Hoof - both in the forest and in the garden

Clefthoof belongs to the Kirkazonaceae family and is a perennial with creeping rhizomes. The plant is widely used in alternative medicine, especially for alcoholism.

Description

Plant small size, from 5 to 10 cm. Hoof-shaped leaves creeping along the ground. The ungulate develops not only in summer, but also in winter time covered with a cap of snow. In spring, the green branches of the perennial protrude to the surface.

Source: Depositphotos

Clefthoof - a perennial for treating ailments

The flowering period begins in the second half of summer, but the flowers are so small that they are difficult to see under the large leaves. The root system spreads widely in all directions, capturing all possible space.

According to the description of the hoofed plant, it can be noted that the stem is also barely noticeable; in the root zone it produces leaves, which soon cover it with their forms. The “carpet” is pollinated by ants and reproduces by seeds.

Common types

The Siebold's Clefthoof flower is found in the south Far East, represents small bush made from many dark green leaves. When frost sets in, the leaves die. Blooms in spring.

The Canadian species grows in forest thickets and forms a continuous carpet. It has a long, thread-like root with a scaly stem and wide leaves. Shades mushrooms and other forest plants.

The European ungulate is especially beautiful in the photo and in reality - it blooms profusely in early May, the flowers are burgundy in color. The plant produces its first inflorescences in the 5th–6th year of life. The lifespan of a plant in one place is three decades.

Growing and care

To evergreen pleased the gardener summer cottage, it is necessary to follow the rules of hoof care. You can plant the flower as a single plant, giving preference to shaded places with moist, drainage soil.

Transplantation and planting of the hoof is carried out in warm weather, when sprouts appear at the stem, or by dividing the bush. The latter method is the most productive and guarantees flowering next year. Diseases and pests of the flower are not dangerous.

Beneficial features

The perennial contains tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, and flavonoids. The root of the coffin is used to prepare an expectorant, emetic, and anti-inflammatory agent, and the pulp from the plant is used to heal wounds and purulent ulcers.

Clefthoof is an evergreen perennial, a popular flower for creating landscape compositions, not capricious in care.

An evergreen, creeping, low-growing groundcover whose leathery green leaves create a dense carpet. Chopper is well suited for decorating shady, not particularly noteworthy places where other ornamental garden plantings do not grow. Despite its modest, almost unnoticeable appearance, the plant is used as an expressive decoration of the garden, planted at the foot of trees, along borders and paths; in addition, all parts of the hoofed grass have a wide range of medicinal properties.

Coffin is a representative of a perennial evergreen genus of the Kirkazonaceae family. The height of the plant is no more than 10 cm. The roots of the hoofed grass are branching, creeping, with numerous thin adventitious cord-like roots.

The leaves are simple, kidney-shaped, 5-8 cm in diameter, opposite, leathery, dense, round, heart-shaped or triangular in shape, with a solid edge, well-defined veins, on long petioles, between which flower buds are formed. The outline of the leaf looks like a horse's hoof print, which is why it got its name. As a rule, the width of the sheet exceeds the length. The leaves of the coffin are glossy on top, rich green-emerald in color, and covered with pressed small hairs on the underside. The foliage turns dark green during the cold season. With the onset of spring, until summer, the leaves gradually die off, making room for new ones.

The flowers are goblet or bell-shaped, apical, small, no more than 1 cm in diameter, fleshy, bisexual, solitary, axillary, dark red-brown in color with 3-4 hard petals. In most cases, flowers form at the ends of young shoots and are hidden under dense foliage. Distinctive characteristic The plant is that it is pollinated by ants, with their help the seeds are distributed. Flowering period April-May. Flower buds are laid in the summer, flowering occurs a year later.

The stem is branched, recumbent, brown, thick, up to 30 cm in length, covered with short appressed hairs.

The fruit is a seed capsule. The seeds are about 3 mm long, with a fleshy white appendage.

