Family - Noricaceae - Scrophulariaceae.
Common names are wild flax (for the similarity of the leaves), frog's snapdragon, yellow snapdragon.
Parts used: grass (no roots).
Pharmaceutical name - toadflax herb - Linariae herba (formerly: Herba Linariae).
Botanical description
Common toadflax - from the perennial root of this plant a stem emerges to the surface, usually unbranched and sometimes reaching a height of 60 cm. Sessile linear-lanceolate leaves are densely located on the stem. The inflorescence is an apical raceme of closely crowded light yellow flowers, the upper lip of which is orange on the inside and has a straight spur underneath. Although this plant is a weed, it looks good in the garden. Blooms from July to September.
It is found quite often in gravelly areas, fields, fallow lands, along roadsides and slopes.
Collection and preparation
Flowering grass is cut close to the ground, tied into bunches and dried in a shady place.
Use in homeopathy
The homeopathic remedy Linaria is used in some cases for loss of strength, bedwetting and bladder weakness.
Active ingredients
Flavone glycosides, choline and alkaloid peganin, saponins, phytosterols, organic acids (citric, formic, malic and acetic), pectin, tannin and other substances, vitamin C, carotene.
Healing effect and application
Common toadflax is little used by scientific medicine, although in ancient times toadflax was used as a healing agent for the vascular system.
In some places, flaxseed ointment is still used against hemorrhoids. In folk medicine, toadflax is used to treat and treat urinary retention, dropsy and jaundice, as well as inflammation of the veins, hemorrhoids and skin irritation.
Flaxseed tea - pour 1 teaspoon of the herb into 1/4 liter of boiling water and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain and take in small sips, several times throughout the day.
Flaxseed ointment - 20g of fresh herb, pour 30ml of alcohol. After 5 days, strain and mix with lard. For 5g of tincture, take 50g of unsalted lard.
Contraindications
Flaxseed has been studied too little to consider its use completely safe, so use it for treatment only in consultation with.
Linaria vulgaris M.
Toadflax is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Scrophulariaceae family. Grows in forests, bushes, along roads and in crops.
Norichnikov family - SCROPHULARIACEAE
Description. A perennial herbaceous plant 30–60 cm high, with a bare simple stem. The leaves are alternate, smooth, acute, linear-lanceolate. The flowers are lemon-yellow, with long spurs, two-lipped, with an orange throat of the corolla, collected in dense long apical racemes. The fruit is an oblong capsule. It blooms from June to September, the fruits ripen in August.
Geographical distribution. Almost throughout the European part of Russia, less often in Western Siberia.
Organs used: above-ground part of a plant (grass).
Chemical composition. The grass contains d-l-peganine C 11 H 12 NO 2; flavonoid glycosides: linarin C 28 H 32 O 14, split into acacetin C 16 H 12 O 5 and rutinose; neolinarin C 29 H 34 O 15, splitting into pectolinarigenin C 17 H 14 O 6 and rutinose; pectolinarin C 29 H 34 O 15, splitting into pectolinarigenin and rutinose. In addition, it contains phytosterol C 26 H 44 O, n-triacantan C 30 H 62, ascorbic acid and other organic acids.
Of the four types of toadflax growing in Uzbekistan, only one is used in folk medicine - popov's toadflax. During the flowering period, the leaves and flowers contain 0.6% and the stems 9.2% of the base amount, from which S. Yu. Yunusov and Z. F. Ismailov isolated a new alkaloid, linarine (X. X. Khalmatov, 1979).
Application. In folk medicine, this plant is used quite widely. Flaxseed tea (40.0 g per 1 liter of boiling water) is drunk for intestinal bloating and liver diseases (for jaundice in combination with cumin and corn silk, 15.0 g each). The same mixture is used as an infusion for kidney diseases (M. A. Nosal, I. M. Nosal, 1959).
In folk medicine In Belarus, a decoction of the herb is drunk as a laxative, stomachic, diuretic, washed out sore eyes, gargled for sore throat; warm infusion of the herb is used to make lotions for fungal diseases, lichen, scrofula, etc. (D.K. Ges et al., 1966). In Eastern Transbaikalia, the flowers of the plant are recommended as a diuretic.
