Kupena - use in folk medicine. Photos of species.

Lilies of the valley are rare flowers listed in the Red Book. There are several interesting facts associated with them. It has been established that 2 thousand years ago the Egyptians grew them year-round. They began to be cultivated in Europe in the 16th century, and in Russia in the 18th. Before that, it was collected exclusively for medical purposes (treatment of fever, epilepsy). In World War I it was used as an antidote for gas attacks. Finland chose this flower as its symbol.

Herbaceous perennial plants are common in the temperate zone. Grows in shaded areas.

If the soil is well moistened, they form entire clearings. Once in such a place, you involuntarily freeze at the unusual beauty and wonderful aroma. Because of their small buds and thin stems, lilies of the valley are often called forest bells, mayweeds, and rejuvenating flowers.

Bouquets of these delicate inflorescences symbolize affection, love and gratitude.

Botanical description, homeland and distribution

Kupena - (scientific name - Polygonatum Adans - literally "many knots-knees") - a perennial herb of the huge Asparagus family, subfamily of the Landyshevs.

Reference. Some scientists classify Kupena as a separate genus of Liliaceae or Lily of the Valley.

Synonymous names

For the unusual structure of a multi-jointed root with remnants of “seals” of shoots from previous years, the plant is called Solomon’s seal.

For the peculiar pointed shape of the buds at the end of the rhizome, Kupena received the name Wolf Fang.

Berries, seeds and shoots are considered poisonous and dangerous. Hence the synonymous names - Wolf berries, Crow berries, Wolf grass.

Since ancient times, Kupena has been used as a healing potion for many diseases; according to its intended purpose, the herb was popularly called Krovavnitsa, Gryzhnik, Pupnik, Coretnik, Zolotnik.

Purchased long-term care features

The Solomon's seal plant is an excellent option when there is no time to care for flower beds. With the correct determination of the area for planting and high-quality preparation for planting, as such, care for the plant in the open ground is not required - watering is carried out, fertilizers are applied and weeds are removed. Moreover, the weeds will only bother you for the first two years, after which the bushes will grow and the weeds will have no chance to survive. For wintering, the bushes are not covered or dug up - they tolerate frosts well, and with the onset of spring they grow at twice the speed.

Watering

It is necessary to water the polygonatum only during periods of little rain. At other times, the plant receives enough moisture from groundwater and rainwater. After each watering, the bushes are mulched to prevent the formation of a crust on the soil surface. Loosening is not suitable in this case. After all, the roots are excessively fragile and are placed flush with the surface of the earth, so the likelihood of injury increases.

Know! Excessive soil moisture provokes the addition of fungal infections and mold, as well as attacks by slugs and snails.

garden purchase

Feeding

When growing a flower in fertile soil, it is enough to apply fertilizing once a year. In spring, organic fertilizers (compost or manure) and a small amount of mineral complexes are added to the soil. An aqueous solution is prepared from organic fertilizers in a ratio of 1:10 and watered under each bush. This is enough for the formation of lush greenery and long-lasting flowering.

Appearance and distinctive features

The height of the bush varies (there are low-growing species) - from 50-60 cm to 2-2.5 m.

The stems are straight, arched towards the top, stretching 3-250 cm in height (depending on the subspecies).

The leaves are sessile, arranged alternately, growing oppositely or in whorl-nodes of 3-9 pieces. The shape of the leaf blade is varied, often oblong, ovoid, elliptical. The edge of the leaf is entire, without grooves or teeth, pointed. The average leaf length is 4-10 cm, width is 2.5-5 cm. The venation is arcuate, there are varieties with tendrils.

The flowers are mostly discreet in color - whitish, soft greenish, yellow, pink with a purple tint. The shape of the flowers is bisexual, three-membered. Racemes are axillary, forming 1-5 flowers. The perianth is tubular and can be simple or bell-shaped. The filament stamens are oblong and grow to the tepals. The anther itself is pointed, movable, pollen spills into the flower. The plant is self-pollinating or pollinated by bumblebees.

Kupena blooms in spring, May or early summer. Reproduction is by seed.

The fruits are smooth, shiny round berries.

The rhizome is powerful, multi-jointed, with round depressed marks-scars (seals). Positioned horizontally.

