Entitled wolfberry means several plants at the same time. So they call belladonna, buckthorn, raven eye. But most often this is the name of the wolf's bast or the common wolfberry. In appearance, it looks like a low-branched deciduous shrub, the maximum height of which is 1.2 m. The plant is a representative of the Volchnikov family. Narrow dark green leaves are formed on the shrub, which are attached with short petioles at the very top of the shoots. The bark of the plant is very strong and has a dark brown, almost black tint, which gave rise to the name of the plant bast.
In central Russia, the plant blooms in early spring until the leaves appear. Flowers can be white or pink, which have a pleasant aroma, but with prolonged inhalation cause headache. The plant is pollinated by bees and the collected honey is non-toxic. Bright red fruits ripen in mid-summer.
The chemical composition of berries
Beautiful appearance berries attracts attention, but you should know that the wolfberry is a poisonous plant. In the old days, spears of arrows were smeared with its juice before going hunting.
Description chemical composition which makes the plant so poisonous:
- meserein - has a strong irritant effect, after which redness and small pimples appear on the skin, and when the dust of the bark is inhaled, it irritates the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract;
- daphnine glucoside - has an antibacterial property, but at the same time causes bleeding.
Also, the composition of the wolfberry includes tannins, flavonoids, mineral salts, wax, gum.
But due to its special composition, the plant has not only poisonous properties but also curative. Therefore, it is widely used in homeopathy. In pharmacies, you can purchase products made on the basis of the wolfberry, which effectively treat skin diseases, as they relieve inflammation and eliminate different kinds suppuration.
Consequences of eating wolfberry
Wolfberry berries have a pronounced burning taste, so it is unlikely that anyone will be able to eat them in in large numbers. But to get intoxication of the body, it is enough to use 3 berries, which causes poisoning of the digestive system. As a result, a person experiences the following symptoms:
- nausea;
- profuse salivation;
- stomach cramps;
- diarrhea;
- cramps of the limbs;
- burning sensation in the mouth;
- swelling of the oral cavity;
- vomit;
- dizziness.
When small particles of the plant get on the mucous membrane of the eye, conjunctivitis develops. Under the influence of an intoxicant, it affects nervous system human, metabolic processes worsen, sometimes renal failure is observed.
An adult body is able to withstand the action of the poison, but if a child consumes a wolfberry, serious health consequences can occur, up to a fatal outcome, depending on the number of fruits eaten.
First aid for poisoning
After the first symptoms of poisoning appear, you need to know what first aid should be given to the victim before the doctor arrives in order to avoid more serious complications:
- 1. Thoroughly wash the stomach weak solution potassium permanganate 0.01% per 1 liter of water, which will help remove undigested remains of wolf berries from the stomach.
- 2. It is necessary to provide a person with plenty of fluids, which will help to quickly remove toxins from the body.
- 3. During the first hour after eating the berries, you need to drink three times Activated carbon at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight.
- 4. In order to stop vomiting, you should swallow small pieces of ice.
- 5. When defeated skin they need to be rinsed running water, and then with a solution of potassium permanganate in a ratio of 0.02% per 1 liter of water.
When the body is intoxicated with wolf berries, it is forbidden to carry out therapy with diuretics or laxatives, as this will further complicate the situation.
Mulberry ( Mulberry tree) - beneficial features and application
Medicinal properties
Since ancient times, wolfberries have been used in folk medicine from some diseases. They have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, so their use is effective for rheumatism, gout, sciatica. In some cases, it is allowed to use wolfberry remedies for the treatment of scrofula, purulent tonsillitis, tumors of the esophagus and thrombophlebitis.
For treatment, it is necessary to collect the bark of a shrub before the start of sap flow in the branches, therefore optimal period for this is January-February, and the berries must be picked already in ripe form. The collection of raw materials must be carried out, observing certain precautions:
- work only with gloves and a respirator;
- after the end of the procedure, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water several times;
- Dry separately from other foods and out of the reach of children.
Before starting treatment with drugs based on wolfberry, it is recommended to consult a doctor who will determine the dosage and duration of therapy based on individual features patient.
In most cases folk remedies from the wolfberry is used externally. For treatment skin diseases, inflammation and suppuration, it is recommended to prepare a tincture of alcohol:
- pour 70 g of crushed dry wolfberry bark into a container;
- pour 250 ml of medical alcohol;
- tightly close the lid and insist 14 days;
- apply in the form of lotions on problem areas of the skin.
