Adonis spring (Adonis) - the use and contraindications of herbs in medicine, photo, description. Adonis spring (Adonis): description and cultivation

text_fields

text_fields

arrow_upward

Rice. 6.8. Adonis (Adonis) spring - Adonis vernalis L.

Herb adonis (Adonis) spring– herba adonidis vernalis
- adonis vernalis l.
Sem. Ranunculaceae– ranunculaceae
Other names: steaming grass, black grass, Montenegrin, starodubka, golden flower, hairy, bathing suit.

perennial herbaceous plant with 3-4 stems 5-20 cm high at the beginning of flowering, and then growing up to 40 cm or more (Fig. 6.8).
Rhizome short, dark brown, almost black, with numerous black shiny roots.
stems at the base they are covered with brown scales, in the axils of which renewal buds develop.
Leaves alternate, sessile, broadly ovate in outline, palmately dissected into 5 segments, which, in turn, are pinnately or twice pinnately dissected into linear, glabrous, subulately pointed segments 0.5-2 cm long, 0.5-1 mm wide.
flowers solitary at the tops of the stems, yellow, large. Sepals 5-8, they are green, slightly pubescent, petals 15-20, stamens and pistils many.
Fetus- multi-nut; characteristic feature is the presence at the top of each fruit-nutlet of a hook-shaped bent down column.
blooms in April - May, the fruits ripen in June - July. The whole plant is poisonous.

The chemical composition of Adonis

text_fields

text_fields

arrow_upward

The grass contains 0.13-0.80% of cardiac (cardiotonic) glycosides, unripe fruits and leaves are richest in them.

Total found in the plant 25 individual cardiotonic glycosides, strophanthidine and adonitoxygenin derivatives.

The above-ground organs of the plant contain

• K-strophanthin- beta and
• cymarin,

in the roots- K-strophanthin- beta.

The specific cardenolide of Adonis vernalis is adonitoxin, which, upon hydrolysis, decomposes into adonitoxygenin and L-rhamnose.

In addition to glycosides, from the grass are also isolated

• 2,6-dimethoxyquinone,
• phytosterols,
• flavonoids (adonivernit, orientin, vitexin, etc.),
• steroid saponins (6.8-9.4%),
• organic acids
• carotenoids (1.3-2.6 mg%),
• as well as choline, coumarins, adonite alcohol.

Properties and uses of Adonis

text_fields

text_fields

arrow_upward

PharmacotherapeuticGroup. Cardiotonic agent (cardiac glycosides).

Pharmacological properties of adonis

Adonis preparations belong to the group of cardiac glycosides. They are

• slow down the heart rate
• increase systole,
• lengthen the diastole
• increase the stroke volume of the heart
• moderately inhibit intracardiac conduction.

Preparations of adonis spring have more pronounced than other cardiac drugs diuretic properties that bind to the glycoside cymarin.

With experimental myocarditis cymarin promotes

• elimination of acute heart failure,
• weakens inflammatory and subsequent sclerotic changes in the heart.

Systematic administration of cymarin

• markedly reduces the hypotension commonly seen in experimental myocarditis,
• slows down the pulse
• increases the rate of blood flow.

A characteristic feature of adonis preparations- a sedative effect, noted in the last century.

From Adonis spring and other species of this genus, cardiotonic adonitoxin glycoside, which, along with cymarin, determines the pharmacological characteristics of adonis preparations: moderate systolic and diastolic effects, less effect on vagus nerve tone compared to digitalis preparations, and a small cumulative effect.

In the 60s of the XX century. at the Institute of Chemistry of Plant Substances of the Academy of Sciences of the Uzbek SSR N.K. Abubakirov, R.Sh. Yamatova and co-authors proved the possibility of the conversion of cymarin monoside into the bioside K-strophanthin- beta under conditions of slow drying of the herb adonis.

Application of Adonis

Adonis spring is used with relatively mild forms of chronic circulatory failure.

Indications for the use of adonis preparations serve

• cardiac neurosis,
• vegetative-vascular dystonia,
• infectious diseases that occur with symptoms of weakening of cardiac activity,
• kidney disease with signs of cardiovascular insufficiency.