Other names for the plant: wine root, vomit root, vomit root, wild pepper, hoof grass, wild ginger, turpentine root, emetic root, fever herb.

When describing the hoofweed, attention is paid to the presence of the smell and taste of the foliage, reminiscent of hot peppers. Previously, a product (powder) was prepared from the coffin, which was used as an additive to snuff.

Where does the ungulate grow?

Most species grow in warm tropical zones, 13 species can be seen in temperate zone North America and Eurasia. On the territory of Russia you can find only 3 types of hoofweed: the European species grows in the forest and forest-steppe zones middle zone the European part of Russia, Western Siberia, Western Europe; intermediate species - in the Caucasus; Siebold's hoof - in the Far East. Found in isolation in Altai, rarely in the northern regions.

Types and varieties

According to various sources, the genus contains from 60 to 120 species, many of which are grown in the garden as ground cover ornamental plants. They cover the ground so tightly garden trees that do not leave a chance for weeds to grow. All species prefer shade and partial shade, but are able to develop well in illuminated areas. They prefer soil that is moist, loose, and rich in lime; in principle, soil of varied mechanical composition is suitable.

In the natural environment (forest belt), the plant blooms at 5-8 years, in open areas and clearings at 3-4 years.

Tailed ungulate

Tailed ungulate

Homeland - western North America. An evergreen perennial creeping plant that forms a dense soil cover 10-25 cm high. The branched creeping rhizome grows to 8-10 cm per year. The greenness of the leaves is preserved in the cold season. Dense, leathery, green leaf blades on long petioles, 5-10 cm long and 10-15 cm wide, heart-reniform, bluntly rounded or slightly pointed, with a deep and wide heart-shaped base. The underside of the leaf is pubescent, the upper side is drooping along the veins. The flowers are solitary, brown-violet with a white throat, on short stalks. The petals narrow and stretch towards the top, resembling a thin tail in shape. The flowering period occurs later than other species, in late May - early June.

Tailed ungulate

Withstands frosts down to -15...-18 C. Well adapted to the winters of central Russia. If it freezes due to lack of snow, it quickly recovers. A distinctive feature is its rapid growth and tendency to dominate among other ground covers.

Siebold's Hoof

Siebold's Hoof

A type of plant with a short rhizome. Forms neat compact hemispherical bushes 15-20 cm high. The leaves are light green or gray-green, heart-shaped, and disappear in winter.

The flowers are a dark violet-lilac hue, small, reaching up to 1.5 cm in diameter, located at the base of the leaves. They bloom in May. Siebold's hoof is rarely used in culture.

European hoofweed

A perennial evergreen poisonous plant with a branched creeping rhizome and a stem creeping along the ground. It is widespread in folk medicine, in particular, European hooffoot has proven itself very well in the treatment of alcoholism.

The height of the plant is about 15 cm. The leaves are dense, leathery, heart-shaped, dark green, glossy, no more than 10 cm in diameter.

The flowers are unremarkable, brown-red in color, bell-shaped, axillary, small (no more than 1 cm), hidden in the thick of the foliage, almost close to the ground. Fragrant, the smell is reminiscent of vanilla.

The flowering period is April-May, duration is about 15-20 days.

Self-pollinating plants, seeds ripen in June. The ungulate begins to grow under the snow in early spring, and after the snow melts the leaves unfold. Green foliage lasts about 14-16 months. It can live in one place for more than 30 years.

Plant care

Extremely unpretentious plant. After planting, no maintenance is required. The only thing is that during hot, dry summers, watering may be required. Shelter for the winter is not required; just sprinkle the plant with snow.

Diseases and pests

Due to the presence of essential oils in the plant, hoofed grass is quite resistant to various diseases and attacks by insect pests. During flowering, the aroma of flowers attracts many ants, which are extremely undesirable in the garden.

Planting and propagation

Kopyten - herbaceous plant For open ground. It is propagated by seeds, underground shoots and rooted parts of stems. The fastest and most reliable way to propagate plants is division. Planting is carried out at the end of summer on loose, moderately moist calcareous soil, in a shady or semi-shady area of ​​the garden.

