Common Murrelet
.Common mordovnik is a perennial herbaceous plant from the family of Complexaceae, up to 80 cm tall. Stems are solitary, less often several, simple or branched at the top. Leaves are regular, deeply pinnately divided, dark green above, white-hairy below; the root leaves are petiolate, the rest are sessile. The flowers are gathered in a globular head of blue color with a diameter of 3-5 cm. Common mordovnik blooms in June-August; fruits ripen in August-September. Nektaronos.
Common mordovnik is distributed in the middle and southern part of the European part of the former USSR, in the Caucasus, Central Asia, Western Siberia. Common muzzleberry is cultivated as an ornamental plant in parks (Fig. 50).
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The fruits (seeds) are used.
Chemical composition
.Common muzzlewort contains a variety of useful elements. An alkaloid echinopsin, similar in physiological action to strychnine, as well as fatty oil (26-28%) were found in the fruit. Echinopsin has also been isolated from other species of muzzleberry.
Action and application
.Echinopsin is relatively low toxicity, in small doses has an excitatory effect on animals, in large doses causes convulsions with subsequent general depression; has an antagonistic effect to medinal; inhibits cholinesterase, facilitates the conduction of excitation in neuromuscular synapses and has a therapeutic effect in experimental paralysis caused by nerve injury.
Echinopsin has cardiotonic action; in small doses it increases and in large doses it decreases arterial action. This alkaloid is used in paresis and paralysis, plexitis, radiculitis and in hypotonia, myopathy, in the treatment of the effects of chronic radiation exposure and poliomyelitis.
In Chinese folk medicine, common and Daurian muzzlewort is used as a styptic. It is used externally for some skin diseases.
Fruits of mordovnika we use as a cardiotonic agent for hypertension and atherosclerosis.
Peppermint
.Peppermint is a perennial bushy, herbaceous plant from the family of sponges, bred in England in the 17th century by hybridization of wild species. Peppermint is cultivated in the former USSR and in many countries of the world as a medicinal and essential oil plant. Well propagated vegetatively by sections of rhizomes and sections of young stem tops with 2-3 pairs of leaves; put in water, they quickly give roots, after which they can be planted in the ground. Peppermint blooms from late June through September. A good nectar bearer (Fig. 51).
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Peppermint is not found anywhere in the wild. In culture, two main forms of peppermint are distinguished: black, which has a dark red-purple hue to the stem and leaves, and white with light green stems and leaves. White mint blooms earlier than black mint, its essential oil flavor is more delicate, but its oil yield and leaf yield are lower. Mostly black mint is cultivated in industrial culture. Peppermint is a moisture-loving and light-loving plant, winters without shelter, but poorly tolerates severe frosts.
The leaves are used, which are collected in the phase of budding and the beginning of flowering of the plant. The smell of peppermint has a pleasant, aromatic, the taste is burning, when chewed it causes a prolonged cold sensation in the mouth.
Chemical composition
.All above-ground organs of peppermint contain essential oil with a refreshing, pleasant taste and aroma. Its main ingredient is menthol. Essential oil was found 2.20-2.75% in the leaves, 4-6% in the inflorescences, and trace to 0.3% in the stems. Carotene (up to 40 mg%), hesperidin, flavonoids, betaine, triterpene compounds, ursolic (about 0.3%) and oleanolic (about 0.12%) acids are also found in mint leaves.
The effects and uses of peppermint
Menthol contained in mint leaves has local analgesic, antispasmodic and antiseptic properties, causes reflex dilation of coronary vessels. The use of peppermint internally is recommended for angina pectoris, pain in the stomach and intestinal areas. Externally - for neuralgic pain, toothache, as an antiseptic and analgesic for inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis and bronchiectasis. Menthol solution in valerian-menthol ether (validol) is used in angina pectoris; in a mixture with paraffin - in migraine in the form of pencils; it is included in the composition of drops Zelenin, valocardin, in drops and ointments for runny nose. Peppermint oil finds use for inhalations, is included in peppermint drops, tablets. Peppermint water is used in mixtures to improve flavor and for mouthwash. Menthol alcohol is used in neuroderma. The use of mint in the form of infusions and tinctures is recommended as a means to improve digestion, increase appetite, against nausea and vomiting.
In Bulgaria, mint leaves are used for stomach and intestinal spasms, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, as a choleretic for gallstones, jaundice, as an analgesic for hepatic colic, as well as a heart stimulant and a sedative for headaches.
In the GDR application of mint (leaves) in the form of tea is recommended for diseases of the digestive tract, flatulence, as an appetite-increasing agent and externally as a bath.
In Austria, mint leaves are used in the form of decoction, tincture and oil for the same ailments.
In France, mint leaves are widely used as an antispasmodic, choleretic, wound-healing and as a means of stimulating appetite and improving digestion.
In Poland, the use of mint (leaves) is recommended as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, neuralgia, insomnia, migraine, inflammation of the periosteum, middle ear and other diseases, as well as added to other collections to improve the taste and odor.
Peppermint leaf and oil were included in the State Pharmacopoeia of the USSR in 1968.
In Russian folk medicine, mint leaves are used as a refreshing, choleretic and diaphoretic. Juice of fresh leaves of wild mint is used in kidney stone disease, as a diuretic by the tablespoon in a mixture with white wine.
The use of mint is recommended not only in medicine. Fresh and dried leaves and flowers are used as a seasoning for salads, soups, vegetable and meat dishes, for flavoring sauces, tea mixtures.
Peppermint is included in teas: choleretic, diaphoretic, soothing, stomach and in collections designed for baths.
Peppermint oil is used in food, confectionery and perfume industries, is included in toothpastes, powders and others.
We use peppermint leaves primarily as an analgesic, but also as an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, choleretic, digestive aid. Peppermint improves the flavor and aroma of infusions.
We are used for hypertension, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, liver disease, gastrointestinal diseases, dysentery and other diseases..