Spreading

text_fields

text_fields

arrow_upward

Spreading. Steppe and forest-steppe zones of the European part of the country and Western Siberia. Harvesting of grass is mainly carried out in Western Siberia (Kemerovo and Novosibirsk regions, Altai Territory), in the Southern Urals, in the Middle Volga region, and in the central black earth regions of the European part of Russia. Thickets in traditional gathering areas are severely depleted due to their intensive exploitation, non-compliance with harvesting rules and economic activity person. Due to the fact that the spring adonis could not be introduced into the culture, the need for raw materials is satisfied only by collecting raw materials from wild plants.

Habitat. In light glades of deciduous forests, along forest edges, among shrubs, on open slopes, in steppe meadows, steppe ravines. Prefers chernozem soils rich in lime.

Procurement and storage of raw materials

text_fields

text_fields

arrow_upward

blank. The aerial part of the plant is harvested from the beginning of flowering to shedding of fruits; cut the grass above the brown scales at a height of 7-10 cm from the soil surface with a sickle, secateurs, scissors, or mow it with a scythe, and then choose the shoots of adonis from the mowed mass. It is forbidden to cut off, pull out the shoots, as this leads to damage to the renewal buds.

Security measures. To renew the thickets, some of the plants are left untouched. Plants from seeds develop very slowly; it takes years to get full-grown plants suitable for harvesting. In the old, traditional areas, the frequency of harvesting should be observed in 4-5 years. It is necessary to organize reserves, to stop plowing the lands occupied by thickets of spring adonis.

Drying. In the air, in the shade, without access to direct sunlight, laying out thin layer and periodically turning over, or in artificial dryers at a temperature of 50-60 ° C. You can not dry the grass tied in bunches, it turns black.

Standardization. GF XI, no. 2, Art. 43.

Storage. In a dry, dark place, with the precautions listed B, at a temperature not exceeding 15 ºС and a relative humidity of 30-50%. The biological activity of raw materials is controlled annually.

External signs of raw materials

text_fields

text_fields

arrow_upward

Whole Raw Material

Whole or partially crushed leafy stems with or without flowers, less often with buds or fruits of varying degrees of development, sometimes partially crumbled.
Stems cut above brown lower scaly leaves, 10-35 cm long, up to 0.4 cm thick, simple or slightly branched.
Leaves alternate, sessile, semi-amplex, in general outline rounded or broadly elliptical, palmately dissected into 5 segments, of which 2 lower ones are pinnately dissected, three upper ones are twice pinnately dissected; leaf segments are linear, awl-shaped at the apex, entire, 0.5-2 cm long, 0.5-1 mm wide. Leaves are stiff when flowering.
flowers solitary at the tops of the stems, regular, about 3.5 cm across, free-petaled, with 5-8 sepals, with 15-20 petals, with numerous stamens and pistils.
sepals ovate, obtuse above, with sparse teeth, pubescent, easily falling off.
petals oblong-elliptical, narrowed at the apex, serrated.
Fetus- an oval polynutlet, consists of numerous dry nuts sitting on a cylindrical brownish receptacle. Nutlets are 3.5-5.5 mm long, about 3 mm wide, oval, with a short hook-like style, wrinkled-cellular, pubescent.
Colour stems and leaves are green, flowers are golden yellow, fruits are grayish green.
Smell weak. Taste is not defined!

Crushed raw materials

Pieces of stems, leaves, parts of flowers and fruits passing through a 7 mm sieve.
Colour pieces of stems and leaves green, flowers - golden yellow. Smell weak. Taste is not defined.

