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Reproduction and application of the beneficial properties of ergot
Botanical characteristics of ergot
Ergot is a parasitic fungus on cereals. On the flowers of the ear of rye, sclerotia of the fungus develop. They have an elongated-oblong shape, wrinkles and cracks. The color of the sclerotia is black-violet, they may have a white coating, which is easily erased by fingers. In appearance, sclerotia are slightly larger than rye grains. Depending on the structure of the cereal flower, sclerotia come in various shapes and weights. Ergot develops no larger than the size of the cereal flower itself.
Ergot is a poisonous mushroom. It contains poisonous alkaloids, but, despite the toxicity of the fungus, it is used to prepare medicines used in the treatment of many diseases.
Ergot can be seen anywhere in Russia where cereals grow. Ergot is grown in Kirov and Novosibirsk. Ergot prefers a humid climate.
Ergot reproduction
Ergot in winter is in the upper layer of the soil. When the air becomes warm, the sclerotia begin to germinate. On the sclerotia, stromas are formed, which have thickenings at the ends, and inside the thickenings there are ascospores.
Spores ripen along with the flowering of cereals. When the spores mature, they themselves crumble and end up in the air. Air carries spores over long distances. If the spore is in an open flower of cereal, then it will begin to germinate inside it. As a result, a filamentous mycelium is formed in the flower. 1-2 weeks after the spore germinates, a sweet liquid will begin to stand out in the flowers affected by it. This liquid is called honeydew. Drops of this liquid contain the same acospores that infect other cereal flowers.
Ergot reproduces not only by self-seeding. Insects that like sweet dew can become its distributors. They simply, flying from one cereal flower to another, carry with them the spores of the fungus.
Useful properties of ergot
Ergot contains about 40 alkaloids, proteins and fatty oils. This mushroom has hypotensive and vasodilating properties, which is why it is used in the treatment of hypertension and diseases that are promoted by circulatory disorders. Ergot helps with headaches, menopause, mental disorders and migraines.
Ergot is a powerful adrenolytic agent. This mushroom is used for high blood pressure, leg ulcers, concussion. This parasitic fungus helps with diarrhea, diabetes and difficult childbirth.
The use of ergot in medicine
Today, ergot is rarely used in folk medicine, not only because it is a poisonous plant, but also because it is not found everywhere.
Ergot is most often used as a remedy that greatly reduces the uterine muscles when necessary to stop uterine bleeding. The mushroom has a sedative effect on the nervous system. Ergot is prescribed for intestinal bleeding, endometriosis and ovarian dysfunction.
Nastoi sporynyi pri migraine. Take 1 teaspoon of ergot and pour it with a glass of boiling water. Let it brew for half an hour. We take an infusion of 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. The same medicine helps stop uterine bleeding.
Ergot in circulatory disorders. Take half a teaspoon of ergot and pour 300 ml of boiling water over it. Leave to stand for 1 hour and strain. Take the infusion 4 times a day, 1 tablespoon before meals. It takes 5-7 days to be treated with this remedy. After taking a break, treatment can be continued.
Ergot enzyme for drug addiction. To prepare it, take half a glass of dry ergot and pour it with 3 liters of water. To this mixture add 1 teaspoon of sour cream and 200 grams of sugar. All this is thoroughly mixed and left in a warm room for 10-14 days. Take the finished medicine 15 minutes before meals, 100 ml.
Nastoyka sporynyi. Take 10 grams of ergot and grind it. Pour ergot powder with 20 ml of alcohol. Leave the remedy for 7 days to brew. Before use, the tincture must be shaken. Now we take 50 ml of water and dilute 10 drops of the finished tincture in them. Take the medicine in the morning and before bed. This tincture is used for long periods.
Ergot poisoning
With excessive doses of ergot, poisoning with this fungus is observed. A poisoned person develops diarrhea, nausea, itching and chills, the person is thirsty and his stomach hurts. The muscles begin to twitch and the person staggers when walking. There are hallucinations and dizziness. Death can result from poisoning. Therefore, at the first signs of poisoning, it is necessary to induce vomiting, and then rinse the stomach with a solution of potassium permanganate. Washing is carried out with the help of enemas. In addition to an enema, a person is given coffee or strong tea to drink. Hands and feet of the victim should be rubbed with vodka. A person can be overlaid with heating pads with hot water and wrapped in a blanket. After these events, the poisoned person still needs to be taken to the hospital, since only there the doctors will be able to fully bring him back to normal.
Contraindications to the use of ergot
Ergot preparations should not be used by pregnant women and women who have had a miscarriage. People with peptic ulcer of the gastrointestinal tract should not use ergot. People with epilepsy should use ergot with caution.