Based on this tincture, you can prepare an ointment for the treatment of gout and rheumatism. This requires 1 part. medicinal tincture mix with 2 parts butter, store such a tool should be in the refrigerator, separately from other products. Lubricate problem areas three times a day.
Wolfberry is a plant that, if used ineptly, can be harmful, but when all precautions are taken, it is an effective medicine and provides significant health benefits. AT recent times the shrub remains on the verge of extinction, therefore it requires special treatment, it should not be used without certain knowledge in this area.
Wolfberry, according to Wikipedia, is not at all one well-defined plant. This phrase is the collective name of many plants whose fruits are toxic or irritating. The group, popularly called "wolfberry", includes wolfberry, crow's eye, raven, belladonna, red elderberry, castor bean, honeysuckle honeysuckle and others.
Belladonna, or common belladonna
So beautiful word, which means "beautiful lady" in translation, is a plant whose poisonous berries can cause the death of a person who has eaten it. The roots of this plant and its leaves are also harmful. Even just touching belladonna causes skin lesions similar to a chemical burn. That is why the people gave the belladonna another name - wolfberry. The plant itself can grow up to one and a half meters in height. Known belladonna Atropa, which is legendary. After all, the word Atropa comes from Atropos - the name of one of the three Fates. It was these Greek goddesses who allegedly held magic scissors in their hands, with which they cut the threads of human lives. But in real life wolfberry can just suddenly end the lives of not only people, but also animals.
St. John's wort
Speaking of poisonous berries, we should also recall others, such as, for example, the fruits of May lily of the valley, juniper Tamariscifolia, St. John's wort. And on these plants bright attractive berries ripen, which just ask to be put into the mouth. Many are confused by the fact that St. John's wort and lily of the valley are medicinal plants and should not seem to be fraught with danger. However, the fruits of these plants - inedible berries. For example, the St. John's wort family is often used as a hedge in gardens and yards. You can also find this shrub in the forests. When ripe, the berries first turn red and then turn black or purple. medicinal plants they are used in medicine. But it’s not recommended to eat attractive berries just like that - they are poisonous.
Nightshade
The Solanaceae family includes potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, physalis and nightshade itself. Nightshades also come in several varieties. Black nightshade is widely represented in central Russia - an annual herbaceous plant. It is found in ravines and gardens, on the coasts of reservoirs and in bushes. The ground part of the plant is often used to make medicines. But with berries you should be careful. This plant is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. After all, the ripe fruits of nightshade have been used by the people since ancient times, both raw and as a filling for pies. But unripe berries can cause severe poisoning. Therefore, you should be extremely careful if this grows nearby. insidious plant. When picking berries for a pie, you need to carefully choose only ripe fruits of bright black color.
elderberry red
Both privet and red elderberry are not a rare old-timer in the yards, especially in rural areas. There is a belief that the clusters of bright berries of these plants scare away mice and rats. Perhaps that is why our ancestors planted these shrubs so actively. And in the spring they delight the eye with their beautiful flowering. But their berries are absolutely impossible to eat - they are poisonous! This is especially true of fresh fruits hanging on branches and seducing those who do not know about the dangers of these beautiful berries. Of course, it's better to just uproot this elderberry out of harm's way! But here lies the problem: this shrub is so tenacious that on next year from a small piece of root left in the ground, a new plant will again reach for the sun.
Wolf's bark is a plant belonging to the Thymelaeáceae family. The name is folk, and according to the official classification, it is referred to as a wolfberry, or an ordinary wolf. On the territory of Russia there are 14 of its species.
Description
This is a shrub, barely reaching a height of 1 m, with flexible thin branches. Its bark has a grayish-brown hue and is dotted with brown spots. The leaves are rounded-oblong on shortened petioles. The flowers are tubular, four-petalled, with eight stamens, resembling lilacs. They are without pedicels, located directly on the stem of the wolf's bast plant. The photo shows this perfectly.
Distinctive feature
During flowering (April - early May), it is impossible to confuse this plant with any other. Its leafless branches are literally strewn with lilac-pink flowers, collected in heaps. If you sniff, you can smell the aroma of vanilla emanating from them. Just don’t get carried away with this smell, otherwise you can’t avoid headaches and malaise.
