Ordinary centaury (small centaury, umbrella centaury). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Ordinary centaury (small centaury, umbrella centaury). 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

Ordinary centaury (small centaury, umbrella centaury), Centaurium erythraea. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Ordinary centaury (small centaury, umbrella centaury)

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Centaury (Centaurium)

Family: Gentian (Gentianaceae)

Origin: Eurasia, Africa, North America

Area: The common centaury is widely distributed throughout the world in temperate and subtropical climates.

Chemical composition: The plant contains bitter substances, flavonoids, alkaloids, sugars, glycosides, organic acids and other compounds.

Economic value: Centaury is used as a medicinal herb that improves digestion, stimulates appetite, and can help with indigestion. It is also used to treat diseases of the liver and biliary tract, anemia and as a sedative for nervous disorders.

Legends, myths, symbolism: One of the legends says that the centaury was created by Apollo, the god of music, light and healing. He gave this plant to Chiron, who used it to treat wounds and injuries in the heroes of ancient Greek myths. Another legend says that the centaury arose from drops of blood shed by the goddess Athena on the ground. In symbolism, the common centaury is associated with bitterness and overcoming difficulties. It can serve as a symbol of endurance, perseverance and endurance in difficult conditions. In some cultures, the centaury is also considered a symbol of wisdom and spiritual enlightenment.

Ordinary centaury (small centaury, umbrella centaury), Centaurium erythraea. Description, illustrations of the plant

Small centaury (umbrella centaury), Centaurium erythraea Rafn var. Centaurium minus moench, Centaurium umbellatum Gilib. Botanical description, habitat and habitats, chemical composition, use in medicine and industry

Ordinary centaury (small centaury, umbrella centaury)

Synonyms: earthen grass, spool, scrofula, centaury grass, golden-thorn, red flower, seven-strength, core, core, centuria, etc.

A biennial branchy plant in the upper part, 10-40 cm in height, of the gentian family (Gentianaceae). Basal leaves are lanceolate, stem leaves are ovate with 5 veins.

The flowers are bright pink, collected in a shield-paniculate inflorescence. The fruit is an oblong capsule about 10 mm long. Seeds are small, irregularly round, oblong.

Blooms in July - September.

Range and habitats. Grows in fields, wastelands, forest edges, deposits in the European part of Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Chemical composition. The plant contains 0,6-1% alkaloids, among them gentianin. The alkaloid is highly soluble in alcohol, chloroform, benzene, poorly soluble in water. In the grass, gentiopicrin, erythrocentaurin, related to substances of a glycosidic nature, as well as oleanolic acid and vitamin C were found.

Raw materials are harvested during flowering, the whole plant is cut, dried without access to direct sunlight. The finished raw material is dried aerial parts of the plant with stems up to 25 cm long, with pink purple flowers.

The plant has a very bitter taste.

Ordinary centaury (small centaury, umbrella centaury)

Application in medicine. Centaury grass is used in the form of infusions, decoctions or tinctures as bitterness to stimulate appetite, to increase the secretion of the digestive glands and enhance bile secretion.

It has been experimentally established that the gentiopicrin contained in the herb has antihelminthic properties. Plant alkaloids have been little studied.

Tincture from centaury herb. Prepared at home as follows: 20 g of crushed centaury herb is poured with 40% alcohol, infused for 7-14 days, shaking several times daily, filtered, taken 15-20 drops 20-30 minutes before meals.

Authors: Turova A.D., Sapozhnikova E.N.

Ordinary centaury (small centaury), Centaurium pulchellum. Basic information about the plant, use in medicine

Ordinary centaury (small centaury, umbrella centaury)

A biennial or annual plant of the gentian family up to 20 cm high. It blooms from June to August. The flower is a long tubular corolla with a beautiful bright pink limb. The fruit is a bivalve box. Seeds ripen in August - September.

The small centaury is common in the southern and central strip of the European part of Russia, in Central Asia and Altai. It grows in water meadows and forest edges, in fields, fallows, roadside ditches and between shrubs, sometimes forming dense clumps.

Medicinal raw material is the entire aerial part of the plant.