Reproduction

When seeds are planted, they germinate in autumn or spring. In the fall, they are sown in the ground immediately after collecting the seeds, in the spring after 90 days of stratification at a temperature of 0...+5 C. On the surface of the earth, after 1-4 weeks, at a temperature of +15...+18 C, seedlings appear - two leafy bright green cotyledons, a year later the first middle leaf appears, the initial cotyledons die off only in autumn.

They resort to dividing the bush when it is necessary to transplant the hoof from the forest to the garden. Using a knife or shovel, the rooted parts of the stems are separated or the rhizome is cut into sections. Care should be taken to ensure that the plot has a sufficient number of established shoots and roots.

Transfer

Due to its slow growth, the plant rarely needs replanting. Hoofweed planting is carried out immediately on permanent place. The plant is replanted in the summer or autumn at the 4-5th year of life.

Use in folk medicine

European coffin is used for medicinal purposes. Currently, the use of the plant in folk medicine is not as popular as it used to be. European coffin is often used in treatment alcohol addiction. Its rhizome is used as an emetic to instill an aversion to alcohol.

Also dosage forms from the plant is used to improve digestion, for gastritis, jaundice, stomach and liver diseases, upper respiratory tract diseases, worms, scabies, and menstrual irregularities. Preparations from the leaves of the European ungulate are used for malaria. Lotions, juice and decoctions from hoofweed treat skin lesions.

The chemical composition of the plant European coffin

In studying chemical composition the plant has not yet been completed. However, most of the biological and active substances that make up the European hoofweed have already been precisely determined. All parts of the plant contain essential oils, which include such toxic volatile substances as asarone, asaronic aldehyde, eugenol, the alkaloid azarin, etc., as well as tannins (tannins), sugars, starch, bactericidal substances, mineral salts of potassium, calcium , silicalcite, etc.

Pharmacological properties of European ungulate

Preparations based on European hoofweed enhance the functioning of the cardiovascular system, cause a narrowing of blood vessels, thereby causing an increase in blood pressure.

Medicines containing European hoof have a hemostatic, bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory, sedative, antipyretic, antispasmodic, antisclerotic, wound-healing, choleretic, laxative, antifever, anthelmintic effect, and help improve sputum discharge. If the dosage is exceeded and used incorrectly, it causes vomiting and can cause poisoning.

Contraindications for European ungulate

All parts of the plant contain toxic substances, but most of them are contained in the underground part. When using the hoof in medicinal purposes you should be extremely careful, since if the permissible dosage is exceeded, you can provoke poisoning, which is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, and increased blood pressure. Severe poisoning can be fatal.

Medicinal products based on European hooffoot are contraindicated during pregnancy, as they can cause miscarriage, as well as for people suffering from angina pectoris.

The medicinal properties and contraindications of European coffin should be taken into account when prescribing therapy. Before use, you should consult your doctor about the permissible dose and duration of taking the medicine.

Part used

For medicinal purposes for treatment various diseases All parts of the plant are used - roots, rhizomes, leaves.

Clefthoof root decoction

It is used to normalize the menstrual cycle with scanty discharge, as a sedative for diseases of the cardiovascular system, and for convulsions in children. Used for fever, as an antipyretic. Lotions based on medicinal herb Coffin root is used for headaches and eye diseases.

Infusions and decoctions from the rhizome of the coffin are used for stomatitis, silicosis, hysteria, tumors, and also as a hemostatic agent. The powdered roots of the plant are inhaled through the nose for deafness, paralysis with loss of speech. The decoction helps with problems with the digestive system, bladder, liver, and bile ducts.

Decoction of leaves of the European hoofed grass

Used to increase blood pressure and stimulate cardiac activity. A decoction of the leaves of the coffin is used to wash purulent wounds and for various skin diseases.