Fruit
The fruits of this plant are berries that ripen in August. They are small in size, bright scarlet in color, oval, juicy. As well as flowers, they are located on the branches in a few bunches. At this time, the branches are already with leaves, however, only at the tops.
Why did such an unusual name take root
The names of shrubs, as well as other plants, are not born from scratch. Wolfberry has a very strong bark. Not even the bark, but the bast layer located under it, namely the bast. Thanks to him, it is easy to break a branch of this shrub, but it is difficult to tear it off, it will take considerable strength. The adjective in the name has taken root because the wolf has always been associated with evil, deceit. And this plant is just that.
The wolf's bark is poisonous, and all of its parts. The aroma of flowers is intoxicating, poisonous. A small drop of juice that gets on the skin will cause a burning sensation, and irritation on the mucous membrane. If you unknowingly chew on a twig, your lips will swell, your throat will be very ticklish, your eyes will water, your head will hurt, your temperature will rise, and vomiting and convulsions may begin.
Spreading
Scientists have not come to a consensus on how the wolf's bark spreads. One of the versions: the birds peck at the berries, digest them without any problems, and spread the seeds with excrement.
Why there are no thickets
Wolf's bast in Russia grows in the Caucasus, Siberia and the forest-steppe zone of the European part of the country. However, this plant is quite rare. Botanists believe that thickets do not form because plants are able to poison each other, as they contain poisonous substances.
Application
Wolf's bast contains glycosides and flavonoids, which, when ingested, contribute to blood incoagulability, upset digestive system, and form blisters and burns on the skin. However, in folk medicine, these qualities are used to treat neuralgia, paralysis, gout, rheumatism, that is, only as an external remedy. Tinctures are prepared from fresh bark collected during the flowering period.
Finally
If you come across a wolf's bark, it is much safer to admire it from afar. It is a source of food for birds in autumn and an ornament spring forest. In addition, the plant is taken under protection as rare.
Probably, many Russians have heard of such a peculiar representative of the flora as the wolf's bast plant (poisonous). This perennial shrub, whose height is natural environment usually does not exceed one meter, can be found in forests Russian Federation(Caucasus, Siberia, European part). In landscape gardening areas where best conditions and nothing interferes with growth, the wolf's bast stretches up to two and a half meters.
plant description
The bright red, attractive and appetizing-looking ovoid fruits of the plant, known by other names - the deadly wolf (or in fact are not at all suitable for savoring, but, on the contrary, are poisonous.
Feels good in a slightly shaded area, but nutrients in the soil should be in sufficient quantity. Depending on the area, flowering occurs either in February-March, or in the period from April to May.
Elongated shape of berries - distinguishing feature bush wolf's bast. refers to those species whose flowering is ahead of the appearance of leaves. On the still bare twigs in each bosom, where buds were green last year, sometimes three beautiful, pink and fragrant flowers bloom. With their smell, they vaguely resemble hyacinth, and outwardly differ little from lilac branches. The trunk of the shrub is gray-brown.
dangerous berry
There are many substances in the plant, due to which it is extremely poisonous.
If, with the improper use of berries, the surface of the skin has acquired a pronounced red tint, blisters form, or the stomach is upset, then meserine resin is most likely to blame. And the appearance of bleeding is provoked by daphrin glycoside. Therefore, we can safely say that the wolf's bast is deadly poisonous plant.
Therefore, before starting treatment with drugs based on wolf's bark you should definitely consult with your doctor. In addition to the substances described above, berries are rich in essential oils and coccognin, and also contain fat. The bark that covers the trunk of the shrub contains wax and resins. Both fruits and bark are rich in dyes.
Wolf's bast is a poisonous plant, but despite this, it is often used in folk medicine.
Therapeutic effect
It is believed that various preparations can be prepared from the plant, which have a laxative and analgesic effect. They can be used to treat epilepsy and insomnia.
The therapeutic effect is usually achieved if the amount of plant components in the preparation is negligible, that is, it is taken in homeopathic doses. Moreover, it is necessary to be careful and follow the instructions of a specialist. The wolf's bast plant (poisonous) is suitable for preparing an infusion, which, when applied externally, greatly alleviates the condition with neuralgia (including the sciatic nerve) and sciatica. This method of treatment is effective in case of edema. The tincture, which is taken orally, will help with outbreaks of dysentery or jaundice, expel colds and sore throats.