It is typical that increased urination is observed in the next two days after stopping taking flaxseed preparations, since they act slowly. There are no side effects noted.
Used in medical practice liquid flaxseed extract hemorrhoids and as a laxative. Less commonly used externally for skin diseases is the so-called gill ointment, which is an alcoholic extract from the herb mixed with lard (the alcohol evaporates when heated in a water bath). Antihelminthic properties of flaxseed preparations have been revealed. In a clinical setting, they were studied as a laxative for intestinal atony, flatulence and prolonged constipation. The alkaloid peganine contained in the plant has a choleretic and strong stimulating effect on the smooth muscles of the intestines and uterus. It is prescribed for myasthenia gravis and myopathy, in which flaxseed acts more effectively than galantamine and pachycarpine, second only to proserin (V.I. Zavrazhnov et al., 1977).
In medical practice they use toadflax grass, which contains the alkaloid peganin, flavone glycosides, acids, and trace elements. Flaxseed preparations have a laxative, choleretic and anthelmintic effect. They are taken to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. In folk medicine, an infusion of the herb is used for constipation, to regulate the function of the liver and gall bladder (Florya, 1975).
In Siberia and the Urals flaxseed is used for intestinal atony, flatulence, kidney disease, hemorrhoids, intestinal obstruction, jaundice, eczema, venereal diseases, carbohydrate metabolism disorders, hernia, scrofula. A decoction of flowers is used to wash the eyes for trachoma, gargle for a sore throat, and bathe children in flaxseed for rashes. An infusion of the herb is used for lichen, fungal diseases and as a lotion for psoriasis. A decoction of toadflax herb helps with bedwetting (Surina, 1974).
In Ukraine, toadflax is used for shortness of breath, dropsy, headache, dizziness with vomiting, and for worms.
To prepare the infusion, pour 1-2 tablespoons into a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes and take 1-2 tablespoons after 1-2 hours.
To prepare the ointment, take 2 parts herb to 5 parts oil, mix, heat, infuse overnight and filter.
To prepare the decoction, take 20 g of toadflax herb per 0.5 liter of milk, bring to a boil, infuse, filter and use as compresses for hemorrhoids.
To prepare the decoction, take 20 g of toadflax grass, cornflower flowers, elderberry flowers, pour 2 cups of boiling water, leave for 8 hours, filter and take in the form of lotions or drops for eye diseases (Popov, 1973).
In Karelia flaxseed is used for long-term constipation. Infusion - for cystitis, hepatitis, heart disease, anemia, externally - for boils, acne, burns. The decoction is used for conjunctivitis. Flaxgrass powder with oil is used to lubricate abscesses, fractures, and ulcers. Infusion - for periodontal disease and fungal infections of the oral mucosa, to strengthen hair (Yudina, 1988).
Pharmacological and clinical trials of toadflax have confirmed its laxative, diuretic and choleretic effects, and the alkaloid peganine has proven to be a good remedy for muscle flaccidity, muscular dystrophy, and myopathies (Hammerman, 1983).
Peganine has a strong stimulating effect on the uterus (Ges, 1976).
In Bulgaria, toadflax is used in the initial stages of prostate hypertrophy (Petkov, 1988).
In Tibetan medicine, toadflax is used as an antidote for poisoning. It is considered useful for swelling of the legs, arms, and joints (Minaeva, 1991).
A decoction of the aerial part of toadflax is used for dermatomycosis, scrofula, and to improve hair growth.
Decoction and tincture of toadflax herb increase blood pressure, increase pulse wave, and increase breathing.
The whole plant is used for fibromatosis as an anti-inflammatory agent.
An infusion of roots is taken orally when there is a delay in regulation.
In Korea, alcohol extract or tablets are used as a sedative. In folk medicine it is used for sciatica, Meniere's syndrome, as an antitumor, for blepharitis, as an anesthetic for bruises and sprains. Flaxseed reduces bronchial tone, has an anticonvulsant effect, and increases potency.
Infusion and decoction of seeds used as a pain reliever (“Plant Resources”, 1990).
