American lakonos: medicinal and useful properties of berries, application

Lakonos or phytolacca, as the perennial is called on the American continent, has powerful roots and stretches up to 3 meters in height. The oval leaves of the plant surprise with a rich green color. The grass blooms all summer, in the fall round fruits of a purple hue ripen, containing poison. Due to the presence of chemicals in the stems, and in the greenery, and in the roots, the grass does not suffer from diseases. American Lakonos is not attacked by insects. The medicinal and beneficial properties of berries are confirmed at the scientific level. On the basis of the perennial, medicines are produced in European countries and the United States.

Description of the plant

Edible or berry lakonos is a herb with woody branches reaching a height of 2 m, a fleshy rhizome weighing up to 10 kg and a dense spherical crown. It is unpretentious to care for, winters calmly under the snow, is able to recover even after the most severe winters. In spring it rises very quickly, sometimes drowning out the growth of nearby plants. The bark of many Lakonos has a reddish-purple or green color. Berries appear closer to autumn.

Varieties and varieties of plants

The following types of lakonos are suitable for growing:

Drupe or berry. The main feature is the dark green leaves. In appearance, they are very similar to blackberries.
Grape. After flowering, the branches of the lakonos are covered with dark berries. They continue to remain on the branches until the end of October. Grape lakonos is used for the preparation of medicines.
Edible. The inflorescences are so large that they resemble corn cobs. Flowering occurs in mid-summer. Ripe fruits are glossy.
Polycarpous. One of the existing varieties with a compact size.

The edible phytolacca is suitable for cooking.

Growing places

Lakonos grows in partial shade along roads and in residential areas in a wide variety of locations. It can be found in Japan, India, Korea, China, Russia (in the Voronezh and Moscow regions, Mordovia), Europe. Sometimes this plant is confused with American phytolacca. The reason is simple: the only difference between them is the inflorescences, in Phytolacca Americana they are drooping. Lakonos can be grown as ornamental plants, but you need to take care of them carefully. If you touch their leaves without gloves, you can get burned more than if you touch nettles.

Application in landscape design

Lakonos is a real decoration for flower beds, walls, fences and other places that require the "intervention" of the beautiful. Phytolacca looks spectacular with other flowers planted nearby. The plant is combined with all kinds of flowers and herbaceous plants.

Lakonos can be successfully used for single plantings. Having the shape of a bush, it attracts admiring glances. It is often planted around the perimeter of the land. It grows near a fence, high walls, and also surrounded by trees.

Lakonos is considered a hardy plant. But for good development it needs human help. Decorates the garden in summer and autumn, but looks best in the cold season.

With the onset of the first cold weather, the leaves turn purple, the bark darkens, and the green fruits turn dark purple. To enjoy such an unusual view, a person must make a minimum of effort.The actions performed must be correct.

Are lakonos edible or poisonous?

Many gardeners who want to grow these unique plants on their backyards are interested in whether it is possible to eat the berry laconos plant, or rather, its fruits. But there is no simple answer to this question. Some experts say that the berries of the plant, which are so similar to raspberries, blackberries or mulberries, can be consumed in small quantities, but little by little and only for medicinal purposes. Others say no, and make a powerful argument: all parts of the lakonos are poisonous. So where is the truth?

In fact, both are right. Lakonosy berry - plants are really poisonous, it has been proven by scientists. But dangerous properties are most often manifested in those of them that grow in the wild. Cultivated herbs often completely lose their toxicity. Additionally, the toxic substances they contain are destroyed during heat treatment and fermentation. But this does not mean that they should be consumed in handfuls. To avoid poisoning, you should eat no more than 2-3 berries per day, and even then with caution. And remember: only external use of decoctions and infusions created from the described plant does not cause any harm.

Usefulness for the body

The medicinal properties of the berry lakonos are due to its rich composition. Its different parts contain such useful substances as phytolacccin, starch, saponins, acids, vitamins of B and PP groups, sucrose and essential oils, steroids. Thanks to them, it can have a cleansing, immunostimulating, cleansing, wound healing, bacteriostatic and analgesic effect on the human body. It is also able to improve blood flow, eliminate back aches, hemorrhoids and sore throat, itching. Medicines based on it are used in small quantities, so the therapy is long-term.

