Buckthorn

The buckthorn is the plant familiar since the childhood to each inhabitant of middle latitudes under the name "wolf berries", however, wolf berries call and still some other plants of a similar look. One more name under which it is widely known – a buckthorn though correctly a buckthorn to call one type of a buckthorn – a buckthorn laxative, different from other types existence of prickles on tops of branches. The buckthorn grows in a species of bushes or small trees, in coppices, on edges, on the bank of the rivers and lakes, has a wide area of dwelling – from North Africa and Asia practically to the Polar circle, is widespread in Europe and North America where it was delivered from Europe in the decorative purposes. Bark dark, leaves glossy, oval form. The plant plentifully from the middle of May on June in ordinary-looking yellow colors, on site which berries stone fruit appear later, in the beginning green, later red blossoms, in the middle of August they keep up, and become black.

Properties of a buckthorn

Use of a buckthorn is very broad, this useful and beautiful plant, thus unpretentious. In the decorative purposes use both a bush, and its wood, small yellow flowers are melliferous, from seeds receive the oil containing a large amount of pitches, glycosides, dyes and succinic acid, this oil finds application both in medicine, and in paint and varnish industry.

In medicine berries of a buckthorn and its bark, and both in traditional, and in national are used. Both bark and berries have laxative properties. However it is necessary to use this plant with big accuracy, strictly adhering to recommendations as it contains the substances which are strongly irritating a mucous membrane of a digestive tract and by that capable to cause serious poisoning.

In traditional medicine use of a buckthorn wider, not only as laxative that is quite justified it by properties. For example, its antibacterial action is known, and in experimental conditions existence of antiviral effect was proved – the water extract from berries of a buckthorn suppressed replication of a virus of herpes.

Chemical composition

As a part of a buckthorn laxative, or a buckthorn, the following chemical compounds contain:

• Anthraquinones, including фрагуларозид which causes vomiting. At storage this substance is exposed to fermentation, turning into safe glycofrangulin. Process of oxidation takes about a year, but can be accelerated by temperature processing. That is why it is impossible to use fresh-gathered bark and berries of a buckthorn but only at least a year later after collecting, or specially processed as those that go on pharmaceutical sale;
• Tannins;
• Alkaloids;
• Apple and amber acids;
• Simple and difficult sugar (gum, pectins);
• Vitamin C;
• Essential oils – in bark they contain in a small amount, and in berries in considerable.

Use of a buckthorn in medicine

In medicine the buckthorn laxative generally finds application, though other types can be also used in the medical purposes. The main objective of use of this plant is visible from the name, this laxative action. As laxative a buckthorn works very softly, the effect occurs in 10-14 hours after reception that needs to be considered at use, correctly timing. Use the dried-up bark or berries of a plant, at buckthorn bark the laxative effect is expressed stronger, than at berries. As laxative the buckthorn in official medicine is appointed at an intestines atony, hemorrhoids, perianal cracks, a helminthic invasion, colitis.

Specialists are inclined to consider that action of this plant on intestines rather regulating, than just laxative as the tannins which are contained in it at ponosa have too medical effect and therefore use of a buckthorn is justified at all dysfunctions of intestines: locks, ponosa and their alternation.

Berries of a buckthorn use at locks of chronic atonic character, ponosa, plentiful menstrual bleedings. However their main use – as diuretic at hypostases, ascites, including the ascites caused by cirrhosis and heart failure. Use of fresh berries, but no more than 15 pieces for reception is allowed, otherwise they cause vomiting and provoke a stomach inflammation. Not to risk, better nevertheless to use the dried-up and kept 2-3 years of berry. By the way, as vomitive traditional medicine orders a buckthorn.

Also in nonconventional medicine it is used at gastritis, stomach ulcer and a duodenum, diseases of a liver, heart failure, persistent cough. Spirit tincture of berries of a buckthorn is applied to grindings at rheumatism and radiculitis, and water broth at skin diseases (the eczemas and inflammations caused by a pustulous infection such as furuncles, anthrax, purulent wounds).

Dosage forms and routes of administration

The buckthorn is usually applied in the form of infusions and broths, occasionally in the form of forty-degree spirit tincture, is even more rare in the natural form – no more than 10-15 fresh berries on an empty stomach, or dry, ground in powder. Laxative make syrup which is allowed for use in children's practice of a buckthorn. Sometimes in literature it is possible to meet recommendations about use of fresh juice from buckthorn berries, however doctors consider that fresh or even tinned juice has too high concentration of active connections, and can cause undesirable reactions from an organism (vomiting, a diarrhea, a stomach ache and intestines).

The buckthorn goes on sale in the form of syrup, the dried-up and crushed bark, and also as a part of pharmaceutical collecting.

For preparation of infusion 10 of of fruits of a buckthorn of 8 hours insist on a glass of boiled water. Independently to prepare syrup, mix equal parts of water infusion of a buckthorn and sugar.

Broth of bark of a buckthorn prepares as follows: 20 g of the dried-up and crushed bark fill in with two glasses of cold water, cook on small fire within 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool down, accept on 1 tablespoon before going to bed (that in the morning to cause ease).

Recipe of infusion of bark of a buckthorn: to fill in 10 g of the dry crushed bark with 2 glasses of water, to allow to infuse within 8-10 hours.

Spirit tincture: the buckthorn bark which is previously dried up and crushed is filled in with 40-degree alcohol, at the rate of 1:1, according to the same recipe spirit buckthorn berries tincture is made.

Contraindications to use of a buckthorn

At the correct use the buckthorn of contraindications has almost no, however it is necessary to watch surely its dosage and that the plant not less than biennial prescription of collecting was used. A contraindication to a buckthorn are the following states: malignant tumors of digestive tract, disease Krone, early children's age, pregnancy, lactation, uterine bleedings.

Contraindication to a buckthorn is also its too frequent use as, as well as other laxatives, it causes accustoming, and afterwards independent bowel emptying becomes problematic.