Other types of adonis

species name	Life form and distribution	Diagnostic signs
Adonis Turkestan -Adonis turkestanica (Korsh.) Adolf	Perennial herbaceous plant. It grows in the mountain meadows of Central Asia. Endemic.	Leaves twice and thrice pinnatisected, sessile, leaf segments lanceolate. Large yellow flowers when dried, they fade and acquire a bluish tint. In terms of biological activity, it is somewhat inferior to spring Adonis, and can be used similarly.
Adonis golden - Adonis chrysocyathus Hook. fil. et Thoms.	Perennial herbaceous plant. Grows in the highland meadows of the Pamir-Alay and Tien Shan. The raw material base is limited. Included in the Red Book of the USSR (1978).	The leaves are long-petiolate, thrice pinnatisected, the leaf segments are rhombic or lanceolate. The flowers are large, golden, outer petals with lilac shade. Rhizomes with roots can be used to obtain K-strophanthin- beta.
Adonis Siberian - Adonis sibiricus Patrin ex Ledeb.	Perennial herbaceous plant 60-70 cm tall. Grows in Western and Eastern Siberia, in the Western Urals.	Leaves are twice pinnate, leaf segments are lanceolate, serrated. The flowers are smaller than those of spring Adonis, bright yellow with an orange tint. Biological activity is low, contains the same cardenolides as Adonis spring, can be used similarly.
Amur Adonis -Adonis amurensis Regel et Radde	Perennial. Occurs scattered: Sakhalin, south of the Kuriles, Primorsky Krai.	The leaves are long-petiolate, pinnately dissected into lanceolate, serrated segments. Biological activity is higher than that of spring Adonis. Contains similar cardenolides.
Adonis Volga - Adonis wolgensis Stev.	Perennial up to 20-30 cm high. Growth areas are the same as those of spring Adonis.	The bush has a spherical shape. The leaves are pinnately dissected, their segments are wider, pubescent. The flowers are small, pale yellow. Fruit-nutlets with a straight, non-hooked column pressed against the fruit. Biological activity is low, contains the same cardiotonic glycosides.
Adonis annual - Adonis aestivalis L.	An annual plant. It grows in the steppe regions of Ukraine. Official in Italy. Good for culture.	The flowers are small, red. Contains the same cardiotonic glycosides previously used similar to spring Adonis.
Adonis fiery - Adonis flammea Jacq.	An annual plant. It grows in the southern regions of Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and the Caucasus.	Differs in high biological activity, action is similar to action of adonis spring.

hairs. Along the edge of the leaf segments and at the base, unicellular hairs of two types are occasionally found: long, ribbon with a rounded top, narrowed at the base; short club hairs sharply narrowed at the point of attachment. All hairs with a spirally folded cuticle are attached to a very small, round cell of the epidermis (Fig. 6.9).

Rice. 6.9. Microscopy of an adonis vernalis leaf:

A - epidermis of the upper side;
B - the epidermis of the lower side;
A 1 and B 1 - the top of the leaf segment from the upper and lower sides;
B - epidermis of the base of the leaf: 1 - ribbon-like hairs; 2 - club-shaped hairs; 3 - the place of attachment of the hair.

Numerical indicators of raw materials

text_fields

text_fields

arrow_upward

Whole raw material. The biological activity of 1 g of grass should be 50-66 ICE or 6.3-8 KED; humidity not more than 13%; total ash no more than 12%; browned parts of the plant no more than 3%; plants with stems having brown scaly leaves, not more than 2%; organic impurities not more than 2%; mineral impurity not more than 0.5%.

Crushed raw materials. The biological activity of 1 g of raw materials should be 50-66 ICE or 6.3-8 KED; humidity not more than 13%; total ash no more than 12%; particles that do not pass through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm, not more than 10%; particles passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 0.25 mm, not more than 10%; organic impurities not more than 2%; mineral - no more than 0.5%.

Adonis based medicines

text_fields

text_fields

arrow_upward

1. Infusion of spring adonis herb (prepared in a pharmacy). Cardiotonic. It is a part of Bekhterev's medicine.
2. The herb is part of the collection for the preparation of a mixture according to the prescription of M.N. Zdrenko.
3. Adonis spring dry extract. Cardiotonic agent. Used to make tablets and infusions.
4. Adonizide drops (purified extract). Cardiotonic.
5. Adonizide dry, tablets of 0.00075 g (purified extract). Cardiotonic.
6. Adonis-bromine tablets p.o. (component - extract). Cardiotonic, sedative.
7. Adonizid is a part of complex preparations (“Cardiovalen”; lily of the valley-valerian drops with adonizide; lily-of-the-valerian drops with adonizide and sodium bromide).