The coffin is brewed with boiling water in a thermos for 2-3 hours, then filtered and consumed 1-2 tbsp. l. three times a day.

Where to look for European hoofweed

The distribution areas of the hoofed grass plant are very wide - almost the entire European territory of Russia, the Caucasus, Ukraine, Western Siberia.

It can often be found under the shade of trees and shrubs of broad-leaved and mixed forests with grassy undergrowth, in damp places on fertile soil. In the natural environment, growing, plants form dense thickets - patches.

What is the medicinal coffin root used for: recipes

The plant has a wide range of medicinal effects. For preparing various medical supplies They use crushed, dried raw materials from the underground part of the hoof and leaves. Using infusions, decoctions, lotions, tinctures, ointments, and powders from the plant, you can improve the course of many diseases, as well as the condition of the body's vital systems. But one of the main advantages of the plant is that the root is used for anti-drunkenness, added to alcoholic drinks and food, to develop a persistent reflex of aversion to alcohol.

European hoofweed from high temperature

Prepare a decoction of 0.5 tbsp. l. crushed dried roots, which are poured with a glass of water, simmered over low heat for 5-10 minutes, cooled, and filtered. Add 1 tsp to a glass of warm milk. honey, butter and herbal infusion, mix. Drink 1/3 cup at a time three times a day. The product has proven itself well against colds and infectious diseases to normalize body temperature. Thanks to this property, one of the plant names sounds like fever grass.

For scabies

To relieve itching and get rid of scabies mites, prepare juice from the leaves of the coffin. Fresh leaves are crushed and the juice is squeezed out of them. The resulting medicinal liquid is rubbed onto the affected area. Apply coffin for scabies once a day for 3-4 days.

Hoof for intestinal diseases

Prepare a decoction of hoofed grass in milk: 1 tbsp. l. crushed dry root pour 1 tbsp. milk, after boiling, cook for 5-10 minutes over low heat. Remove from heat and strain after cooling. Take 1 tsp. twice a day until the condition improves in case of poisoning, colitis, diarrhea.

The use of hooves for alcoholism

The main principle of treating alcohol addiction with a hoof is to use the medicine with the subsequent development of an aversion to alcoholic beverages.

The best therapeutic effect has fresh raw materials. European hoof for alcoholism is used in cases where an alcohol dependent person does not want to fight the addiction on his own. If there is no trust in medications, there is fear of them side effects, then in these situations they resort to unconventional methods of treatment. The herb coffin can help with this.

Expect a one-time appointment medicinal herb It will help, it's not worth it. The course of treatment is individual and depends on the degree of addiction to alcohol, the speed of instilling the aversion reflex to alcohol.

In most cases, hooves for alcoholism are used when a person does not want to stop drinking alcohol on his own. To do this, prepare a decoction: 1 tbsp. l. dried or fresh raw materials (root), pour one glass of water, bring to a boil over low heat. Boil for up to 10 minutes. The broth is infused for 40-60 minutes, then filtered, cooled, and stored in the refrigerator. The resulting liquid is added to the food or drink of a person dependent on alcoholism, 2 tbsp. l. for every meal. Since severely alcohol dependent people drink alcoholic beverages during meals, they will experience nausea and vomiting at this point. Also, a herbal decoction (1 tbsp.) is added directly to alcoholic drink, after consuming which, after 15-20 minutes, dizziness, nausea and vomiting will begin. In most cases, it is enough to use the decoction 4-6 times to develop a persistent aversion to drinking alcohol.

When a person realizes his “sad” situation and wants to get rid of addiction, but at the same time cannot find the strength to overcome the addiction, he is informed that in order to solve his “problem” he will have to drink an infusion of herbs, which will help cause an aversion to the desire to drink. The patient is offered a glass of alcohol, a decoction is added to it, and after drinking it, vomiting begins. The alcoholic is told that such a reaction occurs only in addicts. To confirm your words, add a similar liquid, prepared in advance, similar in consistency and color to a decoction (it can be tea, juice), into a glass of your opponent’s vodka. The opponent drinks and nothing bad happens to him, like vomiting. This technique acts on the subconscious of the addict, creating a desire to quit drinking and erase the stigma of being an alcoholic.