Dosage forms

The use of berry lakonos begins with its collection. Everything is used: fruits, stems, leaves and roots, collected with extreme care. On their basis, knowledgeable people can prepare different preparations:

Tinctures - created from stems, leaves and 90% alcohol (in a ratio of 1:10), are used in the treatment of pharyngitis, laryngitis and other diseases of the respiratory tract. Often recommended by doctors for sciatica or lumbago. Take 5 drops 3-4 times in 24 hours.
Ointments - are created from tincture of lakonos and any internal fat (the latter can be replaced with lanolin). They are used in the treatment of various skin diseases, including lichen scaly.
Oils - made by mixing crushed root of a plant and olive oil, used externally to eliminate swellings, growths and other skin imperfections.
Decoctions - are created from prepared raw materials and a certain amount of water by cooking. They can be used in the same cases as infusions.

Ointments and oils are safer for medicinal use because they are applied externally. It is possible to use decoctions and infusions only with the permission of the attending physician, as they can cause various complications.

American lakonos - traditional use

Use of berries:

Red Indians in North America drank tea made from berries to treat rheumatism.

Early colonists used the juice on diseased skin in cancer patients.

In the Appalachians, berries are applied directly to wounds.

Compresses from the juice of laconos berries are used to treat acne, hemorrhoids, cancer, skin ulcers, skin rashes, swelling.

Using the root:

The crushed root is used by the Red Indians to make ointments for skin cancer.

In Spain, lipstick, which is made from the roots, is used to treat ringworm diseases and other skin rashes.

In America, dried roots are used against dysmenorrhea, rheumatism, dyspepsia, catarrh, tonsillitis, conjunctivitis, laryngitis, ringworm, mumps, syphilis, scabies, itching, and constipation.

In Europe, the fresh root is used to treat flu, tonsillitis and rheumatism of the joints.

Poultices made from the roots are suitable for the treatment of rheumatism, bruises and neuralgia.

The dried root is useful for hemorrhoids, pain, inflammation and skin parasites.

Dried root poultices are used to treat skin rashes and tumors.

The roasted and crushed root is used as a blood purifier.

Leaves use:

The leaves are used as a laxative, emetic, and expectorant.

Leaf poultices are used to treat acne, scabs, and bleeding.

Procurement of raw materials

It is recommended to dig up berry lakonos in order to create medicines after 3 years, in the middle of autumn. At this time, its roots already have a weight of 10 kg, a height of about 1 meter and a yellowish tint. If they are still red, they cannot be used, as they are toxic. After collection, you should start preparing. To do this, rinse the rhizome well, crush and dry at a temperature of 60 degrees in a special dryer, and then put it in a paper bag. Store in a ventilated area for no more than 3 years together with leaves, berries and stems harvested in a similar way.

Phytolacca - plant propagation by seeds.

Plant phytolacca (lakonos) berry photo

American phytolacca is easily propagated by seeds. They are sown before winter (October-November), in furrows 1-2 cm deep at a distance of 10-15 cm. In this case, the sowing is covered with any material at hand: peat, dry leaves, sawdust. Sowing of phytolacca seeds in spring is carried out immediately after the soil thaws (return frosts will not damage the seedlings). Due to the dense shell, the seeds of the lakonos must be soaked for 3-5 days before sowing, for example, by wrapping them in damp gauze.

Phytolacca can also be grown through seedlings (phytolacca seeds are sown in boxes or pots in February-March). With the onset of warm weather, the lakonos plants are planted in a permanent place along with a lump of earth, at a distance of no closer than 1 m from each other.

Vegetative propagation of the lakonos is very simple and is carried out by dividing the rhizome and offspring.