Planting in open ground

Planting is carried out by dividing the rhizomes of the mother plants. There is practically no point in propagating lilies of the valley by sowing seeds; they give very poor germination, and even if they germinate, such plants will develop quite slowly and for a long time.

To plant lilies of the valley, you need to prepare continuous grooves or rows of holes. The distance between rows or grooves should be at least 20 cm, and between seedlings - at least 10 cm. The planting depth should be sufficient to completely hide the root system of the seedling in a vertical position and 1-2 cm of sprouts.

After planting, young plants should be watered well. Before the first cold weather sets in, I recommend mulching the soil. Any suitable organic material, such as sawdust, shredded bark or fallen leaves, can be used as mulch.

In a well-chosen area with good fertile soil, lilies of the valley grow up to 5 years; replanting will be required only after this time.

Spring planting also takes place. But keep in mind that it has fewer advantages over the autumn one. Lily of the valley planted in the spring grows very weakly and often gets sick. If planting in the spring, the site must be prepared in the fall and dug up immediately before planting. Planted plants should be covered with film at night so that temperature changes do not have a detrimental effect.

Species and habitat

Kupena is a tenacious herb that lives in the subtropics, tropics of China and Indochina, and in the temperate climates of Europe, Asia and North America. Grows in mountainous areas, in meadows, in the thick of bushes, along fields, meadows and slopes.

According to generic characteristics, Kupena has up to 70 subspecies-relatives. More than 30 species of plants grow in China. In the CIS, the Caucasus, the Far East, and Siberia, there are more than 17 species of perennials (whorled, squat, Siberian, pink, naked, etc.).

The most valuable and popular types include the following varieties:

Fragrant (pharmaceutical, medicinal) Kupena grows in southern and central Russia, in the Caucasus, and less often in Siberia. Prefers dry, light wooded areas of pine and birch forests, and is found on the edges, in thickets of bushes and park oak groves. It grows most often on sandy and rocky soil. The angular stems stretch up to 1.5 m in height. The oblong leaves tightly hug the stem. The flowers are white, often solitary. The perianth is oblong, tubular, the teeth are greenish. The variety has a bitter almond aroma. The berries are black or dark blue.

Multi-flowered Kupena lives in the southern regions and in the central zone of the Russian Federation. Prefers coniferous, broad-leaved and mixed forests, clearings and edges. It needs rich, nutritious, well-moistened soils. Low-growing bushes up to 50 cm high have smooth cylindrical stems. The leaves are outstretched, bluish in color. Brushes combine 3-5 white flowers. The perianth is tubular with soft green jagged edges, the pedicels are drooping (the flowers are somewhat drooping), the stamens are pubescent with hairs. Cross pollination. The fruits are black with a green tint.

Chemical composition

Leaves and stems contain:

• up to 1% diostegin – steroid saponin;
• alkaloids;
• quercetin, vitexin – flavonoids, P-vitamin.

Active composition of rhizome:

• slime;
• starch;
• ascorbic acid, carotene;
• glucose, fructose – natural sugar, processes carbohydrates;
• nitrogen compounds;
• tannins;
• zinc, manganese, copper, etc. – microelements;
• cardiac glycosides.

Medicinal and beneficial properties

Pharmacological value of the plant:

• thanks to active alkaloid substances, Kupena treats gout, radiculitis, hemorrhoids;
• used as an anthelmintic;
• juice from stems and leaves is used to treat wounds and eliminate the effects of dermatitis and abscess.
• the roots contain a large amount of organic acids that resist respiratory infections and inflammation;
• traditional healers believe that Kupena’s infusions and decoctions cleanse the blood, eliminate pain, relieve fever and inflammation;
• microelements and ascorbic acid support the body, protect against viruses, normalize the functioning of the digestive tract, maintain the condition of joints and bone tissue;
• diostegin eliminates problems in the genitourinary system of men (stimulates potency) and women (eases pain during menstruation, prevents breast cancer and tumors in the uterus);
• flavonoids cleanse the blood, strengthen blood vessels, increase the elasticity and permeability of the vascular bed;
• cardiac glycosides restore heart rhythm and ensure blood circulation.

Application

First of all, Kupena is a non-capricious but attractive plant. It does not require careful care or special conditions, tolerates winter well (no need to dig it up or cover it), and multiplies quickly without replanting or hassle. In our regions, pharmaceutical and multi-flowered Kupena are more often used.