In Mongolia, it is used for ascites, bites of dogs, wild animals and joint diseases (Khaidov, 1985).
Methods of preparation and use
1. One or two tablespoons of the herb are poured into a glass of boiled water, infused for 45 minutes and filtered. Prescribe 1 tablespoon orally 3 times a day. The same infusion can be used externally (baths, compresses, lotions).
2. Five grams of herb are poured into a glass of water, brought to a boil, boiled for 15 minutes, filtered. Prescribe a teaspoon orally several times a day.
3. Two parts of the herb are poured with one part of 70% alcohol, left to brew for a day in a closed vessel. Add 10 parts of lard and heat in a water bath in an open container until the alcohol completely evaporates. The mixture is squeezed out and filtered. The resulting light green ointment is applied topically to damaged surfaces of the body.
4. Boil a tablespoon of herbs in 0.5 liters of milk. The decoction is used for compresses for hemorrhoids.
5. The ointment is prepared from equal parts of flax flowers, oak bark and peppermint (water pepper), which are soaked for 12 hours in melted lard, stirring occasionally, then heated and filtered and poured into a glass jar. The ointment is applied to a small gauze swab and completely inserted into the anus for 4-5 hours. It has an analgesic effect for severe hemorrhoidal pain and stops hemorrhoidal bleeding.
The plant is poisonous; taking it orally in large doses can cause poisoning.
Common toadflax (Linaria vulgaris).
Other names: wild flax, flax.
Description. Perennial herbaceous plant of the Scrophulariaceae family. It has a root system consisting of a thick main root and lateral roots with vegetative buds. The stem is erect, simple or branched, densely leafy, 30-90 cm high.
The leaves are simple, entire (edges rolled up), glabrous, linear-lanceolate or linear, with one or three veins, pointed, 2-5 cm long, 2-4 mm wide. The upper leaves are linear.
The flowers are bisexual, irregular, in dense long apical racemes, 5-15 cm long. The corolla is pale yellow, two-lipped, with a long spur at the base, with a reddish-orange hairy bulge on the lower lip. The calyx is bare, 5-partite, with lanceolate acute lobes. There are four stamens. The ovary is superior, two-locular with one style.
Common toadflax blooms in July - September. Fruit ripening begins in August. The toadflax fruit is an oblong-elliptical capsule 9-11 mm long, 6-7 mm wide. The seeds are small, disc-shaped, tuberculate in the center, with a membranous edge.
Common toadflax grows as a weed in fields, vegetable gardens, on slopes, near roads, among bushes. The plant is distributed throughout most of Europe, also in Asia and other areas of the globe with a temperate climate. Flaxfly reproduces by seeds and vegetatively (root suckers).
Collection and procurement of raw materials. For medicinal purposes, the herb toadflax is used. The grass is harvested during the flowering period of the plant. The collected raw materials are dried outdoors in the shade or in a room with normal ventilation, spread out in a thin layer. Dried raw materials are stored in linen bags. Shelf life 1 year.
Composition of the plant. The toadflax herb contains the alkaloid peganin, flavonoids, glycosides (linarin, pectolinarin, neolinarin, acetylpectolinarin), iridoid aucurbine, mucus, phytosterol, pectin and resinous substances, ascorbic acid, organic acids (citric, malic).
Use of toadflax, properties.
The toadflax herb has hypotensive, choleretic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and laxative properties.
Preparations from the toadflax herb have a multifaceted therapeutic effect on the human body. It has been established that the alkaloid peganine lowers blood pressure, fills the pulse, reduces heart rate, increases the tone and increases the amplitude of contractions of the smooth muscles of the intestines and uterus.
In clinical settings, peganine is used to treat intestinal atony, paresis and paralytic ileus that develop as a result of surgery, as well as to treat patients with progressive muscular dystrophy and myopathy.
For intestinal atony, flatulence, and prolonged constipation, a good therapeutic effect is achieved by using an alcoholic extract of toadflax.
In folk medicine, an infusion of toadflax herb is used for headaches accompanied by vomiting (Meniere's disease), shortness of breath, jaundice of various origins, inflammation of the biliary tract, chronic colitis and hemorrhoids, constipation, flatulence, enuresis, inflammation and hypertrophy of the prostate, inflammation of the bladder, delayed menstruation , chronic skin diseases.
