Lungwort: types, composition, properties, use, contraindications, recipes. Harvesting and storage of lungwort

The photo and description of the plant will help you write a story about the lungwort and prepare for the lesson.

Description of the lungwort

Medunitsa is one of the first honey plants. The plant is short, from thirty to fifty centimeters. This plant is very fond of bees, and butterflies often hover around delicate inflorescences. Everyone is attracted by the catchy appearance and the fragrant honey scent of a flower warmed by the sun.

Lungwort is often used as a medicine.

The lungwort is an impatient plant. There are no leaves on the trees yet, and she, having substituted the barrel for the golden sun, has already blossomed. Flowers appear first. color pink, they are most fragrant, then the flower takes on a blue hue (or purple), it has less nectar than pink, and finally turns blue, with a minimum amount of nectar.

The leaves of the lungwort are able to protect themselves from the cold of spring: the leaves of the primrose-lungwort are covered with special hairs, and therefore seem a little rough. These special hairs, like insulated clothing, protect the plant from sudden changes in temperature. Some species of lungwort are cultivated as garden plants.

Story about lungwort

More recently, lungwort has been widespread in mixed and deciduous forests. middle lane Russia. Today she already needs protection.

Its bright, eye-catching flowers appear against the backdrop of last year's brown foliage about ten days after the coltsfoot begins to bloom. Like other snowdrops, lungwort is in a hurry to show flowers to the first pollinating insects. For the guests, she prepared a delicious treat: abundant nectar and pollen. Bees and bumblebees willingly visit it.

The lungwort, like a traffic light, has adapted to regulate the activity of insects. During a short life, the flowers of the lungwort repeatedly change their color from blue to pink or purple. The color change caused a long debate among scientists, until it finally became clear that this is a kind of signal to pollinators.

Earlier, in the old days, the lungwort flower was considered the humble primrose of the forests. It was on the forest edges that this unique flower appeared after the snow melted. Literally, ten years ago, no gardener dreamed of growing this plant at home. But now, thanks to breeders, the flower beds of many gardeners are full of various types of lungwort.

Scientists have made the leaves of the plant decorative. And now, after flowering, the lungwort in the flower beds is pleasing to the eye decorative leaves plants with a wide variety. These leaves can have specks, specks, dots, a chaotic pattern. The edges of the leaves are either wavy or rectilinear. The breeders even achieved that the lungwort flower began to bloom longer, extending its flowering period to 30 days. The sizes and shades of flowers have changed. But it is still a gorgeous honey plant and perennial.

So, let's talk about the plant itself, its history and the variety of natural and selective varieties, about sowing and watering, about the area of ​​distribution and use.

There are many names for the lungwort, one of which is Pulmonaria, which translates as "lung". It is for its ability to treat pulmonary diseases that the lungwort flower has become famous among the people. The Russian name of the flower is associated with big amount nectar that bees collect.

Characteristic features of the plant:

• The stem of the plant can sometimes grow up to 80 centimeters in height, but most often the lungwort plant reaches a height of no more than 50 centimeters.
• The root of the plant is long for grass and has small tubers. The leaves of the lungwort are lanceolate-wedge-shaped, and many of them have fluff.
• Flowers are always paired small-flowered curls located at the very tops.
• The flowers of the lungwort have different structure: some have long pistils and short stamens, others the opposite. This prevents self-pollination.
• The fruit of the lungwort is a single-seeded sickle-shaped bean.

The second peculiarity of the flowers of this wonderful plant is the fact that in one inflorescence, on one stem, there can be flowers of different shades and tones at the same time: from pale pink to dark purple.

This is due to the fact that the herb contains plant pigments - anthocyanins. They are responsible for the color of the petals. Due to the acidity of the juice, anthocyanins change the color of the petals. Young flowers have high acidity and the petals are pale pink, mature flowers have lower acidity, so their petals are blue or dark purple. That's the whole trick.

It was this fact that forced the breeders to work and create plant varieties suitable for sowing in gardens, flower beds, flower beds. After all, plant species growing in the coniferous and deciduous forests of Eurasia are unsuitable for breeding them in artificial conditions. These plants prefer moist loamy or sandy soil.