Decor

Graceful stems and extravagant leaves will decorate any area, flower garden and front garden. Looks good in group plantings with shrubs and trees in the garden. It is planted in alpine hills, flower beds and mixborders. Volumetric rockeries and rock gardens will be decorated with low-growing varieties of kupena. In flower shops and salons, stems with leaves are included in bouquets and table compositions.

Cooking

Young shoots and roots are edible and contain a lot of starch. After heat treatment (at a temperature of at least 600C), toxicity is reduced; when boiled, the shoots are edible and safe for health. Young leaves and shoots are boiled and added to stewed vegetables or served as a side dish for main courses.

Veterinary

Veterinarians use Kupena's tincture with alcohol as a tonic that increases the tone and contraction of the intestinal muscles in ruminant animals. To secrete gastric juice and increase appetite, flour from the root of the plant is added to livestock feed.

ethnoscience

Herbalists note the versatility and multifunctionality of the medicinal Kupena. The rhizome is used to treat skin diseases, restore motor function, for acute colds and even pneumonia.

The fruits are an excellent laxative and emetic.

The herb in tinctures and decoctions eliminates neoplasms, reduces the risk of cancer, and restores the body's protective functions.

The stems are used to make tinctures that lower blood pressure and stabilize blood sugar levels (for diabetes).

Reproduction of lilies of the valley

In the wild, flowers reproduce by seeds, but in garden conditions their germination rate is quite low and special soil is required. Another disadvantage of the seed method is the late appearance of inflorescences no earlier than 5 years after planting. Therefore, lilies of the valley are propagated in the garden using a vegetative method.

When August arrives, you can begin the process; for this, sprouts are used that are no more than 3 years old. A one-year-old plant will produce only two leaves, but a three-year-old plant will bloom the next year. You can determine when a plant will bloom by its appearance if the bud is half a centimeter in diameter and they have a flat top, they contain inflorescences, thin and sharp ones will allow only leaves to grow.

The instructions are quite simple:

1. It is necessary to dig up an adult plant. This is best done with a garden fork. The rhizome, buds and surface roots are removed.
2. The dug up lily of the valley is cleared of the ground, the light rhizome should become visible. Divide the plant with your hands or a garden knife. A planting unit includes a piece of root and at least two growth buds; if there are fewer of them, the plant may not take root.
3. Divided bushes are planted on prepared soil.

Collection and preparation

It is important to correctly collect and prepare medicinal raw materials:

• flowers, leaves, stems are cut off at the end of spring, during flowering;
• The root is dug up in November or early spring.

Drying rules:

• clean the root, wash in running water;
• chop the rhizome or aerial part;
• the berries are picked when fully ripe and dried in the usual way;
• dry under a canopy, in the shade, out of direct sun;
• ensure room temperature and good ventilation in the room;
• store in linen bags, paper bags, wooden containers;
• mixing with other medicinal herbs is contraindicated.

Important: the permissible shelf life of dry Kupena raw materials is 2-3 years.

Contraindications

Attention! The plant is poisonous without heat treatment; it is dangerous to prescribe dosages and establish a course of treatment on your own.

It is not recommended to use Kupena:

• people suffering from contact, drug or seasonal allergies;
• For children under 16 years of age, pregnant women and during breastfeeding, the use of Kupena for medicinal purposes is strictly prohibited.

Important: if negative reactions occur (itching, suffocation, rash, sneezing), stop contact with the plant. The help of an allergist (therapy with antihistamines) is needed.

How to contain the overgrowth

As already noted, under favorable conditions, lily of the valley can very quickly capture new territories, growing up to 40 cm deep into the ground. And to prevent the garden from turning into a large clearing with a single lily of the valley flower in a few years, you need to take care of this at the planting stage. The surest way is to install fences in the ground around the entire perimeter of the flower bed (for example, slate or a sheet of iron will do), deepening them by about half a meter.

Many people, by the way, like to plant lilies of the valley along the paths. They will look really great here, unless their roots begin to spoil the existing coating: for example, they grow between the tiles.

