many of them are used for decorative purposes, but some are actively used in traditional medicine. The flowers of certain types of skerda, along with the rest of the aerial part of the plant, are used to prepare various decoctions and tinctures, which are an effective remedy for gastrointestinal diseases, bruises, skin inflammations.
Siberian skerda
Siberian skerda grows in average and humid climates throughout the Eurasian continent. Often it can be found on the edges, glades and forests. The plant has a woody thickened rhizome, green spear-shaped leaves and a ribbed stem, reaching one and a half meters in length. The flowers are usually bright yellow and are collected in numerous corymbose inflorescences.
This medicinal plant is widely used in folk medicine. It has a positive effect on the human nervous system and can be used as a hemostatic and wound healing agent. In addition, Siberian skerda tinctures are recommended for lung disease, pneumonia, and hypertension.
Roofing skerda
Roofing skerda is an annual herbaceous plant, reaching from 10 to 90 cm in height. It has a very branched upright root and a green upright stem. This species grows in China, Mongolia, Western and Eastern Siberia, Central Asia, Europe, and the Far East.
The aerial part and green shoots of this healing herb are endowed with some useful components, due to which the roofing skerda is widely popular in folk medicine. It is often used to prevent and combat atherosclerosis, as well as an effective laxative and antiemetic. Poultices from the crushed grass of this plant help with carbuncles and furunculosis.
Contraindications to the use of skerda
The plant is not recommended for use in case of hypersensitivity and individual intolerance, as well as for children under twelve years of age, nursing mothers and during pregnancy. In addition, an allergic reaction to individual components that make up the chemical composition of the skerda is possible.