Centaury contains glycosides, alkaloid genocionine, ascorbic and oleic acids, essential oil, mucus and other substances. Preparations from this herb stimulate appetite, increase the secretion of the digestive glands, intestinal motility, and have a laxative effect. The alkaloid genocionine exhibits an antihelminthic effect.

Centaury infusion is used for gastritis with low acidity, bloating, diseases of the liver, gallbladder and kidneys, as well as for heartburn and vomiting. It has the most pronounced effect on the gastrointestinal tract and in anemia. There is evidence of the use of centaury against alcoholism.

Ordinary centaury (small centaury, umbrella centaury), Centaurium erythraea. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

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

Ethnoscience:

Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases: to prepare an infusion of centaury ordinary, it is necessary to pour 1 teaspoon of crushed centaury herbs with 1 cup of boiling water and leave for 10-15 minutes. Strain and drink 1/4 cup of infusion before meals 3 times a day. This infusion helps improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and reduce the symptoms of gastritis and stomach ulcers.
Treatment of diseases of the liver and biliary tract: to prepare a decoction of centaury ordinary, it is necessary to pour 1 tablespoon of chopped centaury herb with 1 glass of water and simmer for 10-15 minutes over low heat. Strain and drink 1/4 cup of decoction 3 times a day. This decoction helps improve the function of the liver and biliary tract, as well as lower blood cholesterol levels.
Treatment of skin diseases: to prepare an infusion of common centaury for the treatment of skin diseases, it is necessary to pour 1 tablespoon of crushed centaury herbs with 1 cup of boiling water and leave for 30-40 minutes. Strain and use to wash the skin or make compresses. This infusion helps reduce inflammation, improve complexion, and improve skin condition for eczema and other skin conditions.

Cosmetology:

Face tonic: to prepare a tonic from centaury ordinary, it is necessary to pour 1 tablespoon of chopped centaury herb with 1 glass of boiling water and leave for 30-40 minutes. Strain and use the resulting infusion to wipe the face. This tonic helps improve complexion, tighten pores and reduce inflammation.
Face cream: to prepare a cream of centaury ordinary, you need to mix 1 tablespoon of chopped centaury herb with 1 glass of olive oil and insist for a week in a dark place. Strain and use the resulting oil for facial massage. This cream helps improve skin tone, soften it and reduce fine lines.
Mask for the face: to prepare a mask of centaury ordinary, you need to mix 1 tablespoon of chopped centaury herb with 1 egg white and apply on the face for 15-20 minutes. After that, rinse with warm water. This mask helps improve skin condition, relieve inflammation and narrow pores.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Ordinary centaury (small centaury, umbrella centaury), Centaurium erythraea. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

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

The common centaury (Centaurium erythraea) is a perennial herbaceous plant with erect stems and bright pink flowers. The plant is known for its medicinal properties and is widely used in folk medicine.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing centaury ordinary:

Cultivation:

Centaury prefers sunny places, but can also grow in partial shade. Grows well on medium to light soils.
Planting can be done in spring or autumn. Planting depth should be such that the root collar of the plant is at ground level. The distance between plants is 20-30 cm.
It is recommended to regularly feed the plant with complex fertilizers, especially during the flowering period.
Water the plant regularly, especially in hot weather. But at the same time, make sure that the soil is not too wet, since the centaury does not tolerate stagnant moisture.
To prolong the flowering period, regularly remove wilted flowers.
During periods of drought and high temperatures, it is recommended to spray the plant with water to avoid drying out.

Preparation and storage:

Drying: Harvest fresh centaury, removing damaged or wilted leaves and flowers. Lay it in a thin layer on a clean and dry surface so it dries faster. Turn the plants regularly to ensure they dry evenly. Store dried plants in a dry place away from light and moisture.
Freezing: Harvest fresh plants as above and place them in a freezer bag. Then place the bag in the freezer and store at -18°C for up to 6 months. Plants should be thawed quickly at room temperature before use.
Preservation: centaury can be preserved as an infusion. Collect fresh plants as described above and place them in a sterile jar. Pour boiling water over the plants and leave to infuse for 2-4 weeks, shaking the jar occasionally. After that, strain and pour the infusion into sterile bottles. Store in a cool and dry place.

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