Laconos in homeopathy and medicine

On an industrial scale, trained people are engaged in breeding the berry lakonos. They then hand them over to manufacturers of various drugs, including homeopathic ones. For example, on the basis of this plant, "Fitolyakka" was created, a description of which can be found in any medical reference book. This drug is recommended for the treatment of constipation, rheumatism, blepharitis and syphilis. It will also be useful as a sedative for those who have a habit of biting their lips and gritting their teeth at night.

Another remedy produced on the basis of the medicinal lakonos is Tonsipret. It helps to restore voice, disappear hoarseness and burning sensation, cure various chronic throat diseases. It is available in the form of tablets or drops intended for oral administration. It is used 40 minutes before meals for 1 to 3 months or as recommended by a doctor.

Homeopaths recommend using lakonos tincture for gargling with sore throat and pharyngitis. In this case, for its preparation, it is necessary to mix 1-2 tbsp. tablespoons of dried and crushed leaves with 0.5 tbsp. warm water, let it brew for 1-2 hours. Gargle every 1.5-2.5 hours. The essential oils that make up the plant will kill pathogenic microbes and speed up healing.

Also, traditional healers are advised to make compresses with infusion of lakonos for hemorrhoids. This requires 2 tbsp. Pour tablespoons of dry powder from the leaves with a glass of water, put in a saucepan on gas. Keep in a water bath for about 10 minutes.Remove and cool. Wet gauze in the resulting solution and apply to the sore spot. As a result of this action, pain will be significantly reduced, swelling and inflammation will disappear.

The use of lakonos berries, recipes

Lakonos is used in medicine and cooking. Chefs use the berries of the plant, as well as its young shoots. But this is done quite rarely, because the flower contains poison. Phytolacca was previously added to wine drinks to enhance color. Today, this is practically not done.

Most often, not American lakonos is used in cooking, but another variety - berry. It is grown as a vegetable crop. Due to its pleasant taste and aroma, young leaves of the plant are used for food.

But still, medicine is an industry in which phytolacca is used much more often. Medicines that contain this plant can be found in pharmacies. Most often these are homeopathic remedies for sciatica, sciatica, and throat diseases.

For example, you can prepare a joint medicine from the plant.

Lakonos leaves must be poured with warm water and closed. For 2 weeks, the container with them is left in a place where no light enters.

After that, the tincture can be used for a month. They rub her joints, back. Can be made from the prepared extract and compresses.

Otitis, laryngitis and tonsillitis are treated with a tincture from the roots of the plant.

10 g of raw materials must be poured with alcohol (100 ml). In this form, the medicine should be infused for 2 weeks. Then it is taken 15 drops orally up to 4 times a day daily. With this tool, you can strengthen the immune system.

To combat skin diseases, an ointment from a lakonos is used.

To do this, the roots of the plant must first be chopped up and then chopped, for example, using a coffee grinder. Then they are ground in a mortar. The result should be a powder-like mass. It needs to be mixed with unsalted butter. The proportion is 1:10.

It is very important to protect your eyes when preparing. If plant juice gets into them, conjunctivitis may occur.

It is important to know that all medications that contain laconos must be taken strictly according to the prescription, observing the dosage. If you overdo it and take too much, then overdose symptoms will appear. These include vomiting and diarrhea, seizures and headache, speech and coordination problems.

Benefits for joints and spine

The shoots and roots of the lakonos in folk medicine are often used to create a tincture intended for the treatment of arthritis, arthrosis and osteochondrosis. Rubbing with it can significantly improve blood flow in diseased joints, ensure a good flow of nutrients to their tissues, and eliminate discomfort. To prepare the compress, you need to pour 3 tbsp. tablespoons of dry raw materials with a glass of vodka, withstand the infusion for 2 weeks and strain through a loose material. Wet a wide bandage folded in 6 layers in the resulting solution, apply to the affected area. Keep for 1-2 hours.

For the same purpose, you can prepare special ointments. In their effect, they will be no worse than "Merifit" and "Akovita", which were produced in the days of the USSR. To create, you need to melt 1 tbsp. a spoonful of butter, mix with the same amount of infusion of the lakonos, cool and put in a cool place (you can put it in the refrigerator). Store no more than 7 days. Rub in 2-3 times a day.

