Daphne

Useful properties and applications of Daphne

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Botanical characteristics of Daphne

Daphne mezereum – small evergreen or deciduous shrub with red berries. It blooms in late winter or early spring, fruiting in July-August. Fragrant flowers consist of 4 or 5 petals, fused at the base into a tube. The evergreen plant flowers with a greenish tinge, falling Daphne pink. The plant is strongly poisonous.

Daphne lives in the mountains of Europe, North America and Asia. In Russia it can be found mostly on the territory of Kursk and Belgorod regions. This shrub grows on gravelly and limestone soils chalk outcrops. The plant is protected by law and listed in the Red book of Russia.

The beneficial properties of Daphne

All parts of Daphne contain poisonous substances – glycoside dafnin and resin Mazarin. In the flowers include flavonoids, coumarins, benzoic acid and fats. In the bark contains wax, coloring matter and gum. Preparations of Daphne possess effective antibacterial, laxative, hypnotic, anti-epileptic and anti-tumor properties. They are used, as a rule, externally – in the form of a much irritating means.

For the preparation of medicines used the bark and fruits of plants, sometimes with branches and leaves. The bark is harvested before flowering, in early spring. It cut off strips, spread a layer and dried under the shed outdoors or in a well ventilated area. The fruit is harvested in July-August, dried in special kilns at a low temperature. Even after drying the plant does not lose its poisonous properties, and therefore, all procurement work is recommended in gloves.

Daphne mezereum is one of the earliest and generous honey plants. But fresh honey is poisonous and can cause inflammation of the lining of the mouth and intestines. It can be used only after boiling.

The use of Daphne

In folk medicine alcohol tincture of Daphne is used externally as an effective remedy for rheumatism, gout, sciatica, abscesses and tumors. Previously, the decoction is used in sore throat, colds, insomnia, jaundice, tuberculosis. Also considered to be effective medicines based on the bark of Daphne mezereum. They are used in some skin diseases, inflammation of the eyes, aches and painsjoints. The juice of the fruit is recommended to lubricate the bites of snakes and dogs, the flowers are used as a strong anthelmintic.

Decoction: 250 ml of boiling water sprinkle 4 grams of roots, heating the composition in a water bath for about 30-35 minutes, then allow to stand 15 minutes, filter and drink 2 times a day 1 teaspoon before meals.

Tincture: 1 g fruit or bark of the plant should pour 100 ml of 70% alcohol, insist week, occasionally shaking, and strain through cheesecloth. In the tablespoon of water required to dilute 1-2 drops of tincture and take 3 times a day before meals.

Infusion: 1 g of crushed fruit pour distilled water in 250 ml and infuse for 10-12 hours. Dilute 5 drops of medicine in a spoonful of water should be taken 3 times a day after meals.

How dangerous Daphne

The whole plant is poisonous, and very strong. Pollen inhalation causes irritation of the nasal mucous membranes and respiratory tract. After eating the berries felt a burning sensation in the mouth, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and possible convulsions. Getting SAP in eyes faces trudnozazivate ulcerations of the cornea. When placed in the mouth, even the piece of tree bark felt a burning sensation and scratching, on mucous formed blisters and ulcers. From touching the wet bark to the skin can develop sores. The use of Daphne mezereum in medicine is dangerous and is always accompanied by risk to human health.

Daphne mezereum (bark wolf)

This low subramose shrub 50 cm to 1 m in height on favourable soils the plant reaches 2.5 m. the Trunk and branches is gray-brown. Reddish, pleasant-smelling flowers bloom before the appearance of lanceolate leaves. Fruit oval, light red. This species blooms in April-may. The plant prefers nutrient-rich soil, shaded places, growing in forests, along streams. Wolf bark is found in the North of European part of Russia, in Western Siberia, in the Caucasus.

Daphne Borovoy

This species is an evergreen shrub ranging in height from 20 cm to 1 m. Its trunk and branches are densely covered with small leathery leaves, flowers pink or cherry color grow on the ends of the stems and are collected in inflorescence-head. The fruit is yellow-red berry. Daphne mezereum blooms in upland firsthalf of may, possibly secondary bloom in July-August. The plant is found in Ukraine and Belarus. This species grows in small groups in a limited area, and also in the pine forests of medium humidity.

Because decorative and medicinal properties of the plant destroyed the local population. For example, in the Pripyat nature reserve, this species of Daphne is protected. He is also listed in the Red data book of several European countries. In folk and official medicine the plant is used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, cancer, neuralgia and paralysis. The decoction is used as a sedative and antiepileptic drug.

Contraindications to the use of Daphne

All drugs, which includes the plant are poisonous. Use them only after consultation with and under the supervision of a physician. Self Daphne comparable to suicide. Absolutely contraindicated the use of drugs of Daphne, even in the form of rubbing, pregnant and lactating women and children. You can't use drugs in any bleeding, with arrhythmias, heart failure, tachycardia. Be sure to follow the exact dosage of these medicines.