The best option is slightly acidic soil, loose, with a high humus content.

The medicinal properties of the plant are legendary. It is known that the famous herbalist Hildegard of Bingent, who lived in the 11th century, was one of the first to use the herb in the treatment of pulmonary diseases. Paracelsus, the great healer, also noted his addiction to lungwort as a remedy in the treatment of pulmonary diseases.

Decoctions and herbal infusions have diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. They have antitussive and wound healing properties. A leaf of lungwort attached to the wound promotes its faster healing than from plantain or Kalanchoe leaves.

V medicinal purposes harvest buds, leaves and even plant roots. Dried in ventilated rooms at a temperature not higher than + 40 degrees. Store medicinal raw materials in a crushed form in paper or fabric bags.

Medunitsa is used to treat:

• Bronchial asthma.
• Tuberculosis.
• Cardiovascular disease.
• Thrombophlebitis.
• Bronchitis.
• Pleurisy.
• Prostate adenomas.
• Uterine bleeding.
• Laryngitis
• Thyroid gland.
• Anemia.
• Anorexia.
• Inflammation of the bladder.
• Kidney disease.
• Pneumonia.

At correct use lungwort cures the above diseases, raising seriously ill people to their feet.

Medicinal varieties include:

• Soft lungwort.
• The softest lungwort.
• Sugar lump.
• Unclear lamb.
• Red lungwort.
• Long-leaved lungwort.
• Medunitsa medicinal.

Often all these species are called one - Medunitsa medicinal, although all these species are unique and have different properties. All of them are capable of providing human body useful and healing effects.

Now Medunitsa medicinal, like many breeding varieties, is grown in artificial conditions.

There is a large number of lungwort variegated and flowering varieties:

• David Ward is a leaf blade with silvery spots and a white border.
• Golden Haze - with a yellow border.
• Berries and Cream.
• Majesty is completely almost silver foliage.
• Silver Shimmer "s - Curved edge.
• Mrs. Moon - red-purple flowers and lush graceful leaves.
• Dora Barnsfeld - light pink flowers.
• Argentea Group - leaves with strong spots, almost silvery, and red buds initially, opening flowers of already saturated dark purple color.
• Silverado - large leaves with a silver center, green border; white, blue, pink flowers on one plant at once.
• Little Star.
• May Bouquet.
• Northern Lights.
• Foreign Bowles Red, Janet Fisk and Margery Fish.

If we talk about growing in a garden, then it should be noted that growing is difficult. Preferred places: under bushes and. Watering the plant should be regular and moderate throughout the period. Throughout the growing season and towards winter, the root collars of the grass are mulched.

The soil should be loamy with a high humus content.

Plant a plant on open ground... This is done in early spring or late August. Landing takes place in a hole with fertile soil with ash and mineral fertilizer. The plant should be submerged in the soil right up to the outlet. If this happens in the summer, then the leaves are shortened to retain moisture.

Growing tricks:

• Every 3-5 years, the bush is transplanted, as it becomes bare and bifurcated over time.
• When transplanting, the rhizome can be broken into pieces with your hands and planted in different places. This is done at the same time as the planting of lungwort.
• To improve plant growth after flowering, dry flowers and unnecessary leaves should be removed.
• It is necessary to avoid excess moisture in order to protect the rhizome from rot, snails and slugs.
• The lungwort is often damaged by powdery mildew, so it becomes difficult to grow healthy bushes.

In conclusion, it can be added that the lungwort flower is not only an ornamental and medicinal plant. It is customary to use it in food, as an additive to salad. For this, juicy young leaves of lungwort are used. For example, in the UK, lungwort is grown as a vegetable and.

More information can be found in the video.

Before the snow melts, the first bright spring flowers filled with life-giving power appear, among which are medicinal primroses... With the arrival of spring weather, these early flowering plants, by their very appearance, speak of the imminent approach of summer with its bright sun and warm rains.

Medicinal primroses include unclear lungwort (Pulmonaria obscura). The herb of this medicinal primrose is harvested during flowering. A decoction of lungwort has hemostatic, emollient, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic and enveloping properties.

When treating diseases respiratory tract the broth is taken orally. Therefore, the lungwort also has a Russian name - pulmonary. This broth is also used externally for washing abscesses and purulent wounds.