Externally, a decoction of toadflax herb is used for hemorrhoids, furunculosis, acne, pustular rashes, ulcers and poorly healing wounds. Herbal ointment - for the treatment of hemorrhoids, eczema, lichen.
Dosage forms and doses.
Herbal infusion. 1 tablespoon of dry crushed toadflax herb is poured with two glasses of boiling water, left for 2 hours, filtered. Take half a glass 3 rubles. a day 20 minutes before meals.
Alcohol extract. The extract is prepared with 40% alcohol or vodka, using crushed herbs and alcohol in equal quantities. The extract is infused for 10 days and filtered. Take 1-3 teaspoons in a small amount of water once a day at night for intestinal atony, flatulence, and prolonged constipation.
Herbal decoction for external use. 3 heaped tablespoons of chopped herbs per 0.5 liters of water, cook over low heat for 20 minutes, remove from heat, filter after 10 minutes. Used in the form of washes and compresses.
Herbal decoction for itching in the anus. The decoction is prepared at the rate of 2 tablespoons of chopped herbs (10 g) per glass of water. Used once a day in the form of enemas.
Flaxseed herb ointment. Mix 2 parts of fresh chopped herbs with 5 parts of heated pork fat (not salted), cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes, remove from heat, filter, squeeze. You can also prepare an ointment by mixing alcoholic extract of flaxseed with pork fat in a ratio of 1:10. For hemorrhoids, a gauze swab lubricated with ointment is inserted into the anus for 4-5 hours once a day.
Warning. When treating with toadflax, the dosage of the drugs should be observed to avoid poisoning.
Common toadflax, which is also known by the names: wild flax, blennies, guillemot and gill flax, is a poisonous perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the plantain family of the genus Flaxflax. The grass has a tap-shaped root, from which creeping shoots of considerable length extend. The stem of toadflax is erect, up to 1 meter high. It can be either simple or branching, well leafy. The leaves of the grass are linear or linear-lanceolate in shape with a pointed tip. Their edges turn slightly inward. The length of the leaf plates is about 5 centimeters, and the width is about 2 centimeters. The flowers are yellow, spongy, collected in a raceme inflorescence, the length of which varies from 5 to 15 centimeters. The flowering period lasts from June to August. The fruit of the toadflax is an oblong-elliptical capsule, about 1 centimeter long. The seeds are small, numerous, and disc-shaped. They ripen throughout August.
Wild flax is distributed throughout Europe, as well as in Asian countries with a temperate climate. As an introduced weed, toadflax is also found on other continents in temperate regions. The plant loves sunny places with dry soil. It is undemanding to soil quality. Sometimes, due to its very decorative appearance, guillemot is bred as an ornamental plant in garden plots. Traditional medicine does not use the plant, but does not deny its medicinal properties.
Chemical composition of toadflax
Since the plant has been studied in great detail, its chemical composition is known almost completely. In wild flax it was possible to identify: alkaloid peganin, saponins, linarizine, acetylpectolinarin, neolinarin, linarin, pectolinarin, phytosterols (plant steroids), citric acid, acetic acid, formic acid, malic acid, folic acid, triacanthin, pectin compounds, tannins, carotene, ascorbic acid, fatty oils, hydrocyanic acid and paraffin. All these substances have a pronounced healing effect, which is manifested when wild flax is used correctly.
What is toadflax used for?
Despite the fact that this plant is poisonous, it is widely used in folk medicine, providing assistance for a number of ailments. Wild flax is used as a natural remedy: astringent, normalizes metabolism, analgesic, antitoxic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, diuretic, choleretic, restorative, expectorant, lowers blood pressure, restores the correct rhythm of heart contractions, general cleanser, increases muscle tone of the uterus and intestines. All these properties of the plant were discovered in ancient times, and since then, toadflax has been valued by herbalists and traditional healers.