The point of therapy is to develop a gag reflex when drinking alcohol and get rid of mental dependence. In the first days, the reflex is created under the influence of the ungulate; after stopping the course of treatment, a conditioned reflex is created to take alcohol-containing drinks in the form of vomiting. A person develops a pronounced aversion to any type of alcoholic beverages.

Herb hoofweed for headaches

Prepare the infusion: 1 tbsp. l. crushed dried roots of the plant are poured with a glass of water, boiled for 15-20 minutes over low heat, kept for another 40-60 minutes. Cool until room temperature, filter the solution. A cotton cloth is soaked in the infusion and applied to the forehead for 15-20 minutes. The procedure is carried out 2 times a day.

Hoof for ulcers and wounds

Prepare an ointment for rubbing. To do this, powdered dry roots (1 tbsp) are mixed with 50 g. Vaseline, sea buckthorn, cedar oil or badger fat. The drug is applied to the affected areas 2 times a day until recovery. This procedure helps with poor healing of wounds and ulcers, helps diabetics and people suffering from thrombophlebitis.

Compresses made from fresh plant leaves help against skin ailments. They are washed, crushed, and fixed to the affected area with gauze for 40-60 minutes. The procedure is carried out twice a day until the skin lesion disappears.

Harvesting coffin

The leaves and rhizomes of the plant are used in folk medicine. The leaves are collected in April-May during the flowering period. Many herbalists claim that the leaves can be collected throughout the summer. The rhizome is dug up in the fall (September-October) or spring. The roots are washed from the ground into cold water, cut into pieces, dried in a warm, dark, well-ventilated place or in dryers/ovens at a temperature of +30...+35 C. The shelf life of dried raw materials is no more than 3 years. Store raw materials in glass jars with dark glass or in wooden boxes.

Use in landscape design

When decorating flower beds, hoofed grass perfectly complements ensembles with ferns, roses, white flowers, and woodlands. In most cases in landscape design hoofweed is used as ground cover plant. Serves as an excellent backdrop for a harmonious combination of various garden compositions, both in the shade and in light areas of the garden. Because of characteristic feature leave the green mass for the winter; it perfectly decorates spring meadows next to snowdrops and lilies of the valley. Due to its compact, dense and miniature appearance, hoofweed is often used in the design of not only flower beds, but also borders, rockeries, and rock gardens.

European hoofweed: description and photo

It is a herbaceous plant about 30 cm high, known by its Latin name Asarum europaeum L., got its name due to the interesting shape of the leaf, very similar to a hoof print. The dark green, leathery leaves of the hoofweed are beautiful and shiny in appearance. They are equipped with long petioles and sit in pairs close to each other on low stems that extend from a branched rhizome. It tastes like turpentine. When the ungulate grows, it completely hides the ground beneath it, sometimes forming a glossy forest carpet over a fairly large area. Blooms European hooffoot in May-June with small brown flowers resembling bells. They have a specific smell of camphor, so animals do not eat it. This evergreen grass is common in mixed and deciduous forests of Europe, the European part of Russia, Western Siberia, the Far East, however, it is among the endangered rare species. Clefthoof has many popular names associated with it. healing properties: turpentine, earthen incense, hare sheet, febrile grass, hoofweed, herniator, emetic root, human ear, unwell, secret grass, wine, root, hairy, sapling, crippled grass.

Collection and preparation of European hoofed hoof

Rhizomes, roots and leaves of turpentine - common traditional medicines. Leaves with petioles are collected in May, early summer during flowering, and rhizomes with roots - in early spring or late autumn. The raw materials can be dried, but mainly they are used directly for preparing tinctures and decoctions. Clefthoof root used to prepare azar oil, which is mainly used in perfumery.