Spring adonis is a natural medicine that relieves many ailments. Properly prepared plant-based tincture has healing properties, and pharmacy preparations, which include a flower, are widely used in treatment according to medical prescriptions. The reserves of nature are not unlimited and soon it will be very difficult to find a plant on the edge of the forest.

Adonis - medicinal properties

Spring adonis grass (another name is spring adonis, hare poppy, starodubka, volosyanka) perennial medicinal plant the stem grows to a height of 60 cm, the flowering period is from April to May. It can be seen on the outskirts of groves, hills, edges, ravines - places where the spring rays of the sun warm. Bright yellow flowers attract attention, because of them the flower was given such a name. Green leaves and fruits of the herb are rich in composition, they contain 25 cardiac glycosides. The collection period of adonis is from the moment of flowering to the ripening of fruits. They are successfully treated:

• heart failure;
• disorders of the nervous system;
• ischemia;
• epilepsy;
• Parkinson's disease;
• bronchitis;
• tuberculosis;
• emphysema;
• cystitis;
• kidney disease;
• dropsy;
• fever
• jaundice;
• scarlet fever;
• whooping cough;
• glaucoma.

Adonis spring - chemical composition

Raw material of harvested and dried grass, keeps its medicinal properties up to 3 years. Wise herbalists carefully cut the plant, leaving the root and part of the stem (10 cm above the root) for renewal and further growth. The medicinal properties of the herb have found application, medicinal medicines are made from it. Last years the population of the flower has declined sharply, it is listed in the Red Book. The adonis plant consists of chemical components:

1. Cardenolides - strophanthin, adonitoxin, toxin, acetylodonitoxin, cymarin.
2. Phytosterols.
3. Coumarins.
4. Tannins.
5. Ascorbic acid.
6. Organic acids.
7. Carotene.
8. Choline.
9. Flavonoids.

Adonis herb infusion - recipe

Adonis herb infusion is prepared on the basis of dry raw materials, it can be prepared or bought at a pharmacy. The entire upper part of the plant - stems, leaves, flowers (the root is not used) is used to make medicines and infusions. According to the principle of action, the hare poppy is similar to foxglove ( poisonous plant), but it does not accumulate in the body, has a short time of action.

Recipe for cramps, myositis and muscle and joint pain

Ingredients:

• 8-10 g of grass;
• 200 ml of boiling water.

Preparation and application

1. Grass pour boiling water and let it brew.
2. Take 3-5 times a day, adults 1 tbsp. l. (children 0.5 tbsp. l).

Recipe for stress relief in cardiac neuroses

Ingredients:

• 10 g dry adonis;
• 20 g of valerian root;
• 30 g dried motherwort;
• 40 g of medicinal melissa;
• 1 st. boiling water.

Preparation and application

1. Pour boiling water over all herbs and keep for 20 minutes.
2. Take 2 times a day for ¼ tbsp.

Soothing infusion for neurosis and insomnia

Ingredients:

• dry adonis;
• vodka.

Preparation and application

1. Pour crushed adonis (dry) with vodka (40%) in a ratio of 1:10. Keep in the dark for 14 days, strain, squeeze.
2. Take 15 drops 3 times a day (drops can be dissolved in water).

Recipe for goiter

Effective infusion with an enlarged thyroid gland:

1. Mix in equal parts: budra, spring adonis, cudweed, violet, chamomile, calendula, mint, oregano.
2. Take from the mass of mixed herbs 10 g and pour 300 g of water, stand for 24 hours, boil, strain.
3. Take 100 g zraza a day after meals.

How many days can you take Adonis?

Spring adonis tincture prepared at home should be used within 1-2 days, do not steam the grass for future use. She will fade quickly. At the first symptoms of discomfort after using self-prepared infusions, treatment should be abandoned. folk ways. Courses of treatment with teas from 7 to 10 days, repeat in a month. Pharmaceutical preparations are taken according to the written prescription.

