Codonopsis

Useful properties and applications of codonopsis

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Botanical characteristics of codonopsis lanceolate

Codonopsis lanceolate – a perennial climbing plant of the family campanulaceae. Stems glabrous, occasionally hairy, curly, reach a length of 200 cm the Root system is strong, well developed main root redicuously. The leaves are large, oval or shirokolantsetovidnye, short (sessile), entire (rarely toothed), glabrous, reach a length of 4-8 cm

Flowers terminal, solitary, the Corolla bell-shaped, colour is bluish-green or yellow with purple edge. The fruit is obconical capsule, seeds are small (2-3 mm), dull, winged. Codonopsis lanceolate blooms from July to August.

The natural habitat of the medicinal plants of Korea, Northern China, Japan and the far East. It grows in thickets of shrubs (including thick), in river valleys and on the slopes.

The beneficial properties of codonopsis

In folk medicine used the underground part of medicinal plants – redicuously root and aerial part, leaves, flowers and seeds. The roots are harvested in autumn (the last autumn), seeds – as they Mature, and the flowers and leaves during budding (beginning of flowering).

In its chemical composition the roots of medicinal plants contain a number of useful organic compounds: polysaccharides, sucrose, glucose, steroids, triterpenoids, alkaloids, coumarins, aromatic compounds, organic acids, essential oils, heterocyclic compounds, phospholipids and trace minerals.

The chemical composition of the aerial parts of medicinal plants similar to the underground part, additionally the leaves, flowers, and seeds contain tannins, pigments, and vitamins.

Medicinal infusions and decoctions of codonopsis have a pronounced expectorant, antitussive, hypotensive effect. Also with regular use of infusion of the medicinal plants observed in the inhibition of leukopoiesis (the formation of white blood cells), greatly increases the body's resistance to adverse environmental conditions, develops endurance and stress resistance.

The use of codonopsis

A decoction of the underground and aerial parts of codonopsis is used in various diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, pneumonia, tracheitis), chronic degeneration, nephritis, diabetes, hypertensivedisease (high blood pressure), rheumatism and cancer (malignant formations of the uterus). Besides, the use of medicinal extracts helps to combat edema, with inflammatory processes in the kidney, with chronic inflammation of the intestine and in different types of anemia.

A decoction of codonopsis lanceolate

Recipe No. 1: 10 g of crushed roots pour 200 ml of water, then put on a boiling water bath for 8 minutes, then infused for two hours. The resulting broth is filtered into a clean container and take 1/3 Cup 3 times a day. A decoction is indicated for anemia, diabetes, respiratory diseases and impotence.

Recipe No. 2: 15 g of crushed roots pour 200 ml of boiling water and put in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes, then cooled for 10 minutes and filtered into a clean container. The resulting volume of broth was adjusted with purified water to 200 ml and mix. Take medicine for 2 tablespoons 3 times a day.

Infusion of codonopsis lanceolate

20 g of the aerial parts of the medicinal plants pour 200 ml of boiling water and insist for 15 minutes, then cooled 45 minutes and filtered into a clean container. Infusion take 1/3 Cup 3 times a day.

Extract of codonopsis lanceolate

1 part of crushed roots pour 5 parts of 70% ethyl alcohol and insist in a dark place for 14 days, after which the medium is filtered into a clean container and take 30-40 drops 3-4 times a day.

Codonopsis klimatyzowany

Klimatyzowany codonopsis is a perennial climbing plant with creeping shoots, family campanulaceae. Straight or flexuous stem reaches a length of 50-70 cm Leaves small, ovate or broadly lanceolate, entire. Flowers – apical bells, solitary, large and drooping, gray-green color with dark blue veins.

The fruit of the plant is a capsule and seeds smooth, pale brown in color. Codonopsis klimatyzowany blooms in June-August, fruiting in August.

Natural areal of distribution of this species is Central Asia. It grows on moist meadows and along the banks of the various ponds.

From a medical point of view, codonopsis klimatyzowany is of no value, so is used solely as a decorative plant in horticultural industry (asthe rule for jewellery artificial reservoirs).

Codonopsis mellowosity

Mellowosity codonopsis is a perennial climbing plant of the family campanulaceae. The stem of a climbing plant at the base, covered with fine hairs, in upper part usually smooth. The root of the powerful, thick, redicuously, greyish, in diameter reaches 1.5 cm Leaves petiolate, ovate, entire (on the edge of the leaves slightly wavy), opposite or alternate. Flowers solitary, on slender pedicels, yellow with a purple hue.

The fruit of the plant is a capsule, seeds are small, shiny and smooth. Codonopsis mellowosity blooms from August to September.

The natural habitat of the far East. This species grows on forest edges and glades, thickets of shrubs (including dense), and on the banks of the various ponds.

In Chinese and Korean medicine has used the underground part of the plant (the roots), rarely finds use of his above-ground part (grass).

The roots are harvested in late autumn, and the grass – at the beginning of flowering (during budding).

In the chemical composition of the roots of codonopsis melkoporistaja contains polysaccharides, glucose, sucrose, mucilage, organic compounds, triterpenoids, coumarins, sterols and essential oils.

In the chemical composition of herbs, medicinal plants, flavonoids have been found.

The roots of codonopsis melkoporistaja in Chinese and Korean medicine, mechanism of action and their therapeutic effect on the human body are considered a natural analogue of ginseng. Medicinal the decoction of the roots has a tonic and stimulating effect, moreover, is a powerful androgenic and General tonic.

A decoction of codonopsis melkoporistaja

15-20 grams of medicinal raw materials (crushed dry roots), pour 400 ml of water and put in a boiling water bath for 7-8 minutes, then infused for two hours and filtered into a clean container. Means take 0.5 cups 3-4 times daily before meals.

Contraindications to the use of codonopsis

The use of decoction of the roots of codonopsis unacceptable during pregnancy and lactation (breast-feeding). Also with extreme caution medicinal decoction should be taken by people with cardiovascular disease (tachycardia) and individual intolerance (allergic reactions).