Medicinal recipes

Recipes for decoctions, infusions, external ointments and poultices have been preserved in medical books and healing books:

• Steaming helps with severe bruises. Leaves scalded with boiling water are wrapped in a napkin or towel and applied to the sore spot for 5-10 minutes.
• The juice is used to treat wounds or ulcers for disinfection. You can apply fresh leaves to the affected areas.
• For radiculitis, arthritis, joint pain, warm compresses and lotions are made from the decoction. To do this, 50 g of root is crushed, placed in a container, and 0.5 liters of boiling water is poured. To evaporate, place the container on low heat or in the oven for 30 minutes. The decoction is infused for at least 2 hours. Before use, the solution is filtered.
• For bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections, the decoction is taken orally, 1 tbsp. l. 2-3 r. per day, before meals. Recipe: 1 tsp. dry crushed root, pour 250 ml of boiling water, boil in a water bath for 20-25 minutes. Before use, the finished mixture is filtered. The same recipe helps against worms.
• A mixture of Kupena decoction and milk treats hernia and hemorrhoids. The preparation procedure is labor-intensive and time-consuming, but the result is effective. Initially, 3 liters of milk are poured into a large aluminum or clay container, crushed rhizome powder is added - 1 tsp. Place in the oven and evaporate until the liquid is reduced to 3 times. Strain in finished form. Drink 3-4 r. per day 2 tbsp. l. before every meal.
• Dermatitis, abrasions, and bleeding wounds are treated with a decoction of fresh roots. This decoction is used internally, 2 tbsp. l. 3 r. per day for gout, rheumatism. The preparation method is similar to the previous ones: steam 1 tbsp. l. fresh raw materials 0.5 liters of boiling water, simmer over low heat for 1 minute. Wrap the closed container in a thick soft cloth, leave for at least 2-3 hours, strain through double-layer gauze.
• For kidney disease, dropsy, swelling (diuretic effect), tincture of leaves and stems helps to lower body temperature. Infusion recipe: 2 tbsp. l. dried herbs pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Wrap it up, put it in a warm place for 1-2 hours. Strain. Drink 3 r. per day in 20 minutes. before meals (at the same time). This remedy is recommended for use for jaundice, gynecological inflammation, and gallbladder pathologies.
• The juice is wiped on the face to fade freckles and age spots.

Important: relying on traditional medicine and using recipes from Kupena as the main medicine is strictly prohibited. In case of serious pathologies, a medical examination and examination by a specialist is necessary.

Unique facts

According to legend, King Solomon himself liked this exquisite plant so much that he marked it with his seal. Since then, it has become a custom to call the miracle herb Solomon's Seal.

In the old days, young women, in order to acquire a natural blush, rubbed their cheeks with berries or root shoots.

From time immemorial, domestic animals were treated with kupena rhizomes baked in ash. The ointment saved cattle from gadflies, destroyed parasite larvae, relieved itching, relieved inflammation and excruciating pain.

For Altai marals and deer, Kupena, just like Lily of the Valley, is a favorite delicacy.

History of the plant

Let's look into history. For many generations, this plant was considered the flower of the goddess Ostar, the Germanic patroness of the rising sun. With the beginning of flowering, young girls had to appease Ostar by bringing collected lilies of the valley to her temple.

Gradually the meaning of this flower changed. From a symbol of love and happiness, it turned into a harbinger of grief and sadness. They stopped putting them in the house and bringing them for holidays. Increasingly during the Christian era, lilies of the valley appeared on canvases with the Virgin Mary.

They appeared in the Russian Empire only in the 16th century

History mentions the lily of the valley as the flower of loss. He was often associated with the tears of the Blessed Virgin when she mourned her dead son. It is believed that it was her tears that fell to the ground that gave birth to this beautiful flower. They were also often associated with the blood of St. Leonarda.

For the Celts, lilies of the valley were the treasures of the elves. In Ukraine there is a legend that this delicate flower begins to grow in places where young girls waited for their boyfriends from the war and cried, and where their tears fell, lilies of the valley began to grow. The British believe that the round bells of lilies of the valley are beads from Snow White's scattered necklace.

Towards the middle of the 16th century, this plant regained its former greatness. One French aristocrat again made it a harbinger of happiness, and lilies of the valley were often used to decorate gardens and parks. Today, at the beginning of May, the whole country celebrates Lily of the Valley Day.