Adonis spring - use in medicine

Spring adonis preparations are prescribed by physicians for the treatment of simple pathologies - insufficient blood circulation of a chronic nature, disorders in the functioning of the nervous system, convulsions, diseases. Phytopreparations based on hairs are made for the treatment of kidneys. Pharmacy medicines, which include spring adonis:

• adonizide;
• extract of adonis spring dry;
• adonis - bromine;
• ankylosing spondylitis;
• cordiazide;
• cardiovalen.

Adonis in infertility

Adonis grass effectively cures many diseases, its properties are mistakenly prescribed to be able to get rid of infertility. Cuckoo's adonis effectively treats such a problem, confuse the two different plants not worth it. Taking Adonis can cause miscarriage. Adonis kukushkin consists of biologically active components, the effect of which enhances uterine contractions in the female body during intercourse, there is a blood flow to the pelvic organs.

Adonis for heart disease

The adonis flower is used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Its action is aimed at increasing the number of myocardial contractions, which is important when taking the medication increases blood circulation, which reduces the load on the heart. Adonis preparations (Adonis bromine) relieve stress of the nervous system, lead to emotional balance, without causing drowsiness, do not violate the biorhythms familiar to a person.

Flowers Adonis is a poisonous plant of the ranunculus family, the height of which can reach 60 centimeters. The rhizome of spring Adonis is short, dark brown in color, many-headed with brown-black cord-like roots. Stems are rounded, erect, with stem-like leaves. Adonis flowers are solitary, large, golden- yellow color. The plant flowers from April to May.

In this article, you will learn about useful properties adonis, how to prepare an infusion from it, as well as contraindications and side effects this plant.

Beneficial features

Adonis herb is used for medicinal purposes. It contains more than 20 cardiac glycosides (for example, adonitoxin, cymarin, adonitoxigen), saponins, coumarins, adonivertin flavonoid. Ankylosing spondylitis (a sedative) and Cardiovalen (used for neurosis and cardiovascular diseases) are the most famous drugs that are based on the herb adonis. In medicine, the infusion of this herb is used to treat chronic heart failure, mild forms of chronic circulatory failure, heart neurosis, and also as a sedative for VVD, neuroses and other diseases, especially in parallel with sedatives (herbal forms of motherwort, valerian, bromine preparations). Preparations based on adonis are used for atherosclerosis, vegetative neurosis, arrhythmia, epilepsy, insomnia, fever, headache, convulsions, edema, shortness of breath and other ailments. They also have a sedative, diuretic and cardiotonic effect.

How to prepare Adonis infusion

In order to prepare an infusion of Adonis herb, you will need:

• 1 tbsp dry chopped grass;
• 1 st. boiling water.

Grass must be poured with boiling water, insist 30 minutes, and then strain. Take the infusion chilled, 1 tsp. 3 times a day.

You can buy a ready-made adonis infusion in the pharmacies of your city. The name of the drug is Adonizide. Before use, be sure to read the annotation, as an overdose of this remedy is dangerous!

You can also purchase dry extract tablets: Bechterew tablets, Adonis-bromine and others.

For the treatment of urethritis, cystitis, prostatitis, adonis is used in collections, which also include oregano herb, ivy-shaped budra, common heather, marshmallow flowers and leaves.

For the treatment of neurosis, asthenic syndrome, coronary heart disease, neurasthenia, and VSD, preparations are prepared, which, in addition to adonis, include cyanosis rhizome, chicory, peppermint leaves, valerian root, lemon balm and heather grass.

Contraindications

The use of Adonis spring is prohibited when:

• bradycardia;
• pronounced increase in blood pressure;
• neuroses of the heart;
• gastritis;
• pregnancy;
• peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach.

Also, preparations based on the adonis flower are contraindicated in children under one year old.

Side effects

An overdose of a drug based on Adonis spring can cause:

• disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• palpitations or, conversely, slowing of the pulse;
• pupil dilation;
• drowsiness;
• convulsions.

Treatment after an overdose of these drugs is carried out with the help of laxatives and emetics, which are taken to remove the poison from the patient's body. It is also recommended to drink strong wine or strong black coffee.

