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Veronica medicinalis is distributed in the European part of the USSR, in the Crimea, and in the Caucasus. Grows in forests, along edges, throughout Europe and the United States.
The clinging tops of the plant are used, harvested at the beginning of flowering. In fresh form have a faint odor, disappearing when dried, the taste is bitter.
Chemical composition and properties of veronica
The properties of veronica medicinalis are poorly understood. It contains tannins, bitter substances, aucubin glucoside (Hoppe, 1958), essential oil (Mosig, 1961), traces of alkaloids, veronicin glucoside, vitamins, saponins (S. Я. Zolotnitskaya, 1958).
The herb is official in the medicine of Western Europe. The properties of veronica are used for phytorecepts.
The effects and treatment of veronica
Treatment with veronica was not used in the scientific medicine of the former USSR.
In Bulgaria, the properties of veronica were used for respiratory diseases, coughs. In Bulgarian folk medicine decoction of the herb is also used for coughs, bronchial asthma, rheumatism, gout, kidney stone disease, as a diuretic, sore throat, skin diseases, boils. Treatment with veronica infused in vegetable oil is considered a good remedy for better healing of festering wounds and for sunburned skin.
In the GDR, Veronica medicinalis was used as a tea for respiratory diseases. The content of bitterness and tannins determines the use in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially diarrhea. Veronica treatment is also used in the form of gargles. In the Middle Ages, a unique medicinal value was attributed to this plant, which is why it was given this name. It was used for a wide variety of diseases: dizziness, memory loss, stomach, liver, spleen, kidney, bladder, gynecological diseases and as a diaphoretic. In 1960. A book devoted to this plant was published (Frank).
In France, Dr. Leclerc, describing the properties of the medicinal veronica, points out that its hot decoction works best. Gamier recommends it for atony, colic in the stomach, and for improving digestion, but he notes its greatest efficacy in lack of appetite, and in bronchitis.
Veronica leaves - 60 g, balsam leaves - 15 g, leaves of cassia - 15 g, licorice root - 10 g; 5-6 g of crushed raw materials brewed 250 ml of boiling water, insist 20 minutes and take in unsweetened form for 5 minutes before eating.
In Austria, treatment with Veronica is used during its flowering in the form of decoction, juice for catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract, chronic skin diseases, and genital itching, especially in elderly women, which is a precursor or symptom of diabetes and cancer. The juice of the herb is recommended for gout in large doses, on an empty stomach.
In domestic folk medicine properties of veronica are used for pulmonary tuberculosis, cough, bleeding, emaciation, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, headache, menopause, as a choleretic, for diseases of the bladder, colds and externally for the treatment of wounds. Veronica medicinalis is included in the composition of breast tea..
