Lakonos or phytolacca, as the perennial is called on the American continent, has powerful roots and stretches up to 3 meters in height. The oval leaves of the plant surprise with their rich green color. The grass blooms all summer, and round purple fruits containing poison ripen in the fall. Due to the presence of chemicals in the stems, greens, and roots, the grass does not suffer from diseases. The American lacqueret is not attacked by insects. The healing and beneficial properties of berries have been scientifically confirmed. Medicines are produced based on the perennial in European countries and the USA.
Chemical composition of the plant
The roots of tall grass, penetrating half a meter into the soil, are rich in saponins, bitterness, phytolaccin, and steroids..
Present in the underground part of Lakonos:
- organic acids;
- enzymes;
- Sahara;
- essential oils.
Medicines from the root, which weighs up to 8–10 kg, promote wound healing and inhibit bacterial activity.
The leaves, attached to the stems by short petioles, contain a lot of vitamin C, flavonoids, and contain thiamine, which stimulates metabolism and strengthens the immune system. They contain acids - caffeic, vanilla, coumaric.
Although phytolacca berries are poisonous and are not consumed fresh, decoctions are prepared from the fruits of the herb, which saturate the body with B1 vitamins and carbohydrates. Powderwort seeds and berries are rich in:
- alkaloids;
- saponins;
- nicotinic acid.
Fresh fruits, of which you should not eat more than 2 pieces, contain sugars and anthocyanin. They normalize blood pressure and reduce weight.
Medicinal properties of Lakonos
Preparations made from perennial herbs strengthen the immune system, soothe, and cleanse the body. The plant has a diuretic, emetic, anti-inflammatory effect, and functions as an antioxidant.
Lakonos copes with microbes and worms, relieves menopause and migraines, relieves pain from radiculitis, rheumatism, and arthritis. The leaves of the herb, which contain thiamine, are used in the treatment of alcoholism.
Nicotinic acid, which berries are rich in, strengthens the heart and stimulates metabolism. Lakonos causes vomiting and relieves constipation. Homeopaths use the plant in the treatment of malignant tumors.
The tall grass is valued for its sedative, regenerative, analgesic, hypotensive, and antibacterial properties.
Procurement of raw materials
For the production of medicines, the preparation of infusions and decoctions, the roots of the herb are of greatest value. Phytolacca can cause skin irritation; you need to wear gloves when preparing raw materials and protect the mucous membrane from contact with the plant. Lakonos is dug up in the fall, when the growing season stops. The roots are washed under a tap, rotten and spoiled roots are removed, cut into several parts and laid out under a canopy or in a dryer, setting the temperature to 50 °C. High-quality raw materials have a yellowish or creamy tint.
Dried roots are packaged in bags made of natural fabric and stored in a dark room with good ventilation. The leaves are plucked throughout the growing season and dried in the shade. Ripe berries are placed in a thin layer in the oven, and the fruits are dried at 90 °C.
Indications for use
Remedies made from the roots of the plant are used in the treatment of many diseases. Doctors prescribe medications from the plant to treat:
- diphtheria and scarlet fever;
- stomach ulcers and hemorrhoids;
- inflammation of the mammary gland;
- rectal prolapse.
Decoctions used externally are effective in treating skin infections; young leaves are applied to purulent wounds, lichen, trophic ulcers, and eczema. The twigs are used for compresses, for gargling for tonsillitis, and for the oral cavity for periodontal disease.
Lakonosa tinctures made with alcohol help cope with lymphadenitis, mastitis, tonsillitis, and infectious mononucleosis..
The plant is used in the treatment of immunological disorders.An extract is made from recently dug roots, which is used for inflammation of bones, tendons, and to eliminate hemorrhages, hematomas, and bruises.
Folk recipes
In alternative medicine, the herb is used to treat colds, bronchitis, dermatoses, and is taken as a laxative and used as a diuretic.
From the root
The underground part of the herb is rich in organic acids, and recipes use more than the stems and fruits.
Alcohol tincture
For inflammation of the respiratory tract, otitis of the external ear, and laryngitis, a medicine made from lacunosa is effective, for the preparation of which 10 g of the root is poured into ½ cup of medical alcohol. The tincture is kept in a dark place, after 2 weeks it is filtered and consumed 5 drops up to 4 times a day. The ear pain stops, the inflammation in the throat goes away.
Vodka tincture
The use of lakonos helps relieve pain in the joints, which torments a person with arthrosis, and speeds up the treatment of internal tumors and cysts. To prepare a less concentrated tincture, use 100 ml of vodka instead of alcohol, and take 5 grams of root. The product is kept in a shaded place for 3 weeks, after filtering, drink 15-20 drops.