The lungwort prefers partial shade and grows well on moist, loose and humus-rich soils. Lungwort is sown in June, propagated by seeds. After the end of flowering, the leaves of the lungwort retain their decorative effect until the end of summer.

The spring nomad or spring rank (Lathirus vernus) is also a medicinal primrose, which is used in folk medicine collecting leaves, stems, flowers from April to June.

Healers from the herb prepare a decoction, which for a long time has been used to treat rheumatism, pain in the heart area, they also use a decoction for stomatitis to rinse the mouth, throat for sore throat, wash purulent ulcers and wounds.

The spring nomad can be easily propagated by dividing the bush or by segments of rhizomes, which are performed in September-October. Any soil is suitable for this plant, but always wet.

The nomad prefers to grow in the shade of trees. Only flowers provide decorativeness to the plant. When growing the medicinal primrose, the vernacular, it should be remembered that it is poisonous, and it should be taken with great care.

Another medicinal primrose is spring adonis (Adonis vernalis) or spring adonis. The name Adonis was given to this primrose in honor of Aphrodite's beloved Adonis, who died while hunting. The grief-stricken goddess, in memory of her beloved from the blood of Adonis, raised beautiful flower that blooms every spring.

The plant lives on the slopes of the hillocks, which are well warmed by the sun, as confirmed by the Russian names Montenegrin and adonis. During the flowering period, the aerial part of adonis is collected, which is used in medicine.

For use in medicine, a hot infusion is prepared from the collected raw materials, which is taken for insomnia, heart neurosis, heart failure, and as a diuretic.

Growing medicinal primrose adonis is fraught with some difficulties. A well-lit area is required to plant this plant. The soil should be dry, light and fertile, and also contain lime and have good drainage. Adonis is also poisonous, so it should be used in everyday life only under medical supervision.

In addition to its medicinal properties, adonis is also very decorative. It fits well into group plantings, looks spectacular on alpine slides and among discharged shrubs. It goes very well with anemones, primroses and other early flowering plants.

Medicinal primrose - buttercup anemone (Anemone ranunculoides). The aboveground part of this plant is harvested during the flowering period and is used in folk medicine. Infusion of anemones has analgesic, expectorant, bactericidal, hypnotic and sedative effects.

It is also used externally for washing purulent wounds and eczema.
Buttercup preparations made from anemone should not be used for inflammation of the kidneys and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

The anemone is propagated by dividing the bush, seeds, rhizomes. Medicinal primroses of anemone bloom for 2-3 years of life. Anemone is used for group plantings, along paths, near trees and bushes.

Not only possess medicinal properties, you can decorate with them alpine slide or create flowering group plantings, decorating a garden or suburban area.

Sugar lump - perennial evergreen shrub, a modest forest primrose, optimally combining decorative and medicinal properties, known since ancient times. Perhaps that is why such a plant is popularly called "pulmonary" - for its ability to help with respiratory ailments, from which Hildegard Bingen, a famous herbalist who lived in the 11th century, was one of the first to treat people. The plant is named for its ability to give bees nectar in large quantities.

V natural conditions Sugarweed (or spotted) lungwort forms chic green carpets with clearly visible silvery spots on the leaves and beautiful. Breeding science has bred a large number of cultivated varieties of lungwort from this species, including Cambridge Blue, Mrs. Moon, Sissinghurst White.

Medunitsa: photo and description

A unique flower that grows on forest edges after the snow melts has firmly occupied its niche on household plots and in flower beds. His early appearance, long flowering (about 30 days) and decorative appearance, emphasized by neat leaves and beautiful flowers, determined the popularity of such a modest, but very attractive plant among florists.

Belonging to the Buravchikov family, the lungwort reaches a height of 30 cm and is a rhizome bush that usually grows in groups. The leaf of the lungwort is lanceolate, oval-wedge-shaped, completely pubescent.