Spring Adonis, or as it is also called, old oak, adonis, belongs to the buttercup family. This plant contains potent substances and is considered poisonous. However, despite this, it is popularly called the heart grass. How did the old woman deserve such fame? The fact is that this plant is successfully used to treat heart diseases and not only. At correct application adonis can have beneficial effects on human health. Let's discuss how the adonis herb is useful, what are the uses and contraindications of the old oak.

Plant features

Adonis is a perennial plant that grows in the steppes of Russia and Ukraine, in Siberia, and in some parts of Europe. Since the old oak is propagated by seeds and grows very slowly, its stocks have been significantly reduced in recent decades. What is special about Adonis?

The plant reaches about 60 centimeters in height, blooms with bright yellow flowers from mid-April to June. In medicine, mainly the stems and leaves of the adonis are used. Their composition is rich in cardiac glycosides, their plant contains approximately 25 species. That's why given plant used to treat mainly heart diseases. Medications are made from its green part, and decoctions are also prepared.

How is the starodubka flower used, what are the medicinal properties of the plant?

Adonis is valued by herbalists for its medicinal properties - it is able to have a calming effect on nervous system. That is why drugs with its inclusion are prescribed for epilepsy and convulsions. Starodubka is rightly called a heart plant, since this plant has a positive effect on patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Under the action of adonis, the heart increases the force of contractions, while the heart rhythm slows down and evens out somewhat. Due to the diuretic properties of adonis, it is successfully used for edema of both cardiac origin and kidney disease.

Sometimes grass spring adonis shows good results and infectious diseases kidney and genitourinary system, as well as any other infections that cause weakening of the heart.

So, spring adonis is a herb that helps to improve the patient's condition with vegetative-vascular dystonia, eliminate or alleviate the consequences and symptoms of heart neurosis, and increase the protective functions of the body after suffering infectious diseases. It is used for pulmonary diseases - tuberculosis and emphysema, and also relieves inflammation of the bladder, eliminates edema and has a sedative effect in case of nervous and mental disorders.

Attention! This medicinal plant is poisonous. If it is overdosed or taken incorrectly, there is a risk of poisoning, which can lead to serious health problems. If you plan to be treated with it, tell your doctor first.

Recipes for using Adonis in traditional medicine

Adonis is used in folk medicine, preparing decoctions and infusions from the aerial part of this plant. They treat dropsy, take with jaundice, as well as with fever, drink as a sedative. Decoctions are effective for severe swelling of the limbs, rheumatism and various diseases caused by infection, and convulsions of various etiologies.

How to prepare water infusion from old oak? Recipe: add a tablespoon of dried chopped adonis (the green part of the plant) to two cups of boiling water. Leave in a covered container, insulate. When the healing drug is infused, it is taken in a teaspoon three times a day.

If you need to make an alcohol tincture from this plant, then pour one part of the herb with ten parts of good vodka or alcohol. It is recommended to insist it for at least 15 days in a closed bottle, leaving it in a dark place. Alcohol infusion is taken drip. As a sedative and hypnotic drink at bedtime from 15 to 30 drops (the dosage is specified by the doctor, it depends on the severity of the patient's condition and the age of the patient).

Reception of infusion and decoction should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor, he controls the dosage and treatment regimen, since self-treatment is associated with a risk of poisoning.

Adonis herb - contraindications for use

Adonis grass has often been used to induce miscarriage in unwanted pregnancies. If you are in a position, then any therapy with this plant is contraindicated.

Who else can not be treated with an old oak?

1. Nursing mothers.
2. Children under 12 years old.
3. Patients with ulcers and gastritis.
4. People with heart rhythm disorders.
5. Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

What to do with an overdose of starodubka? At the first signs of intoxication and poisoning - drowsiness, lethargy, vomiting, changes in heart rate, immediately call an ambulance, without waiting for it to arrive, do a gastric lavage.

Spring Adonis is a medicine given to man by nature, but, despite its healing properties, one should not take it thoughtlessly. To achieve a positive effect in the treatment, you need to use it correctly, not exceeding allowable concentration poisonous substances that are contained in the composition of the old oak. To maximize the benefits of starodubka during treatment, treat under the supervision of your doctor.