Natural dermatologist

Medicinal lakonos has found its wide application in the fight against various skin diseases, as it is able to disinfect and soothe it, to make it softer. For the creation of dermatological preparations based on it, mainly leaves and stems are used. The root is not used, as it can cause dryness and burning, and the berries, due to their ability to strongly stain the objects and things around them.

With lichen, erysipelas and eczema, an ointment prepared according to the following recipe shows good effectiveness: melt 1-2 tbsp. tablespoons of butter, mix well with the same amount of dried and crushed leaves, cool and put on a shelf in the refrigerator. Apply to a sore spot twice - in the morning and in the evening.

For boils, you can apply fresh lakonos leaves to the skin. It is recommended to do this every 2 hours, no longer than 20 minutes. With lipomas or wen, you can try to make such a remedy: chop fresh leaves into gruel and attach to the place on the skin where a benign tumor has appeared. It is recommended to repeat such actions until the wen is opened. Before treatment, you should definitely consult your doctor.

Lakonos medicinal properties

Phytolacca berries are used as a medicine for the treatment of arthritis, mumps, and various other skin conditions. The roots are used as an anti-inflammatory, expectorant, narcotic, hypnotic, and laxative. The root also helps treat chronic catarrh, swollen glands, immune diseases, and bronchitis.

1) For healthy skin

Studies have shown that high intake of vitamin C reduces the appearance of wrinkles, dry skin and slows down the aging process. This vitamin is vital for tendons, skin, blood vessels and ligaments. It also helps in wound healing by forming scar tissue.

Many experimental data have shown that vitamin C creams reduce skin redness. Skin health can be maintained by using foods high in antioxidants, which also prevent skin cancer.

2) Reduces inflammation

Vitamin A helps neutralize free radicals that damage cells and tissues. It also prevents cells from being overactive.

Taking vitamin A also reduces the risk of food allergies as it prevents a dangerous overreaction. It reduces inflammation, reduces the likelihood of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

3) Prevents anemia

Anemia occurs due to low production of red blood cells in the body, inadequate oxygen delivery, and loss of blood. Vitamin B2 is essential for the production of red blood cells and the synthesis of steroid hormones.

Riboflavin deficiency increases the chances of sickle cell disease. Lack of vitamin B2 leads to shortness of breath, fatigue and inability to work effectively. Research shows that vitamin B2 helps to lower and maintain blood homocysteine levels.

4) Healthy pregnancy

The use of the lakonos during pregnancy is quite a controversial issue, because it must be properly prepared and very careful. But in the United States, on rare occasions, doctors sometimes recommend its use under strict control due to the high iron content of berries.

Iron deficiency during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Premature babies are more prone to health problems, stunted growth, and cognitive development.

So doctors advise pregnant women to eat more iron-rich foods. Scientists show that in pregnant women who consume enough iron, the chances of a low birth weight of a newborn were reduced by 8.4%.

5) Strong bones

Lakonos owes its medicinal properties to manganese, which is necessary for the normal growth of bone structure. It is a mineral that helps increase the bone mineral density of the spine and is very beneficial for postmenopausal women.

Eating foods rich in manganese helps prevent bone fractures in menopausal women.The mineral has also been proven to prevent the likelihood of osteoporosis.

6) For the thyroid gland

Copper is essential for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland, but it works in tandem with other minerals such as calcium, zinc and potassium, which are necessary to maintain the balance of thyroid activity and also prevent hyperthyroidism.

But you should understand that excessive presence of these minerals is just as dangerous as deficiency, because people with thyroid disorders can increase or decrease weight, develop fatigue, decrease appetite and even increase body temperature.

7) For the brain

Vitamin B6 is essential for the proper functioning and development of the brain. Studies have shown that vitamin B6 deficiency affects memory function, impairs cognitive strength, causes dementia and, in rare cases, even Alzheimer's disease.

Vitamin B6 controls homocysteine, the abnormal levels of which can cause cardiovascular disease and neuronal damage. It also helps combat decreased concentration, vitality and mood. This vitamin is beneficial for improving learning and behavioral disorders in children.