Powder
To eliminate inflammation on the skin caused by a pathogenic fungus, the dried root of the plant is ground in a coffee grinder or ground by hand. The powder is sprinkled on boils and ulcers, and 5–10 g is consumed with water.
Ointment
Microbes attack different layers of the skin, causing itching, peeling, burning, changes in color, and the appearance of a rash. For the treatment of dermatoses, scabies, pyoderma, herpes zoster, the affected areas are treated with ointment, which is obtained by mixing 2 tsp. alcohol tinctures from the root of the herb with 10 g of fat.
Decoction
The medicine is also taken orally for dermatitis. To prepare it:
- Add 5 grams of powder to a glass of boiling water;
- heat over low heat for a couple of minutes;
- After half an hour, strain.
Drink the decoction 30 minutes before meals. At the same time, treat itchy skin.
Oil tincture
Lakonos helps relieve joint pain. To make the medicine, combine 2 teaspoons of powdered root with 1/2 cup olive oil. The tincture is left in a dark place for 20 days. The medicinal composition is suitable only for lubricating areas affected by ulcers and sore joints.
You need to be very careful when drinking tinctures and decoctions of Lakonosa, since toxic alkaloids accumulate in the body, and a person can become poisoned. The first signs of intoxication are trembling in the legs and severe weakness.
From leaves
The bright greenery of the plant is rich in acids and flavonoids; it is applied to wounds, ulcers, and taken orally to strengthen the immune system.
Infusion
To normalize blood pressure in case of hypertension and to treat diseases of the respiratory organs, they use lacconaceous products. To prepare the infusion, 2 tablespoons of herbal leaves are crushed, placed in a jar and 200 ml of boiling water is poured. When the mixture has cooled, filter it and drink it a day. An infusion of milkweed will relieve swelling, as it serves as a diuretic. It is used for constipation and problematic phenomena in the lymph.
Concentrated water extract
The medicinal mixture is used to gargle for tonsillitis and cancer. The preparation of the medicine is very simple:
- 2 tablespoons of leaves are combined with a glass of boiling water;
- close the container with the cooled composition;
- kept in darkness for 14 days;
- filter through cheesecloth.
Water extract for hemorrhoids is used in the form of lotions. Compresses are applied to the spine, which helps alleviate the condition of a hernia.
Fruit decoction
Berry juice helps cope with tumors and removes fatty tissue. The benefits of its use are observed in diabetes and arterial hypertension. If a person wants to get rid of worms, improve metabolism, or lose extra pounds, a decoction of the fruits of the Lakonos plant cannot be combined with wine, vodka, or low-alcohol cocktails. To prepare a healthy drink:
- The berries are seasoned with a glass of boiling water.
- Boil on fire for a couple of minutes.
- Pass through gauze.
The medicine is used three times a day, but every other day fresh fruits are taken and the medicine is prepared again.
In homeopathy, suppositories are made with Lakonos, which are effective in the treatment of prostatitis. The essence of the herb is added to remedies for malignant tumors, to drugs used in the treatment of fibroids, breast cancer, and pathologies of the lymphatic system.
Lakonos is used not only in medicine. Marinades are seasoned with berries, resulting in hot and crispy cucumbers and peppers. The juice of the fruit changes the color of wool and silk fabrics and gives an original shade to alcoholic drinks.
Contraindications
Although Lakonos helps in the treatment of many pathologies and disorders, we must not forget that this plant is poisonous and can cause harm instead of benefit. When treating the skin, lubricating boils, wounds and eczema, if one of the components of the infusion or oil is intolerant, irritation occurs and a rash forms.
You should not drink decoctions or extracts from Lakonosa when there is a contraindication for use. The following are cautioned against treatment with a poisonous plant:
- women carrying a baby;
- nursing mothers;
- children under 18 years of age.
If the dose is exceeded, or long-term use of infusions and decoctions of laconosa, a lot of side effects occur.The person begins to suffer from vomiting and diarrhea, and complains of nausea. If your body becomes covered in sweat, you feel dizzy and have a headache, and there is coldness in your extremities, you need to urgently seek medical help, since poisoning with the Lakonos is fraught with paralysis.
Patients with chronic diseases can use any herbal remedies only after consulting a doctor.
Laconium inflorescences look very beautiful and do not lose their appearance after cutting for up to 2 weeks. The berries hang in the garden until October and also have decorative properties. In many countries, exotic plants are used in landscape design.