With the development of edema, even dropsy, the patient is recommended to use medicinal products prepared from wild flax. Providing a quick and powerful diuretic effect, it most effectively removes excess fluid from the body and at the same time has a healing effect on the kidneys. Chistik rids them of toxic substances, sand and small fractions, and also relieves inflammatory processes. In addition, being an excellent antiseptic, the plant helps destroy pathogens that cause many problems with the kidneys, ureters and bladder. This herb can be called an almost universal remedy for treating diseases of the urinary system.
Plants are also used to treat hemorrhoids. By improving digestion, toadflax reduces the risk of injury to the hemorrhoid. In addition, the plant allows you to eliminate pain, relieve swelling of the colon mucosa, prevent bleeding from the lump, and also, with systematic use, significantly reduce the size of the node.
For many liver diseases associated with damage to the organ by toxins, herbalists recommend using preparations based on squeegee. Wild flax allows you to fully cleanse the organ. Under the influence of the plant, healthy circulation of bile is restored and toxins, waste and bad cholesterol are removed from the liver. Flaxseed also eliminates inflammation and stimulates the restoration of cells affected by pathological processes.
Having a beneficial effect on the hematopoietic system, the plant helps to cope with anemia, quickly restore normal iron absorption and stop various minor internal bleeding. In addition, by cleansing the blood of toxic substances and heavy metals, wild flax helps improve its composition.
Eye diseases that are accompanied by inflammation and purulent discharge are another reason to remember the medicinal properties of toadflax. It destroys the causative agents of inflammatory eye diseases and does not irritate the delicate mucous membrane of the eye at all. This treatment is completely safe even for children.
Bronchitis will not last long if treated with a medicine made from toadflax. It helps to quickly liquefy thick secretions and remove them from the bronchi when coughing. As soon as the plant clears the respiratory system of viscous sputum, bronchitis will disappear. In addition, when consuming wild flax, the likelihood of the disease spreading to the lungs and developing pneumonia is reduced to almost zero.
Like many medicinal herbs, toadflax copes well with purulent wounds and ulcers, and after healing helps to avoid scars on the skin.
Various intestinal problems are another area of application for wild flax. The plant eliminates discomfort in the shortest possible time and improves the patient’s condition.
Contraindications to treatment with toadflax
In order to use toadflax for treatment, you should know whether there are any contraindications to such herbal therapy. You should not use wild flax preparations:
- pregnant women (due to the threat of miscarriage and premature birth);
- women who are breastfeeding;
- children under 3 years of age;
- persons suffering from severe hypertension;
- persons with severe heart disease;
- people who are allergic to the plant.
Recipes for medicines from toadflax
Remedy for eye diseases
To prepare the drug you will need not only flaxseed. First, a herbal mixture is made from 20 grams of dried wild flax herb, 20 grams of elderberry flowers and 20 grams of blue cornflower. The resulting mixture is stirred and brewed in a thermos with 400 milliliters of just boiled water. After this, the drug is left to infuse for 8 hours. After filtering the product, it is used to wash the eyes and apply lotions up to 5 times a day until the manifestations of the disease completely disappear.
Flaxgrass is a medicinal herb that is used primarily in alternative medicine. It has a simple stem and yellow flowers of a peculiar shape, due to which it is also called snapdragon and dogs. Paradox: although this plant is poisonous, it is known for its antidote effect. Read more about the beneficial properties and contraindications of flaxseed in this article.
Benefits of snapdragon
Flaxgrass is a plant with interesting flowers that give it an attractive appearance. Gardens are even decorated with its hybrid varieties. For therapeutic purposes, only toadflax is used, since the juice of this herb is rich in useful substances. It contains:
- organic acids (in the highest concentrations – malic, citric);
- tannins;
- flavonoid glycosides;
- alkaloids (peganine);
- carotene;
- choline;
- fixed oils;
- phytosterols.
This rich composition is responsible for the medicinal properties of toadflax. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic and choleretic effects. The plant also has a general strengthening effect. Used as an anthelmintic, mild laxative, and expectorant.
In what form can it be used?
Doctors do not practice the use of toadflax in medicine, but the plant is widely used in folk treatment for various ailments. Most often, medicinal herbs are used in herbal medicine as a laxative, diuretic and choleretic agent.