For good vision

Nutrient deficiencies and poor nutrition are the main causes of many eye diseases. In this, the lakonos also benefits from its medicinal properties.

Scientists have proven that consuming vitamin B6 with folic acid and other vitamins helps prevent vision loss and many eye diseases. These vitamins also prevent age-related eye conditions such as macular degeneration.

9) From cardiovascular diseases

The presence of sufficient thiamine in lakonos makes it an essential plant for the production of acetylcholine, which helps transmit messages between nerves and muscles. The heart is one of the muscles that relies on these signals.

Nerves and muscles must be prepared to use energy properly to maintain proper heart function and a healthy heartbeat. Vitamin B1 works against various heart diseases as it supports the functioning of the ventricles and also treats heart failure.

10) Absorption of nutrients

Phosphorus helps absorb, synthesize, and use nutrients from foods such as niacin and riboflavin. It aids in energy production, cell function, growth and reproduction.

In addition to this, phosphorus supports a healthy metabolism and also breaks down fats or carbohydrates to produce digestive enzymes that convert nutrients into usable energy.

It also keeps the mind, energizes the muscles, and stimulates the glands to secrete hormones that are essential for energy expenditure and concentration.

Reviews of people about growing and eating

It is worth noting that reviews about the use of lakonos for medicinal purposes are mostly positive. For some people, drugs created on its basis helped to get rid of psoriasis caused by nerves, others - from severe back pain, and still others - to eliminate defects on the skin, which looked very unaesthetic. But everyone is equally fascinated by its beauty and unpretentious care, the possibility of using it as a background for any landscape decorations.

Of the shortcomings, people note the poisonousness of the lakonos. It is recommended not to plant in areas of houses whose owners are raising small children. It is also noted that when collecting leaves, roots and other parts of this plant and further processing them into raw materials for the preparation of medicines, it is imperative to wear personal protective equipment. Otherwise, you can burn yourself.

How to grow, care and pests and diseases

The plant is absolutely unpretentious, cultivation, care is extremely simple, includes the usual agrotechnical measures. The grass grows everywhere, except in brightly lit hot places. Open field propagation occurs by sowing seeds in spring or autumn. Garden seed propagation is very effective; planting seedlings is not needed.

American lactone is very resistant to pests and diseases. For the winter, the plant is completely cut off, the soil above it is mulched with a layer of peat and leaves about 10 cm thick.

Where to look for Lakonos?

Many, having seen a photo of the berry lakonos and having read about the beneficial properties, express a desire to have it in their personal plot. It is not so easy to get this plant, it is very rare in Russian gardens. However, sometimes it can be seen at an exhibition or in early spring on the market, the main thing is to know what and where to look. It is worth noting that few sellers know its correct name, some of them call the laconos phytolacca, you should ask this and that. If you couldn't find the plant, you can order it online in any store. Usually delivered within 1-2 weeks.

Lakonos care

It is believed that this plant is capable of growing like a weed. But it will not be possible to achieve high decorative foliage and abundant flowering with fruiting without care at all. Especially if you have planted the American phytolacca variety. The plant of this species loves abundant watering and suffers greatly from droughts, so if there is an opportunity to introduce regular procedures or at least compensate for the heat, the attractiveness of the lakonos will only benefit from this. But if watering does not work, or you limited yourself to only 1-2 deep watering, this lakonos will still delight you. The rest of the phytolaccs do not need watering, but in extreme drought they are still welcome.

The rest of the care is reduced to the removal of the aerial part of the plant after the arrival of frost. Plants must be cut to the ground.

Contraindications

The medicinal properties of the berry lakonos are actually very great. But do not forget that before using it, you must consult a doctor, since the plant is still poisonous. For this reason, various contraindications are inherent in the use of such a plant as berry laconos. These include: allergies to any of its constituent substances, age up to 18 years, pregnancy, lactation. It is also worth remembering about the possibility of an overdose. It can cause seizures, dizziness, diarrhea, respiratory failure, heart problems and death. Be careful and do not self-medicate!