snakehead. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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snakehead. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Directory / Cultivated and wild plants

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Content

Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Genus, family, origin, range, chemical composition, economic importance
Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Serpenthead, Dracocephalum. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Snakehead

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Serpenthead (Dracocephalum)

Family: Lamiaceae (Lamiaceae)

Origin: Central Asia, Eastern Europe

Area: The snakehead is common in Eurasia and North America, it is also found in the Mediterranean and the Balkans.

Chemical composition: Essential oils, flavonoids, tannins, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and other biologically active substances were found in the snakehead.

Economic value: The snakehead is used in cooking, medicine, perfumery and cosmetology. Some snakehead species are good honey plants.

Legends and myths: The snakehead may have different symbolic meanings in different cultures. For example, in ancient Greek mythology, snakes were a symbol of wisdom and healing, and in the Christian tradition, a snake is a symbol of evil and temptation. In this regard, the snakehead may be associated with healing and protection from evil.

Serpenthead, Dracocephalum. Description, illustrations of the plant

Serpenthead, Dracocephalum. Botanical description of the plant, areas of growth and ecology, economic importance, applications

Snakehead

The snakehead is a genus of herbaceous plants of the Lamiaceae family.

The flowers are shaped like a snake's head, hence the Latin name - Dracocephalum, from the Greek. δράκων (dragon, snake) and κεφαλή (head).

Perennial or annual herbaceous plants, shrubs. Stems glabrous, ascending or creeping, simple or branched. Leaves entire or pinnately dissected, sessile or petiolate, entire or serrated.

Inflorescences dense or spaced, false whorls 2-6-flowered or many-flowered. Bracts pinnately dissected or entire, spinous-toothed or entire, shorter or longer than the calyx. Calyx indistinctly bilabiate (five-toothed, with larger upper tooth) or sharply bilabiate, straight or curved; the central tooth of the upper lip is lanceolate, obovate, almost equal to or wider than the lateral ones, the nodules are located between the teeth of the upper and lower lips or between the teeth of the lower lip. Corolla much or slightly longer than calyx, blue, blue, violet, lilac, fawn, pink, reddish, rarely white; two-lipped: the upper lip is straight, bent or arched, notched, the lower lip is three-lobed. The stamens are two-strong, hidden under the upper lip of the corolla, the anthers are bare. The fruit is a smooth nut.

Snakehead

There are about forty species growing mostly in Europe and North Asia. One species is in North America.

Some species are bred as useful plants, for example, Canary snakehead (Dracocephalum canariense) (lemongrass), originally from the Canary Islands; its flowers are very fragrant, and the leaves smell strongly of camphor and turpentine and are used as a nervous and sedative.

Moldavian snakehead (Dracocephalum moldavica) (Turkish lemon balm) with white or blue flowers is a very fragrant plant, smelling of lemon balm, growing wild in Turkey, Moldova, North Asia.

Some species of snakehead are bred as ornamental plants.

Serpenthead, Dracocephalum. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Ethnoscience:

Serpentine tea to improve digestion: insist 1 teaspoon of dry snakehead grass in 1 cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Take 1 glass before meals 2-3 times a day.
Serpentine tincture to improve sleep: insist 1 teaspoon of dry snakehead grass in 1 cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Take 1 glass 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
Serpentine for the treatment of colds: snakehead tincture (see above) can be used to treat colds and flu. This drink has diaphoretic properties that can help lower body temperature and reduce cold symptoms.

Cosmetology:

Mask for the face: mix 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon freshly brewed snakehead infusion. Apply to face and leave on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. This mask will help hydrate and soothe your skin.
Face tonic: Mix 1 cup of freshly brewed snakehead infusion with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Use this toner to cleanse and tone your skin.
Shampoo: add a few drops of snakehead essential oil to your regular shampoo. This will help strengthen the hair and protect the scalp from inflammation.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Serpenthead, Dracocephalum. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

The snakehead (Dracocephalum) is a genus of herbaceous plants of the mint family. Different types of snakehead are used as medicinal, aromatic and ornamental plants.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing snakehead:

Cultivation:

The snakehead prefers a sunny location and fertile soil with good drainage capacity.
The best time to sow seeds is spring or early summer.
Seeds should be sown at a depth of about 1-2 cm and at a distance of about 30-40 cm from each other.
Plants need to be watered regularly and faded inflorescences removed.

Workpiece:

It is possible to harvest the snakehead by collecting flowers and leaves during the period of their highest concentration of biologically active substances. This usually happens in July-August.
Collected flowers and leaves must be thoroughly air-dried, in the shade or in a dry place with low humidity.
Harvested snakehead can be used to make tinctures, teas, herbal mixtures and other products.

Storage:

Dry snakehead should be stored in a dry and cool place, protected from light.
Harvested snakehead is best used within a year, as its aromatic and medicinal properties may deteriorate over time.

The snakehead is a valuable source of biologically active substances that can have a beneficial effect on health.

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