Useful and medicinal properties of European hoofed grass

The rhizomes and roots of turpentine contain tannins, mucus and essential oil, resins, coumarins, phytosterins, saponins, flavonoids quercetin and kempefol, caffeic, coumaric and ferulic acids, the toxic substance asaron, as well as eugenol, asaronic aldehyde, ornylacetate, bdiazaron and other substances . The plant has a diuretic effect. An infusion of the hoof rhizome is used for diseases of the liver, bladder, dropsy, jaundice, as an expectorant and emetic. An aqueous infusion of turpentine leaves promotes a significant constriction of blood vessels, increases blood pressure, and enhances cardiac activity. If you make the infusion strong, it will cause vomiting. An infusion of a mixture of roots and leaves helps with radiculitis, pulmonary-cardiac and pulmonary insufficiency. It is believed that tea from the rhizome herbs coffin relaxes the intestines, stimulating digestion, therefore can be used for liver diseases, gastritis, hepatitis.

The use of European hoofweed in folk medicine

In homeopathy, a tincture is prepared from fresh rhizomes. It is used for nervous exhaustion, hot flashes, colds, and cold hands. As for doctors, they practically do not use the hoof, which cannot be said about traditional medicine. For example, in German folk medicine, a tincture of fresh rhizomes of the plant is used in small doses for asthma, nervous diseases, migraines, hysteria and as an emetic. medicine. And in Bulgarian, a decoction of the plant is prepared for the treatment of scabies, washing festering wounds, and taken orally for diarrhea and headaches.

Folk recipes from European hoofed grass

Exists folk method to wean a person from alcoholism - you need to unnoticed by the drinker to add a tablespoon of decoction of hoof rhizomes to a glass of vodka. This cocktail will cause severe vomiting and aversion to alcohol. Often this method is effective, but still turpentine cannot be used for self-medication, since it contains toxic substances. An uninitiated person who does not know how to calculate the dosage should not self-medicate.

Contraindications to the use of European hoofweed

The plant is poisonous, so it can be used for medicinal purposes under the supervision of a doctor.

Side effects and effects of European hoofweed

In case of an overdose, severe vomiting may occur, and there is a risk of damage to the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, liver and kidneys.

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There are about 100 species of ungulates, which are common in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. There are 3 types in Russia. found in deciduous and mixed forests of Europe and Western Siberia, intermediate hoof- in the Caucasus, Siebold's hoof- in the Far East. The leaves are shaped like a hoof print (hence the name), go green under the snow and overwinter, and in early spring are clearly visible against the brown background of the forest floor. The stem is creeping. The hoofed grass blooms very early, as soon as the snow melts. The flower has a rather rare color - brown with a reddish tint, but it is not visible because it is hidden in last year's foliage.

The leaf blades of the plant are quite large, dense, and have a characteristic kidney-shaped shape. Each of them sits at the end of a long petiole extending from the stem. The stem is spread across the surface of the ground, sometimes going somewhat deeper. Although it is quite long, it branches weakly. Thin roots develop on the stem and go down into the soil. The leaves of the hoofweed are located only at the end of the stem and are always in pairs, one against the other. In the fork between the leaf petioles there is a large bud, clearly visible in late autumn.

In the spring, the development of the hoof begins with the opening of this bud. The translucent scales covering the outside of the bud move apart, diverge, and a future stem with two leaves emerges from the bud. It may not be possible to understand what it is right away. IN early stage During development, the stem and leaf petioles are very short, and the leaf blades are small, and each is folded in half lengthwise. Very soon a small spherical flower no larger than a pea appears. It has only three petals, and they look like small teeth. As already written above, the color of the flower is not quite ordinary - reddish-brown. The flowers, like the whole plant, almost lie on the ground. They are inconspicuous, not conspicuous and are often hidden in a layer of dry, fallen leaves. Such invisible flowers are pollinated by some small insects that crawl inside the flower.