Secrets of traditional medicine
Medicines, where the wolf's bast plant (poisonous) is the main component, can fight leukemia and some oncological diseases. Traditional medicine advises preparing decoctions and decoctions from the bark of this berry as preparations. With their help, the condition is much improved in the case when there is a malignant tumor of the uterus, in the oral cavity, esophagus or larynx.
There is an opinion that the use ripe berries in compliance with the required dosage, it can even overcome sarcoma. Thanks to successful combination chemical substances in the wolfberry you can talk about treating them severe cough and partial relief of symptoms in tuberculosis.
In folk medicine, other poisonous plants are also used: lily of the valley, Wolf's bast is especially dangerous, so inexperienced healers should not experiment with such raw materials.
Rheumatism
To relieve the discomfort caused by rheumatism, it is advisable to make a tincture from the dry bark of a shrub. It is prepared quite simply: place the bark in a glass jar and pour 0.5 liters of vodka. In two weeks, the miracle cure will be ready. A sign of this will be a yellow-green tincture. The effect of its application with the help of thorough rubbing will be much greater with the parallel use of tea oil.
Poisonous plants should be used with caution. The wolf's bast, the description of which is given above, is no exception.
Soothing toothache
When a tooth (or teeth) hurts, it is just right to remember the existence of a wolf's bast. From the flowers of the wolfberry, you need to prepare a decoction. Pour 20 milliliters of water, preheated to boiling point, into a container with two grams of flowers. Further, the components are brought to readiness by holding the container over the fire for 20 minutes, after which the contents are filtered, and the remaining cake is squeezed out. Final stage consists in adding boiling water in such an amount that the total volume of the drug is 250 milliliters. The decoction is taken in the morning, afternoon and evening in a dose exactly measured with a pipette - five drops of decoction.
Toothache can also be relieved by powdered flowers. It is applied and rubbed into the gum with a disturbing tooth. It is advisable to slightly warm the boiled water and rinse the mouth. Not everyone can properly prepare a wolf's bast (poisonous) plant. That is why doctors are wary of folk recipes in which it is a component.
Wolf fruits are called different plants: privet, wolf's bast, dereza and even goji. What does a wolfberry look like, which can be dangerous to humans? What forest fruits should be extremely careful?
In the photo there is a wolfberry (dereza)
What kind of berry is called wolfberry?
The commercial name for goji berries is wolfberry. Translated from English - wolfberry. However, Chinese fruits for weight loss have nothing to do with a plant that is found in the forests of the North and middle lane Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and the Caucasus. Enterprising sellers often give out the fruits of privet, common nightshade, wolf's bast for expensive imported goji.
Wolfberry, the photo of which reflects its external features, is a fruit with a red or black glossy color. It is formed on a shrub with narrow oblong leaves, is formed from a flower, pours during the summer and matures by autumn. At this time, the branches are studded with large bright beads and look especially impressive. Thanks to given property privet, for example, is planted in gardens for ornamental purposes.
In spring, a bush up to 5 meters blooms with beautiful tassels, like lilacs. And in the fall, shiny purple fruits appear in place of the inflorescences.
On common nightshade, wolf's bast, black fruits with a glossy sheen are formed. They are very dangerous, contain deadly poison for humans and animals. They should not be used for food or medical purposes.
Wolfberry: harm and benefits of fruits
Wolfberry, common in our forests, is an extremely poisonous plant. Birds and animals avoid it. The name is associated with her ability to bring evil, and not with the preferences of predators. The poison of common nightshade, wolf's bast, privet, bearing the name of wolfberry, is strong and fast-acting.
However, black or bright red fruits can be beneficial to humans.
1. In China, they make a special tincture used for eye diseases.
2. There are medical preparations where the poison of berries is present in scanty doses and, in combination with other components, plays a positive role in the improvement of a person.
3. Experienced gardeners use them to prepare poisonous compounds in the fight against pests in the beds.
4. Chinese goji berries and wolfberry can be consumed without fear for your health in order to lose weight and increase the stability of the immune system.
Wolf berries are the collective name for inedible and poisonous fruit growing in the forest. You have to be careful with them. When walking through the forest, you need to bypass the bushes.
