European Hoof, Decorative And Medicinal Use

Useful herb Clefthoof

European hoof (Asarum europaeum L.) is a perennial herbaceous ground cover evergreen plant of the Kirkazon family. Usually found on rich soils in shady areas of deciduous, mixed, coniferous and small-leaved forests.

Its rhizome is creeping, cordlike, with bundles of roots extending at the nodes. Aboveground stem is short. Bears on long petioles two or three hoof-like (for which it is named) rounded-reniform whole-edged, dark green above and red-green below, covered with bristle leaf hairs. When rubbed, these leaves give off a characteristic spicy (peppery) smell. The flowers are axillary, pubescent, inside dark red with a purple tint, outside - brown-green. Although they are original, and even beautiful in their own way, they are small, and since they are located close to the ground, they are hardly noticeable. Clefthoof blooms in May, flowers are pollinated by insects (ants). This plant propagates mainly vegetatively - by rhizomes, cuttings. Seeds are rare. The fact is that they grow up slowly, without stratification - only in the second year. Spread by ants.

European Clefthoof can be used as a groundcover for heavily shaded areas in the garden. But still, its main purpose is medicinal.

This plant is slightly poisonous, tastes bitter, smells strong and unpleasant, especially when rubbed. The smell is somewhat reminiscent of valerian root. Leaves and rhizomes are harvested for medicinal purposes. The first are stored in May, and the second - in the fall or early spring, digging up with the roots. The soil is shaken off from the rhizomes, washed, then dried in the shade or in dryers at a temperature not exceeding 50 ° C. Store in bags or boxes.

The chemical composition of the plant is far from fully known. Of the studied compounds, it contains an essential oil containing the following poisonous substances: asarone, diazaron, azarine aldehyde, eugenol, methyleugenol, borniol acetate. In addition, the European hoof contains resins, tannins, mucus, glycosides. In scientific medicine, it is used to a limited extent (it was used much more widely).

All parts of the plant are toxic, with an overdose, vomiting occurs, in severe cases, death is possible. In no case should you use even small doses for angina pectoris, as well as during pregnancy.

The ability of preparations from clefthoof leaves to enhance cardiac activity without disturbing its rhythm, to cause vasoconstriction and increase blood pressure has been experimentally established. By their nature, their action is similar to that of adrenaline. An aqueous infusion of the plant, administered intravenously, has an anti-inflammatory effect associated with the ability to constrict blood vessels.

The root and fresh leaves induce violent vomiting. Dried leaves lose these properties to a large extent and are used as a laxative.

Clefthoof infusion is used for chronic cardiovascular insufficiency, and a decoction of rhizomes is used as an expectorant for pulmonary diseases (pneumonia, bronchitis).

Clefthoof is widely used in homeopathy to treat hysteria and other diseases. In folk medicine, it is used as a means of regulating the activity of the stomach, as a diuretic, choleretic, expectorant, emetic, anthelmintic, cardiac, anti-inflammatory, and most importantly, as one of the most effective anti-alcohol drugs. To do this, every day 1 tablespoon of decoction of rhizomes secretly from the patient is mixed with half a glass of vodka and give him a drink. The mixture taken causes vomiting and aversion to alcoholic beverages. Treatment is continued until the aversion persists, usually for several days. Contraindication to the use of clefthoof drugs is heart failure. To prepare the broth, 5 g of dry rhizomes (about 2 teaspoons) are brewed with 1 glass of boiling water, insisted in a thermos, filtered.

Tincture of rhizomes or leaves, 20 drops three times a day, drink with nervous excitement, as well as migraine. In addition, for migraines, lotions are made from the decoction. Outwardly, lotions from the clefthoof decoction are recommended for various skin diseases, especially with eczema of nervous origin, with headaches. Crushed fresh crushed leaves are applied to boils, carbuncles, abscesses, and a vinegar tincture is used to treat scabies. Clefthoof powder is used as an emetic and sneezing agent.

Since the plant is poisonous, when taking its preparations inside, the dosage cannot be violated - no more than 3-5 g of dry plant per 1 glass of liquid.