Over time, the young stem, like the leaf petioles, gradually lengthens, and the leaf blades unfold and greatly increase in size. Already at the end of spring, a young shoot with two leaves completely completes its development and is finally formed. It becomes the same size as the old, overwintered shoot, but only the leaves are lighter in color, they are still very soft and tender.

As young leaves grow, old ones gradually die off. One generation gives way to another. Next year everything will happen all over again. Appearance hoofed grass does not change much during the transition from winter to summer: the plant always remains green and blooms imperceptibly. Hoofed grass attracts little of our attention.

One of interesting features hoofed grass - the peculiar smell of its leaves, similar to the smell of black pepper. It can be clearly felt if you rub a fresh leaf. However, hoof is not suitable as a food seasoning: it is poisonous.

Hoofweed is one of those forest plants whose seeds are spread by ants. These insects are attracted to the fleshy, oily appendage on the seeds. Having found a seed, the ant carries it to its home and often loses it along the way. The seeds remain in different places forests, often quite far from the mother plant.

European hoofweed (Asarum europaeum L.)

Description of appearance:
Flowers: Flowers are solitary, drooping, on short peduncles, developing in the axils of the leaves. The perianth is bell-shaped, up to 9 mm long, three-cut, with triangular-ovate lobes. Stamens 12.
Leaves: Leaves of two types: scaly-ovate, pointed, folded lengthwise; normally developed - long-petiolate, kidney-shaped, dark green above, glossy, lighter below, covered with small bristly hairs on both sides; the leaves overwinter green, remaining until mid-summer of the next year - up to 14-16 months.
Stem: With a creeping, rooting, branched stem.
Root: With a cord-like creeping rhizome.
Fruit: Hexagonal capsule with a few seeds.
Seeds: They have a fleshy appendage.
Flowering and fruiting time: Blooms in April-May; the seeds ripen in June.
Lifespan: Perennial.
Habitat: Hoofweed grows in coniferous, broad-leaved and coniferous-broad-leaved shady forests, in forest ravines, and on the edges.
Prevalence: It grows throughout Europe, except its northernmost and southern parts. In Russia, it is widespread in the forest and forest-steppe zones of the European part and in the south of Western Siberia. IN Central Russia found almost everywhere.
Addition: Flowers are pollinated by ants and flies. The seeds are carried by ants. The plant has a specific pungent odor. Spreads by seed and vegetative means - by the growth of rhizomes; in this case, the hoof often forms large patches. A poisonous plant that causes poisoning in horses and cattle. Ornamental plant, cultivated as ground cover.

Hoofweed is an unsightly ground cover plant approximately 5 to 10 cm tall. It has a cord-like and branched rhizome. During flowering, a small purple flower appears at the top. This shrub is extremely shade-loving, which is why it can be found in the lower tier of the forest, where the least heat reaches. It is especially common in spruce forests and forests of central Russia.

Folk "nicknames"

He has many popular nicknames. For example, it was called “hoof” because the leaves have the shape of a horse’s hoof. Another interesting name- this is a “vomiter”. It received this name due to the strong effect of infusions and decoctions, after consuming which, in many cases, severe vomiting is observed.

This herb is also given the name “wild pepper” because if you rub the plant between your palms and taste it, you can feel the bitter taste. But that is not all. In addition, the grass is called “podleaf”.

This happened because it occupies the lowest tier in the forest.

The most common types

There are approximately 60 species in nature. This plant especially likes moist and loose soil. Among the most popular species are Siebold's hoof, European and tailed.

Let's talk in more detail about them.

The Siebold plant originated from moist forests located in the south of the Far East. It differs in that it has a short root. This herb is a small shrub consisting of many dark green leaves. When frost sets in, the leaves die. The bush blooms in spring. It mainly grows in forests, but can sometimes be found in rockeries.

Another species is Canadian. It grows in forests in the eastern United States and Canada. This
As the plant grows, it forms a continuous carpet. Has a very long root. It is distinguished by its light green color and an increase in root length of up to several centimeters per year. The leaves of the hoofweed are quite large in size.