Cultivated lungwort

How does sugar beetle bloom? This plant is a real find for early spring compositions, because it begins to delight with flowering when leaves have not yet appeared on the trees. The flowers of the lungwort are always paired, located in the apical part, in one inflorescence several different shades can be located at the same time: from pale pink to dark purple. This is due to the presence of plant pigments in the herb - anthocyanins, which are responsible for the color of the petals. The spectacle when the sugar lungwort blooms is truly bewitching. Pink-purple spots against the background of a green garden and spring flowers look original, charming and breathe freshness into the surrounding landscape.

Sugar lungwort: plant benefits

The advantage of sugar lump is exceptional shade tolerance, high frost resistance and a long period vegetation with preservation of decorative properties. In one place, a bush of a charming plant can grow for an incredibly long time: about three decades.

It is recommended to plant the sugar lungwort in the shade or partial shade - it is in such conditions that the original pattern appears on its leaves as much as possible, and the flowers acquire a richer color. If it is impossible to place a flower in the shade, it can be planted under bushes and trees, thus providing partial protection from sun rays.

Care features

The lungwort is a flower that does not require a special approach to soils and feels comfortable in any soil. The plant needs top dressing especially during the period of intensive leaf growth (approximately in July).

Being a moisture-loving culture, the spotted lungwort does not tolerate stagnant water. Therefore, the plant should be watered regularly (especially during the period of bud formation and flowering), but no frills. In order to avoid exposing the bushes and losing their attractiveness, the plant must be planted every 3-4 years. Be sure to cut off the inflorescences at the end of flowering (this action is aimed at enhancing the growth of young shoots) and timely cut (do not break) the old dry leaves. The soil should be weeded out regularly and excess shoots should be removed, leading to thickening. It is advisable to carry out aimed at preventing the growth of weeds and maintaining the necessary moisture. For the winter, the lungwort, the photo and description of which is of increasing interest to flower growers, needs to be covered with peat or leaves.

Lungwort in the garden is a wonderful hardy plant that does not require a waste of time and effort and is able to delight with its flowering for a long period.

Breeding methods of lungwort

Sugar lungwort propagates by seeds, dividing the bush and rhizomes. The seed method is not very much in demand, since it is quite long-term (flowering of plants is observed 2-3 years after planting). In addition, young bushes may not retain the characteristics of the mother plant and differ significantly from them.

Dividing the bush is a more popular method, preserving the purity of the variety. In early spring or after the end of flowering (July-August) adult plant it is required to divide into parts, which are planted at a distance of 30 cm from each other, after cutting the roots. It is recommended to mulch the land around young seedlings with humus.

Also, the plant can be propagated by dividing the rhizome. To do this, at the end of summer, it is required to separate a small part of it from the main root with the obligatory presence of a renewal bud. Planting is carried out at a depth of 4 cm with a distance of about 20 cm between plants.

Diseases and pests

Lungwort is a flower that is quite resistant to diseases and pests, however, stagnant water and sudden temperature drops can cause the appearance powdery mildew and rot. In this case, the affected plants must be removed and burned, and the remaining bushes must be treated with sulfur preparations. With excess moisture, lungwort can be affected by snails and slugs that eat its leaves. The fight against them is carried out by agrotechnical methods (moderate watering, prevention of plant thickening, thorough soil cultivation, removal of weeds), which prevent the creation of a microclimate that is comfortable for such pests.

Lungwort in folk medicine

Sugar lungwort is a plant widely used by folk medicine due to the content of a large number of useful vitamins, tannins, macro- and microelements, carotene. For medicinal purposes, the buds, leaves and roots of the plant are harvested. They must be dried in a well-ventilated room at a temperature of no more than +40 C⁰. It is recommended to store finished raw materials in cloth or paper bags.

From this medicinal herb, decoctions and infusions are very effective, having diuretic, antitussive, wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. A leaf of such a plant attached to the wound will cause its early healing.

Sugar lump is used to treat diseases such as:

• bronchitis;
• bronchial asthma;
• tuberculosis;
• pleurisy;
• uterine bleeding;
• BPH;
• thrombophlebitis;
• pneumonia;
• laryngitis;
• inflammation of the bladder;
• anorexia;
• pneumonia.

Since ancient times, the lungwort was considered medicinal plant... Growing on the forest edge, the lungwort was a primrose, delighting casual passers-by with beautiful flowers.

To date, breeders have managed to bring out a home plant variety, which flower growers have already fallen in love with.