A perennial herb of the genus Adonis belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, Adonis spring has long been used in folk medicine for diseases of the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, liver, dropsy and nervous disorders. As a result of a detailed scientific study of its healing properties based on it were created medications which are still successfully used today. In nature, spring adonis is found in the western part of Russia, in the Volga region, in the North Caucasus, in Eastern and Western Siberia, in Ukraine, in Southern and Central Europe. Grown as well ornamental plant. Thanks to his appearance he received quite interesting folk names such as adonis, Montenegrin, mokhnatik, hairy, hare grass, old oak, hare poppy, yellow flower.

Botanical description

Adonis spring grows on the outskirts and edges of deciduous forests, groves, meadows, open glades, hills, mountain slopes and pastures. Propagated by seeds and rhizomes. Rhizomes are planted in moist soil in autumn or early spring. Freshly harvested mature seeds are sown in summer (June-July), immersing them 1.5 - 2 cm deep into the soil.

Rhizome of adonis of spring dark brown color, vertical, shortened, thick (up to 4 cm in diameter), with large quantity cord-like roots.

The stems of the plant are erect, in shape cross section rounded. At the base they are bare, covered with sparse lower leaves in the form of membranous scales of brown color. At the beginning of the flowering of Adonis, the height of all stems does not exceed 20 cm, then gradually the central stem lengthens and branches, while the branches exceed the central stem in length. During the fruiting period, the plant reaches a maximum height of 40 - 50 cm.
The leaves located at the bottom of the stem have petioles, and closer to the top they are sessile. The leaf blade is broadly ovate in outline, palmately divided into narrowly linear, entire, pointed at the apex lobes 1–2 cm long and not more than 1 mm wide.

Adonis blooms in April, May. Flowers with a diameter of 4 - 6 cm, rich yellow, solitary, located one at a time at the top of the stem and branches. Calyx 5 - 8-leaved, green, pubescent with short hairs. The sepals are broadly ovate, 1–2 cm long, obtuse in the upper part. The corolla consists of 12 - 20 free petals of an oblong obovate shape, the petal length is on average 3 cm. Each flower contains a large number of stamens and pistils arranged spirally on a cone-shaped receptacle.

The fruits are multi-nutlets 2 cm long, 1.2 cm wide. They ripen in June-July, consist of 30-40 gray-green seeds with a short hook-shaped nose.

Interesting: There are several opinions about the origin of the name Adonis. According to one of them, the flower got its name from the name of the handsome Greek youth Adonis, with whom Aphrodite was in love. According to another version, the plant was named after the young Phoenician god Adon, personifying the annual death and revival of nature.

Chemical composition

Grass, seeds and roots of Adonis contain in their composition over 20 different cardiac glycosides, in pure form, from which cymarin and adonitoxin were isolated, similar in structure to the glycosides of strophanthus seeds. It is these compounds that are active ingredients starodubki flower, causing the medicinal properties of the plant. Largest Quantities cardiac glycosides have been found in the green fruits and leaves of the plant.

Adonis grass also contains saponins, coumarins, flavonoids, organic acids, phytosterols, minerals (Cr, Mo, Mn) and adonite alcohol.

Medicinal properties

Adonis herb remedies have a calming, diuretic, analgesic, anticonvulsant effect, regulate cardiac activity, dilate the blood vessels of the heart, and improve its contractile function. At the same time, they reduce the excitability of the heart muscle and slow down the heart rate.

They are effective for the following indications:

• heart neurosis;
• heart failure;
• increased nervous excitability;
• autonomic dysfunction;
• kidney disease with symptoms of cardiovascular insufficiency;
• epilepsy;
• neuropsychiatric disorders;
• shortness of breath due to a violation of cardiac activity;
• jaundice;
• feverish conditions;
• swelling of the legs, dropsy;
• insomnia.

