Creeping-Jenny is a perennial plant. The stem is creeping, which takes root at nodes, 30-80 cm long. Reproduces thanks to shoots that take root. The leaves are oppositely arranged, rounded oval, on short petioles, without leaflets, 2-3 cm long, similar to small coins. The flowers are yellow, regular in shape, arranged in leaf axils. Interestingly, the bees do not collect nectar from this plant, but plant oils, which are secreted by the petal. This mixture of oil and pollen is then fed to the new generation of bees. The fruit is a seed pod. Blooms in June-July, fruits ripen in August.

The whole plant, together with the roots, is used for medicinal purposes. The plant is harvested during its flowering, because it is at this time that the plant has the highest vitamin C content. The plant is uprooted or dug up with all the roots, rinsed in cold running water and left to dry. The plant is dried on sieves or hung in a place protected from the sun and well ventilated. Forced drying up to 45C. Stored in paper bags, no longer than two years.

The chemical composition of this plant has been studied quite well. The plant contains flavonoids (hyperin, rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin), phenol carbonate acids (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid), anthocyanins (delphinidin, cyanidin, peonidin), nitrogen-containing compounds (choline, acetocholine) are also found in the surface part of the plant; in the underground part of the plant 0 catechins (epicatechin).

Medicinal significance

In experiments, the settlement of the above-ground part of Creeping-Jenny acted as an antiviral and antibacterial agent. Also, its hemostatic properties were determined.

Of course, Creeping-Jenny is more widely used in folk medicine. Fresh juice is used as a blood-stopping agent (also in case of internal bleeding), and with its help, bruises can be reduced.

When the fresh plant is ground into a 'pure', it can be used to treat sprained ligaments, wounds and bruises. Dried plant extracts are used to treat cough, gout, rheumatism, diseases of the digestive tract, liver function disorders, stomatitis and thrush, skin diseases, arthritis, muscle and joint rheumatism.

Decoctions of Creeping-Jenny are used as compresses to heal wounds and eczema. Creeping-Jenny tea is used as an expectorant and a remedy for the digestive tract.

Not recommended for use

Creeping-Jenny preparations are not recommended in case of blood diseases, especially in case of thrombosis, varicose veins, sclerosis of the veins of arms and legs, and hypertension.