Among the people, the lungwort was nicknamed the water key, the honeycomb and the pulmonaria, it is referred to as dicotyledonous and angiosperms. The plant differs from the rest by the amazing color of flowers that can change the color of the petals from pink to bluish.

The question of where the lungwort grows is of interest to many amateur flower growers. The forest beauty is common in many countries, it can be found:

• in Central and Eastern Europe;
• In Great Britain;
• in Belarus;
• in Ukraine;
• in Russia.

Medunica officinalis is cold-resistant and shade-loving plant, therefore, it prefers to grow mainly in shady forests, ravines, and often hides between bushes. The water key reaches a height of 30 cm, has a strong rhizome. The flowers are very beautiful, in the form of purple or bluish bells. Loves wet air, prefers loosened alkaline soil. Blooms from April to May, bears fruit in summer. The fruits of the plant are in the form of nuts, no more than four pieces.

This type of herb is used as a medicinal product, as well as in cooking: recipes for dishes with the addition of honey have already appeared in cookbooks.

The plant got its name from the smell that lungwort exudes. It is considered one of the best honey plants, especially loved by bumblebees and bees.

Gallery: lungwort (25 photos)

Types of medicinal lungwort

Pulmonaria includes many species. The most popular are:

Silverado reaches 27-30 cm in height, the lungwort flower belongs to the perennial rhizome herbs. The petals are usually purple, blue, pink and red. Loves shade and coolness, rather hygrophilous. It grows mainly in alkaline, loamy soils, begins to bloom in spring.

Majestic differs from its counterparts in a rare color of leaves - silver. Refers to perennial grasses, loves shade and moisture. The flowers of the plant are usually blue, appear in early spring and delight the human eye with their beauty for about 3 weeks. Prefers sandy loam or loam.

Narrow-leaved lungwort is found in some areas of Central and Southern Europe, Russia and Ukraine, choosing light forests and chernozem soils for growth. it perennial about 40 cm high, the petals are bright purple hue... This species is listed in the Red Book.

The softest, or soft lungwort is found mainly in the taiga, as well as in the forests Western Europe, Central Asia and Siberia. Flowering begins in the spring season, the petals are bluish or purple in color, about 30 cm high. Prefers sandy loam or loamy soil.

Almost all types of lungwort have healing properties, are widely used in traditional medicine. Some are listed in the Red Book

Useful properties and contraindications

The plant contains many useful trace elements:

Due to the elements that lungwort is rich in, the plant is widely used as a medicine for:

• uterine bleeding (a decoction based on honeycomb is prepared);
• urolithiasis (an infusion of herbs is prepared);
• wounds, cuts, scratches (disinfected with leafy juice);
• diseases of the pulmonary system (the infusion is taken orally).

Medunok has anti-inflammatory, wound healing, soothing, diuretic, medicinal properties, with its help, a person puts in order shattered nerves, heals many diseases, including viral skin diseases.

Since ancient times, honey has been used as an expectorant, effective when a strong wet cough occurs. A decoction based on honeycomb helps to normalize metabolism, significantly increases the level of immunity. The plant flower infusion is considered one of the best diuretics due to its mild effect on the bladder.

It should be remembered that there are certain contraindications when taking infusions and decoctions based on medunka. In particular, it is not recommended to be treated medicinal plant lungwort for people who have intestinal problems.

In the process of treatment with aids based on medunka, side effects... The most common are: indigestion, bleeding, inflammation of the skin.

Pregnant and lactating women are not recommended to use honey, when diagnosing glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis in a person, the herb should be excluded from the list of medicines. The appearance of an individual allergic reaction is possible due to the intolerance of some of the elements that make up the medunka.

It should be remembered that a specialist consultation is necessary before using medunka.

Procurement of raw materials

Honey honey is harvested in the spring season, during the flowering period. Basically, flowers and leaves are used for harvesting, less often rhizomes.

The collected raw materials must be thoroughly dried. Usually this procedure is performed in a room where there is no direct sunlight. The room must be well ventilated.

Finished raw materials are placed in canvas bags. Stored up to 24 months. Raw materials are used for the preparation of infusions, alcoholic tinctures, decoctions.