European hoofweed is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the shaded forests of Europe. It has a long root, the growth of which is approximately 5 cm every year. The characteristic features of this grass are its dark green color and dense leaves.

This view is especially beautiful at the end of May, when it begins abundant flowering. During this period, the bushes thin out their indescribable delicate vanilla aroma. The flowers on the outside have green tint, and inside – burgundy. The seeds of this herb ripen in June.

In the forest, the bush produces its first flowers only in the 6th year of life. It has a lifespan of approximately 35 years. European hooffoot has found wide application in the production of various oils and creams. They can be prepared at home. To do this, you need to finely chop and mash the leaves of this plant and mix them with Vaseline or oil. Badger fat will also be very effective. Used as a wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-scabies agent.

A beautiful type of wild pepper is the long-rhizoma tailed one. It originated from the forests of the North American coast. It has larger leaves than other types. The root of this plant grows the fastest. Every year it gains about 8 cm in length.

Medicinal and magical properties

All types of ungulates have medicinal properties. For example, European ungulate is used not only to treat diseases, but also to perform magical rituals.

Previously, they fought very effectively against evil spirits by drying this herb and adding flammable mixtures to it. Then, the building was fumigated with this mixture. In ancient times, leaves were used to make amulets and amulets against negative influences. Snuff used to be popular. It was then that European wild pepper was added to it. It was believed that this would enhance the healing effect.

European foliage has the following composition: resins, tannin, starch, alkaloids, glycosides, essential oils and many other various substances. In addition, it has found wide application in medicine. The plant has a hemostatic, antipyretic, emetic, anthelmintic effect, normalizes blood pressure and cardiac activity (however, with high blood pressure and serious diseases of the cardiovascular system, it is strictly contraindicated!), improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and helps with headaches.

To prepare a healing decoction, you need to take two teaspoons of leaves of this type of plant and pour boiling water over them. Leave for 20 minutes, then strain and drink in small quantities (1 tablespoon 3 times a day).

Coffin tincture has an excellent healing effect. It can be purchased ready-made from some pharmacological companies. Or you can cook it yourself. To do this, take 20 grams of raw material and add 200 ml of 70% alcohol. Infuse in a dark place for 10 days, filter. Drink 15-20 drops 3 times a day.

It is used for colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis as an expectorant and restorative.

The most effective treatment for alcoholism is the hoof. First, you need to chop the coffin root and measure out one teaspoon. This mixture should be poured with one mug of water and the mixture should be boiled for ten minutes over low heat. Then, let the mixture brew, then strain it through cheesecloth. This cleft tincture should be stored in the refrigerator. It is recommended to add the medicinal drug to the patient’s food or drink (approximate calculation for 200 ml of vodka 1 tablespoon of decoction).

The first dose should be limited to one tablespoon. Depending on the effect, the dose should be
gradually increase to 2 tablespoons. After drinking alcohol, the patient will experience severe vomiting. Over time, a person will experience a persistent gag reflex in response to alcohol. Treatment is carried out both with and without the patient’s permission.

However, the root of the plant is quite poisonous, and it is better to use it after the appropriate mood of the person and prior consultation with a specialist narcologist.

When treating light discharge during the menstrual cycle, tincture of hoofed grass and infusion are also used. To prepare the infusion, take half a teaspoon of dried or fresh herbs and pour a cup of boiling water over them. Leave for 1 hour. Strain. Take 1 tbsp. 3 – 4 times a day. To combine business with pleasure, you can mix the infusion with honey.

Contraindications for use

Contraindications for use are serious illnesses kidneys, liver, pancreas, cardiovascular system, hypertension.

Cautions:

• It is imperative to remember that the subleaf is poisonous plant, and therefore it is allowed to be used only as prescribed by a doctor;
• The plant should be consumed in moderation, being careful not to overdose;
• In no case should you consume more than two tablespoons of decoction or infusion at one time.

Landing Features

How to plant and care for European hoofed grass?