The analgesic properties of Adonis make it possible to use it for diseases of the joints (arthritis and arthrosis), muscles, rheumatism, and headaches. Also, funds from the plant have a general strengthening effect, increase the body's resistance to infectious diseases.
Adonis spring is often used in official medicine. Based on its extract, the galenic drug Adonisid is produced, which is prescribed for vegetative-vascular neuroses, the initial stages of circulatory failure and cardiac activity. Adonis herb infusion is one of the components of Bekhterev's medicine, and its extract is part of the preparations Cardiovalen, Adonis-bromine, Cordiazid. Also, dried adonis grass is included in ready-made pharmacy kidney and heart fees.

Procurement of raw materials

As a medicinal raw material, the herb of spring adonis is harvested. It is cut with a sickle just above the basal scaly leaves at a distance of about 10 cm from the soil level, trying not to harm the root system. Collection is carried out in the period from the end of flowering to the beginning of shedding of fruits. Taking into account that Adonis grows very slowly from seeds and it takes years to get full-grown plants suitable for harvesting, it can be collected in the same places at intervals of 4-5 years.

Drying harvested grass spring adonis is carried out in dryers at a temperature of about 50 ° C or in the shade under a canopy in the air, since the presence of raw materials in direct sunlight can lead to a decrease in its biological activity. The raw material is considered to be completely dried when the thick stems of the plant are easily broken.

Dried grass can be stored for no more than 3 years in a well-ventilated, dry place in small bags or cardboard boxes in a place protected from light, separate from other herbs.

Warning: When harvesting raw materials, it is necessary to leave part of the plants intact, it is strictly forbidden to uproot them. As a result of improper collection, the plant is on the verge of extinction. On the territory of Russia, spring adonis is listed in the Red Book.

Application methods

In folk medicine, decoctions, infusions and alcoholic tinctures for internal use are prepared from adonis. For medicinal purposes, the harvesting of spring adonis herb according to the description given above can be done independently or you can buy ready-made raw materials in a pharmacy.

Alcohol tincture for violations of the heart

In a half-liter jar, finely chopped adonis grass is poured to the top, poured with alcohol with an ethanol concentration of 56% and closed with a lid. The resulting mixture is infused in a warm dark place for 12 days, stirring daily. Take 8 drops an hour before meals three times a day. The product is suitable for long-term use.

Decoction with a disturbed heartbeat

Pour 250 ml of water into a small saucepan and put it on low heat. At the moment of boiling, add 4 g of adonis herb and boil for no more than three minutes, after which they cover the pan with a lid and take it to warm place for 20 minutes to infuse. Then filter and take 15 ml three times a day for several days.

Infusion for pneumonia and tuberculosis

Dry chopped adonis grass in the amount of 1 - 2 teaspoons is placed in a glass and poured to the top with boiling water. Insist until it cools down to room temperature, filtered and take 1 tbsp. l. three times a day.

Infusion for muscle and joint pain

Dry herb adonis in the amount of 1 tbsp. l. pour 200 ml of boiling water and leave for an hour. Then filter and use the resulting solution in a tablespoon three times in knocks.

Vodka tincture for insomnia

Chopped grass (2 tbsp.) Pour 300 g of vodka, insist in a dark place for 10 - 15 days. Used as a sedative, 20 drops three times a day.

Remedy for neurosis

Prepare a herbal collection of 1 part Adonis herb, 3 parts nettle, 2 parts valerian, 4 parts lemon balm. A glass of boiling water is added to 5 g of the resulting mixture, insisted for 10 minutes, filtered and taken ¼ cup twice a day.

Precautions

Means from adonis spring are contraindicated in case of:

• lactation and pregnancy (may cause miscarriage);
• gastritis, enterocolitis, peptic ulcer;
• intracardiac blockade;
• arterial hypertension;
• ventricular arrhythmias;
• tendency to thrombosis;
• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

In case of accidental overdose of therapeutic agents based on adonis, nausea, vomiting, general weakness, drowsiness, and heart rhythm disturbances occur. The appearance of such symptoms requires medical care. In case of poisoning with adonis preparations, gastric lavage is performed, enterosorbents and laxatives are taken, and bed rest is observed.

Important: Spring adonis is poisonous and potent. medicinal plants, That's why folk remedies and medical preparations of it should be taken only as directed by a doctor.