Flaxseed is harvested in the summer during the flowering period: it is collected, dried in the open air or in special dryers. Only the room has to be ventilated often, because the grass has a pungent and unpleasant odor. Various drugs for external and internal use are made from dried raw materials. Ointments, infusions and decoctions are popular, which are not only drunk, but also used to prepare medicinal baths and lotions.
Applications and healthy recipes
Once again we would like to clarify that doctors do not practice treatment with this plant, but the use of toadflax in folk medicine is quite widespread. It is used for:
- treatment of gastrointestinal diseases (including peptic ulcers, gastritis);
- strengthening the immune system;
- increased secretion of urine and bile in diseases of the kidneys and liver;
- reducing inflammatory processes;
- softening swelling (hard infiltrates due to inflammation);
- relief from constipation;
- pain relief;
- improving sputum discharge when coughing;
- removing gases from the intestines during flatulence;
- cleansing the body during helminthic infestation;
- detoxification for poisoning.
Herbal infusions are also used to treat jaundice and dropsy. Flaxseed is sometimes used in official medicine for relaxation, increasing the flow of bile, and also as a diuretic. Sometimes it is used to eliminate the symptoms of hemorrhoids and skin diseases.
Professor D. M. Rossiysky studied how a liquid extract with alcohol affects patients. The results showed that the product improves the condition of intestinal atony, flatulence, and prolonged constipation. GDR doctors used herbal infusions to treat jaundice, bladder inflammation, hemorrhoids, and lazy bowel syndrome. In small doses, toadflax is used to relieve headaches and vomiting (Meniere's symptom complex), diarrhea and urinary problems. Since flaxseed contains alkaloids and is considered a poisonous plant, it should be taken orally with caution. It is strictly forbidden to exceed the recommended dosage - this can cause poisoning.
Washings, baths and compresses with flaxseed infusion are used to treat boils, ulcers, various diseases and skin inflammations. An ointment based on the plant is used for hemorrhoids. Lotions are used for dermatitis, acne, diathesis, and fungal skin infections.
In alternative medicine, flaxseed is also used to improve potency in men and normalize the menstrual cycle in women. This plant is also used to treat and prevent hair loss.
For the treatment of eye diseases
Take 20 g of flax and cornflower. Brew the mixture in a thermos with 400 ml of boiling water. Leave for 8 hours, when cool, strain. Rinse your eyes with the infusion or apply lotions 5 times a day until recovery.
To increase blood pressure during hypotension
Mix 1 tsp. flaxseed, and - in such a combination, herbs enhance each other’s therapeutic effect. Brew the mixture in 2 cups of boiling water, leave for 2-3 hours, then squeeze. Drink 1 tbsp. l. before breakfast, lunch and dinner.
For gargling
1 tbsp. l. Pour 400 ml of boiling water over dried flaxseed, leave in a container with a lid for 2 hours. Then strain, and gargle with the resulting product for inflammation and cough.
For the treatment of diseases of the liver and urinary system
Mix equal parts of toadflax, immortelle and corn silk. 1.5 tsp. pour a glass of boiling water over the mixture, wait 1 hour. Then cool, strain and drink 1 tbsp. l before breakfast, lunch and dinner. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.
Lotions for purulent wounds and ulcers
6 tbsp. l. pour a glass of boiling water over flaxseed, strain after 2 hours. The product can be used to make lotions or wash affected areas until complete healing.
Contraindications
Before using flaxseed, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications. It should not be used for the following diseases and conditions:
- pregnancy (the grass can create a risk of miscarriage or premature birth);
- breast-feeding;
- children under 3 years of age;
- severe hypertension;
- severe cardiovascular diseases;
- allergic reaction to the plant.
Flaxseed can be purchased at a pharmacy or you can prepare it yourself by cutting off the above-ground parts of the grass and drying them. The plant should be stored in a closed jar for no longer than 1 year. Decoctions, infusions, and ointments made from it show effectiveness in diseases of the heart and blood vessels, stomach, kidneys and liver, and skin. However, they should be used as a complement to treatment prescribed by a doctor, and not instead of it.
