At the end of the twentieth century, Siberian healers drew attention to the medicinal properties of the Indian onion or Ornithógalum. Since then, it has gained widespread popularity. Several types of bulbous plants are under threat of destruction. Therefore, they were included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.
Description of flowering plant
Ornithogalum belongs to the perennial plants of the Asparagus family. South America is considered to be the historical homeland. The species was brought to Russia from Germany to the Leningrad Botanical Institute. The Indian onion got its name from the association of pungent milky juice with Indian spices, and not from its geographical area of growth.
An ornamental plant has a stem in the form of a bulb, located above the topsoil. The leaves are long, flat as they grow, they change position, go down, curling at the ends. The color is dark green with a yellow stripe in the center. The biennial produces an arrow, framed by small white or cream inflorescences.
The cultivation of Indian onions takes place in greenhouses or living quarters. Does not require increased attention to itself. Feels comfortable both on the northern windows and in the back of the room. Watering, moderate as the topsoil dries. In the summer, the poultry farm is taken out into the open air or transplanted into the ground. They return to the room for the winter.
Indian onion composition
Ornithogalum has not found use in traditional medicine, it is not in the reference books of medicinal herbs. For traditional healers, biologically active substances are valuable, in the composition of leaves and seeds:
- essential oil;
- organic acids;
- a kind of glycosides;
- alkaloid group (colchicine, thiocolchicine, colchicoside).
The medicinal value of the plant, the presence of alkaloids in the composition. But they are not enough to interest the pharmaceutical industry in Indian onions as a raw material.
Colchicine is a natural poison. Internal intake of a product based on Ornithogalum can cause intoxication.
Useful and medicinal properties
Traditional medicine uses an ornamental plant as a component of ointments, water-based and alcohol-based tinctures, for external use. Ornithógalum juice contains an antibiotic, it has an antiseptic and antibacterial effect. It has an analgesic effect. Active substances, penetrating the epidermis, relieve inflammation and relieve pain. Applicable:
- With hematomas and fractures.
- For joint pains of a rheumatic nature (polyarthritis, arthritis).
- To accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissues.
- As an antibacterial agent for inflammatory processes.
- In the complex treatment of radiculitis and osteochondrosis.
- To relieve itching and redness in the area affected by insects.
- With varicose veins and neoplasms associated with HPV (papillomas, warts), foot fungus.
Alkaloids relieve puffiness, prevent the formation of malignant tumors. When applied to the skin, they expand the walls of the capillaries, help improve blood flow to the problem area.
For the manufacture of funds, all parts of the plant have biological activity.
When cutting the leaves, the Indian onion will not suffer, and the raw materials will be sufficient for dosage forms (ointments, tinctures).
Contraindications for use
It is necessary to use products based on Ornithogalum, given that onions are toxic, with caution. With a number of factors, treatment is not acceptable. These include:
- bleeding gums, the remedy will worsen their condition;
- hemophilia, excessive blood flow, will affect the walls of blood vessels;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- allergy.
Before the course of treatment, it is necessary to undergo a test that confirms or excludes an allergic reaction.
To test the tolerance of the body to alkaloids, it is necessary to apply the sap of the plant to the inner part of the elbow. Check the test result after two hours. If the surface of the skin has not changed, then the result is negative. When:
- redness;
- itching;
- swelling;
- the appearance of blisters.
It is not permissible to use Indian onions as a medicine.
With prolonged use of plant-based products, colchicine, penetrating the skin, can cause a decrease in leukocytes (leukopenia). The course should not exceed 30 days.
After using ointments or tinctures, hands should be thoroughly washed with soap. If plant components come into contact with the conjunctiva (mucous membrane of the eye), rinse with water.
The use of onions in traditional medicine at home
Thanks to the healing elements, in the composition of the Poultry, traditional healers use all parts of the ornamental plant. If a bulb is needed for cooking, the plant will die. Used for treatment not only means, but also pure juice.
The Indian onion has proven to be effective for the treatment of bruises and bruises. By acting on peripheral vessels, it improves the metabolic process between blood and damaged tissues. Relieves swelling and characteristic pigmentation.
Essential oils and organic acids in the composition improve the regeneration process of mechanically damaged tissues. Eliminates inflammation and bacterial growth. Due to its bactericidal properties, alternative medicine is aimed at treating furunculosis and herpes.
For an analgesic effect, Ornithogalum is used in complex therapy for stretching muscles or ligaments. Relieves pain syndrome of neuralgic diseases (radiculitis), with salt deposition (osteochondrosis, polyarthritis).
Recipes
To prepare a medicine from Indian onions, an "adult" plant is taken. The optimal concentration of active substances is achieved in 2 years. When making tinctures, it is advisable to take into account that colchicine is poorly soluble in alcohol. Therefore, a water-based product will be many times more toxic.
Do not use metal objects when working with the Birdhouse. Make sure you have rubber gloves. If household appliances (mixer, blender, meat grinder) were used, it is recommended to treat it with a disinfectant and wash it with hot water.
Compressor substance
Leaves are crushed to form gruel... It is used for compresses on the back or joints for radiculitis and rheumatism. The procedure will help relieve pain. To avoid chemical burns, the substance is applied to a gauze pad, then placed on the problem area.
The next method is also suitable for a compress. Juice is squeezed out of crushed leaves, stored in a glass container for 4 days. It is used as an application or compress for neuralgic diseases and salt deposition.
Infusions
For cooking, you need a sheet of Indian onion 15-25 centimeters long. It is crushed, placed in a thermos and poured with boiling water (1 liter). Let it brew within 2 hours.
You can prepare the product in a steam bath. Finely chopped leaf, filled with cold water, kept for a couple of 25 minutes. It is poured into a thermos, infused for 3 hours.
Alcohol-based is prepared as follows:
- the onion with an arrow or leaves is chopped;
- poured into a plastic or glass container with a liter of ethyl alcohol;
- aged at moderate temperatures for 21 days.
Based on kerosene, it effectively treats radiculitis. Ingredients:
- plant leaves (total length 45-50 centimeters);
- 200 grams of pure kerosene;
- 250 grams of oil (sunflower, olive, mustard).
Placed in a glass jar, hermetically closed, infused at a temperature of 25 degrees for 2 weeks. The contents are shaken periodically.
Ointments
Ointments are used to treat articular pathologies and to heal wounds with purulent formation. The basis will be animal fat from sheep wool (lanolin), you will need 45 ml. 2.5 tablespoons of honey and gruel from the leaf of the plant are added.
For the next ointment recipe you will need:
- 2 egg yolks;
- 3 tablespoons of sea buckthorn oil;
- a piece of beeswax, measuring 5: 2 centimeters;
- 1 spoon of kerosene;
- 2 tablespoons of plant juice.
The cooking sequence must be followed. In boiling oil, the wax dissolves. After the composition has cooled down, kerosene, Indian onion juice, and last of all the yolks are added. After stirring, the mass is ready for use.
Decoctions from Ornithogalum, used less often, they are not as effective... Cook over low heat for 25-30 minutes (1.5 liters of water, 25 centimeters sheet). When it cools down, you can apply.
Like any folk remedy, a medicine made from the Umbelliferae poultry is recommended to be used in combination with traditional therapy, after consulting a doctor. Considering that the juice contains toxic substances, in room conditions, flower pots should be placed out of the reach of children and pets.